Or someone else?

I have a 1997 Wrangler and I've had two shops tell me the engine is shot and they won't work on it. Who's got a well priced, good quality replacement for this 4.0L? I want to keep this car for another 20 years.

TIA!

Does AER offer somethign?

$6,400 gets you a Golen 4.6L stroker....

Turnkey, bolt up 272hp/315ft-lbs....

https://golenengineservice.com/jeep-engines/

I know nothing of Fraser, but out of curiosity I did some research on Jasper rebuilds a few years ago. They had a terrible reputation.

Burdizzo said:

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I know nothing of Fraser, but out of curiosity I did some research on Jasper rebuilds a few years ago. They had a terrible reputation.

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X2

Friends FIL bought a 302 for a bronco and had 3 hypereutectic pistons out of 8 cylinders.

Junk.

GM makes a quality replacement for the 4.0l

Burdizzo said:

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I know nothing of Fraser, but out of curiosity I did some research on Jasper rebuilds a few years ago. They had a terrible reputation.

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The mechanic that recommended them pointed out they offer a 100K warranty. Thunderbolt is only 36K miles. that's all the data I have to go on...

Flaith said:

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$6,400 gets you a Golen 4.6L stroker....

Turnkey, bolt up 272hp/315ft-lbs....

https://golenengineservice.com/jeep-engines/

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I'm getting choked up thinking about the $5,500 I was quoted for the Jasper. I don't think I have it in me to go another $900.

I wouldn't trust Jasper to build me an IKEA table.

I'm pretty sure the answer to this is no, but can you still put a GM (like a 5.3) into a Jeep? A buddy of mine did a 350 for his late '70s model (CJ??; whatever it was). Or, is there a conversion kit?

This is curiosity rather than a suggestion.

I mean, you can put a LS in a Geo Metro

I's do a GM V8 and adapter for your ****** for that money.

I mean, if we're gonna get weird with it, Mopar crate motors are pretty damn turnkey

https://www.mopar.com/en-us/shop/performance/engine-accessories.html

Jasper used to have a great rep but not anymore. Don't know about Frazier. Thunderbolt has been around for year and I haven't heard anything bad about them, but a quality independent machine shop can rebuild your existing engine as good as new. All the parts will match, the crank and dampers will match because they are yours already.

A lot of these production builders like Jasper dump all the parts in one big hopper and reassemble from there

silverado_lover said:

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I mean, you can put a LS in a Geo Metro

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You would put an LS on a bicycle or go kart if you had everything lying around.

Heck, you probably have one running your washing machine.

Very close friend owns shop in San Antonio. He refuses to do business with Jasper, he said they do not make have a quality product and they do not want to stand behind their warranty. I would run away from them.

Seems like a great opportunity to put in that "modern" Cummins 4BT. I don't recall exactly what it's called but I remember them comparing it to their 4BT as an updated type of thing. They sell it as a crate type motor with harness. You're welcome for the vague recommendation.

If you're in Dallas, check out Blaine's Motor Supply. They have a good selection of rebuilt engines and their work is very good. Not sure if the link below is the right engine for you, but it might be.

http://www.blainesmotorsupply.com/details/B1613/engines/0/American%20Motors.html

I think you underestimate how much LS stuff I have laying around. My restraint to LS swap the Golf should be praised

A V8 swap will overpower driveline components. Axles and transfer case will will be susceptible to failure if taken off-road. If for a daily driver that will only see pavement and you don't have a heavy foot, it may be ok.

Something to keep in mind, there are automotive schools that will rebuild your engine as a teaching project. I think you just supply the parts and they will do the labor at no charge, including R&R and dyno testing and tuning.

As for a crate motor, there are quite a few companies out there that offer drop in ready options. Prices vary on those, $3500-$7k+. You get what you pay for on those.

And of course there are the local shops that can do quality work if you find one. Unfortunately I don't have anything to offer on that side.

I have a '99. If the engine goes out I'm really interested in that Golen.

Whichever way you go please let us know how it turns out.

Matt's Off-road Recovery channel on YouTube is rebuilding his XJ "The Banana" and is running a Golen stroker.

They work the crap out of that rig doing off-road recoveries, so I'm anxious to see how it holds up under repeated stress. He LS swapped a Corvair wagon to use as his heavy duty recovery vehicle and crawler, so I think not LS swapping the Banana shows some confidence in the Golen