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I'm almost having a V8

631 Views 13 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  CJDave
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I\'m almost having a V8

I'm in the middle of a Chevy 350 and SM465 swap into my 80 CJ7 that HAD a 258 and a SR4 trany. It is going surprizingly well. I got the 350 and the SM465 in the Jeep, and the drive shafts hooked up. The motor is a little more forward than I thought it would be (bolt in motor mounts), the rear drive shaft is a little short, but it will work. I think I'm going for a hydraulic clutch swap, depends on price. I've got everything figured out, I think, except the exhaust. I ordered the in frame headers(they are on back order), there does not seem to be room for dual pipes. I'm really thinking about fenderwell headers and side exits, but I'm scared of hearing loss. I like a nice rumble, but not too loud.

80 CJ7 lifted 4"
98 KX250
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Re: I\'m almost having a V8

/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif take it from a very old, very experienced engine swapper, the exhaust is always the most time consuming part./wwwthreads_images/icons/frown.gif You could not GIVE me headers.../wwwthreads_images/icons/frown.gif..too many drawbacks, and the benefit is at way too high of an RPM to make sense./wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif Don't get me wrong,/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif I've built a zillion high perf. exhaust systems, and made headers myself for our race cars, but there really is no justifacation for them on a normally driven Jeep. Another thing I have found is that a large, single exhaust works better and performs better on most "normal" V8 engines. Use 2-1/2" and a muffler you can drive through. NAPA had one which was wide open, 2-1/2" AND quiet to boot. I would try everything possible to go with a direct-linkage clutch. Hydraulic clutches are just more problems. If you were paying attention in geometry class, you'll have no problem. The heat from the headers will fry the hydraulic clutch anyway,(and whatever else is close by)/wwwthreads_images/icons/frown.gif so you may as well go direct-linkage now, right in the beginning. Been there....done a LOT of that./wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif

CJDave
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Re: I\'m almost having a V8

I totally disagree. "Speak softly and carry a big stick". I've only got the 305 but it IS the TPI 305. It's
nice and quiet with no warning to the 5 liter Mustangs and such that they won't be able to keep up with
me. Besides how are you gonna get your burger ordered into the clown mouth if they can't hear you over
the exhaust.?
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Re: I\'m almost having a V8

I guess loud is fun for only a little while. I didn't think that stock manifolds would fit, I thought the exhaust exits where too far to the back. I guess I'll have to take another look.

I thought that a mechanical clutch would have a hard time pushing a 12" clutch. When it was an irrigation motor, we just had a simple lever to disengauge the clutch. I guess that worked fairly easily, gives me something to think about again. I'm in no big hurry to finish, I'm taking my time.

80 CJ7 lifted 4"
98 KX250
Re: I\'m almost having a V8

Like I said, I've got the 305 TPI out of an '88. I had no trouble using the stock exhaust manifold. I also
have the 12" clutch with OEM style pressure plate and mechanical linkage, again no problem.
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Re: I\'m almost having a V8

/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif One piece of advice.....cut that clutch down to a total of nine springs if it isn't already. It will be easier on you, and easier on the flimsy crankshaft thrust bearing if you don't have that tremendous pressure to disengage. Will it hold? Yep....on a straight up incline with all your boots and saddles in the back and a full chest of Bud Lite./wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif

CJDave
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Re: I\'m almost having a V8

I'm not too big on headers, had some on my farm truck and dual exhaust. Now I am back to stock, the headers cracked after only one year of use(JBA). After I put my manifolds on, the truck seamed to have more power. Maybe it was all the exhaust leaks messing up the oxygen sensors. I'll have to see If I can find some good manifolds. What year would you recommend, or does it make a difference?

80 CJ7 lifted 4"
98 KX250
2
Re: I\'m almost having a V8

/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif I THINK the early 70's pickups dumped out the middle and may work on that setup./wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif

CJDave
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Re: I\'m almost having a V8

I agree with the single exhaust idea performance wise (maybe not for "sound" though) on a stock motor, but personally prefer 3" exhaust for a 350 if going single. Swapping to 3" on my '90 GMC helped & ditching the heavy muffler for a 3-chamber Flowmaster a couple years later helped even more.

TEX

/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif Got Mud?
G.U.M.B.O. Mud Racing
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Re: I\'m almost having a V8

/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif But for a stock motor Tex, isn't the 2-1/2" going to be OK? My GMC 350 can really pull with the 2-1/2" single. When I replaced the fact-tree 2" with a nice 2-1/2", the motor really "got outa jail"./wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

CJDave
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Re: I\'m almost having a V8

It'd definitely be "okay". But mine seemed to get better with the full 3". Granted, I can't tell you exactly what was there before. So, I could've been doin' overkill. Plus, mine's an injected truck & they have a little more ooompfh than my old carbed trucks ever did. 'Course I always used to run dual 2.5's on my old 185HP 4-barrel 350's. I know that was overkill. Don't remember if the swap mentioned was carbed or TBI. Gettin' rid of all the goofy factory bends (or avoiding goofy bends in this instance since it's not a factory motor) for some smoother curves is probably where he'll gain the most.

TEX

/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif Got Mud?
G.U.M.B.O. Mud Racing
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Re: I\'m almost having a V8

I checked on my headers, they are on the way. I might just refuse the delivery and go with some manifolds, depends on if I can find some good ones. I was thinking on going with a 2 3/4 or a 3 inch pipe with a flowmaster. I will be running a Holley 600 cfm carb. Can't beleave I was thinking of fenderwell headers with side exits, thanks guys.

80 CJ7 lifted 4"
98 KX250
Re: I\'m almost having a V8

"...How are you gonna get your burger ordered into the clown's mouth...."

HA - THAT'S A CLASSIC!!!!! :)

Pete.

88YJ,4"susp,33"BFGMTs,9000#winch, hm swing out TC/HL mount ,258,999,4.10,weber32/36,GMHEI.
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Re: I\'m almost having a V8

/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif Heh heh, Pete, the injector rattle from the older 5.7 GM auto Diesels was the EXACT tone and frequency to drive the clown crazy. I could NOT order food at a drive thru without shutting off the engine.....finally gave up, and what I would do is park a little farther back, get OUT and then order./wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif Ah....those 5.7's....drove a lot of PEOPLE crazy too, and kept ME in dirt-cheap transportation for YEARS, buying Diesel cars that regular folks gave up on. It was always the same.....water in the fuel and algae in the fuel tank./wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif Good for me....bad for them./wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif

CJDave
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