5.3L Vortec V8 Conversion

[VAhasnoWAVES]

Well, this turned into a much bigger project than I planned going into it. I am happy with the results and everything works.

WOW

i need some of those!

 

[Frank Z]

Im guessing the TJ tank fits like a glove? Stock straps line up? Using a skid under the tank?

It looks like your ring can be replicated very easily, and while I hate being a copy cat I do like seeing someone else do the homework for me.

if your talking about the tank on the green tarp in post 114, that's Jeff 98XJ WI tank. Mine is a stock 97 XJ tank.

 

[ElkyRacer]

DOH! I knew there was a TJ tank thrown in the mix somewhere. Guess that happens when you try and find EVERY possible post about swapping the LS motors into anything. They tend to run together a bit. :read:

 

[nstyfox]

frank and john you guys do awesome work! I really want to do something like this in the next couple years,you guys think its better then a I6 stroker?

 

[Frank Z]

O
H

H
E
L
L

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!!!

 

[CherBear]

frank and john you guys do awesome work! I really want to do something like this in the next couple years,you guys think its better then a I6 stroker?

Is a 5.3 better than a stroker??

IS that even a fair question?!?

 

[Johnnie Walker]

LQ/LSx engine dominates a stroker. Stock they have more hp and tq.
Only benefit of a stroker, depending on where you live, is it looks stock-ish.

 

[John D]

frank and john you guys do awesome work! I really want to do something like this in the next couple years,you guys think its better then a I6 stroker?

Are you kidding?!?! I wouldn't give you anything for a stroker after having the V8.

Actually, I never even considered a stroker. I know people who have them; I have ridden in and driven XJ's with strokers and the V8 is clearly better for me and what I do with my Jeep.

 

[nstyfox]

Are you kidding?!?! I wouldn't give you anything for a stroker after having the V8.

Actually, I never even considered a stroker. I know people who have them; I have ridden in and driven XJ's with strokers and the V8 is clearly better for me and what I do with my Jeep.

well thanks (as money flys out of my pocket)now i have to start looking for a nice 5.3 motor:wierd:

 

[wolfpackjeeper]

I built my stroker over a v8 swap for a few reasons

1. college student in junior year
2. low funds, see number one
3. high workload, see 1

At the time a stroker came out cheaper than a reman, for me. And the time in volved was pretty minimal. I just could not afford to chase everything down when I needed to be graduating. Now that My MJ is working towards needing a motor/ tranny swap (4cyl, 4spd) and I have more time and money coming up in the summer, the LS swap looks like a great option, especially for my little street truck.

It kinda boils down to what you can afford timewise more than anything else.

 

[John D]

It kinda boils down to what you can afford timewise more than anything else.

You make a good point. However... now that Novak is producing the engine mounts and headers and other companies are jumping in to support the trend (wiring harness rebuild, computer programming, etc.); the time issue is becoming less and less.

 

[Cody90XJ]

You make a good point. However... now that Novak is producing the engine mounts and headers and other companies are jumping in to support the trend (wiring harness rebuild, computer programming, etc.); the time issue is becoming less and less.

It will be nice if we ever have a "Kit" to knock out all the hard parts.

 

[John D]

It will be nice if we ever have a "Kit" to knock out all the hard parts.

What would be in the "kit"? I made everything myself but, Novak sells the mounts, the radiator and the headers. The rest is basically wiring and programming. I did all my own here too, but the wiring and programming can be bought from many other sources.

 

[wolfpackjeeper]

yea, the price of LS series motors is coming down very nicely too. My next motor swap will be an LS or LQ series motor.

 

[sappersly]

Frank, what's your plan for your gauges?

 

[Frank Z]

6 VDO gauges...once business improves.

 

[sappersly]

6 VDO gauges...once business improves.

I went to VDO's web site and I tried searching by there part number for there 6 piece kits but no luck. 5 piece kits were easy to find.
I came up with this:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VDO-600905/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VDO-333055/

Both together it comes up to $224.90. I thought that was better than 400 to 500 bucks for others.

 

[Frank Z]

Planning on the 600922 and a Tach to match.

 

[HYTECHMJ]

Nice Build John,

once I get off my butt I'll post My Build , to add to this information packed thread. its nice to see some of the differences in everyone's build. mine will show some super slight differences in Drivetrain choices, and it's all shoved into a MJ short box.
but here is a few taster photos from some are really old since the build started about 4 years ago. the whole build was to build it using as many off the parts store shelf (or junk yard), i didn't want to use many exotic parts .....well...some are.

Tasty y-pipe.......mmmmm304,V-bands/flex. hand formed collector /scavenge merge

Powertrain Mounts......Baby welds, the rest all press braked

Cooling System...any guesses on the fan used?...better than any FAL, and almost free

TWIN TURBO READY!....joking early pic when i had manifold issues. note the mods to the accessory drive...there are 2 (besides the missing alternator.

 

[blue95xj]

looks like a wj fan?