Does anybody here run a 4.0 Head on a 4.2?
- Thread starter GrEmLiN
- Start date
GrEmLiN
New member
A well engineered Jeep can do ANYTHING I want it to... why is that so hard to accept for some of you?
It's not about being practical it's about being different.
You know how many times I've heard people talk shit about my factory V8 Gremlin and tell me I should put a SBC in it? NEVER. A) It's a cardinal sin to an AMCer B) AMC V8's are superior and unique. It shuts them up when I put the car sideways until they can't see me in the distance then bang it from 2nd to 3rd at 87mph.
And there's NO reason I can't have a properly designed and smartly built Jeep that can do whatever I want it to. And I DON'T have to keep buying stuff until it's the way I think I want it. Then it would be like every other Jeep out there.
Turbo is another option to strongly consider. In fact, I picked up a turbo not long ago. It's definitely too small, but it's a start. If I can use it in its current form just to increase overall efficiency that would be cool, as an experiment to learn about turbocharging. And it's cheap to modify my carb for a low boost setup and build a box around it.
Look here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBTbZNfdOWE
That is my friend Jim aka Fuzz's CJ7 with an AMC V8 built up. He used to run 11s-12s in the quarter mile ON 37 INCH MUD TIRES. Street legal, he can run 11's on drag slicks or put the swampers on and go through the trails. He's set it up more now for drag racing than anything, but it was and still is a pretty versatile vehicle.
While I won't necessarily go in any one direction to the extreme that Fuzz did, he's still an inspiration that I can push some limits PRETTY FAR before it's not able to do everything I built it for.
It's not about being practical it's about being different.
You know how many times I've heard people talk shit about my factory V8 Gremlin and tell me I should put a SBC in it? NEVER. A) It's a cardinal sin to an AMCer B) AMC V8's are superior and unique. It shuts them up when I put the car sideways until they can't see me in the distance then bang it from 2nd to 3rd at 87mph.
And there's NO reason I can't have a properly designed and smartly built Jeep that can do whatever I want it to. And I DON'T have to keep buying stuff until it's the way I think I want it. Then it would be like every other Jeep out there.
Turbo is another option to strongly consider. In fact, I picked up a turbo not long ago. It's definitely too small, but it's a start. If I can use it in its current form just to increase overall efficiency that would be cool, as an experiment to learn about turbocharging. And it's cheap to modify my carb for a low boost setup and build a box around it.
Look here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBTbZNfdOWE
That is my friend Jim aka Fuzz's CJ7 with an AMC V8 built up. He used to run 11s-12s in the quarter mile ON 37 INCH MUD TIRES. Street legal, he can run 11's on drag slicks or put the swampers on and go through the trails. He's set it up more now for drag racing than anything, but it was and still is a pretty versatile vehicle.
While I won't necessarily go in any one direction to the extreme that Fuzz did, he's still an inspiration that I can push some limits PRETTY FAR before it's not able to do everything I built it for.
massxj
Moderator
So your asking a bunch of guys that wheel about building something unique. when it breaks 4 hours into the woods unique is a bitch to fix. Its cool around the mall or the burger shop cruze night but sucks when I have to drag your jeep out of the woods because you wanted to cobble together an ignition system instead of dropping in an HEI. Mr Murphy has a law and he will apply it at the worst time.
I can see the cool factor in making something work from a pile of parts but it sucks when shit goes wrong and you cant get a replacement
I can see the cool factor in making something work from a pile of parts but it sucks when shit goes wrong and you cant get a replacement
beaker
Active member
A friend of mine put a built 350 into a fiberglass bodied cj7. Drove it for ~2 months then yanked it. Too much power, not enough handling, got dangerous real quick.
200 or so hp.. why not go stock v8 and get reliability.
On the other hand my 170hp diesel pickup feels great on hills. Only time I need more is when I am towing the jeep up a long hill. Been thinking of a swap except the emissions would be a bear.
200 or so hp.. why not go stock v8 and get reliability.
On the other hand my 170hp diesel pickup feels great on hills. Only time I need more is when I am towing the jeep up a long hill. Been thinking of a swap except the emissions would be a bear.
