Another First Stroker Build

[Sailor77]

Hello Everyone and thanks for all the great information. Here is what I have going on.
1999 Grand Cherokee Limited and complete rolling chassis from an 89 Wrangler
I am going to use the block and head from the 99, along with the crank (and maybe rods) from the 89

I am torn between the long rods and short rods and no, its not the price of the pistons. The price difference between the KB and a hypertech and having it custom dished is not much difference. I am hoping for minimum machine work. The obvious of turning the crank, boring the cylinders, polishing the rods, Im fine with that. Im just nervous when it comes to having to deck the block, finding the right quench, having to buy custom length push rods ect. This is going be a daily driver, so I not shooting for 300HP and it has to run on pump gas, 91 maximum. Id like to install a comp cam, possibly a little port and polish on the head and be down the road. So far I have $1700 in buying both jeeps, so I feel I am off to a good start as far as cost wise.

[Cheromaniac]

In that case use the crank from the '89 (the journals will probably need to be reground undersize) together with the 4.0L rods and Keith Black IC944 pistons. If you shave 0.020" from the block and use the Mopar Performance 4529242 head gasket, you'll end up with a 0.051" quench and a 9.5:1 CR. Crower have 9.600" pushrods (0.025" shorter than stock) that should be just right for you (Summit Racing part no. CRO-69960-16).

[Sailor77]

So right about $1400 in parts (including the crank and rods), plus machine work, doesnt seem too bad. Looks a little like this:

4.6L stroker
Jeep 4.2L 3.895" stroke crank
Jeep 4.0L 6.125" rods
Keith-Black Silvolite UEM-IC944 +0.020" bore pistons
9.5:1 CR0
CompCams 68-231-4 206/214 degree camshaft
Ported 1999 Head
Mill block deck 0.020"
Mopar/Victor 0.043" head gasket
0.051" quench height
Stock Throttle BOdy
Accel 26lb/hr injectors with stock 49psi FPR for '96 and later engines.
250hp @ 4900rpm, 310lbft @ 3500rpm

Do my number and dollars seem right? Are stock springs and rockers good with this Cam? And I get to sell off the rest of the rolling chassis and full time transfer case!

[SilverXJ]

Looks fine. However you may have to remove more or less than .020" from the deck. I would also do a zero deck. Better quench. However, .051" quench isn't bad either.

Your stock springs will not work with that cam.

[Sailor77]

The 99 block is cracked. Can I use a 98 from a ZJ or will the accessories and cam not fit at that point?

[SilverXJ]

Check the block thread in the FAQ section. One of the links mention something about the 98 ZJ block being an odd ball. Where was the block cracked?

[Sailor77]

inside #4 cylinder. I was looking at the FAQ, and didnt see anything specific to say I can or cant.. Anyone need a really big paper weight?

[SilverXJ]

I just realized you are using the block in a WJ. I would say no, the 98 block wouldn't work. The articles state that the 98 ZJ block was used in XJs as well. However, it would take a lot of work to make a WJ block fit in an XJ so I doubt the ZJ block would go in the WJ easily.

The 1999-2004 model Grand Cherokee and 2000-2005 Wrangler have used what looks to be a clean sheet-design block. The front has a long ear on the lower left side that replaces a bolt-on mount. There are all kinds of different mounting bolt bosses on each side of the block, some metric, some not (see illustrations), and the filter mount is once again 90 degrees to the pan rail.

If I were you I would use a 99-2004 WJ block and a 2003+ head as the early 0331 heads are prone to cracking.

[Cheromaniac]

Do my number and dollars seem right? Are stock springs and rockers good with this Cam? And I get to sell off the rest of the rolling chassis and full time transfer case!

Stock springs and rockers will do fine for the cam break-in but thereafter, you'll need the Mopar Performance 5249464 springs with matching retainers and locks.

[Sailor77]

That is what I was thinking. If anyone has a lead on a 99+ WJ 4.0 let me know. There is nothing around here.

[SilverXJ]

You haven't entered your location, so I don't know where "here" is, but I 1bolt may have one if you are in VA.

[Sailor77]

its updated. Fort Wayne, IN