Projext "V8 XJ" Build

[jmg222]

^^ 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.



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.

Wow... the TBI I'm using for my 350 only needs 43 psi. The (replacement) stock oem-style pump was pushing 50 psi when I first dropped it in, I had to tune it down at the regulator.

I'm only pushing the oe-style fuel pump because in-tank is hands down the best way to do a fuel pump, and oe-style is the easiest way to achieve this. You don't have to put in a new fuel tank since it was already set up for injection.. the inline, out-of-tank solutions all need to be mounted below the lowest point of the fuel tank, which is great for a corvette or a street rod, but horrible for our application.

Just pointing this out as something to think about-- I literally just went through this. Beautiful build btw.


I FINALLY got my tbi running today.. really, I found it far, far easier to swap in and tune than a carb. I really never should have let myself be convinced to go with a carb in the first place (especially given that the hard part -- the supply and return line -- are already in place.. something I had to completely redo).

Keep the pics coming!

 

[PhotoJared]

I already replaced the fuel pump. But I have an OE configuration pump. I just need to order a new housing cause mine is messed up now. So I'll be going to a more "OE" type setup.

It's a back burner item. I can run off of the current pump setup I have no problem.

 

[jmg222]

very cool. Can't wait to see this bad boy up and running.

 

[PhotoJared]

So small update:

The Wife has taken notice to the cost of the project. I'm probably going to do a lot of the "little inexpensive" items for a little.

 

[jmg222]

it happens

 

[blistovmhz]

Wow... the TBI I'm using for my 350 only needs 43 psi. The (replacement) stock oem-style pump was pushing 50 psi when I first dropped it in, I had to tune it down at the regulator.

I'm only pushing the oe-style fuel pump because in-tank is hands down the best way to do a fuel pump, and oe-style is the easiest way to achieve this. You don't have to put in a new fuel tank since it was already set up for injection.. the inline, out-of-tank solutions all need to be mounted below the lowest point of the fuel tank, which is great for a corvette or a street rod, but horrible for our application.

Just pointing this out as something to think about-- I literally just went through this. Beautiful build btw.


I FINALLY got my tbi running today.. really, I found it far, far easier to swap in and tune than a carb. I really never should have let myself be convinced to go with a carb in the first place (especially given that the hard part -- the supply and return line -- are already in place.. something I had to completely redo).

Keep the pics coming!

Agreed. I retained the pump canister and just replaced the pump with a walbo255 and the regulator with a c5 reg\filter.
Lots of guys just run the stock pump/regulator, and say it works fine, but I think their definition of "fine" is just "wow, I have a v8!". Ultimately though, while they're getting loads more power than the 4.0L, they're not getting the most out of their V8. I've run into a few guys with v8 swaps on the trail and my Jeep is noticeably faster, my fuel trims are cleaner, and I don't start starving at WOT like they do .

 

[PhotoJared]

Power steering hoses are done.


Shifter is done!
I bolted together the jeep shift arm and the GM shift arm. It will be welded.


This is the Jeep bracket. Obviously modified.


Here's the shifter. I have an extra shift point between 2 and 3. It's pretty much perfect.

 

[PhotoJared]

I also took a bunch of the jeep budget. I've had this tattoo idea for about 6 years and I finally pulled the trigger.

 

[John D]

Here's the shifter. I have an extra shift point between 2 and 3. It's pretty much perfect.

I'm glad you worked out a solution, but I really wanted to see that Winter's installed...

 

[racer32]

Everything is looking good. Keep us posted.

 

[paddlernate]

I also took a bunch of the jeep budget. I've had this tattoo idea for about 6 years and I finally pulled the trigger.

I gotta say, that is some killer ink man. I'm totally seeing the simultaneous contrast and blend between forest and desert. I'm jealous.

 

[PhotoJared]

Thanks! I'm really proud to have it on me. My artist was awesome!

So I'm finally getting a chance to work on the Jeep today! I'm making some fuel rail mounts.
Here's what I started with. The right just has the one bend. Left is what the finished product needs to look like:


All 4 finished:


PERFECTION! (All bent without the use of a press. Just a vice and a hammer)

 

[PhotoJared]

One completed!

 

[racer32]

Looks good. Are those ebay aluminum fuel rails?

 

[PhotoJared]

Looks good. Are those ebay aluminum fuel rails?

Yea they're really similar. They came with my professional products intake

 

[PhotoJared]

Rounded off the corners and painted them black.

 

[Boostwerks.com]

Wow. That sucks they don't provide brackets with the manifold!

 

[PhotoJared]

Wow. That sucks they don't provide brackets with the manifold!

They do, but the truck injectors are much shorter than LS1 injectors so the brackets didn't work.

It was too tight of a space to make the brackets work on the back side of the rail which is why they bend under the rail to the outside.

 

[PhotoJared]

I finally got some time with the jeep!! I've been out of town for the past 2 weekends and I've been really busy with work.

What did I do? I made 1 bracket! Yes one bent piece of steel. Just trying to get the trans cooler in the right spot.

 

[PhotoJared]

Did some work today!

Garage beer


Mounted up the intake for the (hopefully) final time




Finished the trans cooler mounts