I'm new at this computer thing, so hope some of you can help me with this.  I've got a 95 wrangler with a 2.5L, everything is stock.  I've used it the way it is for 2 years, but I need more power & need to set it up for rougher terain.  The motor sounds awful (diesel like).  It needs either overhauled or replaced.  I'd prefer to replace it with something bigger, but I have no idea where to start.  Any advice would be a kick in the pants in some direction.

i just purchased a 2001 with a 2.5L.  I like the fact that u get all your torque at around 3-4 grand with these things, kinda feels like a little turbo.  anyways mine has 40, 000 kms on it and my folks want me to trade it on a 2004 honda civic coupe, they'll pay the difference.  They're worried about repairs on the jeep in the future, and i must admit so am i, but we're considering the 60, 000km warrenty for the jeep.  my question to you is how tough r these 2.5L engines?  what would u guys do??  there's nothing like sitting behind the wheel of a jeep!  what do u think is a better engine?  honda 1.7L or chrysler 2.5L?     

I also own a 01 Ford Lariat Supercrew with 5.4V8, it is very cherry.  I'd still rather be pulled along in my weak Jeep than drive the Ford, or anything else for that matter.  My Jeep will take me almost anywhere I want to go, even if I shouldn't.  I just need more pulling power & better clearance.

I almost forgot, my 95 has over 130k miles as of this morning & all I've had to do is replace the wipers & rebuild the tranny.  $1500.00 bucks for the tranny, $20 bucks for the blades.  I did nothing different with the tranny rebuild, just added some heavier gears.

u can add a throttle body spacer,exhaust,air filter upgrade  

put a chrysler v-8 in it....sounds good. but no seriously.

I like the throttle body spacer idea. and an intake as well. a header and  an exhaust are all great ideas. so this jeep diesels after you shut it off??? sounds like the cylinder temps are a little to high, or maybe you have massive carbon buildup on the top of the pistons or the exhaust valve and it's causing higher compression.

Sounds like you are describing a rod knock or top end  rattle.  This is a hint that reapir or replacement is forthcoming, and any hard 'wheeling or performance mods will do nothing but hurry the inevitable.

My suggested cource of action would hav eto be based on your committment to THIS jeep (trade it off for a fresher one may be best option), your handiness (can you rebuild/change out the engine?) budget (take it to a shop for a "turnkey" fix) and a myriad (I just like that word) of other variables.  When the Wife's YJ started knocking, we knew the clock was ticking, but at the high miles, figured a later vinage take-out a better option tham rebulding this one.  May be wrong, who knows.  As it turned out, I chucked a rod through the block one day, and wound up putting an ebay engine/trans/clutch assembly in for under $200.  So, figure your strong points and not so strong points, and follow your head - there is no cut and dried "right" answer to your plight (that's a cool word, too!).

I'd be happy to to discuss further in more detail, but the next round of decision-making is up to you.  Any course of action could be the right one - but for different people with different circumstances.  Be honest with yourself and your answer should be self evident.

Thankee Sai.  With the mileage, to trade this for another will be more like rape.  The experience I've had with this Jeep, I'd hate to let it go anyway.  Think I'll follow your course & let it blow before I do anything, then all I'll have to do is decide what engine size to replace it with.  I've got back up for my onslaught of timber destruction, even if it is a Ford, so downtime's not that big of a deal.  Also, I've had all the experience in the world doing things on my own, so labor's cheap.  Thanks for you input.  

Quite welcome.  One thought, start tinkering around with finding an engine, you want to get one while you are in the "buyers market" frame of mind.  It's easier to wait for the right deal when the Jeep isn't on blocks!  Also, waiting for it to blow isn't all that fun, either.  Once you resign yourself to having an unreliable (blow at any time) Jeep, the fun quotient goes away pretty fast.  I happened to chuck the rod at 65 mph, passing a truck, and having another car or two behind me. The trail of thick smoke did NOT make me any freinds that day!  Get one, freshen it up, and have a rebuldable core.  Try one of those on-line recycler places, you'll see that 2.5s are like gold- don't destroy one if you can so prevent!

Later,

Bob