Decisions Decisions. Stroker or 5.3

[WrenchedXJ]

This weekend my jeep lost all coolant when either a freeze plug popped or cracked. Havent torn into it yet, so not sure. With 232k original miles, the engine is using oil and gas(10 mpg), so I feel it time for a rebuild. Living by the motto of, "If it breaks, build it stronger", I am left with a few decisions. I have a civic as a daily, so transportation is not an issue. For the time being, if easily accessible, I will just replace the freeze plugs to get me through these random NC winters. Seems like every time im without 4x4 when get snow. When spring rolls around, I'll be parking it and pulling the engine out. I am then stuck in which engine to go with.

1. I've always been a ford 5.0 fan, but cant find the conversion brackets for it.

2. From Novak, I found the 5.3 conversion which I see a few on here have done. I like the 5.3 and has the hp and torque numbers Im looking for from factory. On the 5.3 conversions, any major issues that you ran into? My main fear is the computer.

3. 4.6 Stroker long block for $2800 from Blueprint. my fear on this is gas mileage.

 

[Glacialbass]

Unless you're comfortable doing plenty of fabrication, you'll be better off with the stroker, Even with Novak's kit, you're going to run into issues. There are a couple of fantastic threads that detail the 5.3 swap. Check out FrankZ's thread to get you started.

 

[WrenchedXJ]

Pretty much everything else on my jeep was fabricated up, so the fabrication doesnt worry me too much. Not having a really big budget is where Im going to run into it. My number one priority is paying of credit card debt. Im 22 and have learned quickly, plastic is my enemy. Been paying it off since 20 and it seems like it never goes away. I am comfortable parking my jeep for a few years while I gather funds. What I dont want to do, is build a stroker, and not be happy with it and be swapping for a 5.3 a year later. I may have just fell into something though. My roommate works for a landscape company as the shop manager, one of their work trucks was just involved in a front end collision. Just so happens to be a 4x4 1500 with around 115k miles. I took a glance at it before my jeep lost its coolant. From what I saw, the engine looked intact minus the plastic valve covers being cracked. If the insurance company allows the landscape company to buy it back, I'll probably be able to pick up the drivetrain for next to nothing.

 

[John D]

This weekend my jeep lost all coolant when either a freeze plug popped or cracked. Havent torn into it yet, so not sure. With 232k original miles, the engine is using oil and gas(10 mpg), so I feel it time for a rebuild. Living by the motto of, "If it breaks, build it stronger", I am left with a few decisions. I have a civic as a daily, so transportation is not an issue. For the time being, if easily accessible, I will just replace the freeze plugs to get me through these random NC winters. Seems like every time im without 4x4 when get snow. When spring rolls around, I'll be parking it and pulling the engine out. I am then stuck in which engine to go with.

1. I've always been a ford 5.0 fan, but cant find the conversion brackets for it.

2. From Novak, I found the 5.3 conversion which I see a few on here have done. I like the 5.3 and has the hp and torque numbers Im looking for from factory. On the 5.3 conversions, any major issues that you ran into? My main fear is the computer.

3. 4.6 Stroker long block for $2800 from Blueprint. my fear on this is gas mileage.

If gas mileage is your fear, you need a stock 4.0L. The computer was the easy part of the 5.3L swap, everything else was a major issue and worth every minute and every dime. There's nothing else like it.

Seriously, study the 30 pages in this http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1007477 FrankZ and I did it about the same time.

Pretty much everything else on my jeep was fabricated up, so the fabrication doesnt worry me too much.

But you can't just whip up some mounts? I made my own, easy enough to do.

 

[WrenchedXJ]

hmmm. I've fabbed alternator brackets for my jeep, done solid axle swaps on IFS rigs. Even having access to a piranha, not sure if I'd be comfortable with making my own engine mounts though. hats off to you. By gas mileage, Im talking better than 10mpg which is what Im getting now. I have a civic for daily driving. As for the project, Im still in thinking mode right now. I dont want to put just a stock motor back in it. Its either going to be a stroker or the 5.3, at this time Im exploring which will be the cheapest route to go. I dont like setting budgets on projects like these, but ideally if I had to set one I'd say $4k.

 

[John D]

hmmm. I've fabbed alternator brackets for my jeep, done solid axle swaps on IFS rigs. Even having access to a piranha, not sure if I'd be comfortable with making my own engine mounts though. hats off to you. By gas mileage, Im talking better than 10mpg which is what Im getting now. I have a civic for daily driving. As for the project, Im still in thinking mode right now. I dont want to put just a stock motor back in it. Its either going to be a stroker or the 5.3, at this time Im exploring which will be the cheapest route to go. I dont like setting budgets on projects like these, but ideally if I had to set one I'd say $4k.

The mounts really weren't that bad,. And if you are thinking 5.3L Novak sells them pretty cheap now.

I was being facetious about the gas mileage. Although I can baby it and get 18+ mpg with 35's I don't and neither will you. It's a f'ing V8 in a Jeep. I average 10 mpg. It would probably be the same deal with a stroker, just not as fun. :kissyou: Love to my stroker friends :laugh:

You might be able to do the 5.3L swap for the 4K if you are willing to wait for all the right deals and do you own harness, fab, etc., but it would be tough. that sounds more like a stroker budget to me.

