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Hey members, so here we are 2021 and good to see we're still into these Full Sizes. So at this point in this process have we found what the ultimate swap or engine upgrade is to maybe double the factory 360 horsepower? I'm kicking around my options to bring my 79 Chief up to 365-385 horsepower and 400-435 ft.lbs of torque. I know that you guys have the formula by this time, so I thought I'd check with the pros.
Have you guys determined that the factory 360 is or isn't worth the cost to get that much HP out of it? Is there a common wrecking yard engine swap out there that can be done for less than what it would cost to warm up the AMC 360?
Then of course that brings us to the transmission and transfer case. As much as I would like to keep the Quadratrac TC, I need a 4th gear for the transmission too. Have you guys worked out a solution for this problem?
Thanks very much for the info, I'm trying to go in the direction that gives me the most bang for the buck.
Appreciate your help,
Fast
1979 Cherokee Chief S, V8, MSD Pro Billet Distributor with New Factory Ignition Box (are these 2 even supposed to work together?), HEI Wires, Edelbrock 1406, Edelbrock Performer manifold, 3.54 gears, Tru-Trac Locker in the rear, Turbo 400, New Quadratrac, Dual gas tanks, new 32 x 11.50's, Big 9000 winch, Homemade 2.5" full length exhaust, Custom Headlight Harness, Custom front bumper working, Custom Rear Swing-out Bumper, Class V receiver hitch ... and a lot of work to do yet.
Still here! What are your plans for the jeep? A daily driver would probably do best with a LS swap. If it's an occasional weekend rig the building up the 360 might be the way to go. The difference is technology. You can get 360HP out of a 360 but to do so you have to cam it in a way that it's going to be a bit thumpy at idle and may be a bit more temperamental than a stock 360. An LS will give a much smoother driving experience but still be able to deliver the numbers you are looking for.
Oye, I'm still here and will go with will e on feed back. By the time you bump a 360 to 360 HP, it will probably not be suited well for off-road use. And it won't be cheap.
Yes, reliability is the most important need. I would like to be able to not only drive down to the grocery store but also drive up to the mountains and get to a hunting cabin back in the woods or drive to another state and not have to worry about overheating on the highway or the trail. We know that these 'breadboxes' are heavy and not so aerodynamic, so putting together a combo that has power on tap when needed and can also deliver better fuel economy than a carbureted AMC 360 at highway speeds.
So what combo of engine, TC and transmission has proven to be the simplest to fit into these trucks and be reliable?
Thanks.
1979 Cherokee Chief S, V8, MSD Pro Billet Distributor with New Factory Ignition Box (are these 2 even supposed to work together?), HEI Wires, Edelbrock 1406, Edelbrock Performer manifold, 3.54 gears, Tru-Trac Locker in the rear, Turbo 400, New Quadratrac, Dual gas tanks, new 32 x 11.50's, Big 9000 winch, Homemade 2.5" full length exhaust, Custom Headlight Harness, Custom front bumper working, Custom Rear Swing-out Bumper, Class V receiver hitch ... and a lot of work to do yet.
Yeah, if you want big horsepower, drivability and reliability then a swap is the way to go. Seems like the LS is a popular swap. Find a wrecked truck and pull the drive train. There is a lot of info in the modified section of the board. This thread has a lot of good info as well:
You know how these AMC 360's are low compression, I wonder if a 'power adder' would be a cheaper alternative? Has anyone done a SuperCharger on an AMC 360 and would this be a good alternative for needing HP part time?
I'd like to hear your opinions on this.
Thanks
1979 Cherokee Chief S, V8, MSD Pro Billet Distributor with New Factory Ignition Box (are these 2 even supposed to work together?), HEI Wires, Edelbrock 1406, Edelbrock Performer manifold, 3.54 gears, Tru-Trac Locker in the rear, Turbo 400, New Quadratrac, Dual gas tanks, new 32 x 11.50's, Big 9000 winch, Homemade 2.5" full length exhaust, Custom Headlight Harness, Custom front bumper working, Custom Rear Swing-out Bumper, Class V receiver hitch ... and a lot of work to do yet.
Super Chargers are not readily available for these motors. A super charger will tend to make the engine run a bit warmer too since you are compressing the air before it goes into the engine.
Ok, so with the 79 I have the passenger side drop front diff and the off-center rear differential. If I go with an LS swap, what trans and TC will allow me to keep my factory axles? I just rebuilt both so I'm not gonna change them.
Let me know what driveline you would look for to allow the factory axles to stay.
Thanks for the ideas guys.
1979 Cherokee Chief S, V8, MSD Pro Billet Distributor with New Factory Ignition Box (are these 2 even supposed to work together?), HEI Wires, Edelbrock 1406, Edelbrock Performer manifold, 3.54 gears, Tru-Trac Locker in the rear, Turbo 400, New Quadratrac, Dual gas tanks, new 32 x 11.50's, Big 9000 winch, Homemade 2.5" full length exhaust, Custom Headlight Harness, Custom front bumper working, Custom Rear Swing-out Bumper, Class V receiver hitch ... and a lot of work to do yet.
Fast79Chief wrote: ↑Tue Jan 19, 2021 5:53 pm
You know how these AMC 360's are low compression, I wonder if a 'power adder' would be a cheaper alternative? Has anyone done a SuperCharger on an AMC 360 and would this be a good alternative for needing HP part time?
I'd like to hear your opinions on this.
Thanks
Yes, thats an option but you have to build it. You can get a Universal Centrifical Charger/Paxton and add 6-8 lbs of boost. Or build a turbo system that provides 7-10 lbs of boost. Each of these would add 100-150 HP and would be cheaper than a SWAP. I'd use a Holley/FITEC Boost-ready EFI systems with timing control. With less than 10 psi you dont have to provide a cooler.