[HeepToJeep]

Has anyone heard of the 6.1L SRT-8 Hemi drivetrain from a newer Grand Cherokee being swapped into a FSJ? There's one local with very low milage, dirt cheap and the body has been crunched pretty bad.....it'd make a nice power source for my Grand Wagoneer if it can be made to work. I'm doubting the transfer case would work at all in this application and can't find any info on what other transmissions and transfer cases can be paired with it.

SRT8 6.1L Hemi (425HP 420FPT)
WA580 Transmission
NV146 Transfer case

Based on numbers alone it would be pretty hard to find a more powerful fuel injected stock engine....

Wm

[Scottina06]

it could be done if you have the know how and shop. You would need a lot of customizing.....but there is a shop in MN that puts them in the new Wrangler all the time.....

I posted a question in your other thread as well in the wk section. Do you mind to pm me the contact info on who has this SRT8. I need a front drivers spindle and hub real bad from a Jeep SRT8.

[spyder6]

remember to grab the computer and the harness out of that jeep!

[HeepToJeep]

Originally Posted by spyder6

remember to grab the computer and the harness out of that jeep!

Right-O! I'd already planned to and dread the nightmare of making it work lol.

Originally Posted by Scottina06

it could be done if you have the know how and shop. You would need a lot of customizing.....but there is a shop in MN that puts them in the new Wrangler all the time.....

lol With 425HP you'd have to run 40in tires just to keep rubber on the damn thing! That's also a hell of a lot of torque for how small the Wrangler frame is, I'd think without bracing it'd cause a lot of tweaking and splitting unless you were always really easy on the stupid pedal.

I sent you a private message regarding the parts you need, the front axle is toast. Sorry =/


Wm

[PavementPounder]

Originally Posted by HeepToJeep

lol With 425HP you'd have to run 40in tires just to keep rubber on the damn thing! That's also a hell of a lot of torque for how small the Wrangler frame is, I'd think without bracing it'd cause a lot of tweaking and splitting unless you were always really easy on the stupid pedal.

My local shop also has a 6.1 JK. That has not been a problem. The failures have been in the D44 axleshafts.

An FSJ would be easier since its more like a "clean slate" and you don't have the packaging issues that newer models have. I just don't think I would bother with someting like that unless the recipient FSJ was in extremely nice shape and worth the effort.

[HeepToJeep]

Originally Posted by PavementPounder

I just don't think I would bother with someting like that unless the recipient FSJ was in extremely nice shape and worth the effort.

What's the old saying "Real Jeeps aren't bought, they're built." Once the brainwork of figuring out which trans and transfer case to use was done the actual swap itself would probably be the easiest part of a build. I did some digging and found a guy that builds custom wiring harnesses and he's very familiar with making harnesses for the 6.1 Hemi so that major stumbling block is covered and Novak carries engine to trans adapters for just about any configuration you can think of. This project would be ten times easier than a lot of rigs you see these days, the examples that quickly come to mind are the stock Wranglers that get built for serious offroad use, XJ builds and particularly those where people try to stuff a V8 in them. I just find a lot of appeal to an old classic or vintage vehicle body with more modern upgraded mechanicals and possibly even interior.

Wm

[Criptonic]

Take this for what it's worth...as far as I can gather so far you'll need the PCM & TCM modules in addition to the wiring harness if you plan to use the complete engine/trans/transfercase. If it's the engine alone, the PCM is all you'll need, but you'll need to see if the software in the SRT PCM will jive with the software in your FSJ's computer. What I haven't been able to find out yet is if there's a third computer inside the vehicle that handles all the speedo, odometer and other interior accessories that also ties into the PCM & TCM. There must be and having said that if that software isn't the same as the SRT PCM software you'll never get it to work.

I'm currently doing homework to swap the Jeep SRT drivetrain into my 03 Durango to create an all wheel drive baja race rig and am facing the same conundrum.

BTW, I could use the front drivetrain on that SRT if it's still available and you don't need it...

[Yardracer]

I am currently starting one of these swaps in our shop here in Asheville, NC. I am putting a 5.7 Hemi in a '89 Grand Wagoneer, wood paneling and all! I will try to keep information posted as the project progresses but forgive me if I'm lax, I can't ever remember to post to forums. We are starting with a really nice Wagoneer that we fuel injected last year, a take-out 5.7 Hemi with a new harness and mating it to the existing drivetrain. If anybody has any direct questions, e-mail me at Ian@appalachianperformance.com.

[JeepOrvis97]

Originally Posted by Yardracer

I am currently starting one of these swaps in our shop here in Asheville, NC. I am putting a 5.7 Hemi in a '89 Grand Wagoneer, wood paneling and all! I will try to keep information posted as the project progresses but forgive me if I'm lax, I can't ever remember to post to forums. We are starting with a really nice Wagoneer that we fuel injected last year, a take-out 5.7 Hemi with a new harness and mating it to the existing drivetrain. If anybody has any direct questions, e-mail me at Ian@appalachianperformance.com.

Post up a build thread man!!!

[Yardracer]

I will attempt to take a bunch of pics as I progress and see if I can put a build thread together. Thanks for the idea. Updates to follow!

[CU4WHLN]

I built one - Has anybody seen it on the magazine cover(s) ?

Yellow Cherokee Chief. 6.1 crate engine with a 545 trans.

Not sure how to attach pics on this forum . . .











Full build thread here - yea, it was a lot of fun ! Took a year to Git-R-Done.

Chero: SO it begins . . . - International Full Size Jeep Association

[CU4WHLN]

Originally Posted by Scottina06

it could be done if you have the know how and shop. You would need a lot of customizing.....but there is a shop in MN that puts them in the new Wrangler all the time.....

I posted a question in your other thread as well in the wk section. Do you mind to pm me the contact info on who has this SRT8. I need a front drivers spindle and hub real bad from a Jeep SRT8.

MN shop is Burnsville Off Road

American Expidition Vehicles also puts Hemis in.

There are some serious wiring issues to do this btw . .

[Yardracer]

Great looking swap there! I wish I had a year to do this one but I'm planning on having it road ready within a month. Not worried about wiring issues, built a complete harness for a '69 Chevy truck we swapped a 6.0/4L80 into a couple months ago. More worried about fitment with keeping A/C, P/S and cruise control, it's gonna get tight! Got the boat anchor out this morning, starting to measure and fit for mounts and exhaust currently.

[Yardracer]

Of course after looking at your build thread, I have nowhere near the amount of work ahead of me that you did. I'm just the drivetrain guy in this one, it's a customers ride.

[Yardracer]

Just an update here if anybody's interested. Holidays took their toll on my work schedule and I'm way behind. Hope nobody was paying attention when I said it would be on the road in a month.
Wound up having to find a trans as the customer only had an AMC pattern 727 which wouldn't work. Motor is in and mounted, trans is rebuilt, ordered a custom aluminum radiator this week and have been spending countless hours rebuilding the heater box to fit around the motor. Had to use a 7" street rod style booster for clearance on this one.
When I figure out how to post some pics I will. I'm just not too forum savvy. Countless hours left to go, but it's coming along pretty well. I'll be happy if I can get it done before the customer dies of anticipation.