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  • March 28, 2024, 03:21:06 PM

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Author Topic: Engine Ideas  (Read 33603 times)

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Offline eaglefreek

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Engine Ideas
« on: August 18, 2014, 12:03:17 AM »
I'm just brainstorming here. I should be getting my 81 wagon back soon, but I won't start the project till next year. I gave it to a friend when I moved to TN, but he didn't do anything to it and said I could have it back. I just have to get it from Denver to TN. Here's a pic of what it looked like when I owned it.

It was a 6cyl. 4 speed car. The engine is actually in my 86 Eagle. I got a T5 for it before I gave it to my buddy. Since I already have an off road capable Eagle, I want it to be a 100% street vehicle with an emphasis on performance. I'd like to shave some weight off by not reusing the heavy 258. I'd be happy with 200 hp. I don't want to go to high because the front cv axles might not be able to handle much power. To go through the hassle of doing a major engine swap, the new engine needs to be a bit lighter to make it worth while. I would love to put in a Vortec 4200, but it is quite tall and I don't think it will fit  under an Eagle's hood, plus it's not much lighter but has a close to 300hp.  I'm leaning towards a Ford 3.0L Duratec V6. 200+ HP and weighs in the mid 300's complete. There is a bellhousing to use a Ford T5 which should work with the AMC T5. I would even consider a 4cyl turbo engine. I realize some major fabwork will need to be done, but I don't like average. I'd love to get some input, besides just stick a 4.0l in it.
1986 AMC Eagle Wagon 4.2L/4.0L head, AW4,NP242, Chrysler 8.25" rear.
1981 AMC Eagle Wagon As Seen On TV  Lost In Transmission


 

"I know he'd be a poorer man, if he never saw an eagle fly,
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Click for Fayetteville,TN Forecast" border="0" height="100" width="150

Offline 1985amceagle

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Re: Engine Ideas
« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2014, 01:45:22 AM »
Some people stick the GM 3800 in place of the stock 2.8 in xj/mj vehicles that had the engine. I'm not sure what transmisionsthey used, but the Amc 4 cyl has the same bellhousing bolt pattern. the later 3800s seem to be a long lived engine, and GM also supercharged some of them, so it may make a decent swap candidate
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Offline eaglefreek

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Re: Engine Ideas
« Reply #2 on: August 18, 2014, 09:53:46 AM »
Some people stick the GM 3800 in place of the stock 2.8 in xj/mj vehicles that had the engine. I'm not sure what transmisionsthey used, but the Amc 4 cyl has the same bellhousing bolt pattern. the later 3800s seem to be a long lived engine, and GM also supercharged some of them, so it may make a decent swap candidate
Thanks for reminding me. That's on my list also, but it's all iron and not a huge weight savings over the 258. The GM Ecotec 4 cyl turbo is also on my short list since it has a lot of aftermarket support. I looked at so many different options including Japanese engines and the Australian Ford 4.0l straight 6.
1986 AMC Eagle Wagon 4.2L/4.0L head, AW4,NP242, Chrysler 8.25" rear.
1981 AMC Eagle Wagon As Seen On TV  Lost In Transmission


 

"I know he'd be a poorer man, if he never saw an eagle fly,
Rocky mountain high"  John Denver
Click for Fayetteville,TN Forecast" border="0" height="100" width="150

Offline Nightpath

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Re: Engine Ideas
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2014, 07:44:39 PM »
Holy sweet lord I love the look of that color scheme.

Offline eaglefreek

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Re: Engine Ideas
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2014, 08:12:03 PM »
Holy sweet lord I love the look of that color scheme.
Well, it will probably be changed, though.
1986 AMC Eagle Wagon 4.2L/4.0L head, AW4,NP242, Chrysler 8.25" rear.
1981 AMC Eagle Wagon As Seen On TV  Lost In Transmission


 

"I know he'd be a poorer man, if he never saw an eagle fly,
Rocky mountain high"  John Denver
Click for Fayetteville,TN Forecast" border="0" height="100" width="150

Offline eaglefreek

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Re: Engine Ideas
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2014, 08:25:13 PM »
Just for fun, I was playing around on website that you can try different wheels on your car. I don't want the donk look with huge wheels and rubberband tires, but I do want some 17's with some sidewall on the tires.




