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5.7L V8 in a 01 TJ.

2K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  GTNMUDY 
#1 ·
So I was given an 97 Chevy Z71 4X4 with a 5.7L V8. The motor is a factory rebuild with less then 50K on it. I'm not sure what tranny (transmission was rebuilt less then 20K and is an auto) / transfer case it has.

I got my 01 wrangler just a month ago for dirt cheep. I rescued it out of the field it was left to die in. It's got a 4banger I brought back to life. However its greatly lacking in power.

I'm on the fence with what to do. I think an I6 would be ok and I found a shop in Dallas to install it for $3600 and thats everything included, drop it off one week later looks factory. But that kinda sounds weak. I have also looked into a salvaged TJ with an I6 but it still comes down to it being an I6 and is that gonna be enough power. The other, more fun sounding option is to put this Vortec V8 into the Jeep but the wiring is a turn off.

I don't do a bunch of off road and when I do nothing to crazy. I like to trail ride and do a bunch of hunting. What I really want is to be able to go down the highway at 75 without every gust of wind slowing me down to 55. the biggest tire I'm gonna run is probably 33" with a couple of inch lift.

So is this V8 a good candidate for the swap? What parts will I need to take from the truck? The biggest question I have is how are the people going to the V8 swaps getting info on wiring it in? I have read though most of the V8 post but cant really find any step by step. I can get the motor and parts in no problem. But I'm clueless on wiring which is why the shop in Dallas seems appealing short of the $ and the possibility of the I6 still being under powered.

Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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#2 ·
You need the factory service manuals for your '01 TJ and also the '97 Chevy.

The wiring diagram sections have all the necessary info you need to do the wiring.

Or you call up Hotwire and pay them approximately $1,500 for a custom wiring harness.

I would not do an I6 swap. Not worth it.
 
#4 ·
Put the 5.7 in your Jeep.

Once that is done you will need to beef up your U joints, get rid of the 2 piece axle (if you have them), get a aluminum 3 core radiator to keep it cool.

Put some headers on it, dump the cat if you can and put some flow masters on the headers.

You will then have one kick a$$ ride.

That's what I did to my 84 CJ.

Larry
 
#6 ·
Another good source for adapters is Advance Adapters. They offer a buyers guide for V6/V8 conversion kits.

The guide has a boat load of information on conversions.

Good luck

Larry
 
#7 ·
Get all wiring and ECM from the donor vehicle, trans too, it's probably a 4L60E if it's a 1/2 ton truck. There is enough people around that have done the conversion on a TJ you should have no issue figuring out the gauge wiring and such, or like mentioned a custom harness. I don't know what drive train you have, but stock stuff can break easy enough, so I would do more research on the supporting mods. I'm doing a similar conversion now but in a YJ. The I6 was fine for me on 33's, had no issues with hills or wind, just wouldn't have the fun factor of a V8 though.
 
#8 ·
Shouldn't be too hard to wire up. Just be sure, if you plan to drive on the street, that your allowed to swap older engines. I know both are obd 2. Here the engine must be 1 yr newer than vehicle its going in. I got my tbi harness wired to run though my jeep is older. Take more than you need from donor. You will nickel and dime yourself otherwise.

Good luck!
 
#9 ·
Before I did my SBC swap on my 84 CJ I went to the state motor dept and asked about smog requirements. I was in Illinois at that time and was told that I must have proof of the year of the engine (1972) and must leave all and any exhaust components that were factory installed on my 84 CJ (single exhaust and cat).

When I go for the yearly emissions tests I must have all my proof of engine year and they would test the emission requirements for a 1972, 350 chevy.

This was a big pain in the A$$. The state would not allow me dual exhaust because my 1984 only had single. So I made up a "Y" pipe to connect my stock headers to my cat and single exhaust system. I would go to the testing lanes sometimes I would pass and sometimes I would fail and they would give me a waiver sticker.

I then would go home, remove the exhaust system, put my headers and flow masters back on and run for a year until I needed to test again.

I did this for about 8 years until I moved to a state that didnt have emissions testing.

I am not sure what your state requirements are for emissions but you may want to check it out before you swap and throw away some parts that you might need latter.

Good luck with the swap.

You will like it:2thumbsup:

Larry
 
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