Anyone here done a V8 swap?

[1988comanche]

SO I'm betting there's a few of ya out there, just have a few questions about suspension, mounts, and frame strengthening.

I was given the suggestion to stick with a Jeep suspension, but i need it to hold up to new added weight and don't know what I'm looking for

[Billabob]

Theres a full novak guide out there on how to drop an LS motor right in. They make a kit that includes a bellhousing adapter as well as motor mounts. Which motor were you looking at? Aluminum LSs are lighter than your Jeep's 4.0. Iron blocked ones are just a tad heavier. Someone on another forum even swapped a 1UZ into an XJ, interesting stuff!

[ghetdjc320]

You need epic tech 

 

You’ll find everything you’re looking for in those builds. Many a V8 swap along with some more exotic options. But if you have specific questions about those categories you mentioned, ask away . There are several here who can chime in with specific answers 

[75sv1]

Just getting to an LS swap, myself. Here's an Excellent swap thread : 

It looks even better in person. Need to figure out what you want to do with your rig. Then what motor.  I am doing an XJ as a wheeler. I also wanted decent MPG. I went with a 5.3 LS block. I am building it basically ground up. More as a low torque or tow motor. Also, going with a 4L60E for the transmission. I can't say what is needed to stiffen the frame and suspension specifically for an LS swap. I am doing frame stiffeners, inside frame stiffeners. Boat sides. Also, will get front suspension work. WJ big brakes, Bostwerks Hidden winch mount and a RE track bar brace. I am also going with Ironman's Long Arms front and rear. Also, an inside cage. 

     I did go with the NOVAK engine mounts. I am going to order their TC adapter kit today. I do have frame stiffeners on another XJ. It is much stiffer than stock. 

 

   Still, you need to better define what your design intent is. What V-8 you are looking at. What power out of it you expect. How much $$$ you are willing to throw at it. 

[krustyballer16]

I'm about to finish up a turbo 6.0L LS build...

[1988comanche]

18 hours ago, Billabob said:

Theres a full novak guide out there on how to drop an LS motor right in. They make a kit that includes a bellhousing adapter as well as motor mounts. Which motor were you looking at? Aluminum LSs are lighter than your Jeep's 4.0. Iron blocked ones are just a tad heavier. Someone on another forum even swapped a 1UZ into an XJ, interesting stuff!

5.3 5.7 or a 6.0 iron block. It will see boost. and I'm trying to convert to AWD. Right now I'm rock the 2.5L.

[1988comanche]

16 hours ago, 75sv1 said:

Just getting to an LS swap, myself. Here's an Excellent swap thread : 

It looks even better in person. Need to figure out what you want to do with your rig. Then what motor.  I am doing an XJ as a wheeler. I also wanted decent MPG. I went with a 5.3 LS block. I am building it basically ground up. More as a low torque or tow motor. Also, going with a 4L60E for the transmission. I can't say what is needed to stiffen the frame and suspension specifically for an LS swap. I am doing frame stiffeners, inside frame stiffeners. Boat sides. Also, will get front suspension work. WJ big brakes, Bostwerks Hidden winch mount and a RE track bar brace. I am also going with Ironman's Long Arms front and rear. Also, an inside cage. 

     I did go with the NOVAK engine mounts. I am going to order their TC adapter kit today. I do have frame stiffeners on another XJ. It is much stiffer than stock. 

 

   Still, you need to better define what your design intent is. What V-8 you are looking at. What power out of it you expect. How much $$$ you are willing to throw at it. 

I'm looking at a 5.3 Iron block pre cylinder deactivation bs. lol but I have a buddy saying he has  6.0's in the junk yard waiting to be picked. I'm going more of a street monster, AWD Turbo setup, but I'm kind of lost. Talked to a shop and they suggested finding suspensions that bolt up without modifying that can withstand the weight and power. Shooting for 5-700 HP AWD. Probably needing to find a AWD Trailblazer SS. also wanting to probably stick with a 4L80

[1988comanche]

5 hours ago, krustyballer16 said:

I'm about to finish up a turbo 6.0L LS build...

Why the 6.0? What Transmission did you go with? What's your suspension setup? What's your purpose with the truck? Tire and wheel set up?

