Gen III Hemi Swap into TJ Reference Guide & Swap Info

[Wildman]

Lol that actually doesn't seem bad mostly small parts.

I'd guess about $450-550 in parts total but I haven't priced it all out yet.

The transmission mount bracket & isolator may or may not be needed but again won't know until I've got the transmission under the rig & looking at how to mount it.

The transmission pan is cracked on this transmission, which isn't the end of the world as I wanted to change the filter anyhow & obviously all new fluid too. On the car version the filter is part of the pan where the truck pan the filter is separate but either version is about $175-200. Where a PPE aftermarket pan with a drain plug & temp sensor bung is $305 so I know which way I'm going there.

The NEXT part is that the ZF/8HP transmission take a "special" ATF (of course) & is about $25 a quart & it'll take about 12 quarts if it's completely drained and then adding the size of cooler & lines. It a Mopar ONLY fluid. I'm not sure what the fluid life is but this tranmission doesn't have a dipstick. You fill it thru a fill plug on the side of the transmission. And there is a WHOLE process you have to follow when doing it. One part is that you have to LEVEL the transmission (not the vehicle) so if it's got a slight slope to is towards the rear you'd have to jack up the back to make it level. And you add the initial amount and then start it and it has to be running & above a certain temp to get the final fill.
One other thing I've found out about is that they like this transmission to run between 175-200*

 

[lBasket]

I'd guess about $450-550 in parts total but I haven't priced it all out yet.

That is not bad at all. Course all the hoses and clamps will nickel and dime you to death.

The transmission mount bracket & isolator may or may not be needed but again won't know until I've got the transmission under the rig & looking at how to mount it.

The transmission pan is cracked on this transmission, which isn't the end of the world as I wanted to change the filter anyhow & obviously all new fluid too. On the car version the filter is part of the pan where the truck pan the filter is separate but either version is about $175-200. Where a PPE aftermarket pan with a drain plug & temp sensor bung is $305 so I know which way I'm going there.

Worth the 100$ to not deal with welding bungs?

The NEXT part is that the ZF/8HP transmission take a "special" ATF (of course) & is about $25 a quart & it'll take about 12 quarts if it's completely drained and then adding the size of cooler & lines. It a Mopar ONLY fluid. I'm not sure what the fluid life is but this tranmission doesn't have a dipstick. You fill it thru a fill plug on the side of the transmission. And there is a WHOLE process you have to follow when doing it. One part is that you have to LEVEL the transmission (not the vehicle) so if it's got a slight slope to is towards the rear you'd have to jack up the back to make it level. And you add the initial amount and then start it and it has to be running & above a certain temp to get the final fill.
One other thing I've found out about is that they like this transmission to run between 175-200*

WTF that is insane the price of the fluid. I guess that fill process isn't that crazy, kinda similar to the original jeep transmissions where you can't check them off or cold. 200° max is fairly low too but maybe it doesn't generate the same amount of heat either since it doesn't rely on slipping a torque converter as much (I think I got that out of the video I watched)

So the Audi I had, to change the fluid you had to buy a special adapter so that you can fill it from the drain plug on the bottom - no fill plug. So at least it isn't that stupid

 

[Rickyd]

I'd guess about $450-550 in parts total but I haven't priced it all out yet.

The transmission mount bracket & isolator may or may not be needed but again won't know until I've got the transmission under the rig & looking at how to mount it.

The transmission pan is cracked on this transmission, which isn't the end of the world as I wanted to change the filter anyhow & obviously all new fluid too. On the car version the filter is part of the pan where the truck pan the filter is separate but either version is about $175-200. Where a PPE aftermarket pan with a drain plug & temp sensor bung is $305 so I know which way I'm going there.

The NEXT part is that the ZF/8HP transmission take a "special" ATF (of course) & is about $25 a quart & it'll take about 12 quarts if it's completely drained and then adding the size of cooler & lines. It a Mopar ONLY fluid. I'm not sure what the fluid life is but this tranmission doesn't have a dipstick. You fill it thru a fill plug on the side of the transmission. And there is a WHOLE process you have to follow when doing it. One part is that you have to LEVEL the transmission (not the vehicle) so if it's got a slight slope to is towards the rear you'd have to jack up the back to make it level. And you add the initial amount and then start it and it has to be running & above a certain temp to get the final fill.
One other thing I've found out about is that they like this transmission to run between 175-200*

Find out what the zf spec is for it,likely mopar is rebranding some synthetic fluid.Gives you another part# to search for

 

[Wildman]

Not counting the fluid, which I found on Amazon for a case of 6 quarts for $100 so $300 in fluid just to make sure I have enough.

On MoparParts OnLine (parts wholesaler) it's $485.58 for everything. So it's about another $1K in parts on top of the Sound German PCS wiring kit for $1240 & $150 to flash the TCM & $150 for a gear indicator so you know what gear the transmission is in. It's a P-N-D-1-8 indicator.

That is not bad at all. Course all the hoses and clamps will nickel and dime you to death.

Hoping I can use most of my current hoses...

Worth the 100$ to not deal with welding bungs?

