Jeep Enthusiast Forums banner

A YJ 5.3 build without a clever name

288K views 3K replies 72 participants last post by  Randonexplosion 
#1 ·
This is more of an engine swap thread than a build thread but it can just keep going after I get the swap done! I started a previous thread here http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f369/5-3-swap-feeler-1464096/ to get some info and bounce ideas off of people but now that it is going down I figure I should start a new one for anyone wanting to follow or gain/contribute some knowledge. I'll bring everyone up to where it sits now. The build probably wont go as fast as I would like due to budget and time restraints. I'm trying to part out the rest of the donor truck to fund more parts. For a little back story, I think that my engine swap is especially awesome since I used to own the donor truck a couple of years ago. I actually sold it to my buddy in order to buy my YJ, so the truck has been in my life for almost 5 years. I paid $12k for it with only 71k on it then I bought it back from insurance for $1600 with 114k! :2thumbsup:

Vortec Swap Parts List

Trans to transfer case adapter: Advance Adapters 4l60e to np231 http://www.advanceadapters.com/produ...seadapter-kit/

Motor Mounts: AA http://www.advanceadapters.com/produ...ine-mount-kit/

Transmission Mount: AA http://www.advanceadapters.com/produ...mission-mount/

Radiator: Superior Radiator http://www.wwwsuperiorradiator.com/v...sion_radiators

Transmission Shifter: Lokar http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Transfer Case Shifter: Novak http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/shifters/sk2x.htm

PCM tune and harness: Wayne Hartwig via Pirate4x4

PCM Mount: Novak http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/e..._ecm_mount.htm

New Trans Tunnel Cover: Novak http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/shifters/cj_yj_tunnel_cover.htm (Wouldn't have been necessary if my old one was in good shape and I didnt screw around with the tub for the old shifter)

Misc.: B&M aux. trans cooler, Spectre CAI for Silverado cut down to fit, 1/8" npt to 12mm adatper for Jeep temp sender http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Auto-Meter-2277-LS1-Water-Temperature-Sender-Adapter,8195.html

That is all I can think of for now. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
 
See less See more
  • Like
Reactions: Z06wrench
#32 ·
Motor mounts ground out

Automotive tire Motor vehicle Gas Art Automotive wheel system


Ill have my intake gasket tomorrow and get that all done. Im trying to avoid pulling my metalcloaks but I think it will make things easier. After taking some measurements I dont think my stock manifolds are going to fit.
 
#33 ·
The intake gaskets are all installed. It was pretty dirty in there and somehow I managed to knock a bulb out of the shop light so there was plenty of glass too. All I could think to do was stuff a rag in each port and take the air compressor to it. It worked pretty well

Automotive tire Motor vehicle Bicycle part Rim Hood


Motor vehicle Engineering Urban design City Machine


Automotive tire Motor vehicle Automotive fuel system Hood Automotive exterior


I also got my harness and pcm shipped off to Washington :D
 
#34 ·
What are you guys running for fuel pumps? Ive read that stock yj pumps provide enough psi but does my tank have provisions for a pump since it was carbureted?
 
#36 ·
I'm setting up a fuel cell with an external inline fuel pump. Bosch 044. I'm not sure how the fuel tank setup on the early carb YJ's is setup, so I don't have an answer to if that will fit an in-tank fuel pump. You may be able to install an external fuel pump and add a return to the tank.
 
#38 ·
Thats what I was originally planning on doing but read that someone was having problems with adequate fuel pressure and reliability. I'm sure all of that is relative to the pump that you use. I'm not too familiar with fuel systems so I'll take all the help I can get!
Subscribed.
Thanks! :cheers2:
 
#39 ·
Got the engine into place to get the motor mounts tacked in. The mounts hang pretty low off the frame, but I was worried about hood clearance. I am a terrible welder so I have to wait for a friend to come burn them in.
 

Attachments

#40 ·
Hopefully I left enought room for the radiator. Has anyone used the AA trans mount? I dont know what is going on but I couldn't get it to fit together, the plate won't fit in the trans adapter, so I hope I got everything right there too
 
#44 ·
Back to crying about Advance Adapters. I called them about the mount and he said that I got the wrong one even though it says "to be used with our transmission to transfer case adapters". I asked him about refunding me shipping or giving me a shipping label but he can't because they threw a shifter bracket in the box too :rolleyes: so now I have to pay shipping 3 ways to get the damn mount I need.

