I would check with some of the places that do hemi swaps they probably have some low mileage pull outs sittin around AEV , Dakota Customs , bruiser conversions
These are the company's that swap 3.8 engines out, that I know about: AEV, Burnsville & MoTech. I'm sure there are others too. Good luck & let us know what you wind up doing.
When I got my replacement engine I got it from Trail Jeeps in colorado, great to deal with. The only other place that even cared to talk to me was Screamin Lizard, they were my second choice but Trail Jeeps had a brand new 2011 engine.
I didn't know about Motech when I was searching several years ago. Robbie is great to work with.
If/when this engine goes I will be going with a Hemi/LS swap though. This one has been paid off for years so by the time I need to swap engines again I will bite the bullet and go big. If you plan to keep the jeep for a long time and you have the funds, don't cross out the Hemi/LS option.
If funds are tighter, I did the engine swap myself in two days in my garage for less than $2000 total. I feel like I got a smoking deal on the engine though.
Oh yeah I understood your post. But the first reply in these threads is always to swap in a Hemi, not to contact those companies for a 3.8/3.6 that was removed.
I wonder if this is true, my hemi commander gets terrible gas mileage. Makes my jk with 3.5" and 35's seem like the economy car so it make me feel fine parking in the fuel efficient spots at Ikea.
The 7K for the kit does not include the engine. I called AEV one time (I do not live far from them) and asked how much for a hemi swap, $20,000 plus including the new engine. How about a long block?
I wonder if this is true, my hemi commander gets terrible gas mileage. Makes my jk with 3.5" and 35's seem like the economy car so it make me feel fine parking in the fuel efficient spots at Ikea.
From what I have researched I believe it to be true although it's not a very big difference. It's just nice to have a huge power boost and not lose fuel mileage.
ls9 would be more than that just for the crate/ quick search and its like in the 26k and its a not a great bottom end curve since they are showing 3800-6500 rpm range where she wakes up
i would go with a L9h(truck motor) and 6l80e should be able to find under 10k. Used maybe 5k for both. should get about the same mpg as 3.6. that trans has a deep first gear too 4.02, 2.36, 1.53, 1.15, 0.85, 0.67
I was being facetious, I wouldn't put an LS9 in a Jeep. Not unless I were a millionaire, in which case it would strictly be for shots and goggles. A more reasonable flavor of LS would be a much better fit. And if the hemi kit really is that expensive, I don't see any reason to go that route unless you're a Chrysler purist.
The LS motor kit is about that much too from Motech. No way to do it without the kit unless you don't want ANY of the factory gauges and safety stuff to work. So, unless you plan on making the jeep a trailer rig you need the kits.
Utah doesn't permit the LS in the Jeep anyway, unless you scrub the vin and register it as a kit car. At least that is how it was explained to me. Utah is one of the toughest places when it comes to emissions and swapping motors.
Well, I'm not planning on an engine swap either way, but yeah it's illegal. Technically I think it's illegal everywhere, or at least not EPA compliant, but there aren't any enforcement provisions.
Utah is a hell hole if you're into any kind of performance vehicles (or drinking, though it's definitely better than 10 years ago). Much better just to visit.
How would that even be helpful to a guy with a 2007? IT would cost so much more to do a 3.6 with SC than it would cost to do a Hemi or LS? Add to the fact that nobody has done a 3.8 to 3.6 swap so who knows if it is even possible without extreme expertise.
I'm surprised nobody has thrown this out yet, but, if you are going with a used stock take-out I would start by checking locally on car-part.com to check local junkyards.
VEGASROBBI;25752474
We have many LS JK's in Utah and just had one certified(the customer is a cop) outside of SLC.
[/QUOTE said:
Robbie,
This is very encouraging to hear! I have heard a little back and forth from a few different people but not anybody "official". I have been slowly researching it as I know my 3.8 (second one) isn't going to last forever and I really would like to put a v8 in it. I hadn't actually heard of anyone with a jk going with a LS swap and getting it licensed. I have seen a number of TJ's with 5.3's though.
I have a 2011 JK Unlimited Rubicon with the 3.8 and the 4 speed auto transmission. At some point I may want to replace it with the 3.6 and the 5 sp AT from the 2012 and newer JK units. Is it reasonable to replace the 3.8 with the 3.6? I'm just wondering since I have to plan years ahead for any major expense. The Rubi replaced a 2000 WJ which started to fall apart and I couldn't get up the hills where my group does trail rides. My wife (bless her) would not approve my buying a 2012 Rubi since the price tag was almost as much as her 2014 Grand Cherokee Limited.
As a big fan of the 3.6, I can't imagine a reason to do that unless you've destroyed the 3.8. Yeah, the transmission is brilliant, but really there's not enough overall improvement to make it worth the cost and headache. Now, if you hydrolocked the motor and broke the expensive bits inside and needed a replacement...then sure, I'd pick a 3.6 if it were available. But to do it just to get rid of the 3.8...no way.
they changed a lot in the jeep to shoe horn in the 3.6 and the w580. For the cost a hemi or Ls would be far better and much better supported. I have yet to even find one person that has done that swap. You could buy a 2012 and for less than the cost of going a 3.6. Just don't make sense. But hey jeepers tend to be out there anyway.
w580 use a special T case too. It is not the same one in a manual.
Few things about the 3.6 i do not like(wont even get into the head issue.)
you have to remove the intake to service the plugs.(perhaps they knew you would not need too
There is very little room left in the JK with the 3.6 engine bay.
the problem i see with alot of people who do a v8 swap... they want to sell their old 3.8 for too much money. way too much in my opinion. but thats just me.
if youre going to replace it, get it from somewhere that will give you a warrantly. LKQ parts (on web, networked with yards and on ebay as well) is prime example and they give good warranties. i've purchased from them had to use the warranty.
If it even fits, it'll require almost everything to be replaced...electronics, transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, probably the entire front end. And you'll end up with an illegal swap since production stopped in 1998 which means the engine is from a model year prior to the vehicle manufacture (and it wasn't available in that type of vehicle anyway). Good luck getting that covered by your insurance.
The November JP magazine has an article about rebuilding the 3.8. There are a couple companies that stroke them to a 4.1 and fix the couple items that are problematic.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Jeep Enthusiast Forums
18.5M posts
726.7K members
Since 2000
A forum community dedicated to all jeep owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, engine swaps, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!