Need Cooling Help for Hemi Swap

[Agar426]

The vehicle is a 2005 AEV built LJ with their hemi conversion. The radiator is currently leaking, so it obviously needs to be replaced. It currently has a Spal (not sure which one) electric fan. Looking for tips on building a robust cooling system, even if it means simply replacing the current radiator. The radiator that's in place was a custom build spec'd by AEV twenty years ago, but I don't have a vendor or part #. There are plenty on the internet for sale, from Advance Adapters, US Radiator, etc., as well as many on ebay. Here's the question, or questions:

1) Should I simply replace the existing radiator? If so, which are the preferred brands/models?
2) Should I revisit the entire system and look at a mechanical fan? Different electric fan (helps if I knew the current....apologies)?
3) Currently it has a wonky hot rod styl lower radiator hose, which is constantly troublesome. I would like to be able to carry off the shelf spares for field repairs, etc.

Future plans include getting the vehicle set up for 35" tires. It currently has the "AEV 3.75" suspension, which is a mix and match of AEV brackets and Rubicon Express springs and control arms. Based on the TONS of info out there regarding running 35s on a TJ, the formula seems to be 4" of suspension, with 1.25" of body lift. There are suspension kits that are tall enough, but most seem to prefer the combo setup. Well, if I run a body lift, there is no corresponding motor mount lift for the hemi, and I don't want to create a giant snowball effect, so I'd likely forego the MM lift, which pushes me towards keeping the electric fan setup......or does it?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

[GregBelleville]

I could be wrong, but since you have an LJ, the MML may not be as necessary. The MML helps correct driveline angles on lifted jeeps, but with the longer driveshafts inherent to the LJ, you may not need a MML.

 

[Wildman]

A local shop that does V-8 swaps on TJ/LJ uses Alloyworks radiators and says that he's had good luck with them. I have a Wizard Cooling radiator in mine and while expensive it's a quality product. And then there is Mishimoto which seems to be a good option also. You need a Chevy V-8 (Non-LS) swap radiator meaning it has the upper on the drivers side and lower on the passenger side.
I've not heard a lot of good things about Champion radiators. And I'd stay away from any Ebay type radiators also.

Whichever radiator you go with I'd recommend a SPAL brushless fan. These newer brushless fans are not the OLD brushed fans like what was used when the Jeep was built by AEV.

And YES I doubt you can find or use any type of MML on the Hemi engine but I am not familiar with what AEV used for their motor mounts.

I'll let others offer their input for your other questions.

 

[Wildman]

Come on now we want to see some pictures of this bad boy...

 

[Agar426]

I could be wrong, but since you have an LJ, the MML may not be as necessary. The MML helps correct driveline angles on lifted jeeps, but with the longer driveshafts inherent to the LJ, you may not need a MML.

Thank you, I hope that's the case!

 

[Agar426]

A local shop that does V-8 swaps on TJ/LJ uses Alloyworks radiators and says that he's had good luck with them. I have a Wizard Cooling radiator in mine and while expensive it's a quality product. And then there is Mishimoto which seems to be a good option also. You need a Chevy V-8 (Non-LS) swap radiator meaning it has the upper on the drivers side and lower on the passenger side.
I've not heard a lot of good things about Champion radiators. And I'd stay away from any Ebay type radiators also.

Whichever radiator you go with I'd recommend a SPAL brushless fan. These newer brushless fans are not the OLD brushed fans like what was used when the Jeep was built by AEV.

And YES I doubt you can find or use any type of MML on the Hemi engine but I am not familiar with what AEV used for their motor mounts.

I'll let others offer their input for your other questions.

It's got a Spal fan that the local shop installed, maybe 10 years, possibly more. I'll post some pics, but I warn you it's a filthy engine compartment.....I'll remedy that as soon as it's in hand!

I'm happy with getting a good quality radiator, even if it means spending a little more. I will check out all three of the companies you listed!

 

[Wildman]

It's got a Spal fan that the local shop installed, maybe 10 years, possibly more. I'll post some pics, but I warn you it's a filthy engine compartment.....I'll remedy that as soon as it's in hand!

I'm happy with getting a good quality radiator, even if it means spending a little more. I will check out all three of the companies you listed!

The SPAL brushless fans are newer than 10 years old so I'll bet it's not a brushless fan. You'll want a 500 watt universal or the 850 watt Camero fan.

