Looking for Opinions - V8 Swap

Trigger · 05-23-2010, 06:02 PM

I've got Pater's old YJ and am looking to increase the power by swapping in a V8. Those of you that have done it, what would you recommend. I want to be fuel injected and I want a reliable motor, that has decent power. I don't need 500+ HP, but I would like it to be healthy. Some thoughts that have come to mind are 5.0L Ford, 5.3L Chevy, 6.0L Chevy truck and LS motors. Plans are for an auto tranny and an Atlas transfer case. Pros, cons, experiences? Budget is an issue, so I'm not looking to spend a ton of money, but I know that it's going to cost me some. Let me know what you guys think.

TomH · 05-23-2010, 09:43 PM

Gen-III 6.0L - Check
Auto - Check
Atlas - Check

Lots of support, lots of options, easy, great $/hp, always fires and runs, would do it again in a heartbeat.

KargoMaster · 05-23-2010, 10:31 PM

I'm using a 5.0L.... aftermarket support is pretty good but getting some age on the overall platform, so I would suspect that the 5.3/6.0/LS motors will be all the rage very soon... 4.6 modular??

Booo hiss on the auto tranny, but I might just be the last one driving a stick in the world... the way things are going, I have limired choices now, but I will not have any choice soon...

Atlas/STaK sounds like the most expensive part... but you get what you pay for... IMO

My last truck was 5.3 and 4L60e... I'm rough on things... Reaction sun shell went bye-bye at 116k... just for perspective. I was about 24 hours from pulling the driveline for my jeep (like Tom said... they're reliable) and parting the truck if it didn't sell, of course it sold then...

just my $.02

Hope Springs Hauler · 05-23-2010, 10:32 PM

There is too much support for the 5.3-6.0 motors to ignore them. I would also go with a TH350 or 400 if you don't need OD.

Personally, I would think seriously about a 4.0 based stroker. I've seen your jeep go a lot of places like it is, but a bit more oomph wouldn't hurt.

94Dodge Truggy · 05-24-2010, 08:55 AM

New generation 425 hp hemi! Depending on the wheeling you do you may want to make sure it will keep oil pressure at many different angles. A 5.9 dodge motor is hearty and I know where one is cheap and complete. The less sensors and ease of troubleshooting is key for trail motors. Titan sells a 4.7 I-6 for under $2500 with a warranty. Will the 6 cyl. in your jeep ever give up?

itbrokeagain · 05-24-2010, 10:37 AM

Keep the I-6 and stroke it. The V-8 isnt a bad thing but the 6 cyl is in it works and its wset up to be there. The V-8 swap takes some set up to get it all right. Sometimes I wish I had kept the 4.2. Never gave me any trouble.

Trigger · 05-24-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94Dodge Truggy

Will the 6 cyl. in your jeep ever give up?

It hasn't given up yet. Oil pressure is still low, but it still fires right up. The Jeep does pretty well for the motor that's in it. I just had some trouble the last time I was out and guys with bigger HP were able to power through some stuff that I got stuck on. It's a rarity that I can't do something, but when I went to really romp on it, it was lacking.

94Dodge Truggy · 05-24-2010, 01:38 PM

Stick a blue bottle on it and use sparingly.

Let me know when you use it beforehand though so I can get my catchers mit out for the shrapnel.

05-23-2010, 06:02 PM	#1
Trigger Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Xenia, OH Posts: 281	Looking for Opinions - V8 Swap I've got Pater's old YJ and am looking to increase the power by swapping in a V8. Those of you that have done it, what would you recommend. I want to be fuel injected and I want a reliable motor, that has decent power. I don't need 500+ HP, but I would like it to be healthy. Some thoughts that have come to mind are 5.0L Ford, 5.3L Chevy, 6.0L Chevy truck and LS motors. Plans are for an auto tranny and an Atlas transfer case. Pros, cons, experiences? Budget is an issue, so I'm not looking to spend a ton of money, but I know that it's going to cost me some. Let me know what you guys think.

05-23-2010, 10:31 PM	#3
KargoMaster Cleaning off the rust... Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,009	I'm using a 5.0L.... aftermarket support is pretty good but getting some age on the overall platform, so I would suspect that the 5.3/6.0/LS motors will be all the rage very soon... 4.6 modular?? Booo hiss on the auto tranny, but I might just be the last one driving a stick in the world... the way things are going, I have limired choices now, but I will not have any choice soon... Atlas/STaK sounds like the most expensive part... but you get what you pay for... IMO My last truck was 5.3 and 4L60e... I'm rough on things... Reaction sun shell went bye-bye at 116k... just for perspective. I was about 24 hours from pulling the driveline for my jeep (like Tom said... they're reliable) and parting the truck if it didn't sell, of course it sold then... just my $.02 __________________ brad 5.0L \| 435 \| 203 \| 300 \| 4.10 \| 39.5 Buildup BACK underway...

05-23-2010, 10:32 PM	#4
Hope Springs Hauler Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hamilton, OH Posts: 431 Images: 16	There is too much support for the 5.3-6.0 motors to ignore them. I would also go with a TH350 or 400 if you don't need OD. Personally, I would think seriously about a 4.0 based stroker. I've seen your jeep go a lot of places like it is, but a bit more oomph wouldn't hurt. __________________ 1988 Suzuki Samurai on propane FJ 40 axles (4.10) 5.14 tcase 36" TSL SX

05-24-2010, 08:55 AM	#5
94Dodge Truggy EX-Vice President Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fairfield, Ohio Posts: 3,048	New generation 425 hp hemi! Depending on the wheeling you do you may want to make sure it will keep oil pressure at many different angles. A 5.9 dodge motor is hearty and I know where one is cheap and complete. The less sensors and ease of troubleshooting is key for trail motors. Titan sells a 4.7 I-6 for under $2500 with a warranty. Will the 6 cyl. in your jeep ever give up? __________________

05-24-2010, 10:37 AM	#6
itbrokeagain Just Empty Every Pocket - CORE Member - Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Amelia Posts: 1,435	Keep the I-6 and stroke it. The V-8 isnt a bad thing but the 6 cyl is in it works and its wset up to be there. The V-8 swap takes some set up to get it all right. Sometimes I wish I had kept the 4.2. Never gave me any trouble. __________________ 91 fj 80 on 37 Nitto Muds with a 10k winch. Cage and sliders coming soon.

05-23-2010, 09:43 PM	#2
TomH Gearhead Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Anderson Posts: 95	Gen-III 6.0L - Check Auto - Check Atlas - Check Lots of support, lots of options, easy, great $/hp, always fires and runs, would do it again in a heartbeat.

05-24-2010, 01:38 PM	#8
94Dodge Truggy EX-Vice President Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fairfield, Ohio Posts: 3,048	Stick a blue bottle on it and use sparingly. Let me know when you use it beforehand though so I can get my catchers mit out for the shrapnel. __________________