20 OCTOBER 20194-WHEEL & OFF-ROAD 4WHEELOFFROAD.COM
JUNKYARD ENGINE SPOTTER’S GUIDE
management systems, compared to later
Hemis. If you want to get fancy (and spend
a lot more money), a 6.1L Hemi from any
number of SRT-8 platforms is an option.
What to Avoid: Generally speaking, the
newer the engine the more complicated
the engine management system, such
as when variable valve timing showed
up in 2009. There have been reports or
lifter failure on higher-mileage Hemis that
wipes out a camshaft, which is an expen-
sive fix. For this reason we’d avoid Hemis
with exceptionally high mileage.
Notes: Probably the most popular late-
model engine swap application behind an
LS engine, there are multiple companies
offering Hemi conversion packages and
standalone controllers for several plat-
forms, including the Jeep Wrangler JK.5.7L/6.1L HEMIDIESELS
CUMMINS 4BT
Identification: The distinctive valve cov-
ers denote the engine is a Cummins, and the
presence of four of them indicates a 4BT.
Donor Vehicles: 1984-1998 bread vans,
step vans, delivery trucks, and various
industrial and agricultural applications.
Significant Milestones: Not much
changed with these engines throughout
their production run.
What to Look For: Any running example
makes a good swap candidate, as nearly
all of them are mechanically controlled,
with no electronics or complex enginemanagement to worr y about. Because
they were so well engineered and
designed for longevity, any 4BT that has
been well cared for is a viable option. A
variety of transmissions were used behind
this engine, so finding the correct adapter
plate will likely be more challenging than
finding an engine.
What to Avoid: Be aware that these
engines are both loud and produce more
vibration than what many people expect.
If this is a concern , then this engine is not
a good choice.
Notes: The 4BT weighs a hefty 750
pounds, which is equivalent to a cast iron
big-block gasoline engine.CUMMINS 4BTCUMMINS 6BT
Identification: The distinctive valve cov-
ers peg the engine as a Cummins, and the
presence of six of them is indicative of a 6BT.
Donor Vehicles: 1989-2007 Ram 2500
and 3500 trucks.
Significant Milestones: Different injec-
tion pumps were used in mechanical ver-
sions of the engine. 24-valve configuration
and electronic controls appear in 1998^1 ⁄ 2.
Common rail injection appears in 2003.
What to Look For: The 1989-1998 6BTs
were all mechanically controlled, so there
are no electronics to worry about. Though
all Cummins 5.9L engines are well sup-
ported by the aftermarket and easy to
identify, the 12-valve and early 24-valve
versions are the easiest.
What to Avoid: The VP44 injection
pump that was introduced in 1998 was
more failure prone than the earlier P7100
pump and the later common rail pump.
Notes: The 6BT is an extremely popular
engine among diesel enthusiasts and has
made its way under the hoods of many dif-
ferent fullsize trucks. The size and weight of
the engine preclude its use on pretty much
anything smaller than a fullsize truck.CUMMINS 6BTVOLKSWAGEN TDI
Identification: If it’s under the hood of a
1997 or newer Volkswagen car and drinks
diesel fuel, it’s a TDI engine.
Donor Vehicles: Multiple 1998 and
newer Volkswagen and Audi cars.
Significant Milestones: There are
two main types of TDI engines in North
America: rotary pump and later PD (pump
deuse). Common rail injection was intro-
duced in 2009.
What to Look For: Like other engines,
the earlier TDIs are easier to swap due to
their simpler engine management sys-
tems. These vehicles were typically driven
a lot, so low-mileage older TDI VWs are
rare. Still, it’s not uncommon to see a TDI-
powered car with over 250,000 miles on it.
What to Avoid: The common rail cars
are much more complex and not nearly as
well supported as the earlier rotary and
PD engines.
Notes: These compact and lightweight
engines are an excellent choice for a vari-
ety of lightweight vehicles (think anything
from a Samurai to a Cherokee). Although
these swaps are not terribly well sup-
ported here, they are quite common and
popular overseas, so the information is
out there. Adapters are also available for a
variety of domestic transmissions.VOLKSWAGEN TDI