jeep motor swap from a 2.5L to a 318?

Question

Can someone tell me if i can put a 318 motor to replace my 2.5L motor without changing the transmission? I have a 2000 Jeep Wrangler TJ with a 5 spd transmission. Do i need to move or make changes to my motor mounts?
Thanks

Answer 1

Yes, but I wouldn't suggest it! even though you can match them up with some mods, there's gonna be too much power to the axles. You can get by much easier if you just switch to the 4.0 instead!
Why go v-8 if you don't need it?? I rock crawl with one of mine and the 4.0 is more than strong enough.
Unless you're drag race with it, why bother?

Answer 2

Jeepnuk is exactly right. Here's the deal. You want more performance from your jeep. To get something that you aren't going to have to be constantly working on (like your current set up) you will have to change the motor and transmission. For jeeps one of the easiest, cheapest, and most powerful conversions is the chevy small block motor. The dodge 318 is a great motor. Those motors in the 318, 327 ci range seem like they perform better than the bigger ones.

Sell that ax-5 transmission for about $700 (they break all the time, as a matter of fact I need one right now) and swap for a v-8 and mating 5 spd transmission. Get a transfer case adapter and clock the case down to help with the driveshaft angles caused by that massive lift that you are going to put on.

It will cost more upfront, but you will be working on it less, and it willl be the baddest jeep in your neighborhood, unless you live in moab or Telico.

P.S. The 2.5 is weak, but it will run forever.

Answer 3

WHY???? Granted the 2.5 L only makes a good boat anchor but the 318 is not much of a better choice. I assume that your goal is a better performing unit right? Get yourself a 4.3 Votech and with and inexpensive trans adapter and a motor mount kit from any number of swap catalogs you will have a fine ride that will do damn near anything you ask it to do. We just made this swap into a Sportage and I can smoke the tires at will and still get decent fuel economy. Before you turn a wrench or spend a dime, ask yourself, what you are wanting the end result to be and go from there. You will be a whole lot happier with what you end up with. Good Luck

Answer 4

Yes you can put in the 318. Yes you need to move the motor mounts. Yes you can use yo original transmission with the proper bellhousing from Advance Adaptors. No it won't last long becaust the tranny was designed for 4cyl power not V8. Get your hands on an AX-15 or NV4500 tranny and it will hold up well to the 318.

Answer 5

I know you have to weld new motor mounts and get some kind of bell housing conversion, but the biggest deal is the computer brain for you jeep, I heard it is a head ache! unless their is a after market conversion computer brain for the 4 cly. to the 318 v8. before you start buying stuff check into the computer brain thing! in the old jeeps (before 87, i think the engine was all mechanical, but the newer ones have alot of computer run devices, like the distributor and other stuff) I just changed my 242 6 cly. (4.0) out for another 242 6 so I wouldn't have to worry about all of that stuff. maybe you could go to a 242 or a stroker jeep engine(I hear that the stroker is the shiznits) v8 power is awesome, but it could be really costly!

Answer 6

OK... I've done alot of mods to my 2.5 YJ and worked alot on my friend's TJ, so I can tell you with confidence that you WILL have to move your motor mounts. It's not that big of a deal, though, just need a welder and some iron handy. As far as the 5 speed goes... is that an AX5? I converted my 2.5 over to a 350 and bought a bellhousing and adaptor kit that worked fine. There is a jeep parts recycler/distributor out of Glendale, AZ that I worked with- I believe it was Glendale Jeep Parts, but they had many, many adaptors available. Good luck

Answer 7

2.5l Jeep Engine