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Which Camshaft for a 2000 Jeep XJ Cherokee Stroker 4.6L Engine Build?

lions2014
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lions2014

lions2014

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Hello All,

 

I am a newbie to the sight and a Cherokee fan.  I am getting ready to rebuild my 2000 XJ 4.0 into a mild stroker.  My one hang up is which camshaft to use. Stock or after market.  I have read that there could be some computer issues with the 2000 and up models not liking (depending on compression ratio, non-stock cam, etc.) the stroked motor.      Basically, I cannot find any good data on the year 2000 for strokers.  Any thoughts?

 

I currently use the Comp cam #68-200-4 in my 91 4.0 and have no regrets.

 

Thanks,

 

sorry no pics yet, still have to finish profile

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Moses Ludel

Moses Ludel

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Welcome to the forums, lions2014!  I cover the stroker motor build (4.5L, 4.6L and 4.7L from an inline 4.0L) at length in the magazine.  The 6-video series with Tony Hewes (Hewes Performance Machine) has been especially popular and helpful.  Tony and I did discuss the use of the CompCams 252 grind hydraulic flat tappet camshaft at length.  That camshaft has an optimal profile for a quick torque rise and smooth overall engine performance, and is user friendly in all 4.2L, 4.0L and 4.6L stroker engine builds through the distributor ignition era. 

 

Historically, I have always recommended this camshaft for the 232, 258/4.2L and 4.0L AMC/Jeep design inline sixes built through 1999.  Tony and I highly recommended this camshaft for 4.6L stroker builds intended for daily driver and off-pavement rock crawling use as well.  If you're JeepSpeed racing or bumping up compression, of course, a "bigger" camshaft would be advised. 

 

There has been an issue with this 252 camshaft (your current 1991 4.0L use) in 2000-up coil-on-plug engines.  Tony Hewes has a longstanding professional relationship with CompCams, and based on his findings, he approached CompCams.  They custom ground him a prototype camshaft with this milder profile intended to offset this issue, and Tony had a customer with a distributorless engine for trying the new grind.  Unclear of when the engine with this prototype camshaft would be tested in the real world, I have not followed up yet.

 

I will contact Tony Hewes regarding the redesigned camshaft and see whether gains were made.  If so, I'll research whether this camshaft went into production and if it has the same part number as the traditional 252 CompCams grind.  As I recall, the prototype change had to do with lobe center or valve timing.  The late 4.0L coil-on-plug engine has a problem with valve event opening/closing times when running the original 252 grind. 

 

Meanwhile, you can review the six Hewes interview HD videos and additional videos and articles on the subject.  Among the articles you will find in-depth discussion of proper injectors for a 4.6L and other tuning measures...Here are several links relevant to your engine build and tuning:

 

In this HD video vlog Q&A, Moses Ludel discusses the Jeep 4.0L inline six build-up into a stroker 4.6L engine. The build consists of the right design, correct choice of parts and the required machining. Moses Ludel describes the engine parts and machining options and the range of costs.
www.4wdmechanix.com/Q&A-Vlog-How-to-Build-a-Multipurpose-Jeep-4.6L-Stroker-Motor.html
 
The 4.0L engine was a mainstay in 1987-2001 XJ Cherokee models. Abundant in numbers and very reliable, this inline six is a candidate for the 4.2L stroker crankshaft upgrade. Want more torque and horsepower for the highway, backcountry and towing? Consider this rebuild upgrade!
www.4wdmechanix.com/Stroker-Six-Upgrade-for-XJ-Cherokee.html
 
Whether you plan a stroker motor build-up or simply want the best cylinder head work for your 4.0L Jeep inline six-cylinder engine, Tony Hewes describes the right approach. Hewes Performance Machine rebuilds and upgrades cylinder heads to meet any requirement. Here we discuss the standards for a street and trail-driven Jeep Cherokee, Wrangler or Grand Cherokee 4.0L six or 4.6L stroker build-up.
www.4wdmechanix.com/HD-Video-Jeep-Inline-Six-Cylinder-Head-Work.html
 
