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Chevy 305 in my 2000 jeep tj?

12K views 112 replies 24 participants last post by  DeGusipe 
#1 ·
I have a 2000 jeep tj with an ax-15 transmission, np231 23 spline transfer case and upgraded driveshafts. I want to buy a smaller v8 and put into my wrangler. I not sure whether to go carb or fuel injected. I am thinking about going carb to drop the hassle of wiring. I am purchasing the adapter kit for the engine to tranission from Novak. I know I need different fan shrouds, radiator, different lines, links, exhaust and all that, but I'm wondering your opinion on carb or fuel injected and what motor to go with the ax-15 tranny. I'm not interested In buying a different transfer case or tranny because I do very light off-roading. Just wanted to get your ideas and what you have done. Thank you!
 
#63 ·
OP.... what you need yo do is STOP. Start your project by reading up on other peoples build threads and make an attempt to fully understand what is involved in a motor conversion. What you are doing right now is diving in without any final decision on what exactly it is that you want. This usually results in a project that never gets done or if it is eventually done, its a mess that won't come close to running and functioning correctly.
So stop and ask yourself some important questions...
1. Do you have the mechanical skills, tools, time and funds to do this?

2. Make a final decision on what motor you want.

3. Have you started your research and am completely familiar with what needs to be done.

4. Are you SURE that the axles etc., are up to the extra power..(if you still have a Dana 35, then the answer is "No"...)

Answer these to start with and you'll get better input on the forums..actually ..most of the replies have been spot on.....
 
#64 ·
Do it once and do it right has always been my proponent. It seems to me that you have very little skill with modern vehicles(1980's - Current) and am stuck in a mindset that's 30+ years old. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but doing a swap on a more "current" vehicle is a lot more detailed than you think.

Like others have said, STOP and do your research, LOTS of it. We all started out knowing absolutely nothing at some point in time, and over the years we've all learned various things and life, automobiles, and jeeps. If you think it's as simple as removing the old engine and putting in a different one(regardless of motor) with a few adapter plates, than you're going to have a VERY difficult time with this project and getting it out on the street/trail.

A motor swap can consist of an investment of thousands of dollars to be done once and done right. Your best bet may very well be selling your TJ and either getting one with a 4.0, or getting a CJ/YJ if you are that convinced fuel injection is something you don't want to deal with.
 
#66 ·
I don't have the knowledge or money to do a fuel injected swap. I'm going with a carb 350 and buying a new carburetor for it. If I get bad gas mileage and have to fool with a carb in the winter, on steep hills and all that then so be it. I'll tune the carb well and deal with the rest. Thanks everyone for the input.
 
#70 ·
Carb is definitely not the way to go. Plus you are going to have a fun time with all the gauges and such. I'd do the 318 or 360 like everyone is recommending if you want to keep it easy. I feel that if you have to ask about a carb though, you need a lot more experience before attempting an engine swap.

If you change your mind and decide to go with a 318, I know where there is a complete 318 Grand Cherokee in PA that the owner would let go at a very reasonable price.
 
#77 ·
Imo, going from fi to carb'd is absolutely ridiculous; might as well put wagon wheels on it too. Why not just sell the tj & travel by horseback... :D

I don't get why so many people want to run a carb'd motor. It's not simple in the long run (or ever) & I don't see how it could be beneficial....or worth all the headaches of running ancient technology...

Sorry for the small rant...but down here I've seen guys throw a carb'd motor in a tj more than once & act like it's the greatest setup in the world.

I'd take a stock 2.5L w/fuel injection over a carb'd 350 in a TJ any day of the week

Sent by a messenger bird
 
#78 ·
I say put a 305 w/carb in it and have fun with your 115 hp motor and overloaded carb, that you have to keep your foot in it to stay running. Run three wires or a push button and toggle switch to run it, and put a boat gas tank in the back to make a quick fuel tank and go have fun. Oh wait this isn't Wecrash {demolition derby) In a jeep that already has fuel injection keep it. If you want a jeep with a carb go find a CJ.
 
