We thought about the possible market while designing the adapter, but I don't think there are a lot of people who would be willing to have to shift their AW4 fully manually (like we do). I don't know if there's a way to get the AW4 TCU to talk to the GM ECM, but I suspect it would be worth more trouble than it's worth. The 4L60/70E is a pretty decent transmission, so for most people the easiest thing to do would be jut swap it in while the motor's being dropped in.
The 4.6 32v engine from a lincoln mark VIII has an aluminum block. Usually, when cobra owners build there engines, they use this block since it's a light strong block. The Cobra 4.6 32v engines had a iron block, but the internals were stronger than the lincoln mark VIII engines. So basically, they use the bare lincoln block with the forged internals when they plan to boost it. Lincoln mark VIII's are heavier than the jeep cherokee, even though their engines are pretty light. If they can make a tank of a car haul a$$, even N/A with bolt-ons, a jeep cherokee with this engine would be a rocket. Even though, I'm not sure if you can make it work in a jeep cherokee, unless you get the wiring harness with ECU and make a custom k member. I'm a Ford guy, so I'm a bit biased.
Good luck with the 5.3 swap! Can't wait to see the results.
I have no issues manually shifting an auto trans. Drove a mustang with a full manual trans brake C4 to work for a few yrs. Some people dont get pressing a button use reverse. LOLWe thought about the possible market while designing the adapter, but I don't think there are a lot of people who would be willing to have to shift their AW4 fully manually (like we do). I don't know if there's a way to get the AW4 TCU to talk to the GM ECM, but I suspect it would be worth more trouble than it's worth. The 4L60/70E is a pretty decent transmission, so for most people the easiest thing to do would be jut swap it in while the motor's being dropped in.
But, we will have the plans if somebody wanted to either do it themselves or buy the adapter from us. Not going to hold my breath.
-Matt
Good to know, because you're not the first person to express interest. We'll keep all the data and can replicate as needed.
i thought it was the same thing with the jeep 2.8 and 2.5l aw4 bellhousings?
I imagine the LS4 could be made to work, but would a Northstar or Shortstar fit width-wise? In any event, good info about the 60 degree/Isuzu connection, never thought to look at the sideways engine options.
