Projext "V8 XJ" Build

[csailors]

Also looks like im a bit late but truck vs car accessory drives are long and most never work in a swap. Ive always run LS1 car accessory and never had clearance issues. Althoug ive never swapped one in an XJ either.

Also tuning out yor EVAP should not affect your emission testing. We dont have testing but as olng as you dont have an CEL on then they shouldnt question it correct?

 

[csailors]

The major difference between a 5.3 and a 5.7 is bore, and the 5.3's iron block can be opened up. The LS1 has a different accessory drive setup & intake manifold, yes, but the engines are very similar when you are down to the long block.
The "car" LS motors only make financial sense if they are needed for a smog legal swap or are going in something that handles. Also - once an LS1's bores need to be re finished, the block is usually done for.

I disagree that 100 HP and 65 lb-feet is a "slight" gain but hey, that's just me. Sounds like John is really hauling the mail

This is somewhat true and false.

An LS1 is a steel insert sleeved aluminum block. You can "hone" them about .010 if you wanted, but very rarely do people do this. You can however send them to ERL motorsports for example and have them resleeve your block. Last one i built was about 2500 i think he told me.

Weight difference to me is negligible at best, the upside of buying an LS1,LS2 exc it the accessory drive length and the low profile intake manifold for hood clearance.

 

[cleenrob]

I'm going to run a single exhaust. I'll run either 2.5 or 2.25 to a collector then 3" back.

Im trying to decide on 2.5 or 2.25. I dont really plan on hoping up the motor much and the collector on the headers are 2.25 if im not mistaken

 

[PhotoJared]

Sorry for quoting the pictures and all,

That coolant line you are having clearance issues with on the TB. You don't need it. It was only designed to run warm coolant thought the TB to keep it from ice buildup in very cold weather. Even in indiana winters ive never run them and never had an issue. You can always take it off and mill the TB housing down if you want to clear that issue.

I'm going to run it in its stock form.

Also looks like im a bit late but truck vs car accessory drives are long and most never work in a swap. Ive always run LS1 car accessory and never had clearance issues. Althoug ive never swapped one in an XJ either.

Also tuning out yor EVAP should not affect your emission testing. We dont have testing but as olng as you dont have an CEL on then they shouldnt question it correct?

I also ordered all of my emissions parts today. Just need to figure out working now.

Im trying to decide on 2.5 or 2.25. I dont really plan on hoping up the motor much and the collector on the headers are 2.25 if im not mistaken

Collector is 2.5"

 

[PhotoJared]

Ordered:
fuel tank pressure sensor
Power steering pump
Pump cap
New (different size) trans cooler
Purge valve
Belt
Idler pulley
Tensioner
Charcoal canister
Connectors for purge valve and tank sensor

 

[PhotoJared]

So I have the two valve cover breathers I had to tie into one port manifold. A couple of pipe fittings and we're good!

 

[PhotoJared]

So once I have all of the engine components I ordered in, the engine itself should be finished. Just need to send out the harness.

Only have a few things left:

Harness ($)
Plumb fuel
Exhaust ($)
Driveshafts ($)
Wire emissions
Oil change
Trans fluid and filter change
Finish radiator mounting (should be done soon)
Mount and plumb trans cooler
Some simple wiring (TC lockup, fans, ignition)

($) = more money

I think that's it...getting close!!!

 

[PhotoJared]

Dudes! I finished something!!!
Front accessory drive is complete!!!!

 

[racer32]

Looks good. Can I ask how much those brackets were? Or did I miss it earlier in the thread?

Nice work man-

 

[PhotoJared]

The brackets are from lsbrackets.com. They were around $250

 

[PhotoJared]

So i got a littl anxious tonight...

It ALMOST fits under the hood. Just the trottle body that doesn't work

I'll have to shorten the crossover fuel line as well. But you can see where the throttle body makes contact with the hood frame.

 

[John D]

Can you just notch that piece of the hood to make it work?
Looking good.

 

[PhotoJared]

Can you just notch that piece of the hood to make it work?
Looking good.

Yes! It can easily be notched out.

 

[PhotoJared]

Alright updates!
So I had a buddy help me out with a few things. Upper radiator crossmember, lower radiator mounts, shifter cable mount, and radiator fan shroud. I have all of it and it looks awesome

Lower mounts:

Upper mounts:

Radiator fill:

Not much clearance:

 

[racer32]

I have the same size trans cooler roughly... looks good bud. Keep it up-

 

[PhotoJared]

I have the same size trans cooler roughly... looks good bud. Keep it up-

I had an 11x11 at first but it was WAY too big. and this 11x8 fits perfectly

 

[PhotoJared]

Did a little round up of everything that needs to be done....

 

[cleenrob]

nice im going to start on mine as soon as i get the motor frm the salvage yard, should be in the next week or so

 

[jmg222]

Love it. Looking great.

My biggest regret was doing an old school carb'd 350 swap, not a northstar/ls motor... I should have done that from the start.

I see you have "re-do fuel pump?" as one of your action items ... if you're thinking about putting a different type of setup, I don't think it's worth it-- I'm using an OE style fuel pump for my application (terminator TBI). stock fuel pump pushes plenty of volume for a 350.

 

[blistovmhz]

Love it. Looking great.

My biggest regret was doing an old school carb'd 350 swap, not a northstar/ls motor... I should have done that from the start.

^^ This. When I was researching my swap, TONNES of people tried to convince me to go carb, citing simplicity, but with no regard to fuel economy. I did not find the swap very difficult at all, and it was my first engine swap.

I see you have "re-do fuel pump?" as one of your action items ... if you're thinking about putting a different type of setup, I don't think it's worth it-- I'm using an OE style fuel pump for my application (terminator TBI). stock fuel pump pushes plenty of volume for a 350.

The XJ pump will provide sufficient volume (debatable), but will not provide sufficient pressure to power an MPFI 5.3L. I believe the XJ's FP is around 40psi, while the 5.3 wants 60psi. Running 40psi to the 5.3 results in poor fuel economy as well as a lean condition at higher RPM.