#84 ·
there's a few mods that let a carb run well off camber. my buddy runs a hot 350 in his yj and he did something with a copper tube drilling holes in it? something like that.

if you search you'll find write-ups. i'd tell you more but I don't really pay attention to carbs. personally i'd never run one. But it's worth looking into. it made a really big difference on his.
 
#90 ·
I'm sure it makes more torque than the stock 4, but yeah, the 305 is a pretty weak motor. I had an ex-girlfriend that had one in a full size Chevy 4x4. That was one of the slowest vehicles I've ever driven. That thing had no power.

Only the later FI 305's made any power at all.
 
#100 ·
You do actually realize that it is no easier to bolt in the 4.0 that it is to do a 5.2 or 5.9 Magnum motor right? Its the same amount of work...All of the items that need to be changed for the Magnum motors also need to be changed to accomodate the 4.0.

I wish I could understand your thought process on all this but its completely apparent that you haven't thought this through at all.

Good luck...I'm thinking you're gonna need all you can get....
 
#101 ·
You do actually realize that it is no easier to bolt in the 4.0 that it is to do a 5.2 or 5.9 Magnum motor right? Its the same amount of work...All of the items that need to be changed for the Magnum motors also need to be changed to accomodate the 4.0.

I wish I could understand your thought process on all this but its completely apparent that you haven't thought this through at all.

Good luck...I'm thinking you're gonna need all you can get....
Those dodge magnum engines are junk and that is the reason I am not going with the magnum engine, sorry.
 
#107 ·
Ok...I'm bored and had to look it up....

As taken from Wikipedia..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Camaro_(third_generation)

"the 305 TPI manual transmission models were rated at 220 HP @ 4400 and 290 @ 3200, Automatic at 195 HP @ 4000 and 295 @ 2800 and the 350 TPI got a small boost to 230 HP @ 4400 and 330 @ 3200. G92 (performance axle ratio) available only on IROC-Z with 5.0 TPI (LB9)."

For the Magnum motors...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_LA_engine

The Magnum 5.2, released in 1992, was an evolutionary development of the 318ci 'LA' engine with the same displacement. The 5.2 was the first of the Magnum upgraded engines, followed in 1993 by the 5.9 V8 and the 3.9 V6.

At the time of its introduction, the 5.2L Magnum created 230 hp (170 kW) @ 4,400rpm and 300 lb-ft of torque (410 N-M) @ 3,200rpm.[4] Production of this engine lasted until 2003

In 1993, Chrysler Corporation released the next member of the Magnum family: the 5.9L V8. This was based on the LA-series 360ci engine, and included the same upgrades and design features as the 5.2L. The standard 5.9L created 230 hp (170 kW) @ 4,000 rpm and 330 lb·ft (449 N·m) @ 3,250 rpm. It was upgraded in 1998 to 245 hp (183 kW) @ 4,000 rpm and 335 ft·lbs (454 N·m) @ 3,250 rpm. However, Chrysler came out with the performance-oriented R/T version in 1998. This engine was provided with a more aggressive camshaft profile, and it was rated for 250 hp (190 kW) and 345 lb·ft (469 N·m). The 5.9L R/T came factory-installed in 1998-2001 Dodge Dakota R/T pickups and Dodge Durango R/T SUVs. It was also installed in the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.9, only available in 1998. The 5.9L Magnum was available until the 2003 model year, when it was replaced with the 5.7L Hemi V8 engine.[12]
 
#108 ·
The magnum motors may be a good motor to you but with older dodge engines I have had a lot of bad experiences. If you could get all the items listed in the previous post for $700 wouldn't you snag that deal up? Of course the 5.9 magnum will crush the specs of a 305 and the 4.0L but I'm not looking to make a powerhouse out of this jeep. Just a fun little cruiser and some off-roading.
 
#110 ·
DeGusipe said:
The magnum motors may be a good motor to you but with older dodge engines I have had a lot of bad experiences. If you could get all the items listed in the previous post for $700 wouldn't you snag that deal up? Of course the 5.9 magnum will crush the specs of a 305 and the 4.0L but I'm not looking to make a powerhouse out of this jeep. Just a fun little cruiser and some off-roading.
Just out of curiosity, how old were the older dodge Motors you were having troubles with?

Are you planning on rebuilding the 305/4.0 before you install it?
 
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