on engine transplants...

[francis higgins]

I've often thought, why not use the Dodge magnum 360 in the Wag? Look at this!
http://www.mopar.com/m_perf_parts_product_part.jsp?categoryID=10016&itemID=519

:D

Only a diehard AMC purist would know the difference. The Dodge is a solid motor with all the goodies (f.i., rollerized valvetrain, etc.). There is lots of good stuff available for it too. You could swap the engine/o.d. tranny from a late model Jeep/Dodge truck complete. All you should have to worry about (assuming you get the proper tranny) is making motor mounts and exhaust and using the accompanying computer. In my case (and probably many others) the rig needs new exhaust anyway. How difficult would motor mounts be to fabricate? Any ideas?

[ September 19, 2001: Message edited by: francis higgins ]

[joe]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by francis higgins:
You could swap the engine/o.d. tranny from a late model Jeep/Dodge truck complete
[ September 19, 2001: Message edited by: francis higgins ]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Francis, you do "not" want a OD tranny in a stock geared(2.72 or 3.31) 80+ FSJ. That's already about as high geared as is parctical. If you have an OD tranny with a 25% OD top gear your efferctive axle ratio will be 2.04. If you think your Wag is gutless now...your eng will be running at such a low rpm it'll be way below it's power band and you will have none zip zero power on the hwy. God forbid you come to a hill or should have to pass someone. You'll have your foot in it constanly just to keep up speed and in turn will destroy your alrady poor gas mileage. If you're running 4.09/4.27/4.88 gears etc OD is a cool thing. With 2.72/3.31's it's a death sentance for driveability and what little power you now have.

[francis higgins]

The magnum engine makes almost 100 more hp than our AMC offering. Torque is up by about 50. I typically cruise around 80 mph (with 3.31 gears this puts the engine around 3000 rpm) on the highway. With the o.d. it would still be around 2200 +/- rpm which should be easily manageable with the magnum motor. This could only increase mileage at this speed compared to no o.d.

...BUT, mileage again is not the only concern. Longevity, reliability, parts availability, performance, etc. are also worthwile advantages to a swap such as this.

Also, having an o.d. doesn't mean it is stuck in o.d. for good. Any good auto trans will shift down when passing or hill climbing is necessary.

[joe]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by francis higgins:
I typically cruise around 80 <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Granted if your normal cruising speed is 80 mph...at that speed OD prolly won't hurt you.
At lower speeds I don't think you'll be very happy though.
FWIW I had an 84 F-150 with gears in the 3.00 range(or whatever Fords version is) w/OD. After 175,000 miles later on the rig OD gear had maybe 100 miles on it. That was put on somewhere in NB bringing it out from NH to WA. Other than that OD was usesless because you couldn't stay in it if the road took even a small rise.
But then again it's your rig and your money...have fun smile.gif

[nfroio]

For the money that it would cost to just buy the bare crate motor alone:

360 Magnum Crate Motor 380 Horsepower $3,599.00

plus: the recommended:

Holley 750 CFM Vacuum Secondary 4-BBL Carb
$ 256.97

and: the recommended:
1-7/8" Headers (Nickel Chrome Plated)
$495.00

you are looking at, $4,240.97, and that dont include someone pulling your engine and putting that one in, if you can do it yerself, cool, but, if not, tack on another $2,000.00 or so...

so, $6,250 for a increase of 100HP.. I am willing to bet that if you dropped half that into your current engine, at your local speed shop, machine shop, you could top that number fairly easily, with the correct engine....

just a thought...

[Dive 30]

I just bought a remanufactured 360 and the complete edelbrock package and it was just at $2000.00

If I was going to swap? Chevy 383 HD ($2400.00, TPI/TBI ready, VORTEC, 4-bolt main, 324HP 415lbs torque) w/ 4l80E (you get the O/D in a HD tranny). Universal mounts are easily available, adapters are available, TPI, easy to find parts. Just my .02

[nfroio]

Hey Dive,

I was going *brand spanking new* fresh outta the box pricing...

If I could get away with it here in CA, 426 HEMI all the way baby.... 485HP...

&lt;shivering&gt; Get the chills, just thinking about it.

[Dive 30]

Nfroio . . . yeah buddy! Just get TF 727 from a Chrysler, swap out the Jeep tailshaft, make some mounts . . . you suppose it would smoke all four 33's?!! :D

[ September 19, 2001: Message edited by: Dive 30 ]

[francis higgins]

426 Hemi... 380 hp 360 crate motor... You guys are nuts!!! Incidentally, the crate 360 is about 240 hp above our 360. I had in mind a low-mileage wrecking yard 360. This way you could potentially keep it smog legal and relatively inexpensive. You should be able to get everything you need in one place.

[nfroio]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by francis higgins:
426 Hemi... 380 hp 360 crate motor... You guys are nuts!!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Dare to dream, I say, if I ever do hit that Lotto, that's my goal (426 HEMI in the Wag), as well as stacking a 383 Stroker and rearranging the driveshafts and engine orientation in my '92 Ford Probe... now, that would be a garage full of sleepers... hehehehe
:D :D