[ghetdjc320]

There’s not much difference in weight between an iron block lq4 and the 4.0. All the truck engines though will need car based accessory drives and intake manifolds if you want to fit under a stock hood. I went with an LS and saved a lot of swap headache trying to adapt those lq/lm truck engines but they are plentiful and fairly cheap. 

[75sv1]

7 hours ago, 1988comanche said:

I'm looking at a 5.3 Iron block pre cylinder deactivation bs. lol but I have a buddy saying he has  6.0's in the junk yard waiting to be picked. I'm going more of a street monster, AWD Turbo setup, but I'm kind of lost. Talked to a shop and they suggested finding suspensions that bolt up without modifying that can withstand the weight and power. Shooting for 5-700 HP AWD. Probably needing to find a AWD Trailblazer SS. also wanting to probably stick with a 4L80

    A bit out of my league. OK, more than a bit. I was looking at going with a 5.7 or 6.0L and an aluminum block. When I was picking up a 4.0L block I had machined, I asked about getting an LS motor done. The guy said the 6.0L was a gas hog.  I am looking for street ability and some semblance of MPG. I'll probably be looking at 350 hp. I'll be around a 10:1 static compression ratio. I'm also going with the 799 heads. Fits more of a Truck head so better torque in the lower RPMs. If more of a street racer, then I'd go with a 231 head. 

     What you are doing or looking at is way different. I can give you my view, but you need to find a source who is doing what your looking for. My research is that the 6.0L is a low compression engine. So, it might be what your looking for, as to turbo or supercharger. The 4L80E is way stronger than the 4L60E to 4L70E. I think you'd still need some upgrades. A lot of other stuff you'll need to look at. Electronics, like Holley, FAST or FiTech. 

     Krustyballer carries some weight on this board and so does ghetdjc320. Another is Aircudda.  Good luck. 

[Pete M]

they are all thirsty v8s.  I imagine the 6.0 would get a bit less than the others because it was found in the bigger trucks?  just a guess though.  but if you're at all thinking of MPGs, remind yourself that that's not why you're swapping in a giant engine into a tiny truck.  

[Eagle]

On 8/8/2023 at 2:32 AM, 1988comanche said:

SO I'm betting there's a few of ya out there, just have a few questions about suspension, mounts, and frame strengthening.

I was given the suggestion to stick with a Jeep suspension, but i need it to hold up to new added weight and don't know what I'm looking for

 

What new added weight? You're replacing a cast-iron in-line 6-cylinder engine with a cast-iron block and cast-iron exhaust manifold. Whatever V-8 you're planning to use, it probably weighs less, not more.

[1988comanche]

On 8/9/2023 at 10:00 PM, Eagle said:

 

What new added weight? You're replacing a cast-iron in-line 6-cylinder engine with a cast-iron block and cast-iron exhaust manifold. Whatever V-8 you're planning to use, it probably weighs less, not more.

Thats a negative ghost rider, I'm replacing a cast iron i4 2.5L with a cast iron V8, Turbos and etc, and rollcage

[1988comanche]

On 8/9/2023 at 6:22 AM, 75sv1 said:

    A bit out of my league. OK, more than a bit. I was looking at going with a 5.7 or 6.0L and an aluminum block. When I was picking up a 4.0L block I had machined, I asked about getting an LS motor done. The guy said the 6.0L was a gas hog.  I am looking for street ability and some semblance of MPG. I'll probably be looking at 350 hp. I'll be around a 10:1 static compression ratio. I'm also going with the 799 heads. Fits more of a Truck head so better torque in the lower RPMs. If more of a street racer, then I'd go with a 231 head. 

     What you are doing or looking at is way different. I can give you my view, but you need to find a source who is doing what your looking for. My research is that the 6.0L is a low compression engine. So, it might be what your looking for, as to turbo or supercharger. The 4L80E is way stronger than the 4L60E to 4L70E. I think you'd still need some upgrades. A lot of other stuff you'll need to look at. Electronics, like Holley, FAST or FiTech. 

     Krustyballer carries some weight on this board and so does ghetdjc320. Another is Aircudda.  Good luck. 

thank you!

