5.3 or 5.9 magnum in TJ?

mitch77 · 10-03-2009, 06:24 PM

I am looking for real world input from anyone currently running a Dodge 2001 or newer 5.3 or 5.9 magnum, NV 3550 or AX-15 trans in their rig. Specifically I’m looking for info on the power and gearing selections you made to run 33" –35” tires such as seat of the pants HP / torque, shift points, RPM and fuel mileage. I have a 2001 TJ Sport 4.0L AX-15 5 spd D44 & 3.73 on 33's with 15" rims, no lift yet though. This is my DD and will remain so. I plan on adding equipment and pull a trailer for "Base camp" expeditionary/overland type camping and wheeling. Total GVW would be appox 5,200 lbs with trailer weight of appox 2,000 lbs. I have been considering power upgrades to the stock 4.0L or a 5.3 / 5.9 magnum swap to reach 300 hp / 300 lbs torque. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance

BarneyJEEP · 10-03-2009, 06:52 PM

for simplicity sake, stroke the 4.0 and install a genright enduro (?) gas tank for longer range

BlueFlame · 10-04-2009, 04:00 AM

Do you REally have a 3200 lb TJ? Is it stripped of everything but the drivers seat?

BlueFlame · 10-04-2009, 04:01 AM

Do you REally have a 3200 lb TJ? Is it stripped of everything but the drivers seat?

mitch77 · 10-04-2009, 10:01 AM

No, As stated above the Total GVW of the Jeep will be appox 5,200 lbs plus towing a 2,000 lb trailer. Hence the orgional questions. Anyone out there currently running such a setup and able to provide real world preformance is what I am looking for.

**Jerry Bransford** · 10-04-2009, 10:21 AM

I was over at mrblaine's house yesterday and he has a guy's TJ in his garage he is working on that recently converted from the 5.2L to a 5.9L. The 5.2L was a big mistake according to the owner and mrblaine, it barely had any more power than the 4.0L did. From that particular conversion, it's clear the 5.9L would be a much better choice.

mitch77 · 10-04-2009, 10:39 AM

Jerry I tried the link and could not get it to connect, "See the Geezer Jeep at http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/" As the factory spec for the 318 are normally listed @ 230 hp and 300 lbs--ft torque I too was concerned. However the 340 does not appear to be compatible with the current body year emission control requirements and the 360 which will mate to the existing cpu may be a little thirsty for the extended range that I am looking for. Does your friend have any usage with the new setup yet?

**Unlimited04** · 10-04-2009, 10:49 AM

get an LJ. drop in a HEMI and genright safari tank. upgrade to vanco 16" rotors. problems solved

.

mitch77 · 10-04-2009, 10:56 AM

Oh to dream the dreams of “What if I had unlimited, ?????” what I could accomplish

**Jerry Bransford** · 10-04-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitch77

Jerry I tried the link and could not get it to connect, "See the Geezer Jeep at http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/"

It worked when I tried it just now, must have been a temporary glitch somewhere. I have no further info than what I shared with you, other than that 5.9 was pretty sweet looking in that TJ. Emissions-wise, it should be fine so long as the engine you install is either from the same model year your TJ is or newer.

mitch77 · 10-04-2009, 11:21 AM

Thanks if you get any further info on performance I would appreciate a PM

LJameson · 10-04-2009, 11:38 AM

5.9 without a doubt. It's like the 4.0 in terms of tons of low end torque. If your talking about just Mopar V8's, then you mean the 5.2. The 5.3 is a Chevy engine.

mitch77 · 10-04-2009, 11:45 AM

Yes the 5.2 should have been the original posting, typo. Do you have any experience with this setup? I am looking for lessons learned as well as validating expectations from this upgrade

N8RB8R · 10-04-2009, 01:40 PM

I had a 2000 TJ with the 4.0 and auto, I swapped a 5.9 dodge durango R/T motor and overdrive tranny in with very few mods, I was really happy with it and wouldn't look at anything other than the 5.9R/T motor. I could out do same rigs with chevy motors off the line and in sand dunes.

mitch77 · 10-04-2009, 03:03 PM

Great! This is the type of info that I am looking for. Can you give me any specifics on performance? Year of the donor truck, average range that you get per tank, RPM @ 75, inclusive of your tire and gearing. I realize the normal diff between the auto and manual but the real world info will be invaluable, Also drivability as a DD, heating cooling and maintenance issues with the packaging as well as the remaining drive-line.

10-04-2009, 10:01 AM	#5
mitch77 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 8 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	No, As stated above the Total GVW of the Jeep will be appox 5,200 lbs plus towing a 2,000 lb trailer. Hence the orgional questions. Anyone out there currently running such a setup and able to provide real world preformance is what I am looking for.

10-04-2009, 10:39 AM	#7
mitch77 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 8 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Jerry I tried the link and could not get it to connect, "See the Geezer Jeep at http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/" As the factory spec for the 318 are normally listed @ 230 hp and 300 lbs--ft torque I too was concerned. However the 340 does not appear to be compatible with the current body year emission control requirements and the 360 which will mate to the existing cpu may be a little thirsty for the extended range that I am looking for. Does your friend have any usage with the new setup yet?

10-04-2009, 10:56 AM	#9
mitch77 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 8 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Oh to dream the dreams of “What if I had unlimited, ?????” what I could accomplish

10-04-2009, 11:21 AM	#11
mitch77 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 8 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Thanks if you get any further info on performance I would appreciate a PM

10-04-2009, 11:45 AM	#13
mitch77 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 8 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Yes the 5.2 should have been the original posting, typo. Do you have any experience with this setup? I am looking for lessons learned as well as validating expectations from this upgrade

10-04-2009, 03:03 PM	#15
mitch77 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 8 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Great! This is the type of info that I am looking for. Can you give me any specifics on performance? Year of the donor truck, average range that you get per tank, RPM @ 75, inclusive of your tire and gearing. I realize the normal diff between the auto and manual but the real world info will be invaluable, Also drivability as a DD, heating cooling and maintenance issues with the packaging as well as the remaining drive-line.