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225 engine upgrade

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by wjCJ5, Oct 19, 2006.

  1. wjCJ5

    wjCJ5 New Member

    Does anyone know what engine will repace a 225 V6 with aluminum bellhouseing with out adapter. I am looking for a larger engine 4.3 liter V6 or 350 or other. Any help would be great thanks Cody
     
  2. jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Buick 350 V8. But it's a big unit.
     
  3. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    4.1 Buick v6 or like said the 350 Buick.
     
  4. jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    ....but probably the easiest V8 to fit in a short nose Jeep though. and only 75 - 100 #s heavier than the 225.
     
  5. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Any of the small Buick V8s (300, 340, 350) will fit without changing the bellhousing or the motor mounts. The 225 is simply 3/4 of the 300. You'll need to move the radiator forward though.

    I'd advise you don't do it though. Your transmission (T-86 or T-14) is not strong enough for a Buick 350 IMO. Keep the V6.
     
  6. wjCJ5

    wjCJ5 New Member

    My tranny is strong enough i am running a T18A with my 225. What chevy engines work?
     
  7. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Doesn't seem like much of a 225 "upgrade" to me. More of a replacement.

    What's wrong with the 225?

    For replacements, a Chevy small block I suppose if you're dead set on a Chevy engine and moving engine mounts. The Buick 350 as mentioned would get my nod if you need a V8. It'd be the easiest swap.

    A Chevy 4.3L would give you FI which you can put on a 225 anyway but not much over a 225 IMO.
     
  8. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Chevy bell is different from a BOP (Buick-Olds-Pontiac). If you have an adapter bell, you'll need to buy a different one to run a Chevy. Or else use one of the (cheesy IMO) BOP-to-Chevy plate adapters that Summit or Jegs sells.

    Swapping a Chevy V6 for the Buick V6 is kind of pointless IMO. A lot of work for that small a cid change.
     
  9. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    That and the 4.3 with the rear distributor makes engine fitment a bit tighter. The PO got the 4.3 into SSDutch w/o hacking the firewall, but had to cut the grille down to get the rad a bit closer to the grille.

    Seat of the pants feel is that the 4.3 is a bit stronger than my 225 was. Could just be wishful thinking though...
     
  10. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    For a rough comparison, remember this is a ROUGH comparison.

    My 225 feels much more powerfull and is quicker to accelerate my Jeep than my friend's new short bed GMC with a 4.3L. Not apples to apples as he has a lot more weight to move around. But it is fuel injected and a 5 spd.
     
  11. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    ...and the disclaimer I forgot is that I'm no engine tuning expert. It's a fair guess that I never had my 225 running as well as it could have.
     
  12. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Bear in mind also that he probably has in the range of 3.08 or something similar gears vs. your 3.73. That makes a big diff also.:) Nickmil
     
  13. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    5spd trans has a lower 1rst than my 3spd I'm guessing too. ;)
     
  14. wjCJ5

    wjCJ5 New Member

    I have a 1960 CJ5 with 38.5 15 15 Boggers 30 spline dana 44s w/3.73 lockrites and T18 W/6.32 first. I haven't put the 38s under yet but i don't think the V6 will spin them so i am looking for an engine upgrade

    What is involved in the Buick 350 upgrade?
     
  15. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Makes sense to me now that I know what you're trying to spin. ;)

    Regarding upgrading, from Timgr's post above:
     
  16. Monkeyman

    Monkeyman Jeeper and Fast Boater

    The buick 350 swap is not all that easy unless you are fine with having a jeep that is hacked together and bound to break. My jeep started as one that I was just going to run STOCK from the JUNK YARD I bought it from, then noticed blow D27 front axle, put in scout 44's (4.88's front posi, rear spool) front and rear, and 35" boggers. Realized that the tired 225 was not enough. Then is when the REAL project began. The Buick 350 does fit right in if you want the week tranny bolted to it. But I didn;t want it to break so I went with a SM465 and then adpted it to a 1980 dana 300. This alone was weeks of work. Now you have to fine a radiator that will work, and a way to run a good enough elecric fan to cool it. The POWER difference will be well worth it though. Check out my webshots page as I have some older pics of my project junk yard jeepster. It has come a long way since those. Also, good luck getting exhaust run. That is one of my next steps. To hack up some hooker super comp headers that I paid 250 for used in order to make them fit. Lastly, if you end up doing it, take a lot of pics, take your time to do it right, ask these guys here they know what they are talking about, and buy a spare jeep to use for the year that yours is taken apart during your "upgrade" Zach
     
  17. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Easy now. It's his Jeep and I'm sure he has the skills he needs to do it right. Keep it civil please. Comments like this add nothing to the discussion except for starting flame wars.
     
  18. Monkeyman

    Monkeyman Jeeper and Fast Boater

    I am not saying that he is a hack. I am saying that I personally see it as hacking it if you just drop it in with all the rest of the jeep stock. I apologize if I offended anyone by my post and would be fine with it being removed if it does. It was more of a rant by me becouse I have had a torn up undriveable jeep for the last 2 years. But it will be Awsome when it is all done. Will try to post some new pics very soon. Zach
     
  19. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    He already addressed the transmission. Has a T18. ;)
     
  20. wjCJ5

    wjCJ5 New Member

    FYI i have the skills no prob. Is that all the major problems with the conversion? If so its like two weeks worth of work and most of that is custom making the headers. My radiator is big enough i went with over kill in the begaining and it is set up so i can move it back no problem ( i set it up at the start so if i wanted to run a V8 i could just move take out my spacer and move it back) Thanks for the input