Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Time for a v8 swap

TrasH Hawk

TJ Enthusiast
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Aug 4, 2021
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Location
New Jersey
Well after some spicy pulls on the supercharged build I peaked around 13psi and it looked like the rings were starting to score the walls. I'm currently assembling a v8 swap the parts I've currently acquired are
2002 gen 3 lm7 5.3 full long block with p/s pump, alternator,ac compressor $800
Holley blackhorse mount kit $480.
Fuel pressure regulator delete $150
Im still sourcing a transmission im most likely going with a gen 4 6L80e to a atlas pro series transfer case. I'm probably going to use a holley terminator x max kit for ecu tuning

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That's exciting. I did the same swap over a year ago among a whole lot of other things to the rig. I still had to get the terminator to a tuner as the range for the self learning function is super wide. The tuner narrowed it down and dialed it for my needs. Just something to keep in mind as you do your swap. I went with a turbo 400 trans, but mine is dedicated trail rig. I look forward to see how your swap goes!
 
I'm hoping it all goes together without any issues. I did read in the instructions it looks like it wants you to rest the engine and transmission into the jeep and than give it a 6.5 angle downward before welding the mounts up which doesn't see too bad. I'm still waiting to hear back about the terminator kit. I did look it over it seems slot easier to tune than the jtec ecu with hp tuners.
 
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I'm hoping it all goes together without any issues. I did read in the instructions it looks like it wants you to rest the engine and transmission into the jeep and than give it a 6.5 angle downward before welding the mounts up which doesn't see too bad. I'm still waiting to hear back about the terminator kit. I did look it over it seems slot easier to tune than the jtec ecu with hp tuners.

From my experience with the TermX, the initial base tune you get is not even drivable with how extremely rich it was and could not even get it to self learn. It will start the engine but thats about it. My suggestion is the TermX program comes with some sample tunes in one of the files it installs on your computer. My engine was just cam and headers 5.3 and I used the Camaro LS1 tune as my base tune and it became so much more drivable and was able to let it self learn and do some tuning my self then everything was fine after that.
 
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I undressed the lm7 and it sure doesn't look like it had 100k miles the seller stated, it was also clearly burning oil so a rebuild is also in the near future. The plan is to get the engine transmission mounted up and resting on the holley mounts give it the proper angle and weld them up. I ordered the holley terminator xmax kit with screen so speedo is GPS acquired. The next step is a transfer case which I'm leaning toward a atlas 2 speed geared at 3.0 seems to be the right setup for a 6L80e. I also want to tummy tuck this a little and so far I think ucf 3/16 carbon steel (2in clearance) might be my only option Updates to follow

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I undressed the lm7 and it sure doesn't look like it had 100k miles the seller stated, it was also clearly burning oil so a rebuild is also in the near future. The plan is to get the engine transmission mounted up and resting on the holley mounts give it the proper angle and weld them up. I ordered the holley terminator xmax kit with screen so speedo is GPS acquired. The next step is a transfer case which I'm leaning toward a atlas 2 speed geared at 3.0 seems to be the right setup for a 6L80e. I also want to tummy tuck this a little and so far I think ucf 3/16 carbon steel (2in clearance) might be my only option Updates to follow

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Nice - there are very few mechanical things I enjoy more than working on an engine on a stand. Especially if you can take the time to enjoy it.
 
Nice - there are very few mechanical things I enjoy more than working on an engine on a stand. Especially if you can take the time to enjoy it.

It's definitely alot more enjoyable than doing all this in the engine bay for sure. Sidenote spend the extra money and don't buy the 2 ton harbor freight engine hoist it's very uneven and shaky. I have a Eastwood stand and it's a night and day difference , The fully dressed 5.3 was rocking this thing.
 
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A little update after life's been giving me the buinsess but the atlas 2 speed transfer case has been ordered, looks like the delivery date in 04/18. Unfortunately the holley mounts instructions say I need to have the transmission adapter installed and put it at a 6.5 angle from the bottom of the frame. I also ordered the ucf 1/4 carbon steel skid plate and the holley 4th gen rubber mounts for the engine as poly mounts aren't ideal for a cruiser. Originally I was under the assuming the atlas didn't need a adapter for the 6L80e but that's what I was told was needed so we will see. I did get a change to see a tj with a 6.2 superchargered swap and man that thing was stuff in there. I'm hoping to have the engine hanging in the jeep next week and il just have to wait on the adapter. I'm most likely going to order the camaro manifolds as I haven't found anyone that is running holley mounts and can give me info on manifolds that run infront of the sump

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I started trimming down the factory engine mount ears with my Milwaukee cordless cutoff, I'd probably use a m18 or a corded one for the driver side but it got the job done. I do have to trim a little more to but the bracket up to the ear but il keep test fitting until it's flush.
 
I started trimming down the factory engine mount ears with my Milwaukee cordless cutoff, I'd probably use a m18 or a corded one for the driver side but it got the job done. I do have to trim a little more to but the bracket up to the ear but il keep test fitting until it's flush.

My M12 cut off tool is really disappointing, stalls out too easily. You must have some patience to stick it out with that. Agree that thickness is for M18 or corded.
 
My M12 cut off tool is really disappointing, stalls out too easily. You must have some patience to stick it out with that. Agree that thickness is for M18 or corded.

I used a fully charged m12 6.0 and it was basically dead after 10 minutes of grinding , looks like the m18 is going on the tool list.
 
I started trimming down the factory engine mount ears with my Milwaukee cordless cutoff, I'd probably use a m18 or a corded one for the driver side but it got the job done. I do have to trim a little more to but the bracket up to the ear but il keep test fitting until it's flush.

Years ago I had a Craftsman sawzall that had the best (at the time) batteries and I was trying to cut an axle tube... Killed all three batteries and still only made it like halfway through it... Went and bought a corded sawzall...
 
Years ago I had a Craftsman sawzall that had the best (at the time) batteries and I was trying to cut an axle tube... Killed all three batteries and still only made it like halfway through it... Went and bought a corded sawzall...

Sounds exactly like why I have a corded grinder
 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator