thinking of replacing engine

kelticknight · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 11:32 pm

hey guys
have a 2002 3.5 crd sports with vmi engine and looking at replacing it with 2.8 crd engine
would this work,any pros and cons
was going too change my kj but decided on this,the engine im looking at has only 2000 miles on it
cheers in advance

kapalczynski · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 12:29 am

I would think there would be several wiring changes between the two, different ECU, probably different transmission computer, not sure what else would change. Physically I can't see why it wouldn't be possible, but it may cost you some cash if there is a big difference unless you can get wiring/parts used from the junkyard, etc.

nursecosmo · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 1:34 am

kelticknight wrote:

hey guys
have a 2002 3.5 crd sports with vmi engine and looking at replacing it with 2.8 crd engine
would this work,any pros and cons
was going too change my kj but decided on this,the engine im looking at has only 2000 miles on it
cheers in advance

3.5 liter? What is wrong with the engine you have? I would love to have the simpler version of what we got over here. simple turbo, simple EGR, Better milege.

MrMopar64 · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 2:53 am

If you replace the engine, the corresponding ECU should be included. The 2.5L ECU with the 2.8L engine would give you poor power output.

If I remember correctly, in the early models (02-04) the 2.5L was manual trans only, while the 2.8L was auto trans only. In this way, the 2.8L ECU I don't think would work properly with a manual transmission. Also, the durability of the 5-spd manual trans with the 2.8L I don't think would be so good (same for the DMF).

I think you would be making more headache for yourself in doing a retrofit in this way.

kelticknight · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 11:00 am

MrMopar64 wrote:

If you replace the engine, the corresponding ECU should be included. The 2.5L ECU with the 2.8L engine would give you poor power output.

If I remember correctly, in the early models (02-04) the 2.5L was manual trans only, while the 2.8L was auto trans only. In this way, the 2.8L ECU I don't think would work properly with a manual transmission. Also, the durability of the 5-spd manual trans with the 2.8L I don't think would be so good (same for the DMF).

I think you would be making more headache for yourself in doing a retrofit in this way.

the 2.8 crd comming from uk reg with manual gearbox,is only £1500 which is around €1800 for me,might have too get ecu and wiring setup,only reason im changing it my 2.5 has almost 170,000 miles on it and wass either rebuild or get another engine,might look out for another 2.5 crd vmi engine with low miles

kelticknight · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 11:02 am

nursecosmo wrote:

kelticknight wrote:

hey guys
have a 2002 3.5 crd sports with vmi engine and looking at replacing it with 2.8 crd engine
would this work,any pros and cons
was going too change my kj but decided on this,the engine im looking at has only 2000 miles on it
cheers in advance

3.5 liter? What is wrong with the engine you have? I would love to have the simpler version of what we got over here. simple turbo, simple EGR, Better milege.

reason im looking at doing this is my 2.5 crd has high mileage 170,000 miles ,

kelticknight · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 11:03 am

kapalczynski wrote:

I would think there would be several wiring changes between the two, different ECU, probably different transmission computer, not sure what else would change. Physically I can't see why it wouldn't be possible, but it may cost you some cash if there is a big difference unless you can get wiring/parts used from the junkyard, etc.

might see if i can get a working 2.5 crd with low mileage

dgeist · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 11:29 am

I could swear this conversation has all taken place before... Does the 2.5 have wet sleeves? If so, you might save a lot of money just having them replaced and have the engine be good for another 170k. granted, that's not a cheap endeavor, but I'm sure it's cheaper than replacing the whole engine and I'm sure is less complicated.

Dan

kelticknight · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 11:49 am

dgeist wrote:

I could swear this conversation has all taken place before... Does the 2.5 have wet sleeves? If so, you might save a lot of money just having them replaced and have the engine be good for another 170k. granted, that's not a cheap endeavor, but I'm sure it's cheaper than replacing the whole engine and I'm sure is less complicated.

Dan

whats wet sleeves ??

kelticknight · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 12:09 pm

heres one of engines i was looking at

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... Track=true

dgeist · **Posted:** Wed May 19, 2010 9:28 pm

kelticknight wrote:

dgeist wrote:

I could swear this conversation has all taken place before... Does the 2.5 have wet sleeves? If so, you might save a lot of money just having them replaced and have the engine be good for another 170k. granted, that's not a cheap endeavor, but I'm sure it's cheaper than replacing the whole engine and I'm sure is less complicated.

Dan

whats wet sleeves ??

This page has a good explanation:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navistar_DT_engine

Long story short, the replaceable, constant-diameter cylinder bores transfer heat better (with direct fluid contact) an have tighter tolerances than the cylinder bores into which they fit. It also means that when you re-build it, you have a brand-new factory-diameter cylinder volume with corresponding ring tolerances, etc (basically, a brand-new engine).

I was under the impression that the 2.8s were this type, but I might be wrong. Regardelss, seals and tolerances for moving parts is what wears out in a high-mileage engine, so being able to easily put one of them back to ground zero means it's far cheaper to rebuild than swap.

<edit> found the VM Motori link:
http://www.vmmotori.it/en/01/00/01/dettaglio.jsp?id=11
Basically, a good rebuilder (more common in maritime areas) can replace the wear items and bring all the tolerances back to stock.

Dan

kelticknight · **Posted:** Thu May 20, 2010 9:35 pm

this is the 2.5 vmi crd engine i have

http://www.vmmotori.it/en/01/00/01/dettaglio.jsp?id=10

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Fri May 21, 2010 9:18 am

kelticknight wrote:

heres one of engines i was looking at

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... Track=true

Having trained student mechanics before, I suspect that only an experienced Diesel mechanic should buy this engine. I would watch for stripped/loose bolts, studs, check for missing/damaged parts (including sensors), cracked piston rings, liner top fit, check to make sure the wet sleeve liners have not been pulled, and plan on replacing all of the gaskets. Consider this engine to be a core and you won't be disappointing. You would be better off buying an engine out of a wrecked Jeep for the swap, at least you will have a better idea what the condition is.

To be totally honest about Student Mechanics, you would be gambling less having a local trade school rebuilding your engine under instructor supervision than buying and engine used for several rounds of training, even for dealer technicians.

Now you know why Medical Students practice on cadavers.

thinking of replacing engine

Who is online