The Big Plans For a Big Motor

[colozj93]

So I have been doing a tone of research on this and it is now a plan it the works. I have a 93 ZJ with the 5.2 this winter its getting a 8" long arm with 38s that's all worked out, but... I have now decided to do a 396 stroker with a Pro Comp Big mutha thumper cam and lifter kit. The estimated power puts it close to 600. I want to try and get anyones input. If anyone has done a stroker or cam in the 5.2 or 5.9 good places to source the parts and what not. Either way it will be happening just wanted to more ideas:thumb:

[zukrider]

do you already have 60's and an atlas? cuz ya gon'need'em

[xaza]

Matt did a stroker in his 5.9, likely can help

http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/member.php?1206-mattzj98

[colozj93]

do you already have 60's and an atlas? cuz ya gon'need'em

I have read up on the transfer case that it has and its fairly tough. I had an atlas on the Cherokee I used to have and its in my garage for the day mine kicks the bucket. I just rebuilt the tranny and t-case so I want to atleast destroy them first. I have 60s waiting to go in with the lift. I have an old f250 that is a donor for those they have already been gone through and have stout shafts to go in. this is my 3rd jeep but its my first experience with anything other than a 4.0

[colozj93]

I think matt did the mopar 408 swap. its a crate motor and I don't have the cash for that. I think its about 6grand

[mattzj98]

yeah it's the mopar swap.. but you can do the 5.9 swap with some goodies sourced fairly cheap and probably get more than enough HP..

[glacierpaul]

Sounds killer to me!

[The StRanger]

Anymore BIG CUBES mean big pounds...
What would you rather push up a hill
A bowling ball or a wrecking ball
Id rather have a big horse small block..

[mattzj98]

the 408 doesnt weigh any more than 318 or 360 actually.. but the HP and TQ are quite different :)

[gm4x4lover]

Dude you are going to blow up everything south of the t-case. If guys with stock small blocks need 1 tons, chromollys, and heavy duty drivelines what are you going to run to not break constantly with 600 hp?

[Java]

Sounds like a job for Rockwells!! After watching Rick's v10 truck spinning 39s like they were nothing last weekend I fully understand the need for hp, I'm looking forward to seeing this build. :thumb: IMO I'd sell the rebuilt tcase for more build cash and start with the atlas.

[xaza]

Upgrading the t-case first does not help with the drive to the trail. Got to match ring and pinion to tires first to keep engine in powerband. After that the t-case is for getting a good crawl ratio. 600 hp is great in the right applications, for off road you want low end torque to gently roll over obstacles. Adding a longer stroke often involves additional machining costs. There is a lot of power to be had by rebuilding and putting in cam and larger valves, certainly not 600 hp if that is your goal.

[Rick]

Got to match ring and pinion to tires first to keep engine in powerband. After that the t-case is for getting a good crawl ratioX2!!!

[Coonburger]

glad to see someone has the horse power bug. I did some research a while back 600 hp with a mopar is very expensive. but not impossible. What are going to do for fuel delivery? Carb or Injection?

[tonkatoy]

Are you boulding a mud racer or a rock crawler

[Java]

I meant just in his particular case, with a paid for Atlas sitting in the garage, rather than the expected killing of the rebuilt transfercase and eventual replacement with the Atlas, I'd sell it while it has value and start with the atlas. If it was me I'd probably see what places like Turn Key Engine have ready to go, or maybe a GM Ramjet / nv4500 / atlas combo. I do like the idea of 600 hp though...

[Coonburger]

hell yeah go for 650 !!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI0s61jFr2o

[gm4x4lover]

Nothing like a built 454 and 1/2 ton axles.

[Coonburger]

true story less pumpkin and weight to drag through the mud.

[colozj93]

the plan is to use a set of d60s I sourced from a f350 using full cromemolly and 3.56 gears the lay out of the f350s axles will give good strength. the tranny was just rebuilt and warentied for 3 years so I will see if she makes it that long befor replacing it... but if it does go I will be using a mopar 727 tranny and altas 4 speed tcase once the stock blows up. the mopar tranny is just as bullit proof as any other tough tranny its just going to stay mopar. im not a chevy fan and that's the only other option for that much power. As far as weight goes the motor will actually get lighter with all the billet and aluminum parts. it should cut close to 100lbs the weight gain will be in the axles and armor not the motor.

[colozj93]

just got the cam in today. its mean. the stroker is still a few hundred away so maybe around December that will go in

[gm4x4lover]

I wouldn't waste my money on building a rear 60 but rather use a 14 bolt. There is a reason every big tired high powered rig runs one. They say a 14bolt is stronger than a 2 1/2 ton Rockwell.

[Coonburger]

to bad the dana 70 is stronger ;) haha

[Coonburger]

cant wait to see this motor done :)

[Metalhed]

Not a jeep guy- but can a unibody handle that much power. I thought the Cherokees were all unibody and prone to big flexing if not caged up

[xaza]

I estimate my ZJ to be around 400 hp (crank), possibly coming up a little short of that due to some factory fuel and air components, and it flexes a little bit. Enough to want stiffeners. After adding the ones to my XJ, I swear by them, and I don't have the complete stiffener yet. Front extensions not added yet which will be very helpful for an overpowered motor. I too look forward to this build, we'll have to have a ZJ night at Bandimere!

[xaza]

$130 for ZJ!
http://www.tntcustoms.com/Jeep_cherokee_XJ_ZJ/uni-body_stiffeners.aspx

[colozj93]

The ubibody can't handle it at all. It just twists and brakes front winshields on a regular basis but its getting frame stregtening and more cross members to get it rigid

[xaza]

The front coil perch cross member like on the SRT8 is pretty sweet, I think it would be easy to build

[colozj93]

we were drawing out a plan similar to it with not 4x4 it opens up the area for the 440 and many other fixes to the frame and suspension