Do-anything LJ build advice

[Wildman]

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

I've never had any issues running different PCM's but have heard people saying they did.
When I did the first Magnum swap I had to go through 4 PCM's before finding a good one.
The PCM for the Hemi is tuned by Hotwire. I can't tell you what he does to them. You'd need to ask him.
Then because I installed a cam and Eagle heads and larger throttle body FRP wrote me a base tune then I did data logging and he tweaked the tune.
The exhaust you just have to build. You do use radiator hoses from different rigs but have to cut them to fit.
Everything else is just make the lines. It's the same for any of the engines you'd swap in.
If you want a kit with all the stuff figured out for you RedRock 4WD sells one. They have different levels depending on how complete you want.

You're spending money either way. Engine swap or stroker.
You're intended use IMO dictates which way you go.

 

[Rolled Over Rubi]

I've never had any issues running different PCM's but have heard people saying they did.
When I did the first Magnum swap I had to go through 4 PCM's before finding a good one.
The PCM for the Hemi is tuned by Hotwire. I can't tell you what he does to them. You'd need to ask him.
Then because I installed a cam and Eagle heads and larger throttle body FRP wrote me a base tune then I did data logging and he tweaked the tune.
The exhaust you just have to build. You do use radiator hoses from different rigs but have to cut them to fit.
Everything else is just make the lines. It's the same for any of the engines you'd swap in.
If you want a kit with all the stuff figured out for you RedRock 4WD sells one. They have different levels depending on how complete you want.

You're spending money either way. Engine swap or stroker.
You're intended use IMO dictates which way you go.

so pcm's can be a hit or miss depending on what i do, but if i go with hemi it sounds like its usually reliable. i'm planning on keeping the jeep as a daily and offroading it whenever I'd feel like it. Would like the jeep to be a fun street driver when i want it to be and a fun offroader. best of both worlds. i'd like to go 35's and long arms but i'd have to get a bigger lift for it and regear at some point too. ofc theres other things i gotta do but that's just something thats also in the back of my mind

 

[Wildman]

so pcm's can be a hit or miss depending on what i do, but if i go with hemi it sounds like its usually reliable. i'm planning on keeping the jeep as a daily and offroading it whenever I'd feel like it. Would like the jeep to be a fun street driver when i want it to be and a fun offroader. best of both worlds. i'd like to go 35's and long arms but i'd have to get a bigger lift for it and regear at some point too. ofc theres other things i gotta do but that's just something thats also in the back of my mind

You have to send Hotwire the PCM that came with your engine from what I understand. But don't qoute me on that. Again I'm not sure on this but I think they flash it as a 2005.
I'd guess you should talk with NashvilleTJ about his since he had a 4.0 and supercharger prior to swapping to a Hemi. So he'd have a better comparison than it I would.

 

[Rolled Over Rubi]

You have to send Hotwire the PCM that came with your engine from what I understand. But don't qoute me on that. Again I'm not sure on this but I think they flash it as a 2005.
I'd guess you should talk with NashvilleTJ about his since he had a 4.0 and supercharger prior to swapping to a Hemi. So he'd have a better comparison than it I would.

hopefully if i do go the V8 route its not that i need the exact pcm that came with the vehicle. I've done a lot of reading the the 4.0l and stroking it. i'd be running cleggs "stage 1 4.6" stroker kit, bore the block .030. with the crank being 3.8 id have a 4.69l stroker. itd run low compression ratio. Later on im planning on used boosted tech's supercharger and putting that on as well. I can't necessarily remember where I read this at but in the end the engine was pushing 350-380HP, and somewhere mid 400's for torque. That doesn't sound bad at all for the modded 4.0l but then again you can also get that power from a stock V8. they're both money, just don't know what route could be better.

 

[Wildman]

hopefully if i do go the V8 route its not that i need the exact pcm that came with the vehicle. I've done a lot of reading the the 4.0l and stroking it. i'd be running cleggs "stage 1 4.6" stroker kit, bore the block .030. with the crank being 3.8 id have a 4.69l stroker. itd run low compression ratio. Later on im planning on used boosted tech's supercharger and putting that on as well. I can't necessarily remember where I read this at but in the end the engine was pushing 350-380HP, and somewhere mid 400's for torque. That doesn't sound bad at all for the modded 4.0l but then again you can also get that power from a stock V8. they're both money, just don't know what route could be better.

Why is getting the PCM with the engine a issue? Most pullout engines include the PCM and wiring harness.

