Looking for Opinions - V8 Swap

[Trigger]

Well, just looking around quickly on www.car-parts.com, I can pick up a 6.0L for the same price as a 5.3, so it looks like it might be a better route. I looked on AA, but can't find an adapter for the Gen III to TH400, but I'm sure they make one, then after that it's an Atlas. TomH, what did the swap end up running you, if you don't mind me asking. I'm thinking $6-$7K?

[TomH]

TomH, what did the swap end up running you, if you don't mind me asking. I'm thinking $6-$7K?

You're about right on. I picked up an '06 Escalade (LQ9) including the 4L65e and all of the accessories, ECM, harness etc. for $4K to my doorstep. The motor/trans was pricey, but it was virtually new (500 mi).



Between the cam, Atlas-II with adapters, VSS kit, headers, etc. there is another $3K (Max).

[jwend]

if it were me... I would go sbc 350 or 400 pane injected t400 and atlas, could do that for 3500.00 4000.00 with all good parts on it. but thats me.

[94Dodge Truggy]

I liked the jeep and how well it performed with mostly all jeep components except for the axles and suspension. Factory steering box, pump, motor, trans, t-case, body etc... Parts could be easily found at an auto parts store and a factory chiltons manual covered it. Not many rigs around that I have seen or heard of that could cover terrain as much as it could with mostly stock internals. Suspension setup was spot on and gearing was right.

[8UP]

Check Pirates classifieds for the Atlas. I looked around several months ago and there were several of them at the time. Could save you hundreds.

[gothodgie]

if it were me... I would go sbc 350 or 400 pane injected t400 and atlas, could do that for 3500.00 4000.00 with all good parts on it. but thats me.

I'd say SBC too... For what you mentioned your budget might be you could buy a new 350 crate motor and still have some change for go fast goodies, and you can find parts just about anywhere. Just my 2 cents.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MLL-BP3830CT1/

[blazerbrad]

Well, just looking around quickly on www.car-parts.com, I can pick up a 6.0L for the same price as a 5.3, so it looks like it might be a better route. I looked on AA, but can't find an adapter for the Gen III to TH400, but I'm sure they make one, then after that it's an Atlas. TomH, what did the swap end up running you, if you don't mind me asking. I'm thinking $6-$7K?

If I had to choose I would definitely go with the 6.0L.

Isn't the reason there is no adaptor for a Gen III to a TH400 is that you don't need one? I was thinking the only thing to deal with is reprogramming the engine ECU so it is not looking for signals coming from the trans???

[f4isvt]

4.3 is always a good option like said close to numbers of a 350 with less weight. My buddy runs a highly modified 4.3 vortec in his mud bog truck and they make him compete in the v8 class and generally still wins or at least places. If they let him run nitrous he always wins.

[TomH]

The upside to the 5.7/6.0 Gen-III/IV GM motors over the 4.3 is bags of cheap reliable torque and HP without any exotic (i.e. Expensive) parts. The 5.3 is also a great option, but it comes down to what you can find for a donor.

The drive-by-wire versions run without hesitation in hot/cold, wet/dry, from the moment you turn the key and have lots of grunt from about 800 RPM up. A lot of guys go through the effort of changing them to cable throttles, but as easy as the ETC setup is to install, I wouldn't bother.

Good luck.

[JeffK5]

Go GenIII/IV 6.0 .. I bought a low miles LQ9 locally ..complete minus the harness for $900.. 345hp stock.

Add a cam and tune and your at 400 ponies for under $2k... thats hard to beat.

Jeff

[EricZJ]

i think you want low end power and fast response, out of a I6 stroker motor you will have that nasty low end torque where you need and i throttle response is excellent, my buddy has a cherokee with a 4.7 inline 6 he has plenty low end and it winds pretty high to

[GT MOTORSPORTS]

If I had to choose I would definitely go with the 6.0L.

Isn't the reason there is no adaptor for a Gen III to a TH400 is that you don't need one? I was thinking the only thing to deal with is reprogramming the engine ECU so it is not looking for signals coming from the trans???

You are right on the turbo 400 bolting up to the 6.0. The main issue is that the bolt that would be in the 3/4 o'clock position is untapped in the LS block(all of them) because the coolant passage is right there,so GM left it untapped. I can take a pic of my 6.0 in the shop if you need to see what im talking about. I will have to look also but I think I read somewhere you need to add spacers between the torque converter and flex plate. I could be wrong but it does come to mind.

Strickers auto parts in owensville has iron block 6.0 liter engines with 500 miles for $2500.00

Greg

[94Dodge Truggy]

what is coming of this swap? does the 4.0 still live? Can I buy the poor old 4.0?

[Trigger]

Everything is on hold for right now. I'm currently sitting in sunny Qatar. I will be back in November, and then I'm going to be paying for a wedding, so the V8 swap is a little down the road. Damn, I hate being responsible!

[flatlander757]

What gears/tire size do you have now?

I've got a bone stock 4.0HO in my 03 TJ... only thing done is 2.5" exhaust from after the stock header/cats on back. With 5.86s and 40" tires and being quite heavy for a TJ... it pretty much hauls ass. Everyone who has ridden with me(street or offroad) has pretty much **** themselves

Edit:

And I did gears for a guy on JF(username MarineJRM) and he has a home-built 4.6L stroker in his XJ... that thing flat out hauls ass something fierce. He can burn the tires pretty much at will(35s). It dyno'd something impressive at the wheels too(around 200hp at the wheels IIRC?). He has a thread on JF documenting his stroker build, might be something to look at. ;)