JeepinMaxx
Active member
Alan said:Pete is that at the wheel or crank
Alan - that was at the wheel on the dyno - (Pete correct me if I'm wrong) I think with it's with 35's
GrEmLiN
New member
My ignition IS an HEI... using the OEM distributor. Which I'm going to modify for more mechanical advance, its currently limited to 13 degrees I'm going to either flip the head or modify it to about 18 degrees. My ignition has been upgraded to its limit. It's not pretty but it works even on mostly 25 yr old wiring. I did however lose the timing retard function for the starting circuit by going HEI. But I still have my Duraspark module mounted and can plug it in and use it at any time should my HEI fail. I also have the stock coil and a Ford Mustang E-core coil under the hood and can switch between the two ignitions with 3 wires.
The next step would be an MSD box.
Bigger carb (small jets) and better ignition are already done, and I'll keep my exhaust (might even leave the cat in place, for 25 yrs old it still passes emissions), the head swap would really set this engine off... but a slightly larger camshaft to use that increased airflow would REALLY be the cat's ass.
I agree that a V8 would kill my handling. It handles pretty good for such a SWB as is. With better springs and a wider power band it would really shine.
I can (have done) and will do both with my Jeep. I don't see ANY reason I should have to compromise ANY one area to such an extreme that a SOA 3/4 or 1-ton axle Turbo L6 or mild V8 ~100" WB YJ couldn't go down the drag strip at over 100mph, go wheeling and go on a roadtrip in the same swoop.
Give me time gents, it can be done.
You're right though... y'all seem more interested in getting in and out of the woods than getting better power and fuel economy from a 25yo 180k mile piece of vintage technology.
Thank you to the ppl who contributed and encouraged throughout this thread.
The next step would be an MSD box.
Bigger carb (small jets) and better ignition are already done, and I'll keep my exhaust (might even leave the cat in place, for 25 yrs old it still passes emissions), the head swap would really set this engine off... but a slightly larger camshaft to use that increased airflow would REALLY be the cat's ass.
I agree that a V8 would kill my handling. It handles pretty good for such a SWB as is. With better springs and a wider power band it would really shine.
I can (have done) and will do both with my Jeep. I don't see ANY reason I should have to compromise ANY one area to such an extreme that a SOA 3/4 or 1-ton axle Turbo L6 or mild V8 ~100" WB YJ couldn't go down the drag strip at over 100mph, go wheeling and go on a roadtrip in the same swoop.
Give me time gents, it can be done.
You're right though... y'all seem more interested in getting in and out of the woods than getting better power and fuel economy from a 25yo 180k mile piece of vintage technology.
Thank you to the ppl who contributed and encouraged throughout this thread.
bigdaddymack51
New member
I think as you wheel for a couple years ,your needs change. If you dont have the money to buy everything you think you need , You make it. With bigger tires comes more gear,with engine work comes more heat. What we do gentlemen is work or butts off all month to go have a few hours of major fun. Modifications are a living thing. Sometimes its for the better and sometimes it aint ! Thats why we wheel in a club with caring and helpful friends. I know none of you would leave someone out there on the trail without a plan to return and fix it tomorrow. There are butchers in the group also and they can weigh down and great day. Personally I think what I did so far on my 74 hasnt rendered it useless on the trail or street. You always have to use your head in any situation and engine building is just one of them. Most race engines arent usuable to crawl with , but built with the right parts , what an improvement. This is just a build thread , where info is shared. I am in no way trying to tell you what and whatnot to do. Just what I have found out by doing the math and research to get where I am. Maybe along the way ,spare someone time or money with my experience . FjR68
GrEmLiN
New member
How about radiators? I have a 100% aluminum radiator that cools decent but I don't know if its enough for a mild V8 on a warm day. The hoses are the same right or do I need to modify a CJ V8 radiator to fit?
Starters are the same and can I modifyy/retain the passenger side mount? Does the driver side stay in position or do I cut both out and locate the new setup per my own measurements?
Starters are the same and can I modifyy/retain the passenger side mount? Does the driver side stay in position or do I cut both out and locate the new setup per my own measurements?
