Re: Possible Spirit Project

[adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Sandwich Maker)]

" From: reitand@xxxxxxxxx
" 
" 
" 
" The primary goal is economy, performance is secondary.  However,
" I don't want to completely sacrifice one for the sake of the
" other - hence my desire to avoid the four cylinder which may be
" somewhat anemic.
" 
" Is 28 MPG (highway) a reasonable expectation for a 4.0L in a
" Spirit?  Is it even a feasible installation?  I'm thinking of a
" mid-90s or so Cherokee donor, so as to get fuel injection and
" somewhat up-to-date emissions control.  Ideally I'd obtain the
" engine and five speed tranny from the same donor vehicle so I'd
" know they work together.

as others said, 28 oughta be an easy goal, and a very feasible swap.

be aware mid-'90s ['96 to be exact] divides two major flavors of 4.0 -
the '91-5 obdI ho and the '96-8 obdII.  i'd go for the earlier.

i'd also go for a milder cam - you can afford to give up top end for
low end grunt and efficiency; a spirit is lighter and certainly more
aero than just about anything jeep put the 4.0 in.  you wouldn't even
give much up - the 258 with '93-based mpi kit was rated 160 minimum
and made 170 in one magazine test, and it's way stronger off idle than
the 4.0 is.  factor in the 4.0's better head...

one minus with the jeep tranny is trucklike gearing.  i know i'd be
lots happier with a turbo supra r150 or 5.0 t5.

i don't think the iron puke would necessarily be anemic, especially if
you could swap it over to a tbi or mpi setup, but you couldn't get the
smoothness or long-legged cruise of a 4.0 and i don't think better
mileage either.
________________________________________________________________________
Andrew Hay                                  the genius nature
internet rambler                            is to see what all have seen

adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx                       and think what none thought