If you’re an avid off-roader, or even a truck enthusiast, you probably love to modify and upgrade your vehicle, to make it capable of fulfilling your needs. One of the most exciting, but difficult and expensive upgrades to make is to swap out the standard engine.
Standard engine options
The Jeep Xj comes with a few engines as standard. It’s worth considering these before you look to swap:
3.6 Liter V6. Standard on all models, the V6 option produces just under 300 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This is a great engine for everyday driving, as it’ll deliver you enough power, with good refinement and a comfy ride. It’ll also do 26 MPG on the motorway.
5.7 Liter V8. Everyone loves a V8, and the 5.7 liter Hemi is a great choice if you’re looking for respectable power, a great noise, and staggering towing capacity. This V8 will produce 360 horsepower, 390 pound-feet of torque and will be able to tow up to 7200 pounds.
6.4 Liter V8. If you’re looking for even more power, Jeep offers a huge 6.4 Liter V8 to satisfy your needs. It’ll deliver 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, offering some serious power on the road. With this engine equipped, you’ll also be able to tow 7,200 pounds.
6.2 Liter Supercharged V8. This is the most powerful engine in the line-up, offering a staggering 707 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. With this engine equipped, you should be a match for anyone on the road.
It’s definitely worth considering these engines before you decide to swap it out for a completely different one. These engines are proven to work in the Jeep Xj, so fitting them will be much less stressful.
Best Swap Options for jeep xJ
As we have seen the XJ comes with quite a few engine options as standard. However, there are many reasons for wanting to swap out the standard engine.
It may be your engine packed up, you’re looking for better performance or something else altogether.
Whatever your reason may be there is no shortage of options available for the XJ. Here we look at a few of the best options:
Mercedes-Benz OM617
If you’re looking for a cheap diesel engine to put in your Jeep Xj, the Mercedes-Benz OM617 is one of your best options. It consists of a 3.0 liter, turbocharged incline-five cylinder, which produces 120 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque.
These figures are much lower than the stock engine options, but you’ll be able to improve the engine dramatically with the addition of a mechanical injection pump.
The main advantage of this engine is the cost. Not only is it one of the cheapest engines to buy outright, but it’s also one of the most economical engines, so you’ll save a lot of money on costs. Although, performance will be poor compared to some of the other engines on this list.
LS Engine
If you’re looking for some decent power, you could consider the 4.8 Liter VLS engine. They can be found in many SUVs from the 90s and will produce around 300 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. You’ll also need to install a harness to make the engine work.
The LS engine comes with a host of advantages. It will give your Jeep better air intake, greater longevity, and greater fuel economy than standard engines.
The LS engine is also much more refined than the older engines that come as standard on the Jeep Xj, so you’ll receive a smoother and more comfortable ride.
Again, this engine doesn’t produce the most impressive figures, but it’s extremely cheap and economical to run, and will provide you with a smooth ride for everyday use.
Another great advantage of the LS engine is how easy it is to install. You’ll probably be able to do it yourself, even if you don’t have much experience, and if you don’t feel very confident, you’ll only have to pay for around 2 hours of labor to have it fitted.
350 V8
If you’re looking for an engine with great heritage, consider GM’s 5.7 Liter 350 Ci V8. It’s one of the most reliable engines on the market, making it a great swap choice for anyone who uses their Jeep as a daily driver.
It doesn’t produce mind-blowing figures, with a mere 210 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, but it will give you enough power for most everyday tasks. It’s also an economical choice, making it the perfect choice for anyone who wants to get the most out of their Jeep Xj.
Ford V8
If you’re looking for something a little different and abstract, consider the 5.0 liter V8 engine, offered by Ford. It’s found in older mustangs and will produce 225 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque as standard, but this can be upgraded and tuned pretty easily.
This V8 makes a very distinctive noise too, so it will make your Keep Xj a very unique truck.
The best part about this engine is how easy it is to install. Ford stocks all of the parts that you’ll need, so you won’t struggle to find anything that you need. And actually installing the engine should be a hassle-free process.
Generation I-II Chevrolet Small Block V8
If you’re looking for something with a little more power, you should consider the small block V8 offered by Chevrolet. The best engines will produce around 350 horsepower, which will give your Jeep Xj some serious power. Fuel economy will be fairly poor with this engine, however, which is something to bear in mind.
The Small block V8 is also one of the most compatible engines for the Jeep Xj, so installation should be pretty simple. It’s also a very popular choice to go for, so there’s plenty of information online, which will help you when installing the engine.
General Motors V6
If you want a reliable engine which will deliver good performance, consider the GM 3.4 Liter V6 engine. It will produce 160 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque, which is more than enough for everyday use. It’s also economical, and provides a smooth and comfortable drive.
So, there are some of the best engine swap options for your Jeep Xj. The Jeep Xj has some great engine options as standard, but there are better options on the market, which will save you money and give you great performance.
If you’re looking to swap out your engine, make sure you do your research first. Not every engine is going to fit your specific model, and getting things wrong could lead to some pretty serious consequences for your vehicle’s integrity and your own safety.
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