Stock 5.7 Hemi is 395 HP & 410 TQ or a 6.4 is 485 HP 475 TQ.
Those are stock engines....
So if you're trying to justify it the old say "ain't no replacement for displacement" fits.
Not knocking the stroker but a V-8 is just that...

 

[Rickyd]

when making the diy wiring harness is it just a matter of moving pins, adding or subtracting wires. and a new pcm?

https://lt1swap.com/wiringharness.htm

 

[Rolled Over Rubi]

Why is getting the PCM with the engine a issue? Most pullout engines include the PCM and wiring harness.

Stock 5.7 Hemi is 395 HP & 410 TQ or a 6.4 is 485 HP 475 TQ.
Those are stock engines....
So if you're trying to justify it the old say "ain't no replacement for displacement" fits.
Not knocking the stroker but a V-8 is just that...

i must be looking in the wrong areas then. A Junkyard would normally have the pcm and harness then if everything was pulled out together? you're right though, the best bang of buck for power would probably be going with the V8 swap if anything. Stock is more than enough but once aftermarket parts are thrown at it the power difference is a lot better than the built 4.0l. Maybe i'm afraid of doing the swap and getting caught on something that prevents me from progressing further for a while im not sure. this'll be my first swap or built motor depending on the route I decide to go on. it's definitely something i'd love to do just needa figure out how and time i guess.

 

[Wildman]

So that we stop clogging up Marklar's thread you should start your own thread to ask all these questions.

EDIT:

Have you read these threads?

Thread 'Gen III Hemi Swap into TJ Reference Guide & Swap Info'

Jul 5, 2020

Okay with all the talking about V-8 swaps I know the Dodge magnum V-8 was discussed but Dodge dropped the Magnum V-8 line in 2003 with 2002 really being the -last year to find the 5.2 or 5.9 engines. So if you own a 2003-06 TJ and want to keep it emissions legal by Federal Standards you either have to do a Hemi or LS swap.

Here is a thread on JF with some good information:
https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/the-adventure-begins.343741/

Businesses that offer parts for the Hemi swap:

https://redrock4wd.com/

[URL][URL][URL]https://redrock4wd.com/conversions[/URL][/URL][/URL]...

• Wildman
• gen iii hemi swap v8 swap
• Replies: 395
• Forum: TJ Resources

• 

Thread 'How To LS Swap Your TJ'

Dec 20, 2023

Will add pictures, typed this on my computer and all my photos are on my phone so ill go back and edit them in. I will also be adding info as subjects come up and I do more of these.

So you want to go to the dark side discombobulate your TJ and throw a LS motor in your rig? Well its not that difficult and I am going to try and best explain how to do it. Most of my knowledge comes from my personal daily driver 2000 Jeep Wrangler that I have put on roughly 30k miles in the almost 3 years I have had this finished this swap. On this TJ, it has a 5.3 LM7 from a 01 Silverado but I had backed it...

• XCRN
• chevy conversion gm junkyard race motor ls swap v8 swap
• Replies: 176
• Forum: TJ How-to Guides

• 
• 
• 

They might help answer some questions. Plus you can ask questions in them.

 

[Rolled Over Rubi]

So that we stop clogging up Marklar's thread you should start your own thread to ask all these questions.

EDIT:

Have you read these threads?

Thread 'Gen III Hemi Swap into TJ Reference Guide & Swap Info'

Jul 5, 2020

Okay with all the talking about V-8 swaps I know the Dodge magnum V-8 was discussed but Dodge dropped the Magnum V-8 line in 2003 with 2002 really being the -last year to find the 5.2 or 5.9 engines. So if you own a 2003-06 TJ and want to keep it emissions legal by Federal Standards you either have to do a Hemi or LS swap.

Here is a thread on JF with some good information:
https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/the-adventure-begins.343741/

Businesses that offer parts for the Hemi swap:

https://redrock4wd.com/

[URL][URL][URL]https://redrock4wd.com/conversions[/URL][/URL][/URL]...

• Wildman
• gen iii hemi swap v8 swap
• Replies: 395
• Forum: TJ Resources

• 

Thread 'How To LS Swap Your TJ'

Dec 20, 2023

Will add pictures, typed this on my computer and all my photos are on my phone so ill go back and edit them in. I will also be adding info as subjects come up and I do more of these.