A freshly built Hewes Performance 4.6L stroker inline six is now powering this Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler. The Jeep is a rugged trail runner based at Reno and the Sierra Nevada region. See how the engine build-up described in the video series fits this Jeep 4x4 perfectly!
www.4wdmechanix.com/HD-Videos-Jeep-CJ-8-4.6L-Stroker-Power.html
 
When building a 4.6L Jeep inline six stroker motor, there are piston and rod choices. This HD video interview with Tony Hewes discusses cast versus forged piston options, use of 4.0L versus 4.2L connecting rods and proper bearing choices for optimal performance. The objective is a quality, long-life engine for "stump pulling" off-pavement use and street legal operation. Fuel efficiency is part of that equation!
www.4wdmechanix.com/HD-Video-Jeep-4.6L-Inline-Six-Pistons,-Rods-and-Bearings.html
 
When building the popular Jeep 4.0L inline six into a 4.6L stroker motor, there are piston, connecting rod and engine block machining options. In this HD video interview with Tony Hewes, Moses Ludel and Tony discuss various ways to create the 4.6L engine, using a 4.2L/258 crankshaft.
www.4wdmechanix.com/HD-Video-Jeep-4.6L-Inline-Six-Stroker-Short-Block-Options.html
 
Moses Ludel shares good reasons for building the popular 4.6L Jeep inline six stroker motor. He describes the best engine build for street, highway and 4x4 trail use.
www.4wdmechanix.com/Vlog-Why-Build-a-Jeep-4.6L-Stroker-Inline-Six.html
 
Installing a 4.2L (258) Jeep crankshaft in a 4.0L block has become popular. In this exclusive HD video interview series with performance engine builder Tony Hewes, Moses Ludel and Tony discuss the needs of a multipurpose Jeep 4x4. The focus is proper ways to build up a 4.5L to 4.7L inline six from the 4.0L AMC and Jeep engine.
www.4wdmechanix.com/HD-Videos-Building-a-4.6L-Jeep-Inline-Six-Stroker-Motor.html
 
Building a 4.0L Jeep inline six into a 4.6L stroker motor includes more than the long-block. Matching up the EFI/MPI or fuel-and-spark system is essential. Here is the rest of the stroker motor story, the performance tuning required for the engine to run right!
www.4wdmechanix.com/How-to-Fuel-and-Spark-Modifications-for-the-Jeep-4.6L-Stroker-Inline-Six.html
 
Moses Ludel discusses the popular 4.6L Jeep inline six stroker motor. A road performance test follows the six-video interview series with Winston Cup engine master Tony Hewes.
www.4wdmechanix.com/Vlog-Road-Testing-Jeep-4.6L-Stroker-Inline-Six.html
 
Quality engine parts contribute to performance and longevity. In this HD video interview with Tony Hewes, Moses Ludel and Tony Hewes discuss the peripheral parts that provide better service over time. This video completes the 4.6L Jeep inline six stroker motor details as Hewes Performance Machine builds the ultimate trail running, street legal stroker motor!
www.4wdmechanix.com/HD-Video-Quality-Parts-for-the-4.6L-Jeep-Inline-Six-Stroker-Motor.html
 
In this HD video, Moses Ludel and Tony Hewes share views on the right camshaft choice for a Jeep inline six-cylinder engine. Whether you build a stock 4.0L or 4.2L, or step up for a 4.6L stroker motor upgrade, the camshaft choice is critical. Get professional information here!
www.4wdmechanix.com/HD-Video-Jeep-Inline-Six-Camshaft-Choices.html
 
