CJ-8 Motor

joejeepny · #1 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 11:48 PM

I have a 1983 CJ-8 and I cant make up my mind. Keep the 258 thats in the Jeep now. Swap for a Dodge V-10 that I have sitting on the floor in my garage. Or get a V-8 that came in an 1983 Scrambler. I live in N.Y. and have to deal with emissions inspections each year and any of the motors will have to have all of the smog equipment they had for the year the moto was produced.

OutOfStep · #2 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 11:56 PM

They all seem less than optimal, there are lots of great crate motors out there from all the (previous) big 3. Chevy's are the easy solution, but I've always loved the ford 289 capable of 300 hp and 20 mpg and on the higher end I love the 390 in my cyclone, easily reaches 400 hp and will make just about anything run like a scalded dog. However, if I were you I'd move to rural Arizona so I didn't have to worry about emissions :wink:

firemanharry · #3 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 11:59 PM

If I were in your position I'd probably sell the V-10, rebuild the 258 and put a mopar fuel injection system on it.

This plan should be based on:
1. Stock drivetrain BEHIND the I-6 and how much money was available to upgrade it - heavier tranny and rears

2. What your planning to do with it once the project is complete.

Aaaaaaa.......who the heck am I kiddin'.......I'd want the V-10 in there no matter what kind of rationalization I tried.

Bounty__Hunter · #4 (**permalink**) 10-17-2003, 07:39 AM

AMC304 was probably an option when stock, but the 360 from a Wagoneer will bolt in with the 360 motor mounts. Both are decent engines. There is also an AMC401 but will the rest of the drivetrain handle it?

wm69 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-17-2003, 07:57 PM

What tranny you got? If you use anything but the 258, plan on one piece axles or a dana 44 rear, and a new trenny unless you got lucky enough for a T176 (will have a straight shifter; if your shifter's curved you're gonna have to replace tranny too). I'd go with the 304 if you've got the T176, you could do that and swap in 1 piece axles in your AMC 20 rear end and should be ok. I think the v10 would be major overkill; a modded 304 is scary power in something as small/ light as a jeep. You could get the 258 bored out, header, hi po ignition (jacobs etc) and a clifford intake with good carb, and a crane cam, and you'd have plenty of power and keep the #'s matching on your scrambler.

jeepin916 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-17-2003, 09:03 PM

i would go with the 360 they pump out some juice hehehe but in any case if i had the $$$ i would put in the V10
Hey Joejeepinny where part of NY are from? im in NY also im in the city tho.

far_right · #7 (**permalink**) 10-17-2003, 09:10 PM

Quote:

AMC304 was probably an option when stock

last yr for 304 was '80

joejeepny · #8 (**permalink**) 10-19-2003, 12:34 AM

Live in Long Island Now.

joejeepny · #9 (**permalink**) 10-19-2003, 12:36 AM

I am told the V-10 has the same bolt pattern as the 258. Anyone know for sure.