88 to a 96 swap

[bike129]

I have a 96 4.0 that i want to stroke, and put it into my 88 xj. my question is, will it work? I plan on porting the head to match my intake, using all my current electronic's (renix). Will everything swap over to the newer block? Thanks.

[the grey ghost]

Mostly its a direct swap, the throttle position sensor need mod, hesco made an adapter, I made my own, and you'll need the 96 throttle cables and bracket on the intake manifold

[cruiser54]

Here's how it's done:

Cruiser’s HO into Renix Swap

This swap is easier than some will lead you to believe, generally those who have never done it. Those of us who have done it, like myself, will share with you the things that need to be done for a successful swap. Just think of it as swapping in a long block.

The HO and Renix have some differences but none that can’t be overcome very easily.

Any HO engine from an XJ or ZJ through 1999 can be used. One running change was that the rear of the head was no longer drilled and tapped for the temperature gauge sender beginning in the 96 model year. The sender can be relocated to the threaded hole in the thermostat housing taken from the HO engine. You’ll have to extend the wire to that location. Some brave souls even drill and tap the HO head for the sender.

You will be using the intake and exhaust manifolds from your Renix, along with all your sensors and wiring. Since the intake ports of the HO are slightly different, you use the Renix gasket. Exhaust ports are identical.
You will need to use your Renix distributor as it is different than the HO because they use different fuel management systems. The flywheel or flexplate from the Renix must be used so your CPS gets the correct signals. The valve cover from the Renix allows you to keep your CCV system intact and requires no modifications.

The HO block will have a plug in the coolant galley on the driver’s side of the block, closest to the front, which needs to be removed so your Coolant Temp Sensor can be installed in it’s place just as it is on the Renix. It requires a 5/16” square drive or a modified 3/8” drive that has been ground down to fit. Do this before installing the engine.

As for the knock sensor, which is located just above the oil pan on the driver’s side of the engine about mid way, all the blocks I’ve seen are threaded for it. If not, I’ve heard they may be drilled but not tapped. Tap the hole if that’s the case.


Revised 03/28/13

[the grey ghost]

I have a 95 engine in my 1990 with only the tps modified, everything else worked fine, plus you get a larger throttle body and potentially even larger for the stroker by keeping the ho intake and head, and you get aftermarket support for the exhaust header, but yes you must consider the coolant sensors, you can even put the 96 head on the renix block

[cruiser54]

I've done my 3rd, and it's a stroker yet to be installed.

HO head with Renix intake manifold, port matched head and intake, with an HO header and 60mm Renix throttle body from www.strokedjeep.com.

[Muad'Dib]

I wouldn't recommend using anything besides the electronics and possibly the block from a RENIX era Jeep. Your going to get better performance out of a newer 91+ Head, Intake etc.

Ideally you would want any 91+ head (negligible on which is best casting w/o porting)
99+ Intake Manifold
91+ Throttle Body
Decent 91+ Exhaust Manifold \ Header

You will need to adapt the TPS and use the following from a 91+

TV Cable if you have an AW4
Throttle Cable
Fuel Lines that go along the frame rail up to the fuel rail (or adapt them)
And its easy, but you will have to figure out Vaccum line routing.

If you use 99+ Intake Manifold then:
Power Steering Pump from 97+
New length serpentine belt.