5.3L Vortec V8 Conversion

[John D]

I am taking mine to the dunes on Tuesday, I'll try to get a video or two.

Its supposed to be 83 degrees. That's not too hot, but pushing sand at WOT seems to exagerate temps.

 

[Frank Z]

I'm going to have just bite the bullet and get a radiator from FFDynamics. Hopefully a 2 row aluminum will cool better that the 2 row copper/brass OEM style.

I'll post up more info after I get one.

 

[jdxj]

I'm gona order their triple threat fan system in the mornig.....I'm still haveing overheating issues.

 

[Frank Z]

Well the FFdynamics option is a bust. Finally got a reply from them today.....

Hi Frank,

Sorry but we are now out of our Cherokee radiators, one of our wholesale distributors purchased the 22 we had built in our warehouse. We will have our techs build more, but they are not going to be ready for some time, when our techs have the time.

Thanks!
FFD

 

[jdxj]

Bummer

 

[Team Willys]

So... the griffin one from novak??? I know its a LOT of money, but IMHO, its worth it. It fits nicely, and even with just 2 stock XJ fans, the LS2 runs at 195-210 all of the time, even in the scorching 100+* weather we have been having here in Chattanooga.

The only other option would to be to grab a 3 core from a parts store. Dan (MELKORsXJ) just swapped his factory one out for a 3 core, and its the coldest running 4.0 I have seen... ever. Hovever, its half the price of the Novak one. This can be looked at 2 ways though... if it works, you saved $250. If it doesn't, you are out quite a bit and still have to do the work over as well as spend the money for the griffin. I don't know your money situation, but if I were you I'd probably just get the Novak, but then again, I have personal experience with it so I may be a little biased.

 

[John D]

So... the griffin one from novak??? I know its a LOT of money, but IMHO, its worth it. It fits nicely,

Since you have experience with this one... is it the same thickness as stock or thicker?

 

[Frank Z]

I replied to the email I got and asked who the wholesaler/distributor is. Hopefully I'll get a useable response.

If this doesn't pan-out I'll procure either a 3 row copper/brass or a 2 row aluminum Silla off ebay.

 

[Veeb0rg]

I replied to the email I got and asked who the wholesaler/distributor is. Hopefully I'll get a useable response.

If this doesn't pan-out I'll procure either a 3 row copper/brass or a 2 row aluminum Silla off ebay.

You'll die if the response is "Novak"

 

[privatejoker]

In my experience with modified vehicles, most of the time they don't have enough fan and the radiator is sufficient. Fans don't just come on when you're moving slowly. I've seen a stock vehicle overheat going a steady 45mph for 15 min because the factory fan was unplugged. A mark VIII fan puts out around 5000 cfm on high, enough to cool a power adder mustang. I've picked them up locally from CL and junkyards for as low as $30. BTW, the Tbird fan is the same as mark VIII. LMK if you want to try one, I have an extra.

 

[John D]

In my experience with modified vehicles, most of the time they don't have enough fan and the radiator is sufficient. Fans don't just come on when you're moving slowly. I've seen a stock vehicle overheat going a steady 45mph for 15 min because the factory fan was unplugged. A mark VIII fan puts out around 5000 cfm on high, enough to cool a power adder mustang. I've picked them up locally from CL and junkyards for as low as $30. BTW, the Tbird fan is the same as mark VIII. LMK if you want to try one, I have an extra.

I had one of these fans for awhile. I actually had a really hard time fitting it between the 5.3L and the radiator. In the end I had to mount it top to bottom instead of side to side and only half the radiator was covered. Two smaller fans covering the whole radiator work much better.

Frank - Had mine out on the dunes today. It was friggin' awesome! It just screamed up every climb. It was hot though. About 85 degrees out there and I was running 210 when I wasn't beating it. When playing hard 225-245 was pretty common. I could do about four long hard climbs (about 1/2 to 3/4 miles total) before hitting the 225-245 range, then had to drive around slow till it went back to 210. Then four more climbs -repeat. I will try to post up some pics and a couple vids later.

Everytime I pointed it up a dune it was worth every penny and every minute I spent on it. I can't believe there are still people putting money into those slow ass strokers!

 

[John D]

First time trying to post a vid so let's see if it works.

5.3L/4l60E in an XJ.

 

[Frank Z]

The dual electric fans I'm running provide copious amounts of airflow through the radiator and engine bay. So much that my "Vent" position is no longer usable because of the cowl hood.

My issue is cooling surface area.

A new radiator is going to have to wait until the funs are available and time is alloted.


John,

 

[old_man]

I dub thee FrankenJ.

 

[LazersGoPEWPEW]

Hey cool vids. I wish I had stuff to run on like that. Looks like fun.

 

[Dr. Dyno]

Had mine out on the dunes today. It was friggin' awesome! It just screamed up every climb. It was hot though. About 85 degrees out there and I was running 210 when I wasn't beating it. When playing hard 225-245 was pretty common. I could do about four long hard climbs (about 1/2 to 3/4 miles total) before hitting the 225-245 range, then had to drive around slow till it went back to 210. Then four more climbs -repeat. I will try to post up some pics and a couple vids later.

Everytime I pointed it up a dune it was worth every penny and every minute I spent on it. I can't believe there are still people putting money into those slow ass strokers!

That's because most of us use our Jeeps as daily drivers rather than as weekend playthings. The head gaskets on your V8 won't last for very long if you keep getting it up to 245*F. Sounds like you need more cooling capacity (bigger radiator, higher flowing fans).

 

[John D]

That's because most of us use our Jeeps as daily drivers rather than as weekend playthings. The head gaskets on your V8 won't last for very long if you keep getting it up to 245*F. Sounds like you need more cooling capacity (bigger radiator, higher flowing fans).

I know... still working on it. Pushing sand at WOT creates very high engine temps. Even with a stock 4.0L it was pushed to head gasket blowing temps.

 

[John D]

OK Frank, I know you don't want to hear this but you really need to spend 500 bucks on a radiator. I installed the BeCool XJ/Chevy Truck radiator from Jegs (134-60185). It was $503 with a gallon of BeCool antifreeze and free shipping.

I am using a 180 degree thermostat and I was running 210 going down the road on 90+ degree days. With the new radiator I am running 180 degrees. Actually 178-182, my thermostat is actually working! The real test will be the dunes, but I am going to make a run to an offroad park near me Sunday. I'll report how it did.

In the meantime here's the pics of it and install.

 

[Frank Z]

If business was better I'd have one.....

 

[John D]

I have to say I am very pleased with the radiator so far. Beat the crap out of it crawling around the woods and rocks this weekend. Outside air temp was in the 80's and with no airflow on the nose (just what the fans were pulling in at 1-2 mph) I stayed below 205 for the day. It started out at 180 and very slowly crept to 200-205 over a seven hour period. The first 3-4 hours were below 195. Money well spent if you ask me. Going to do a good test on the dunes after Labor Day.