The pans are plastic so you couldn't weld in a bung anyhow. Plus holds a little more fluid (good & bad in this case) and finned to help with cooling.

WTF that is insane the price of the fluid. I guess that fill process isn't that crazy, kinda similar to the original jeep transmissions where you can't check them off or cold. 200° max is fairly low too but maybe it doesn't generate the same amount of heat either since it doesn't rely on slipping a torque converter as much (I think I got that out of the video I watched)

I'm guessing from a lot of the comments that this transmission doesn't run very hot. But again won't know until I get to that point. I think it's supposed to be a 100K or 150K service life on the fluid so it's not done very often.

So the Audi I had, to change the fluid you had to buy a special adapter so that you can fill it from the drain plug on the bottom - no fill plug. So at least it isn't that stupid

I guess the fill plug on the 8HP70 is up on the front passenger side so JSS has had to drill & tap a new fill plug towards the rear due to exhaust on the few TJ's that he's done this swap on. So I'm already prepared myself for that.

 

[lBasket]

Not counting the fluid, which I found on Amazon for a case of 6 quarts for $100 so $300 in fluid just to make sure I have enough.

On MoparParts OnLine (parts wholesaler) it's $485.58 for everything. So it's about another $1K in parts on top of the Sound German PCS wiring kit for $1240 & $150 to flash the TCM & $150 for a gear indicator so you know what gear the transmission is in. It's a P-N-D-1-8 indicator.



Hoping I can use most of my current hoses...



The pans are plastic so you couldn't weld in a bung anyhow. Plus holds a little more fluid (good & bad in this case) and finned to help with cooling.



I'm guessing from a lot of the comments that this transmission doesn't run very hot. But again won't know until I get to that point. I think it's supposed to be a 100K or 150K service life on the fluid so it's not done very often.



I guess the fill plug on the 8HP70 is up on the front passenger side so JSS has had to drill & tap a new fill plug towards the rear due to exhaust on the few TJ's that he's done this swap on. So I'm already prepared myself for that.

Oh ok yeah that adds up quick. Always does though. At least you know and can get that fill plug drilled before putting it in.

 

[Wildman]

Find out what the zf spec is for it,likely mopar is rebranding some synthetic fluid.Gives you another part# to search for

All the forums I've read so far on this are saying to only use the Mopar fluid. There's been some transmission failures from using other brands. But I've got to do some more reading too.

It's called ZF LifeGuard 8 fluid

If you need a substitute for "8HP70" transmission fluid, the most recommended option is to use Mopar (labeled as "68218925AA") fluid or ZF "Lifeguard 8" fluid as they are specifically designed for the ZF 8HP70 transmission and are considered the best match; you can also look for a fluid labeled as "Ravenol 8HP" which is another suitable alternative.

Oh ok yeah that adds up quick. Always does though. At least you know and can get that fill plug drilled before putting it in.

It really isn't that bad overall... Like I've said before, if I'd known then what I know now I would have just done the 8HP70 when I did the Hemi swap. When you figure in how much I spent on the shift kit & other parts for the 545RFE I'd have that extra $1K in parts covered. so it'd only have costed me about another $2K to the Hemi swap...

Live & Learn.

And I was incorrect on the fluid life. They recommend every 40-60K miles for fluid changes... So no different than other automatics.

 

[Wildman]

Here's ZF's approved lubricant list. While some aftermarket manufacturers say it's OK I think I'm more apt to follow their approved list.

ZF LifeguardFluid 8 and Approved Equivalents
Prices of ZF-Approved Lubricants on 2024-12-10
High $88.37, Low $20.09

$20.09 ZF LifeguardFluid 8 (S671 090 312); 1 liter
$39.50 Petronas (Petronas Tutela Transmission AS8)
$40.63 Porsche (000 043 210 54)
$46.76 Audi/VW (G 060162 A1 / A2 / A6 ATF)
$60.42 BMW (83225A12A00 same part number as that listed under LifeguardFluid 9)
$88.37 Aston Martin (FD33-19A509-AA)
$00.00 Bentley (JNV 862 564 D does not return any reliable results in online search)
$00.00 Iveco (5000 42 124 does not return any reliable results in online search)
$00.00 Jaguar (02JDE 26444 does not return any reliable results in online search)
$00.00 Land Rover (LR023288 does not return any reliable results in online search)
$00.00 MOPAR (68157995AA) DISCONTINUED

 

[Wildman]

Got some more questioned answered today from Ryan @ FRP... He's got experience with doing the 8HP swap into older rigs & can do the tuning on the transmission & retune my engine to work with the 8HP70... So this is all good news... Of course it's also $$$$$$... To tune the 8HP70 you need 4 credits from HPT.

Got some of the other questions answered also, like how to deal with NSS & things like that.

 

[Hammer_c]

This is my parts list for the swap & may have some un needed parts but won't know until I get to this point.

