Hey jeepers,


I have been slowly getting my 98 engine and manual transmission into my recently purchased 2000 (auto and blown engine). Pops and I got things swapped out, but have some issues and or questions attaching things.

1. is there a way to use the electronic ignition from the 2000 on the 98 engine? If not will the 2000 harness hook up relatively easily to the 98 distributor.

2. right now we decided to stay with the 98 exhaust manifold; this has only one 02 sensor. the 2000 manifold has three. will this cause issues using only one; like a constant check engine light and confusion with the 98 computer we are using. etc.

We have figured out what we are going to try and see with trial and error, but any info would help.

These are my primary concerns as of now since we are coming close to finishing the build. Please feel free to comment with any information...

Thanks, Jomps

 

I'm not speaking from experience, but you shouldn't have a problem using only one O2 sensor as long as your using the 98 computer. I'm not sure if anyone on the forum has done anything similar to what you're doing, but you might find something if you do an advanced search on "2000 motor swap" or something like that. The only way to figure out if it will work for sure, will probably be trial and error. You may be able to figure out a way to wire everything to the distributor in the 98 because I don't think you'd be able to convert the 98 to coil packs. Again, I'm not speaking from experience nor do I own a 2000, so I'm not really sure how that works. Worse comes to worse, you'll need to use the 98 wiring harness to make everything work in conjunction. Keep us updated and let us know how it goes. Good luck

 

i'm not sure if switching from coilpacks to a distributor is gonna be possible. but i'm assuming except that everything else should be the same. about the o2 sensors, if nothing else works, just set 1 before cat and stick the other two anywhere after. if it gets too complex it might be cheaper to just get a 98 harness. why are you changing your electronics anyway. why don't you just change the longblock and bolt everything else to it. i have a spare 99 OEM exhaust manifold that you can use. it's used but has barely any rust.

 

I had a 98 and wrecked it so I have all the parts, but need to use the right ones. I got the harness from the 98 and will go with the distributor most likely, butthe 2000 harness is for the electronice ignition, so I will need to change out something there. I also have the 2000 manifold but really did not want to use that because I am using the 98 computer which is set up for only one sensor, if I am thinking correctly. Its whatever though, we will figure it out. My dad is an engineer and have been working on cars for years.

 

no... the 2000 motor is a distributorless head... and an by coil packs... hint the blown motor due to the cracked 0331 head found to be very common until 2002 when they resolved the issue... you have to use the distributor style head on the 2000 motor to get it right... i just swapped a motor in a 2000 grand cherokee so i DO know for sure... two different motors... as for the 02 sensor... getting the right wires from the 2000 to plug into the right 02 sensor will be the fun part... im not sure how your going to run the 98 computer in a 2000 without swapping wire harness which at this point you would have the right single wire there instead of the 3...

 

better yet just call me... 678-588-6661... im not a scary guy so dontbe affraid... this will just go alot faster on the phone... lol... cause its a big job...

 

for sure. I was reading your build last night when i registered and sounds like you know whats up. my names james and I'll hit you up when I got the chance.

 

4-10

 

well I am still not finished building and have another issue that i have ran into: we got the 98 computer in there and when we hooked the battery up, we got power to the lights, windows, and wiper but as soon as you hook up the battery the rear lights turn on with the key out... does any body know how to correct this??? thanks

 

brake lights or tail lights? your getting power there somehow... trace it backwards...

 

its the tail lights... and I am trying to think how I am going to set up the reverse lights to work properly

 

word...haha... its actually way more simple than i could have ever imagined...the 2000 has a part of the harness that detaches from the main part...so does the 98... that detacheable 2000 harness is geared for the electronic ignition and exhaust with the extra sensors... the 98 detachable harness is made for the distributor, the exhaust and also for an extra sensor or something for the manual transmission...this harness had another sensor that plugs into the cat...we have yet to crank and have not tryed yet...this should take care of the ignition and exhaust...