Decisions Decisions. Stroker or 5.3

[John D]

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.

Yeah, it's just that easy. Like a weekend project to put the 5.3L in there

The stroker is going to be cheaper, the V8 is going get you more HP - and cool points at the mall. The stroker is also going to be easier, you don't have to reinvent the wheel. I am glad I chose the 5.3L over the stroker, but it was harder and more expensive.

 

[DieselSJ]

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.

Stroker is under 200hp? Since when? More like 250hp with some basic add-ons. And torque is where it is at anyway...who cares about HP in a Jeep?

 

[biggchief]

As far as i know all the truck 6.0s are iron. along with truck 5.3s. The aluminum blocks come in the cars. Hadn't thought about cost. Sounds to me like it would be worth looking into atleast. I am willing to bet there isn't that much of a difference in cost. Either combo would be absolutely awesome.

 

[Glacialbass]

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.

Yeah? You know lots of guys with 6.0s in their f-bodies huh? The f-bodies came with the LS1 which is a 5.7L (AL). The 6.0 came in the GTO (only 05 and 06) and the C6 for a couple of years (AL). In addition, the heads on the 6.0 (243 casting) are a decent upgrade over the 5.7 heads (241) casting, and neither of them have warping issues.

Unless you have first hand knowledge (your redneck buddies don't count), you may want to sit this one out.

 

[John D]

Unless you have first hand knowledge (your redneck buddies don't count), you may want to sit this one out.

:roflmao:

 

[WrenchedXJ]

Yeah? You know lots of guys with 6.0s in their f-bodies huh? The f-bodies came with the LS1 which is a 5.7L (AL). The 6.0 came in the GTO (only 05 and 06) and the C6 for a couple of years (AL). In addition, the heads on the 6.0 (243 casting) are a decent upgrade over the 5.7 heads (241) casting, and neither of them have warping issues.

Unless you have first hand knowledge (your redneck buddies don't count), you may want to sit this one out.

Wow dude, thanks. Sorry I made a mistake in my research and listening to the performance shop that does the GM work here. Maybe a little mis-communication on my end and not staying focused to what they had to say due to the 500 horse SS Trailblazer they were playing with. Even so, I don't appreciate your attitude and your stereotype towards NC about everyone being a redneck. This is originally my thread, so for sitting this one out, well that would kind of ruin the purpose of the forums now wouldn't it? I am trying to gather the best information I can, before I even begin any swaps. If you have helpful information, please be sure to pass it on, I have open ears. The forums are a place to learn, not be a dick. Have a nice day.

 

[Glacialbass]

Wow dude, thanks. Sorry I made a mistake in my research and listening to the performance shop that does the GM work here. Maybe a little mis-communication on my end and not staying focused to what they had to say due to the 500 horse SS Trailblazer they were playing with. Even so, I don't appreciate your attitude and your stereotype towards NC about everyone being a redneck. This is originally my thread, so for sitting this one out, well that would kind of ruin the purpose of the forums now wouldn't it? I am trying to gather the best information I can, before I even begin any swaps. If you have helpful information, please be sure to pass it on, I have open ears. The forums are a place to learn, not be a dick. Have a nice day.

I have family in N.C. I wasn't stereotyping them at all, rather I was stereotyping f-body owners :dunno:

The TBSS that you saw there also has the 6.0 LS2, just in case you wanted to know (as does its Sabb brethren).

If the stories that you're hearing from others are discussing 6.0s in their f-bodies and 241/243 heads warping, you probably want to dismiss or at least further research what those people are telling you. There are some great sources of information on the LS1 (5.3, 5.7, etc.) online. You might want to checkout www.ls1tech.com as you research your options. There is a plethora of great information there.

 

[WrenchedXJ]

I'll be sure to check it out. Thanks.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

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.

As far as i know all the truck 6.0s are iron. along with truck 5.3s. The aluminum blocks come in the cars. Hadn't thought about cost. Sounds to me like it would be worth looking into atleast. I am willing to bet there isn't that much of a difference in cost. Either combo would be absolutely awesome.

This is correct, the "LQ" blocks are the cast iron truck blocks the "LS" is the aluminum block found in F-bodies, vette, TB SS, Caddy CTS Etc.
The cast iron blocks will definitely handle more abuse, and you can use LS parts on the LQ blocks.
My plan eventually is a GM LQ4/9 6.0L engine, LSx intake (maybe FAST, I dunno), aftermarket rad, etc. , either in a 'Manche or an XJ

 

[WrenchedXJ]

My mind is made up. For the time being, Im going to just replace the freeze plugs on my 4.0. In the meantime, be saving up and keeping an eye on the junk yards. The pull it yourself lot was having a 50% off sale for thanksgiving but they only had one 5.3 on the lot, and it just so happened to be in a burnt up tahoe. Thank you to everyone for your help. Hopefully in about 6 months, I'll be doing my build thread.