Engine transplant - BA/BF 4.0L into a TJ??

[bigredtj]

Electronics wise it would be pretty simple, after market computer to run the engine. The TJ electronics are pretty simple id rip it all out and do aftermarket gauges and a motec for the motor and be done with it.

[bruggz351]

Originally Posted by eksjay

Having both a EL Futura and an XJ, I am in love with 4.0L Straight Sixes.

However, excuse my ignorance.... Why is the Ford engine head bigger than the Powertech, if they are virtually the same capacity?

Does it have something to do with one being alloy and the other cast iron? What gives the Ford engine the extra power? Not that I am at all unhappy with the XJ grunt [given the 1.5 tonne weight of the car].

It's been bigger since its inception, back in the late '70's. It's bigger simply because of its cross-flow design. Intake is on the LH side, or passenger side, and the exhaust exits the driver side. Improves efficiency and also power.

It wasn't until the late '80's that it became Over Head Cam. Ford have just stuck with a good thing and made it better. Although I have heard the Ford In-line 6's days are numbered.
I'm a BIG fan of the x-flow. Very easy and cheap to get good HP and torque.

cheers

[bruggz351]

Originally Posted by Lachlan

Indeed, I was thinking about that a few days ago...

I would think that the EEC-V system would be pretty self contained in the engine compartment, but I don't know how it'd integrate with the rest of the car. Or with that damnable beeping noise that Jeep seems to love so much...

My question is where does the engine loom end and the car's loom begin, and how do they join together?

The big problem using Ford motors is the BCM. There are blokes out there that sell the chip/etc. to side step this. Another way, although to my knowlage, it only works on motors up to AU, is to use a computer/control system out of a EA/B. Pre Smartlock.

The later systems are very advanced, I dont know of any easy ways around it.

cheers

[josh9465]

i wish there was a step by step guide on engine swaps for a TJ.

ie what wires to cut join etc.

[carvesdodo]

junglejuice has a yard full of XJs at the moment ... and an XR6.


A cheap trial of engine swapping for everyone ...

... might be to fill him up full of rum .... and see what rolls down the driveway the following morning ...

[Lachlan]

"A cheap trial of engine swapping for everyone ..."

Provided that you don't run out of cars, engines or, heaven forbid, rum; a la Jack Sparrow.

"But why is the rum gone?!"

[Nigel]

I have thought of this, the exhaust is even on the Drivers side, making routing easy!

But- the computer is the problem, last time I looked at anything Ford EEC management systems are proprietary, and last time I looked no-one (and I mean no-one) was making aftermarket computers for Ford motors. Hence why 9 out of 10 late model engine swaps in the U.S are GM. The issue seems to be more that the engine control and body control unit are unitary in construction. Meaning you would have to convince the motor that your TJ was a Falcon. Not necessarily impossible but a whole lot harder than the options.