Mopar Bolt 6509361AA

5.7 Flex Plate 4752574AB

Transmission Mount Bracket - Mopar (68147344AA)

Insulator - Mopar (68147347AB)

Hex Head Bolt And Washer - Mopar (6101985) (8ea)

Hex Head Bolt And Coned Washer - Mopar (6102400AA) (4ea)

Flex-Plate Or Flywheel Backing Plate - Mopar (4736613AA)

Hex Head Lock Bolt, Mounting, Automatic Transmission - Mopar (6503465)

Transmission Dust Cover - Mopar (52104344AA) or (4591948AB)

Not counting the fluid, which I found on Amazon for a case of 6 quarts for $100 so $300 in fluid just to make sure I have enough.

On MoparParts OnLine (parts wholesaler) it's $485.58 for everything. So it's about another $1K in parts on top of the Sound German PCS wiring kit for $1240 & $150 to flash the TCM & $150 for a gear indicator so you know what gear the transmission is in. It's a P-N-D-1-8 indicator.



Hoping I can use most of my current hoses...



The pans are plastic so you couldn't weld in a bung anyhow. Plus holds a little more fluid (good & bad in this case) and finned to help with cooling.



I'm guessing from a lot of the comments that this transmission doesn't run very hot. But again won't know until I get to that point. I think it's ABsupposed to be a 100K or 150K service life on the fluid so it's not done very often.



I guess the fill plug on the 8HP70 is up on the front passenger side so JSS has had to drill & tap a new fill plug towards the rear due to exhaust on the few TJ's that he's done this swap on. So I'm already prepared myself for that.

Here's ZF's approved lubricant list. While some aftermarket manufacturers say it's OK I think I'm more apt to follow their approved list.

ZF LifeguardFluid 8 and Approved Equivalents
Prices of ZF-Approved Lubricants on 2024-12-10
High $88.37, Low $20.09

$20.09 ZF LifeguardFluid 8 (S671 090 312); 1 liter
$39.50 Petronas (Petronas Tutela Transmission AS8)
$40.63 Porsche (000 043 210 54)
$46.76 Audi/VW (G 060162 A1 / A2 / A6 ATF)
$60.42 BMW (83225A12A00 same part number as that listed under LifeguardFluid 9)
$88.37 Aston Martin (FD33-19A509-AA)
$00.00 Bentley (JNV 862 564 D does not return any reliable results in online search)
$00.00 Iveco (5000 42 124 does not return any reliable results in online search)
$00.00 Jaguar (02JDE 26444 does not return any reliable results in online search)
$00.00 Land Rover (LR023288 does not return any reliable results in online search)
$00.00 MOPAR (68157995AA) DISCONTINUED

Mopar 68218925AB is approved and what a lot of folks run including myself. Paid $17.00 a Quart from the dealership which was surprisingly the cheapest I could find.

 

[Wildman]

Here is a good website on the Gen 3 Hemi engines.

https://www.dodgegarage.com/news/ar...hemi-engine-quick-reference-guide-part-i.html

 

[Wildman]

 

[Wildman]

While a little long here is a explanation of the 8HP70.

 

[Wildman]

Here's a time slip from Sound German (makes the wiring harness for the 8HP) in their D100 truck,

Hard on the brakes at the finish line. E85 and some timing. Looks like the D100 could have done a 10.99. Left lane. Best 60'. Best 1/8th mile. Best 1/4 mile.

 

[lBasket]

Here's a time slip from Sound German (makes the wiring harness for the 8HP) in their D100 truck,

Hard on the brakes at the finish line. E85 and some timing. Looks like the D100 could have done a 10.99. Left lane. Best 60'. Best 1/8th mile. Best 1/4 mile.

View attachment 635868

View attachment 635869

Why would they be on the brakes before the end of the 1/4mi

 

[Wildman]

Why would they be on the brakes before the end of the 1/4mi

Not enough shutdown area? I don't know honestly. But he says AT THE FINISH LINE so I don't think it was before the end of his run.

Not bad 1/4 speed for that truck from the little I know about drag racing.

 

[pc1p]

In case anyone is interested, I've put together a Gen III Hemi resource thread for JKUs, specifically with an 8HP70...

https://wranglerjkforum.net/threads/jku-hemi-swap-reference-guide-swap-info.32731/#post-471557

I'm currently elbows deep into the swap at the moment, and from scrolling through some of the recent posts here, there's a lot of overlap.

 

[Wildman]

In case anyone is interested, I've put together a Gen III Hemi resource thread for JKUs, specifically with an 8HP70...

https://wranglerjkforum.net/threads/jku-hemi-swap-reference-guide-swap-info.32731/#post-471557

View attachment 656087

I'm currently elbows deep into the swap at the moment, and from scrolling through some of the recent posts here, there's a lot of overlap.

COOL.... Shame most vendors have stopped making TJ Hemi swap parts now... IMO with TJ/LJ & Hemi engines getting less expensive there is an uptick in the swap game now..

I'm looking forward to doing the 8HP70 swap... Well at some point I will be. Want to get all the bugs worked out first with the 545RFE in there then I'll do the 8HP70... If I'd know about the HP prior to starting the Hemi swap I would of just gone with it from the get go...

 

[Wildman]

 

[lBasket]

Beamer has a 6hp

 

[Wildman]

Beamer has a 6hp

They are a COOL transmission... I'm seriously looking forward to getting it in.