:rantoff:
 
#41 ·
The truck manifolds were hitting the firewall so I pulled them to get the engine far enough back. I think im gonna have to go with some nlock hugger headers
 
#43 ·
Any insight on if a 4.0 pump/sending unit will fit in my 88 tank? I will look at camaro and corvette manifolds. The rear dump is fine I just need them to turn down a little sooner.
 
#46 ·
I just started reading your build thread. Only on page 1 and I have my answer for new manifolds! I should have gotten the Novak mounts. There is so much more contact on the frame than my AA mounts...
 
#47 ·
I have a bid on some Camaro manifolds. Hope I win, I wish the guy would just sell them to me. I am about to pull the trigger on a radiator, what did you guys go with? I had my eye on a Champion. I was going to go with Superior Radiator like WhyJ did but the guy still hasnt called me back.
 
#55 ·
I searched that part # on ebay.

"You are bidding on an "all Aluminum"This Is For the LS1 Engines only!!!!! This has a 1.25 top neck and 1.50 bottom neck"

I though I needed 1.5" top and 1.75" bottom? i measured the stock silverado radiator and they seemed to be in between. I'm sure different rad hoses would work too. This one is quite a bit more expensive even without a trans cooler. And $65 for shipping!
 
#49 ·
Do you remember what brand it was? Quality is what scares me especially with trans coolers. I hate for it to leak into the coolant and burn something up. Yours has been holding up well? How many miles on your swap?
 
#50 ·
BTR Radiator. Made in the US. The trans cooler is internal, I also have an auxiliary B&M cooler.

Every OEM automatic setup I have ever seen has a trans cooler inside the radiator. Water to water cooling is much more efficient than air to water cooling. They are very reliable if it is built well.

My rig is holding up great - about 8k miles on the swap. I do have a leaky water pump put that has been the only issue.
 
#51 ·
Ill check that one out. I agree, thats why I will make sure it is quality. I was also planning on running a B&M aux cooler.

My buddy tried talking me into setting it up for propane. Only $1400 :laugh:
 
#52 ·
Well I was at softball practice so I lost the bid on the camaro manifolds. Anybody have a source for them? Screw bidding on ebay
 
#54 ·
I know, he works for a propane company and has an '86 chevy running on propane so he is all for it. Ill stick with my stock setup.

I googled 'maro manifolds and found someone in Colorado Springs on lt1swap.com that said he has about 50 sets. Im gonna call him tomorrow. If that doesn't work ill try car-part.com
 
#57 ·
That's very true, you pay for quality. Just the hose fitting size makes me trust them over others. The other cheaper ones seemed to just put on 1.5 and 1.75 and call it universal for SBC swaps.

This warm weather is driving me nuts. I want to pull the top off and go for a drive :(
 
#58 ·
I made some progress tonight. My new trans mount came in so I was able to line everything up. The only questionable things are radiator and manifold but I think I left enough room. There is about 2" between the firewall and intake manifold but there is a little over 4" between the fan and radiator mounts.

Tire Automotive tire Tread Bumper Alloy wheel


Automotive tire Motor vehicle Automotive lighting Automotive exhaust Bumper


Motor vehicle Automotive fuel system Gas Automotive exterior Auto part


Im also selling 2 doors off the truck and my jeep trans tomorrow so I will order my radiator soon. Hopefully a Lokar trans shifter as well
 
#59 ·
I ordered a radiator through Superior Radiator. I think their price was more fair than BTR ($100 difference) and it is made in USA as well. A lot of incorrect info on BTRs site kind of turned me off to them. Not really a big deal but I'm wierd like that. I have a buddy coming over to burn in my mounts tomorrow. Does anyone have any input on my drivetrain positioning before they are welded? My intake seems like it is pretty far away from the firewall but I think I have ample room for my radiator and my trans mount sits right on the rib of the skid plate (see above pic)
 
#60 ·
watching your build.. :D did you get/make contact with the guy on the Camaro manifolds? I am interested in a set if you do and he comes through. also... who makes the trans mount you used? im sourcing parts for a 5.3 swap right now.
 
#63 ·
I was on my phone last night so I couldnt see who you were. I remember reading your build, it was F-ing awesome :wolverine:
 
#61 ·
Thanks for watching man! I sent some pms over at camaro5.com there are a lot for sale there. I used the Advance Adapters trans mount. I like their stuff but I would use Novaks motor mounts if I did it again. Mine hang off the frane a lot but they do allow for more customization
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top