Also take a look at this thread on how to properly setup your rig for 35" tires. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/so-you-want-to-run-35-tires-on-your-tj.2428/

 

[Agar426]

 

[Wildman]

I'd look at getting a heat shield for your air cleaner or get something different so you are sucking in cooler air. Also get a tune from FRP (Flyin Ryan Performance) which would help with a little more power out of your 5.7... It will mean that you've got to add a bung for a wide band O2 sensor to your exhaust.
On that note I'd love to see how AEV setup their exhaust, so once you get a chance some underside pictures would be welcomed.

And to help others offer some suspension advice I'd post pictures of your suspension too. And if I remember correctly when AEV was offering suspension for the TJ they only went up to a 3.5" lift? So you might be able to add a newer Savvy/Rockjock 4" shortarm lift if you're not wanting to do something like the midarm.

 

[5632]

Wildman offers good advise but reminder his hemi has an over heating problem.

 

[Agar426]

I'd look at getting a heat shield for your air cleaner or get something different so you are sucking in cooler air. Also get a tune from FRP (Flyin Ryan Performance) which would help with a little more power out of your 5.7... It will mean that you've got to add a bung for a wide band O2 sensor to your exhaust.
On that note I'd love to see how AEV setup their exhaust, so once you get a chance some underside pictures would be welcomed.

And to help others offer some suspension advice I'd post pictures of your suspension too. And if I remember correctly when AEV was offering suspension for the TJ they only went up to a 3.5" lift? So you might be able to add a newer Savvy/Rockjock 4" shortarm lift if you're not wanting to do something like the midarm.

They had a couple of options before they bought out Nth Degree Mobility.....the 33" tire suspension used Rubicon Express 4" coils, AEV LCA brackets, and a mixture of OEM and RE control arms. They advertised it as a 3.75" system due to the weight of the ARB bull bar with winch, and Currie rear tire carrier. Their 35" tire models used RE 4.5" systems, mixed with their own parts (I believe). They later moved to the Nth Degree kit. I would love the Savvy kit, the short arm is likely the right one for me, but I'm drooling over the mid arm. Agreed on the heat shield!

 

[Wildman]

Wildman offers good advise but reminder his hemi has an over heating problem.

And while I haven't 100% confirmed the WHY I'm 95% sure it's a thermostat issue.... And I've already mentioned this...

 

[Wildman]

They had a couple of options before they bought out Nth Degree Mobility.....the 33" tire suspension used Rubicon Express 4" coils, AEV LCA brackets, and a mixture of OEM and RE control arms. They advertised it as a 3.75" system due to the weight of the ARB bull bar with winch, and Currie rear tire carrier. Their 35" tire models used RE 4.5" systems, mixed with their own parts (I believe). They later moved to the Nth Degree kit. I would love the Savvy kit, the short arm is likely the right one for me, but I'm drooling over the mid arm. Agreed on the heat shield!

While Nth Degree has some nice features I had their longarm on my TJ before I swapped it out for the Savvy midarm and wasn't 100% happy with the longarm. I had some hopping climbing steep loose hills.
Just know that while some have had luck with getting grease into some of the Johnny Joints most times you have to disassemble them to grease them so if this is going to be a DD you might want to look at other options for your joints. If you don't mind the added maintenance then go for the JJ's.

 

[Agar426]

While Nth Degree has some nice features I had their longarm on my TJ before I swapped it out for the Savvy midarm and wasn't 100% happy with the longarm. I had some hopping climbing steep loose hills.
Just know that while some have had luck with getting grease into some of the Johnny Joints most times you have to disassemble them to grease them so if this is going to be a DD you might want to look at other options for your joints. If you don't mind the added maintenance then go for the JJ's.

I hadn't thought of that, what would that end up being, assuming adjustable control arms on the mid-arm system, don't use JJ, but use OEM type? I'm as clueless on suspension as I am on the cooling side!

Are you happy with the savvy kit?

 

[Wildman]

I hadn't thought of that, what would that end up being, assuming adjustable control arms on the mid-arm system, don't use JJ, but use OEM type? I'm as clueless on suspension as I am on the cooling side!

Are you happy with the savvy kit?

The Savvy kit comes with JJ's also.... They are the best high flex joint currently & original high flex joint out there while many have tried to copy.

