- #20 of 29
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haters
by 3808catpickup
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Jan 25, 2009 (7:09 pm)
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this is a cool idea these cars are not that primitive the steering systems are the same that was used on the amxs and if i remember rite they wone a lot of nascar road course races not sure about the length of the v12 but wait isnt a 6 cyclinder half of a v12 ? the v8 would be the better idea but hay whatever floats your boat any way the transfer case not sure it would hold up to the input tourque of the v12 that and adapting the engine would be hard what you could use would be a t case from a olds bravada they are the same used in the cyclones they are a viscouse style tcase the part nm is bw4472c these were mated to a 4l60 tranny you can get build up and shift kits for these as well as a stand alone computer for the trannys brain at summit i was told that the older jag v12 had a chevy bell patern not sure on that so dont quote me the diferentials would hold up they are dana 30 although not the best for off roading they would be good for hauling ass on asphault google v8 eagle wagon there is a gut that did a v8 swap on an eagle check it maybe it would give you some ideas on design and fit up one thing if your going to race this car i would definately lower it they sit high throw some good anti sway bars on it stiffen up the springs you could have your self a cool cayon carver but do yourself a favor dich the bumpers there ugly as sin they look a lot nicer with out them i had an eagle but i built the six up offenhouser intake comp came split header and a holly 450 4 barrel carb i used to street race it for fun till i wrecked it i didnt win every race but they sure were cought off guard when it didnt spin a tire and blasted past them 
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- #21 of 29
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Re: haters [3808catpickup]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Jan 25, 2009 (7:16 pm)
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Replying to: 3808catpickup (Jan 25, 2009 7:09 pm)
The Eagle chassis is based on the Concord, first produced in 1978, and the Concord is based on the Hornet, which goes back to 1970. So yeah, it's a pretty old chassis setup and it never really handled any serious amount of power.
I think you'd have to seriously strengthen this chassis or you'll twist it for sure.
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- #22 of 29
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hmm
by 3808catpickup
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Jan 25, 2009 (7:28 pm)
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not sure about that allot of peaple use them for drag racing at least there two wheel drive cousins the amc spirit but as far as stiffening the chases a set of frame connectors would solve that 
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- #23 of 29
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Re: hmm [3808catpickup]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Jan 25, 2009 (8:15 pm)
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Replying to: 3808catpickup (Jan 25, 2009 7:28 pm)
I'm sure they do that, yes, weld them right in there.
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- #24 of 29
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sorry
by 3808catpickup
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Jan 25, 2009 (8:29 pm)
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sorry to afend you but if your going thrue all the trouble to put a v12 in whats a 100.00 pair of frame connectors 
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- #25 of 29
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Re: sorry [3808catpickup]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Jan 26, 2009 (9:54 am)
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Replying to: 3808catpickup (Jan 25, 2009 8:29 pm)
It's like the $1.50 ring on your parachute pull. No big deal unless you forget it.
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- #26 of 29
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by grahampaige
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Mar 01, 2009 (10:24 pm)
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I have only one question
WHY?
If you want to go jag, do go the 12 lots of complexity and things to go wrong (that do expensively) If you insit on going jag you would be better with the AJ6 or the V8 of the same era. If you are going Jag 12 because you can get one cheap. There is a reason you are getting it cheap. (Run away. FAST)
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- #27 of 29
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Re: [grahampaige]
by captcarl
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Mar 20, 2009 (6:43 am)
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Replying to: grahampaige (Mar 01, 2009 10:24 pm)
As an Eagle owner of many years, I can tell you a few things about modifying them. Many here seem to feel that these cars are poor handling pices of junk. In reality, when the Eagle was introduced as an '80 model with full-time 4WD, they were considered to be excellent handling cars for their time. They could outhandle most American built cars of the era. If you lower the car on the suspension, put sticky tires on it, and add some subframe connectors, it will surprise many other more expensive cars when the road gets twisty. The problem is getting more power into them. When the V-8 swaps are done, the person doing the swap is generally looking for more power to go off-roading with. And in the interest of increasing the trail worthiness of the rig, they will also convert it to a straight axle in the front. The Eagle was the first 4WD with an independent front suspension (IFS) IFS does not lend itself to lifting the suspension, nor is it as durable in extreme off road situations. The IFS is very smooth on the road, as well as good handling. A straight axle swap will do away with the Eagles good road manners. The front axle on the Eagle was mounted directly to the engine block. If you want to keep the IFS, you will need to fabricate a front axle mount for it, which won't be easy, but can be done. I am assuming you would do the Jag motor for speed rather than trail running, and thus would want to keep the IFS. Your best bet would be to build the Six popper up. They are bulletproof motors that can take an enormous amount of abuse. The bottom ends are especially stout, having 7 main bearings to support the crankshaft, rather than the 4 or 5 main bearings that most inline sixes sport. As a show of what can be done with this engine, in 1978 (?) AMC built an AMX show car, and turbocharged a 4.2 and got 450 hp out of it. The stroker motor can be a very good way to go. Take the stock 4.2 liter crank & rods, and put it into a 4.0 liter block, and you have a 4.6 stroker. A little more mixing of parts, and you can get it up to 4.8 liters. Add a turbo, injection, and some headwork, and 275 hp is not unrealistic. However, the torque will be monstrous. It will make more torque than a small block V-8 will, and at a much lower RPM as well. You will scare the Hell out of a lot of other cars on the road if you go this route. You will need to beef up the driveline though, as they were engineered to handle the 110-130 hp that the Eagle originally put out. A note about stroker motors though: Due to the extremely long stroke, they don't like to be revved all that high on any kind of regular basis. Building a 4.2 won't be as cheap as say, a small block V8, but you will spend a LOT more money getting the V8 into the Eagle and having it be safe. I love my Eagle wagon, an '86. It is my daily driver with over 200K on the clock, and still purrs like a kitten. Last weekend, I took the old Bird on a 1500 mile road trip. It was perfectly comfortable cruising at 70, returned a bit over 18 mpg, and used only 1 quart of oil. The engine has never been opened. They are great cars, don't let anyone tell you differently. Over the years, I have run into many AMC "experts" who have told me what awful cars they are, while never actually having owned one. Like any other car out there, it depends on how they were treated by previous owners. Remember though, the newest Eagle out there is now 21 years old.
A website you really need to check out if you want to do this is:
amceaglenest.com
They have info for everything you could ever need to know. There are members there who have built stroker motors, as well as V8 conversions. You will learn a lot through this site. Check it out. Good luck, and keep us posted...
CaptCarl
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- #28 of 29
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Re: [captcarl]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Mar 20, 2009 (7:45 am)
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Replying to: captcarl (Mar 20, 2009 6:43 am)
Thanks Capt Carl---interesting stuff.
I think the point was that your mods are what was necessary in the first place. In its stock form, it was underwhelming. But the early 80s were not America's high point for auto manufacture. Look at the poor '80-81 Corvette.
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- #29 of 29
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Re: [captcarl]
by somedai1
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Mar 20, 2009 (8:54 am)
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Replying to: captcarl (Mar 20, 2009 6:43 am)
Thanks for the vote of onfidence in our cars! I actually started drifting to the thought you mention... keep the stock engine and keep it simple. strengthen drivetrain to handle the new power of the worked motor and stiffen chassis - upgrade brakes and suspension and good to go! By the way - I am AMCDREAMS on the eaglenest site. I have the Eagle parked now for about 2-3yrs waiting to resurrect it - so all that time i'm putting thought into how to do it right - I get some over the top ideas but i find they are not really too outlandish and can actually be done. Somebody got an automatic transmission Lamborghini.. it all just takes money!
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