Engine Swap???

[brielly]

I have an 83 cherokee w/ 258 6 cyl. and I would like to convert to fuel injection when I have the engine rebuilt. I have read many articles about the mopar kit and it seems as though the only way to do it right would be to ad the 4.0 head as well- a pricey venture to say the least. My other thought it to just get a good 4.0 engine and istall it instead. Seems like a cheaper alternative. Can this be done easily? and will it work with the t-18 4 spd tranny?

[69WagFromH@%L]

Welcome to the Board!
I have read an article on that but it said to use the 4.0 HO head! I dont know enough the inline 6's but I thought I might welcome you to the board.

[jasonthomasfrance]

Here's what I found:

http://www.collinsbrosjeep.com/images/hardparts/mpi/moparefi.htm

http://www.colorado4x4.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=002568#000001

You might try looking on some CJ forums too, since the 258 was used in them...

I can't give you any direct info though...

[Spudz]

I purchased a 4.0 head for install on one of my 258's, with manifolds and computer and everything from a 91 XJ in a u-pull-it yard (a 91 4.0 is equivalent to the 4.0HO used in previous years). Took a few hours to disassemble everything and get the head to come loose (Big Rubber Mallet). Those manifold hold-downs are a pain! This donor XJ had already had the whole front clip cut off and sold, so it was basically just the 4.0 on the frame rails so it was much easier than it could have been. Still needed my full collection of ratchet extensions and u-joints and still could barely get to a couple bolts (ratcheting flat wrench worked real sweet for the rest).

Anyway the whole pile of parts cost me less than $150. That's the 4.0 head, the intake manifold, the tube header style exhaust manifold, the whole wiring harness, the computer, and the valve cover.

I will need more parts and labor to make the whole thing happen though, such as having the head checked out and a valve job done. And then there's the 'while I'm at it' group of options, like roller rockers and cams and lifters and so on, because I'd be doing it myself. Just for the plain swap I wouldn't need much else, new head bolts and gaskets and throttle linkage and airbox/coldair setup and 'little' stuff like that.

Not exactly 'easy' but also very worth it at the same time. Burn less gas AND go faster? Sign me up!

[Blackjack]

Keep us updated breilly and spudz on both of these projects. Sounds real interesting.

:cool:

[2ndtimearround]

Originally posted by jasonthomasfrance:
You might try looking on some CJ forums too, since the 258 was used in them...

I can't give you any direct info though...Try: http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep their forums are quite good for CJ info.

Lawrence

[Rick78J10]

I would do a search on
http://www.off-road.com/toc/

There are many tech articles on this site about what you want to do. I also have a 258 that is in a cj-7. It was a low milage motor so I opted to go with a Howell Kit. I have been satisfied thus far. It has been on for about 1 year. I have a friend that is swaping a 4.0 into his cj. It is going ok but he did run into a few issues. If you go the 4.0 route be sure to get all the wiring and such. I do not know anyone one that has done the the head change. I know a guy that has the mopar kit. Works great but a bit pricey. Also if you wanted to use a performance manifold the mopar will not work to my knowledge. The howell kit and probabably even the Holley can be tuned for them.

[sloop]

I think the Howell is a good option, you can use it with a 4.0 head or with the stock 4.2 head. I've heard some people have to run high-octane gas with the MPFI kit, and it is more expensive.

But if you get the whole MPFI setup and 4.0 head for $150 from a junkyard I think thats a really good deal. I wish I knew of a junkyard around here that would let stuff go that cheap