 

[1988comanche]

On 8/9/2023 at 3:41 AM, ghetdjc320 said:

There’s not much difference in weight between an iron block lq4 and the 4.0. All the truck engines though will need car based accessory drives and intake manifolds if you want to fit under a stock hood. I went with an LS and saved a lot of swap headache trying to adapt those lq/lm truck engines but they are plentiful and fairly cheap. 

awesome!

[75sv1]

I will say, watch out on many of the internet articles, especially on heads. Combustion CCs and diameter of the combustion chamber will be very different between what I am doing and what you are. Also, there was one article on heads, and saying this one head produced more power than the 243 head. Well, I looked into it, and that head had a 60cc combustion chamber. The 243 and 799 have a 64cc combustion chamber. In my engine build, it will net me a 10;1 static compression ratio. 

      Also, I'd look at Cahall Performance Transmission for info on how they build a 4L80E. I'm running around the net finding info on what I need on the 4L60E. Also, for a 4WD. Hope this helps.

      Also, sine Pete's challenged me. I just have to beat a Libby's MPG which is 24 MPG Hiway. 

[Big_Mark]

9 hours ago, 1988comanche said:

Thats a negative ghost rider, I'm replacing a cast iron i4 2.5L with a cast iron V8, Turbos and etc, and rollcage

Don't forget to add the Dana 60's to handle that power!

Welcome to the next level, installing a V8 is the level where you find out about the next levels you didn't know you needed until you have  a V8.

Enjoy the ride brother! 

[Eagle]

I think the MJ "frame" is up to the weight. Anybody remember the old AMC SC/Rambler? It was a 1969 Rambler American with their [cast iron] 390 cubic inch V8 stuffed under the hood. The Rambler American, the Javelin, and the AMX of the same era were all unibody vehicles not that different from the XJ/MJ. I've owned 390 AMXs, and my brother owned a SC/Rambler. Just change the front springs to something appropriate for the weight. The springs out of a V8 Grand Cherokee would be my first choice, probably from the 5.9L if you can find them.

 

What engine are you going to use? I've seen any number of XJs with small block Chevy V8s installed and they ALL had severe cooling issues.

[krustyballer16]

On 8/9/2023 at 12:06 AM, 1988comanche said:

Why the 6.0? What Transmission did you go with? What's your suspension setup? What's your purpose with the truck? Tire and wheel set up?

 

The 6.0 was in the donor truck i bought. don't go out of your way to find a 6.0. The 5.3 is just fine. Same thing.

 

I have a 2wd 4l80e behind it.

This is a go fast truck.

 

8.8 rearend with stock springs and adjustable Rancho shocks (eh)

Front is new stock coils and ranger shocks i think.

 

I have 29" nittos on the rear.

 

[1988comanche]

I assume the springs are stock for the 4.0L?

[Rowdy89mj]

On 8/14/2023 at 3:51 PM, krustyballer16 said:

 

How you fit that turbo in there is awesome. I have no room for a catch can on my swap much less turbos. 
 

[Rowdy89mj]

@1988comanche

novak has a good write up on swaps and general information. Such as the difference in weight of the engines. ICT billet has a bunch of good information on ls swaps and components to use. 
 

I have a nitrous ls build that’s running low 11s in the 1/4 mile. 
Running a ford 8.8 rear with 4.11s (lkq sells whole rear ends out of explorers that will fit for $200)

with a set of Caltracs and adjustable ranchero shocks stock leafs. And nittos ftw. This thing does NOT spin at the track and does so extremely well on the street I constantly beat up on much higher hp builds. 

[ghetdjc320]

59 minutes ago, Rowdy89mj said:

@1988comanche

novak has a good write up on swaps and general information. Such as the difference in weight of the engines. ICT billet has a bunch of good information on ls swaps and components to use. 
 

I have a nitrous ls build that’s running low 11s in the 1/4 mile. 
Running a ford 8.8 rear with 4.11s (lkq sells whole rear ends out of explorers that will fit for $200)

with a set of Caltracs and adjustable ranchero shocks stock leafs. And nittos ftw. This thing does NOT spin at the track and does so extremely well on the street I constantly beat up on much higher hp builds. 

I’ve heard great things about Caltracs. Trying to see if something like that would work to prevent axle wrap but still allow for good articulation.