So you want to go to the dark side discombobulate your TJ and throw a LS motor in your rig? Well its not that difficult and I am going to try and best explain how to do it. Most of my knowledge comes from my personal daily driver 2000 Jeep Wrangler that I have put on roughly 30k miles in the almost 3 years I have had this finished this swap. On this TJ, it has a 5.3 LM7 from a 01 Silverado but I had backed it...

• XCRN
• chevy conversion gm junkyard race motor ls swap v8 swap
• Replies: 176
• Forum: TJ How-to Guides

• 
• 
• 

They might help answer some questions. Plus you can ask questions in them.

whoops yeah prolly a good idea, ive taken a peak at some of the threads relating to LS but not the hemi just yet. Going to do that when I get time away from school

 

[NashvilleTJ]

whoops yeah prolly a good idea, ive taken a peak at some of the threads relating to LS but not the hemi just yet. Going to do that when I get time away from school

There really only is one decision point: Do you want to be cool, or do you want to run an LS?

 

[Marklar1983]

So that we stop clogging up Marklar's thread you should start your own thread to ask all these questions.

EDIT:

Have you read these threads?

Thread 'Gen III Hemi Swap into TJ Reference Guide & Swap Info'

Jul 5, 2020

Okay with all the talking about V-8 swaps I know the Dodge magnum V-8 was discussed but Dodge dropped the Magnum V-8 line in 2003 with 2002 really being the -last year to find the 5.2 or 5.9 engines. So if you own a 2003-06 TJ and want to keep it emissions legal by Federal Standards you either have to do a Hemi or LS swap.

Here is a thread on JF with some good information:
https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/the-adventure-begins.343741/

Businesses that offer parts for the Hemi swap:

https://redrock4wd.com/

[URL][URL][URL]https://redrock4wd.com/conversions[/URL][/URL][/URL]...

• Wildman
• gen iii hemi swap v8 swap
• Replies: 395
• Forum: TJ Resources

• 

Thread 'How To LS Swap Your TJ'

Dec 20, 2023

Will add pictures, typed this on my computer and all my photos are on my phone so ill go back and edit them in. I will also be adding info as subjects come up and I do more of these.

So you want to go to the dark side discombobulate your TJ and throw a LS motor in your rig? Well its not that difficult and I am going to try and best explain how to do it. Most of my knowledge comes from my personal daily driver 2000 Jeep Wrangler that I have put on roughly 30k miles in the almost 3 years I have had this finished this swap. On this TJ, it has a 5.3 LM7 from a 01 Silverado but I had backed it...

• XCRN
• chevy conversion gm junkyard race motor ls swap v8 swap
• Replies: 176
• Forum: TJ How-to Guides

• 
• 
• 

They might help answer some questions. Plus you can ask questions in them.

Thanks @Wildman. Clearly, I shouldn't mention the cost of projects I haven't fully researched.

Port & polish is almost done, just need to finish the detail work on the combustion chambers:

 

[Rolled Over Rubi]

There really only is one decision point: Do you want to be cool, or do you want to run an LS?

I either go big Mopar v8, big Chevy v8, or Built tractor engine. Very difficult decisions

 

[Marklar1983]

Stripped paint off the block for painting and installed freeze plugs.

 

[Marklar1983]

paint is AMC Blue Metallic - I like it.

 

[Marklar1983]

Main bearing clearances are all within 0.0001” of 0.002” “ideal” clearance!

 

[Rolled Over Rubi]

paint is AMC Blue Metallic - I like it.
View attachment 585584View attachment 585585

where did you end up ordering the paint from? that looks damn good

 

[Marklar1983]

where did you end up ordering the paint from? that looks damn good

Seymour. Decent price, seems like high-quality paint.

 

[Marklar1983]

Crank and pistons are installed! The rebuild has officially begun.

 

[Rolled Over Rubi]

Seymour. Decent price, seems like high-quality paint.

From reviews I’ve read they look like a good product. Thinking about repainting my block the same color since my dad loved that color on a small boat with a 400 Pontiac that was nitrous charged. My grandpa / his dad built it so I’m doing it as in memory for him once I stroke mine

 

[Rickyd]

Crank and pistons are installed! The rebuild has officially begun.
View attachment 587462
View attachment 587463

Scat rods and racetec pistons right?

Also scat crank?

My scat crank has rear main seal surface that is knurled(?). Grooves at a 45* angle. I've read that is for a rope style rear seal. If a scat crank, is yours the same? What are your thoughts on seal types?