Ok so lately I've been watching the build up of a 2003 Jeep Wrangler X on Xtreme 4x4 on Spike which came out to be a nice Jeep and they put a street legal 5.7L Hemi in it. Which is awesome. My problem is what would you need to do it in an older Wrangler like my 98? I know I would have to send my wiring harness out and the computer and upgrade my axles to Dana 44 or better. But do I have to upgrade my transfer case from my NP231, would I have to get new drive shafts, what about the fuel system, can I use my stock auto T-handle or do I have to change it out too? Xtreme answered some question but there Wrangler was heavily modified and kind of went around some of the question the you would need to know for a stock Jeep that just needs more power.  

Burnsville Offroad will do it turnkey for you and American Expedition Vehicles has a DIY complete kit, including engine, trans, radiator, wiring etc.  

Yeah but they cost upwards of $33,000 and I'm a poor college student lol I was think of something under $10K that I could do myself.  

A hemi conversion? Just the motor cost 8k.  

Yeah, if you are on a budget you don't want a Hemi. I think you will be way better off with a Dodge 318 or 360. Advance Adapters has the components you need. It's really a better swap anyway. The Hemi is too overpriced for what you end up with.  

The only think about the Hemi is that I have been able to find them in the junkyard with the all electrical, accessories and transmission for around $2K to $5K. I don't know the horsepower rating on the motors right now but I do want something that is streetable but has the power when I need it.  

The 318/360 swap will cost lot less, the engines are more common, are easier to install, and have more than enough power to destroy the rest of your drivetrain. And in some cases can be found attached to a NV3500 which will bolt right up to your t-case. Plus almost all of the sensors will work with your stock gauges.

Sounds to me like you are more fixated on the Hemi name than what it offers. You are paying a lot of that name. For that kind of cash you could easily swap in a brand new GM Ram Jet 350 and still have money left over for axles. Why a Hemi? I still don't understand why it's at all popular.  

I don't know yeah I guest it is just the name. I was also able to find a complete plug and play wiring harness from http://www.hotwireauto.com/ for the Hemi and some of the of the Hemis had flex fuel which would be nice to run with gas here hit $4.25 a gallon. I was think of a 5.2L (318) out of a 98 Dodge Ram 1500. I'm trying to stick with Mopar. I was looking up horsepower ratings and the 5.2L V8 230hp at 4400rpm and 300lb-fts of torque at 3200rpm and the 5.7L Hemi 345hp at 5400rpm and 375lb-ft of torque at 4200rpm. Not too big of a different 115hp and 75lb-fts or torque. I really don't know what I want in the end. The Hemi sounds nice but a lot of work and the 5.2L sounds nice and probably easier to put in, in the end. I'm staying away from the 5.9L the rating suck 250hp at 4000rpm and 335lb-ft of torque at 3200rpm for the size of the motor it's just a gas guzzler.  

In stock form the 5.9 gets a bad rap, but it will really wake up with a little TLC.

And talk about a gas abuser, HEMI.