« Last Edit: September 28, 2014, 08:25:58 PM by eaglefreek »
1986 AMC Eagle Wagon 4.2L/4.0L head, AW4,NP242, Chrysler 8.25" rear.
1981 AMC Eagle Wagon As Seen On TV  Lost In Transmission


 

"I know he'd be a poorer man, if he never saw an eagle fly,
Rocky mountain high"  John Denver
Click for Fayetteville,TN Forecast" border="0" height="100" width="150

Offline rollguy

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Re: Engine Ideas
« Reply #6 on: September 29, 2014, 02:00:20 PM »
The GM Ecotec 4 cyl turbo is also on my short list since it has a lot of aftermarket support.
That is a great concept, having a small turbocharged 4 cyl engine. They get great fuel mileage, and really move the car quickly when asked to do so.  You might even think about the Buick Grand National engine (turbo V6?).
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Offline Prafeston

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Re: Engine Ideas
« Reply #7 on: October 06, 2014, 09:47:37 PM »
Very interested to see where this project goes! ;)
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Offline BenM

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Re: Engine Ideas
« Reply #8 on: October 07, 2014, 01:24:17 PM »
I like to see people go new directions in engine swaps. I've always wondered if a Subaru flat four would fit under the hood of an Eagle.
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Offline DownwardFlame

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Re: Engine Ideas
« Reply #9 on: October 07, 2014, 03:24:18 PM »
Could also consider a ford 2.3 turbo. I'm trying to find good 2.3 for my Sx4. I haven't decided if I'm going turbo or not yet.
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Offline eaglefreek

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Re: Engine Ideas
« Reply #10 on: October 07, 2014, 07:20:25 PM »
I like to see people go new directions in engine swaps. I've always wondered if a Subaru flat four would fit under the hood of an Eagle.
I thought about that for a split second, then I saw one in the junkyard and didn't look very easy to work.

Could also consider a ford 2.3 turbo. I'm trying to find good 2.3 for my Sx4. I haven't decided if I'm going turbo or not yet.
I considered that also, but they aren't much lighter than the 258. Plus, I had one for over 22 years in my Mustang SVO and I want something different.
1986 AMC Eagle Wagon 4.2L/4.0L head, AW4,NP242, Chrysler 8.25" rear.
1981 AMC Eagle Wagon As Seen On TV  Lost In Transmission


 

"I know he'd be a poorer man, if he never saw an eagle fly,
Rocky mountain high"  John Denver
Click for Fayetteville,TN Forecast" border="0" height="100" width="150

Offline carnuck

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Re: Engine Ideas
« Reply #11 on: October 08, 2014, 12:24:40 AM »
I had a turbo 2.3 in a Tbird. Motor lasted only 100,000 careful miles. Rebuild parts were crazy expensive too. Block and pistons are special to them only. I considered a reliable Peugeot turbo diesel (BA 10/5 trans came stock with them but I can't drive stick anymore) If I didn't have a 4.0L as backup, a 5.2 from a Grand Cherokee might have jumped in mine. I can get a good running one with a core 42RE trans for $300. The O/D packed it in.
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Offline IowaEagle

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Re: Engine Ideas
« Reply #12 on: October 08, 2014, 12:19:46 PM »
You may want the weight of the I-6 as the car was nearly perfectly balanced front to rear.  That is important for 4WD traction.  If it was me I would go with the 4.0 as you can easily boost them a few more HP from their 180 to 200 and save yourself a lot of fitment hassles.
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Offline Nightpath

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Re: Engine Ideas
« Reply #13 on: October 08, 2014, 12:24:47 PM »
I think a Subaru drivetrain from a turbo WRX would be pretty hot. Only issues I can see coming up is that you'd have to use everything from the Subaru...even the axles are part of their system IIRC. There's a tonne of them around here with decent KM and rotted bodies.

They will go for 300-400,000 miles without much problems.

I'd love to see a Subie drivetrain an SX/4...or a Chevette ;)

Offline carnuck

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Re: Engine Ideas
« Reply #14 on: October 08, 2014, 12:30:15 PM »
Problem is the width of the axles and IFS system are made for a much lighter rig.
AMC/Jeep gauges are for amusement only. Any correlation between them and reality is purely coincidental!

 

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