What to do? Build, refresh, fun?

[southseapirate]

So my 01 XJ lost Cyl#2 and Im trying to decide what to do.

I have a 95 that doesnt run all that well with an unknown history; tbf I havent dug into it yet.
I also have another unknown engine that I know absolutely nothing about. But do know it should be 91 to 95 due to the head casting.

Now my original thought was to freshen up the 95 assuming it's running good before I pull it. Say maybe a gasket overhaul and timing chain, etc.

Always wanted more power and figured If Im that far into it, with an unknown engine I might add, might as well jump on the stroker bandwagon.

Decided to put together a true costs spreadsheet and finally came up on researching the price on the crank; pretty much dead last. After which I discovered the cranks are not easy to find and cost has skyrocketed.
Once putting the crank into the cost calc it seems no longer practical to buy piece by piece. That said, should I go with kit or should I go with another option?
I don't know much, or really anything about the machining process, but figure that the cost is just as much for a stroker as it is prepping for a rebuild.

Options are;
1. Get the 95 engine running good and do a refresh. Risk unknown engine and miss an opportunity. Est $150
2. Get the 95 and do a basic rebuild (not bottom end) without machining. Risk failure due to skipping machining process, also missed opportunity. Est $350
3. Pull the 01, full machine and rebuild. Expensive. Est $2500
4. Use 95, full machine, rebuild to stock spec (exc pistons and rods) and then turbo. Not as reliable as stroker. Est $2000???
5. Use 95, full machine, rebuild to stock spec. Reliable, no fun. Est $1000

I want practical, reliable, daily. Ill hardly ever do any extreme offroad, but will build it to do very decent. Say 3" lift, with LSD rear and locker front with max 31 (now have 29.5 that are brand new). Basically Im asking for too much as I want best of both worlds; lets just say I drive far and fast and I want it to due decent trail. So, with that book written; pros, cons, input, thoughts, options, fk it walk?

[Cheromaniac]

The problem with putting a '91-'95 engine into your '01 XJ is that your header won't match up to the 7120 head.
Another thing to look into is whether the head on your '01 engine is cracked. If so, that's going to affect your future plans.
Given that 258 cranks are becoming ridiculously expensive, you could instead look for a 232 crank in ebay and build a 4.2L mini-stroker. Add your existing 4.0L connecting rods together with Silvolite 2229 pistons (+0.060" overbore) to complete the bottom end.
As for the top end, if your '01 head does turn out to be cracked, you could use a 7120 head but you'd also need to get a '91-'99 header and modify the downpipe to make it all work.

[southseapirate]

Header is a non-issue. Honestly I never should have even mentioned the 01. I wouldnt ever even consider reusing the 0331 head and it is known overheated block. I have two other blocks; why bother with the 01 at all... Also, to be more specific on the 01, the cyl is galled. All else held up fine.

Ill have to research that 4.2 mini. Never even heard of it honestly.

Thanks for the heads up!

[Cheromaniac]

Ill have to research that 4.2 mini. Never even heard of it honestly.

You could do this and have a nice engine that produces plenty of low rpm torque:

4.2L Milder mini-stroker

AMC 232 3.500" stroke crank
Jeep 4.0L 6.125" rods
Silvolite UEM-2229 +0.060" bore pistons
Increase piston dish volume to 24cc
8.8:1 CR
CompCams 68-115-4 192/200 degree camshaft
DIY ported HO 1.91"/1.50" 57cc cylinder head
Mopar/Victor 0.043" head gasket
0.040" quench height
Accel 24lb/hr injectors for '96-'04 engines
241hp @ 5000rpm, 293lbft @ 3500rpm

[southseapirate]

Have a source for these parts?

Also, I suppose what I should be asking is a machine shop grocery list.
And what difference, if any, between rebuild and stroker when it comes to machining?

Really appreciate the help!

[SilverXJ]

The problem with putting a '91-'95 engine into your '01 XJ is that your header won't match up to the 7120 head.

Thats the stock manifold that won't match up. Aftermarket headers for 00+ fit the earlier heads fine.

[Radioactivexj]

If you need ideas on what parts to get then figure out what build you want and then look in the projects section. Most if not all of us put up our build sheets on there with all the parts we used. Honestly though the only things I ordered myself was the Scat crank and my Keith Black forged pistons. The guy who did the machining and rebuild for me ordered the rest of the engine parts because he gets a discount. I would say most machine shops probably can get the parts for you cheaper for the most part.

[Cheromaniac]

Have a source for these parts?

Summit Racing for the pistons, camshaft, injectors, and EV1 to EV6 injector adapters.
Ebay for the 232 crank.
All other replacement engine parts will be stock.

[amceaglesx4]

The aftermarket headers for a 0331 will cover the ports on the 0630 and 7120 ???

[southseapirate]

I dont know myself.
Im going with the 7120 head and matching header.
Cutting off the down pipe on the 95 and matching up to my pipe with a flex-pipe (to minimize stress).

http://speed-daddy.com/stainless-ss-rac ... ee-4-0l-tj

https://www.amazon.com/Double-Braided-F ... DFPC8FGK1G

[SilverXJ]

The aftermarket headers for a 0331 will cover the ports on the 0630 and 7120 ???

yes

[southseapirate]

Machine shop grocery list?
And what difference, if any, between rebuild and stroker when it comes to machining?

[Russ Pottenger]

Machine shop grocery list?
And what difference, if any, between rebuild and stroker when it comes to machining?

I'd be happy to toss my name out there if you need any help in parts and such.

A few directions and options regarding building a stroker parts kit.

As Dino said the least expensive option is to go with the 232 3.500 mini Stroker. I stock and sell a 2229 piston with a CNC dish volumes of 22, 24, and 26cc in 3.905 and 3.935 bores.

If your looking to go the 258 4.6/4.7 route I also have Pistons in stock and at no additional cost can custom make them to order.

What are the most obvious benefits of running mine or any other custom piston over a KB piston is you don't have to whack .040 off the deck of the block get your desired deck/quench. Last time I checked, my Pistons are running about the same cost.

Feel free to shoot me a call or email.
I'll be happy to help in anyway that I can.

Russ
Bishop-Buehl Racing Engines
531 N. Lyall Avenue
West Covina, California 91790
Work (626) 967-1000
Cell (626) 673-2203
Email/PayPal: [email protected]

[southseapirate]

Here's the compression test results on the '95 XJ
Without plugs
1 110
2 100
3 115
4 120
5 100
6 105
With plugs
1 105
2 100
3 110
4 115
5 110
6 100
Keep in mind the brand new test kit hose barely grabbed a thread or two; smh.

[Cheromaniac]

The numbers are pretty low but are even across the board, which is typical of a high mileage engine that's showing some signs of wear but isn't yet on its last legs.