I don't have enough trail time with my TJ yet to really say what I think but so far I am very happy with the Savvy midarm.

While a vocal few here don't like them if you're going to make this your DD one option is the Metal Cloak kits. This isn't a high flex system but there are more than one member who run it on their DD Jeeps.

 

[Agar426]

The Savvy kit comes with JJ's also.... They are the best high flex joint currently & original high flex joint out there while many have tried to copy.

I don't have enough trail time with my TJ yet to really say what I think but so far I am very happy with the Savvy midarm.

While a vocal few here don't like them if you're going to make this your DD one option is the Metal Cloak kits. This isn't a high flex system but there are more than one member who run it on their DD Jeeps.

I definitely want to DD this Jeep (I've been DDing my AEV TJ for 20 years), and I want to take it fishing, hunting, etc. I also want to take it to Moab and be capable to run up to, say.....level 6 or 7 trails, which I think it's probably already there. It doesn't have the Nth degree tummy tucker like mine has, so with the added wheelbase, I can breakover being an issue. I want to overbuild, in the hopes of avoiding breakage. Future plans also include regearing, and maybe some axle upgrades, perhaps even a 5x5.5 upgrade to get some beef in the axles. Although, AEV doesn't have any wheels in that bolt pattern (not that I have to have AEV wheels). I want to update the wheels to 17" so that I can get Mr. Blaine's brakes in there as well. Besides that, I just want to drive the hell out of it!

Is the Savvy short arm viable? It seems to be only 3.5"?

 

[Wildman]

This would be the kit if you want double adjustable with JJ's

https://www.rockjock4x4.com/RJ-TJ0001-101

The other way that many do it here is to piece their systems together. Find thee arms you want & then the springs & then all the other needed items.

Like I said there are more than one members who's running a Metal Clock suspension & a few of them wheel it in Moab & other places. I'd ask others about suspension stuff since I have a unique setup on mine.

I have a AiRock system along with the Savvy midarm. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/off-road-only-airock-how-it-works.31391/

 

[John Cooper]

The Savvy kit comes with JJ's also.... They are the best high flex joint currently & original high flex joint out there while many have tried to copy.

I don't have enough trail time with my TJ yet to really say what I think but so far I am very happy with the Savvy midarm.

While a vocal few here don't like them if you're going to make this your DD one option is the Metal Cloak kits. This isn't a high flex system but there are more than one member who run it on their DD Jeeps.

I definitely want to DD this Jeep (I've been DDing my AEV TJ for 20 years), and I want to take it fishing, hunting, etc. I also want to take it to Moab and be capable to run up to, say.....level 6 or 7 trails, which I think it's probably already there. It doesn't have the Nth degree tummy tucker like mine has, so with the added wheelbase, I can breakover being an issue. I want to overbuild, in the hopes of avoiding breakage. Future plans also include regearing, and maybe some axle upgrades, perhaps even a 5x5.5 upgrade to get some beef in the axles. Although, AEV doesn't have any wheels in that bolt pattern (not that I have to have AEV wheels). I want to update the wheels to 17" so that I can get Mr. Blaine's brakes in there as well. Besides that, I just want to drive the hell out of it!

Is the Savvy short arm viable? It seems to be only 3.5"?

I am running the Metalcloak Double adjustable control arms, I think @AndyG White TJR is running Rockmen control arms and his LJR has Savvy mid arm (i think)

My TJR now has RockJock springs also now I can DD it with now problems,

 

[Agar426]

Seems like there are many options out there that would make the rig more capable than I will need, which is exactly what I'm looking for!

 

[GoldenGorilla]

Those AEV conversions were well done by all accounts.

I'd say Mishimoto has lost it's shine among the jeep crowd via the newer models where the Mopar one isn't good. Only thing going for it is the replacement, but if it causes you to overheat and damages a head, it's not gonna fix that.

Champion has a more robust bar and plate model that seems to be better regarded for the typical TJ downflow.
https://shop.championcooling.com/2006-Jeep-Wrangler-TJ-SKU-BC2101

and a crossflow for the Chevy v-8 if that layout is better for your setup.
https://shop.championcooling.com/19...006-Jeep-Wrangler-SKU-8102?search=jeep&page=4

AEV is still around and you might consider contacting them for info on the original.