Engine Swap
 

Hey all!

New guy here. I have a 1997 XJ 4-door, 5-speed manual with the 4.0L I-6 and I was wondering if anyone knew what (if any) engines are compatible? I am hoping to find a smaller engine in this time of oil uncertainty, but I don't want to sacrifice too much in the way of power. Does the 2.7L V-6 in the Dodge Charger fit? The 2.4L I-4 in the Patriot? Any ideas about price?

If anyone had any ideas it would be really helpful.

Thanks

Re: Engine Swap
 

Just TURBO it and be done. probally cheaper than a new engine. Dawg

Re: Engine Swap
 

Will a turbo help use less gas? I was under the impression they did the opposite.

Re: Engine Swap
 

The trubo will be more efficient if you haul things... if you dont it will cause your gas mileage to be significantly worse.

Re: Engine Swap
 

I think that without a turbo on my 3/4 ton I would not get 18+ mpg IMO dawg

Re: Engine Swap
 

if you're trying to find a smaller more efficient engine from an economy stand point then a late model is not the answer; how long and how far would you have to drive before you'd recoup the monsterous expense of finding a donor vehicle to cough up the engine/accesorys/wiring harness/computer etc etc ??? there aren't many chargers or patriots in the wreckers .. yet .. you might luck out and find a totalled charger for i dunno, 5 or 10 grand .. then what ?? divorced t-case ??

same with diesels .. everyone and their aunty are snapping up 4bt's like they're made out of gold, and the loot guys are getting for them reflects that .. and of course the mountains of fab work to fit 'em .. and they're stinky and noisy and diesel aint cheap fuel anymore .. you can run them on waste vegetable oil sure, in the summertime and when the engine is warmed up, lard is not known for it's stellar flow characteristics at minus 40

turbo is again NOT the answer .. you have a lot of fab work to fit a turbo, especially under the hood of an xj, plus the added cost of a piggyback fuel controller .. you're gonna be sorely tempted to jam on the skinny pedal, i know i wouldn't be able to keep my welly off it .. then all your fuel economy goes out the same window the OPP will be handing you expensive speeding tickets into

you could sell the 4 liter xj and find a 2.5 4cyl version for cheap as chips, but you will lose a lot of ponys and a lazy 4 liter burns about the same amount of gas a screaming 2.5

i suggest you look into propane conversion; low emissions, less moving parts, longer engine life .. AND you can cook burgers on the trail