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8 cylinder to 4 need help.

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by sagegoat, Sep 20, 2007.

  1. Sep 20, 2007
    sagegoat

    sagegoat The good life........

    Vernal,Utah
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2006
    Messages:
    251
    I want to replace my 401 with a 4 cylinder.....what will bolt in? The power is great but I need gas mileage.
     
    sagegoat, Sep 20, 2007
    #1
  2. Sep 20, 2007
    DocsCJ5

    DocsCJ5 73 CJ5

    Northern CA
    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2006
    Messages:
    156
    Maybe try a swap to a 304? That might drop right in. Swapping to a 4 cylinder might be a big job, makes one consider selling the jeep and starting with a 4 banger.
     
    DocsCJ5, Sep 20, 2007
    #2
  3. Sep 20, 2007
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
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    4,275
    I'm thinking a second, gas-sipping vehicle is in your future.

    Jeeps by nature are low-geared, off-road torque monsters that just aren't designed to get good gas mileage. IMHO, anything you do to the Jeep in the name of gas mileage is going to make it perform less and less well off-road with every mod. That's not why you bought/built it.

    Take a few days and think about it..
     
    w3srl, Sep 20, 2007
    #3
  4. Sep 21, 2007
    jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    Nacogdoches,Texas
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    Mar 30, 2004
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    1,745
    ...seems like a AMC six would be the most natrual since that was one of the options for the intermediate years.....
     
    jd7, Sep 21, 2007
    #4
  5. Sep 21, 2007
    DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    Milford NJ 08848
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    Mar 21, 2007
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    1,518
    I'll give you my 304 for you 401. Heck I'll even come do the work. :D


    If i were you, I'd get another vehicle.
     
    DrDanteIII, Sep 21, 2007
    #5
  6. Sep 21, 2007
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    5,349
    Gas mileage in a jeep, are you kidding.:shock:
    You have all the aerodynamics of a brick with tires that enhance drag by design and a windshield that sits almost straight up along with the wind dragging on everything underneath of the vehicle. Even a modern 4 cylinder Wrangler of say a 96 vintage won't get 21-22mpg consitently. Hills will then kill the power of the 4 cylinder and then offset some of the gain you will make over a v8. A 6 cylinder would be a better compromise but even then good gas mileage and a jeep just don't go hand in hand.
     
    Mcruff, Sep 21, 2007
    #6
  7. Sep 21, 2007
    neptco19

    neptco19 That guy....

    Athens, GA
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    Sep 26, 2003
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    1,381
    How much for the 401 :D
     
    neptco19, Sep 21, 2007
    #7
  8. Sep 21, 2007
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    4,585
    if you wanted to get a bit better gas mileage, fuel inejction may be the way to go. you wont get GREAT mileage but you will most likely benefit from fuel injection. unfortunately for the year jeep you had they didnt have many 4 cyls made if any. usually it was the 6 or the v8. maybe go for a 6 cylinder.
     
    DanStew, Sep 21, 2007
    #8
  9. Sep 21, 2007
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
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    Mar 17, 2003
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    A 6 would be a better choice. I can't believe I am saying this but just because it is a 4cyl does not mean good milage.
     
    mb82, Sep 21, 2007
    #9
  10. Sep 21, 2007
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    Hmm. Flip answer: Remove gas cap, drive Jeep out from under gas cap, drive 4-cyl TJ under gas cap, replace gas cap.

    JMO - you're better off with a used econo-box 2nd car, and keep the Jeep. The Japanese mini-pickups are pretty economical, durable, and useful. Otherwise, 4-cyl YJs (?) and TJs are fairly cheap on the used market. I think you'd be disappointed with the high effort and low result from a 4-banger swap.
     
    timgr, Sep 21, 2007
    #10
  11. Sep 21, 2007
    neptco19

    neptco19 That guy....

    Athens, GA
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    Dont expect any whoping MPG either out of the 6cyl. My TJ if Im lucky gets 15ish.
     
    neptco19, Sep 21, 2007
    #11
  12. Sep 21, 2007
    High5

    High5 Member

    Urbandale, IA
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2005
    Messages:
    802
    You want a 4 cylinder that gets good fuel mileage????

    I have seen Cummins diesels in Wranglers that get 40mpg.

    That would be nice, though the swap wouldn't be easy.

    High5
     
    High5, Sep 21, 2007
    #12
  13. Sep 21, 2007
    sagegoat

    sagegoat The good life........

    Vernal,Utah
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2006
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    251
    I think your right about getting another vehicle. The motor is way to much for my Jeep or should I say my foot. If anyone wants to buy a project I'll sell the motor and the new top for 2K and I'll throw in the Jeep.:D
     
    sagegoat, Sep 21, 2007
    #13
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