Rolled Over Rubi
Member
holley sells something like that don't they? i know theres one other out there i remember seeing but can't remember the name atm
Do-anything LJ build advice
- Thread starter Marklar1983
- Start date
holley sells something like that don't they? i know theres one other out there i remember seeing but can't remember the name atm
I went with AEM because Holley wasn’t as functional for my engine package as I wanted but I believe they have passed the AEM now for capability but am uncertain.
AEM should do what I want but if I run into issues Holley will be the next stop.
IF.... he ever gets it built.... hehehe I can say this now since mine is driving.
Rolled Over Rubi
Member
how long did it end up taking to do the swap? with the 4.0 to 4.7 I can get it built easily within 2-3 days not counting machining and tuning if i have too. i'd have about 7 hours everyday for 2 - 1 1/2 months
Rolled Over Rubi
Member
you're going to make me jealous and spend the unnecessary money I have already planned on using
Haven’t started installing. Took a year to get the crate engine/transmission package I ordered. I wasn’t as busy for that year as I am now.
Rolled Over Rubi
Member
what'd you decide to end up going with for engine and tranny? don't you hate when the cool stuff takes forever to ship
what'd you decide to end up going with for engine and tranny? don't you hate when the cool stuff takes forever to ship
495 HP 6.2 with 6L80e
Rolled Over Rubi
Member
when are you planning on slapping that in? or do you have more parts coming in
I’ve got everything to get it in but time. Maybe 2025.
Rolled Over Rubi
Member
well hopefully you can get it in with no problems, im excited to see what it'll look like when it's all said and done
Believe me after doing 3 engine swaps on the same Jeep I can tell you it never goes as planned and you always end up spending double what you planned.
Depending on the year of the TJ dictates which engine option you have.
Easiest for 97-02 is a Magnum V-8. either 5.2 or 5.9 Or you can do a Hemi or LS also. But if you want a working stock dash the Magnum or Hemi is easiest.
For 03-06 you have to go with a Hemi or LS if you're interested in keeping it legal. And same applies here. If you want a stock dash the Hemi is easier. If you don't care about the dash then the sky is the limit.
Rolled Over Rubi
Member
If i did end up running the hemi what all has to happen? obviously tranny and engine, would you have to do much with the wiring harness at all or would it need a complete overhaul like the LS
Just to add. If you did everything on the CHEAP.. and it was all used either junk yard stuff or market place you might do a LS for under $5K but I doubt it. Yes people have but they got some stuff for free or a killer deal.
For a Hemi swap plan on $10K minimum unless you find a deal like I did. And all said and done I've got close to $10K into my Hemi swap because I added the newer heads.
If you have a 97-02 and can find a running driving Ram/Dakota/Durango with less than 125K miles (hens teeth) you could do the swap for under $3K and have a running driving TJ.... But then you have to figure things like axles out..
You need to send the Hemi & TJ harness to Hotwire and they blend the two harnesses together for around $2200. That was why when that TJ with the Hemi swap already done was offered to me for $3K I jumped on it. Even with having the buy another transmission I was money a head. The only bad part was the seller thought it was a newer Hemi ( 06 ) but it turned out to be a 03 so I swapped out the heads to the newer Eagle design.
Edit: for either swap you have to do something with the wiring. With the Hemi you can have a stock dash.
For a Hemi swap plan on $10K minimum unless you find a deal like I did. And all said and done I've got close to $10K into my Hemi swap because I added the newer heads.
If you have a 97-02 and can find a running driving Ram/Dakota/Durango with less than 125K miles (hens teeth) you could do the swap for under $3K and have a running driving TJ.... But then you have to figure things like axles out..
You need to send the Hemi & TJ harness to Hotwire and they blend the two harnesses together for around $2200. That was why when that TJ with the Hemi swap already done was offered to me for $3K I jumped on it. Even with having the buy another transmission I was money a head. The only bad part was the seller thought it was a newer Hemi ( 06 ) but it turned out to be a 03 so I swapped out the heads to the newer Eagle design.
Edit: for either swap you have to do something with the wiring. With the Hemi you can have a stock dash.
Rolled Over Rubi
Member
So a lot of the times any v8 swap will require fab, tranny, engine (duh), wiring harness, pcm, driveshafts, possibly axles, possibly speedo, cooling, custom ac and heater lines, custom tranny cooler lines. prolly some other stuff im missing but that's the main gist of it. Sounds pretty painful time and money wise lol
Depending on how complete you want it to be yes.
You'll need a new radiator no matter which engine you go with. If you have a Dana 35 rear axle you'll need a new rear axle. You'll need new hoses for the cooling system & if you have A/C since no stock parts will work.
You have to weld in new motor mounts & transmission mount. You'll need a new exhaust and depending on what suspension you're running it can cause issues. Read that last 100 pages of my build thread to see the PAIN of trying to make things fit.
You need the V-8 PCM for any of the swaps. The Hemi or Magnum PCM's will talk to your stock dash but you might need something to make the speedo correct.
As I said the easiest is the Magnum but that's only legal up to a 2002. You can build your own wiring harness for it. For the Hemi or LS IMO it's less painful to pay someone to build it for you.
Bottom line is those who say they've done the swap for $5K on a Hemi or LS did it with a lot of used parts and had a lot of the needed items on hand all ready. I bought the tools to make all my own lines for the A/C and other stuff which adds to the cost. But you'll save money if you have other things that you can repair too. But you can't compare the power of a V-8 to even a stroker engine. Does that mean the stroker isn't worth it? I don't know since I don't have one.
None of that fab work is difficult or expensive.stand alone harnesses for an ls are easy to make yourself.
Biggest gamble is finding a healthy motor and trans to use
Rolled Over Rubi
Member
you'll end up having to get custom parts for exhaust, A/C, cooling, and then the standalone harness and pcm. if you can't find the vin matching PCM, would you be able to rewrite another or would it be better to get a standalone at that point? if im doing stroker everything is basically plug and play after getting the block and heads bored, polished etc. i'd have to tune for the compression ratio but in term that'd mainly be about it I believe
Rolled Over Rubi
Member
when making the diy wiring harness is it just a matter of moving pins, adding or subtracting wires. and a new pcm?
Similar threads