The Jeep inline six stroker motor with EFI or MPI develops maximum performance when tuned properly. Selecting the correct MPI injectors and matching the fuel supply system to the bigger engine and higher horsepower output require the modifications described here.
www.4wdmechanix.com/How-to-Tuning-the-Fuel-Injected-Jeep-Inline-Six-Stroker-Motor.html
 
For 1987-up 4.0L and all 1991-up Jeep 2.5L engines, multi-point fuel injection is the standard. MPI brought major performance gains and new troubleshooting methods. In this article, Moses Ludel describes MPI operation and how to troubleshoot these systems.
www.4wdmechanix.com/Jeep-Multi-Point-Injection-Operation-and-Troubleshooting.html
 
Moses Ludel shares details about the Jeep inline six stroker upgrade for the 1991-up YJ and TJ Wrangler. When the original 4.0L inline six is needs rebuilding, consider the 4.5L, 4.6L and 4.7L Jeep inline six stroker rebuild option. Complete history and evaluation available here!
www.4wdmechanix.com/YJ-&-TJ-Jeep-Stroker-Six-Upgrade.html
 
Moses
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Moses Ludel

Moses Ludel

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Finally an answer, Lions2014!  I went to the source—CompCams.  They came through with the results of research on the late Jeep 4.0L inline six coil-on-plug engine camshaft needs.  I emphasized that we're still looking for the traditional 252 grind effects:  improved torque, bottom to mid-range power and a reasonable rpm ceiling of 4,500-5,000 rpm.  Here's the scoop, my exchange with Daniel Prate at CompCams:

 

Moses:  I've always promoted Comp Cams and worked closely with Tony Hewes (Hewes Performance Machine at Reno, NV) on a series of video interviews covering the optimal build of Jeep 4.0L stroker (4.6L) inline six builds.  We both recommend the CompCams 68-200-4 grind, and I do so in my Jeep books and at the magazine.  We ran into a glitch with the later coil-on-plug 4.0L engines and this camshaft, the first issue ever with the CompCams 252 grind.  Apparently, the PCM and engine fuel and spark management will not support this camshaft in the 4.0L or stroker versions. Tony worked directly with your staff, and I believe he tested a prototype grind with a different lobe center.  Do you have any updates on the correct camshaft to promote for these late Jeep inline six 4.0L engines?  A forum member has asked whether the traditional 68-200-4 is okay for use on his 2000 model XJ Cherokee engine with a 4.6L stroker build planned. (Like many of us, he's used this grind successfully on pre-coil-on-plug 4.0L engines.)  What do you recommend for these late Jeep 4.0L engines that is PCM compatible? The traditional 68-200-4 is still ideal for engines through 1998-99 with MPI and a distributor for spark.

 

Daniel Prate, CompCams Tech Support:  Moses, We have a custom grind that our customers have been very pleased with.  It has a duration @ 0.050" of 206/212, with valve lift being .435/.448, and a lobe separation angle of 113° (110-degree intake centerline).  The cam price is $186.15.

 

Moses: Do you recommend this cam for the stock 4.0L (late coil-on-plug inline six) engine and also the 4.6L stroker build on that platform?  Does the cam perform like the traditional 252 grind, targeting low-end and mid-range power with good idle/lower speed manifold vacuum?  Will you be making a catalog listing for this cam?  How do the magazine’s reader/viewers access this camshaft?  Is there a reference number or camshaft card number?

 

Moses, I do recommend that cam for the stock 4.0L as well as the 4.6L.  It performs like the 252 grind, and we do not have any information about whether or not this cam will become a catalog cam.  You can order this camshaft directly through me, or any of us here in the tech office.

 

Here is Daniel Prate's contact information.  You can discuss this camshaft with anyone at CompCams Tech Support:

 

Daniel Prate

Technical Sales & Support

 

COMP Performance Group™

3406 Democrat Rd.

Memphis, TN  38118

 

Toll Free: (800) 365-9145 ext. 1516

Fax: (901)366-1807    

dprate@compcams.com

www.compperformancegroup.com

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