 

[Dr. Dyno]

This weekend my jeep lost all coolant when either a freeze plug popped or cracked. Havent torn into it yet, so not sure. With 232k original miles, the engine is using oil and gas(10 mpg), so I feel it time for a rebuild. Living by the motto of, "If it breaks, build it stronger"

3. 4.6 Stroker long block for $2800 from Blueprint. my fear on this is gas mileage.

You could rebuild your existing 4.0 engine into a stroker for a lot less than $2800. Gas mileage will depend on how you drive it but my 4.6 stroker delivers slightly better overall gas mileage than my old 4.0, especially on the highway.

 

[Dr. Dyno]

This weekend my jeep lost all coolant when either a freeze plug popped or cracked. Havent torn into it yet, so not sure. With 232k original miles, the engine is using oil and gas(10 mpg), so I feel it time for a rebuild. Living by the motto of, "If it breaks, build it stronger"

3. 4.6 Stroker long block for $2800 from Blueprint. my fear on this is gas mileage.

You can rebuild your existing 4.0 into a stroker for a lot less than $2800, and you don't need to fear the gas mileage either. My 4.6 stroker delivers slightly better overall gas mileage than my old 4.0 (which was still healthy whereas yours isn't) in mixed city/highway driving.

 

[bigdaddyjlove]

You can rebuild your existing 4.0 into a stroker for a lot less than $2800, and you don't need to fear the gas mileage either. My 4.6 stroker delivers slightly better overall gas mileage than my old 4.0 (which was still healthy whereas yours isn't) in mixed city/highway driving.

Same here. I was really suprised.

 

[WrenchedXJ]

hmmmmmmm...I'll be headed to the Pull it yourself JY this weekend to scout. If I can find a 5.3, thats the route I'll go. Complete engines are $300, ECM $40, Tranny's $90. I realize a lot more work and $$$ is involved with a V8 swap. If I fail at finding one, a stroker it is.

 

[John D]

hmmmmmmm...I'll be headed to the Pull it yourself JY this weekend to scout. If I can find a 5.3, thats the route I'll go. Complete engines are $300, ECM $40, Tranny's $90. I realize a lot more work and $$$ is involved with a V8 swap. If I fail at finding one, a stroker it is.

Don't forget the harness and all accessories too. What you are looking for is called a drop-out. Engine, accessories, harness and ECM. I would be super suprised if you could find a drop-out 5.3L/4L60e for $430. If you could everyone in the country would be at that JY. Good luck.

 

[shawnxj]

check out this site it might be helpful. from what i heard 03 and newer blocks are the more disrable blocks.

http://www.part-spot.com/part.spot.USA.asp

i kinda wish i owuld have done the 5.3 swap instead of building my stroker. owulda been alot faster with more power

 

[badron]

Don't forget the harness and all accessories too.
===============================
Better yet drive/drag the doner home. This will save you MANY trips to the bone yards
My first swap was a Buick 425 into a Facon. Spent more time on the road getting this and that then anything.

 

[WrenchedXJ]

Don't forget the harness and all accessories too.
===============================
Better yet drive/drag the doner home. This will save you MANY trips to the bone yards
My first swap was a Buick 425 into a Facon. Spent more time on the road getting this and that then anything.

Ideally, that would be the plan. The JY's here wont sell you a complete vehicle. Especially the pull it your self places.

 

[biggchief]

If your gonna go the 5.3 route why not look into 6.0? Am I missing something, aren't they dimensionally the same on the outside of the engine?:greensmok

 

[ZipperheadXJ00]

I've heard of 5.0 swaps, but what engine is a 5.3?

 

[WrenchedXJ]

I've heard of 5.0 swaps, but what engine is a 5.3?

Its a GM engine that is found in the 1500 Silverados, Tahoes, and Silverados. It also can be found in a few "special builds" for GM, such as the Envoy Denali's and the Impala SS.

 

[John D]

aren't they dimensionally the same on the outside of the engine?:greensmok

Yes, one usually costs a lot more than the other though.

 

[WrenchedXJ]

and if im not mistaking, the 6.0 is an aluminum block whereas the 5.3 is iron. I've heard too many stories from the f-body's(Trans Ams) and Camaro boys of the heads warping very easily on the 6.0's.

 

[mcantar18c]

Hmm.... pull the engine out of your XJ, completely tear it down, have the block machined, have the heads machined, buy new bearings, buy new rods, buy new pistons, buy new injectors, source and buy a new crankshaft, have the crankshaft machined, assemble everything, drop it in, sort the bugs out, and STILL end up with under 200hp? Strokers have never made too much sense to me, I've always thought they're more work than they're worth.

Find a 1/2 ton truck being parted out, grab the engine, trans, and harness (and hell even the axles), drop it into the XJ and make some motor mounts and a crossmember... not exactly difficult things to fabricate. IMO, it'd be easier, more worth the work, and probably around the same cost.