Just to warn you about the viewpoints that will be coming your way..... If going by Matt's "greasy pig" 360 build it won't be inexpensive. I'm not sure what you mean by it's not numbers matching since AMC never put the 360 in a CJ.

Keeping it AMC would cost you the engine rebuild or possibly whatever parts it would take to repair what you have. I'm fairly certain what is involved when to an LS has been documented on here with some searching so that would have you add up some of the hidden and not so hidden expenses like motor mounts and fuel system mods.....

 

I'm not sure what you mean by it's not numbers matching since AMC never put the 360 in a CJ.

Cool I had no idea what was "stock" options I just knew seller said it was not original. basically I think I am already decided to LS, but thought what the hey...should look at what this 360 is all about before just writing it off as an option.

but im fairly certain ill just crate LS and have the shop do the install. unless someone can sell me on rebuilding this 360 lol

 

Go read the 5.3 swap thread on Pirate4x4 in the Jeep hardcore tech section. It's up to 250+ pages now. I'm on 148 myself. Wealth of info. If you want to swap to something else, you should be researching LS swap only, nothing else.

EDIT: Purchase an LQ4 iron 6.0 liter. Drive it for awhile as is till 300 HP bores you. Next purchase a Holley Terminator MPFI Kit. Then install a turbo and blow the doors off any late model camaro or mustang you come across. Then go wheel your favorite trail haha!

Yes, I'm consuming alcohol right now.

 

EDIT: Purchase an LQ4 iron 6.0 liter. Drive it for awhile as is till 300 HP bores you. Next purchase a Holley Terminator MPFI Kit. Then install a turbo and blow the doors off any late model camaro or mustang you come across. Then go wheel your favorite trail haha!QUOTE]

read this first

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/en...ow-to/engines-drivetrain/1605-ls-fun-for-cheap-budget-rebuild-lq9-makes-464-hp/

 

Carbed LS = yawn

 

yawn all you like but it is a good article on how to do great budget build SBC with great power and torque.

if money is not an problem then have it... fuel injected, turbo charged, supercharged, nitro beast build. add some wheely wheels and a chute and you got a hell of a ride. ah hell go all out and add some neons and spinners so you have that total in the hood look.

 

In very general terms, you pay the money for the motor with an AMC 360, and you pay the money for the swap parts for an LS. It is most likely similar dollar amounts if going new/rebuilt. I was quoted $3,600 for a full rebuild of an AMC 360.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

There's a guy by me who gets lightly used 5.3L LS engines, double checks all the components, tunes them a little hotter, and turns the wire harness into 3 wire swap units (meaning the engine will run with power, ground and ignition) then sells them all cleaned up for $1600 with a warranty. Very tempting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

You can buy a crate SBC with warranty for about what it cost to find a junkyard motor and rebuild it....

That $1600 is probably less than just machine work on a v8...probably 12 years ago I had almost $1400 in crank turning, head shaving and valve jobs, line honing, block decking, boring, and manga fluxing, plus cam bearings and freeze plugs

 

in the end, which will be better for high altitude crawling and low altitude muddling lol might as well keep the goals in mind.

 

Sounds like FI would benefit you then. The native FI on the LS motor would be very simple and reliable if you can get fuel to it. You can setup FI on the 360, but that equals either time or money.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Just don't toss the 360, FSJ folks will give you something for it.

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

 

If you have to spend money on a motor, do you want to spend it on 60s era technology, or 90s era technology? Extra power aside, the drivability of modern fuel injection is unbeatable.

 

That just looks and sounds like the beginning of a great manly commercial, you should finish it.

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

 

I think I would determine what is truly wrong with the 360, first, instead of relying on what the PO told you.

Have you done any diagnoses on it at all, or are you just going to take the shops word for it?

Matt

 

I think I would determine what is truly wrong with the 360, first, instead of relying on what the PO told you.

Have you done any diagnoses on it at all, or are you just going to take the shops word for it?

Matt

since I am not a mechanic I was going to take my mechanics word for it? What else would I do?

Thats like saying are you going to take the doctors word that you have a broken arm, or would you like to smash a hammer against it to self diagnose it regardless of the fact that you are not a specialist...

That said, the shop has confirmed its a lifter noise, haven't broken it down yet but from putting a stethoscope to it certainly seems to be a lifter issue (mechanics words ofc, as I wouldn't know a lifter from a shock..being just a layman and all)

 

On a side note, a local guy offered $400 bucks for the amc 360 as is. Not knowing the market for these oldies...is that reasonable?

 

I'm in your area, and I paid $300 for mine. But that also included a set of new motor mounts worth about $150.

I hope you aren't underestimating how much it's going to cost to swap a different engine in.

Matt

 

Realistically it costs about (edit) 6K ish give or take a few hundred to swap an iron 5.3 ls into a CJ. That includes purchasing the engine (600), auto trans (600), motor mounts (200), computer (200), harness (200), the tune for the computer (150), exhaust (1000), shifter for trans (200), fuel pump (150), fuel lines (100), radiator (600), electric fan (100), adapter to mate t-case to trans (500). I think that's most everything. Driveshafts (600) and a new skid plate (400) as well. On Pirate4x4 contact Wayne Hartwig in Spokane WA. for the computer tune. He can probably point you toward someone who will custom make a harness for you as well.

 

Realistically it costs about 3K to swap an iron 5.3 ls into a CJ. That includes purchasing the engine, auto trans, motor mounts, computer, harness, the tune for the computer, exhaust, shifter for trans, fuel pump, fuel lines, radiator, electric fan, adapter to mate t-case to trans. I think that's everything. Contact Wayne Hartwig in Spokane WA. for the computer tune. He can probably point you toward someone who will custom make a harness for you as well.

That's just parts and material costs, no labor costs included, correct?

Matt

 

I edited my post above. I was way off initially. I included estimated prices behind each part called out in my list. My edits assume the PO must hire someone to build a custom exhaust, plus the cost of headers or F body iron manifolds. Also the skid plate price reflects purchasing one from Throttle Down Customs in Montana.

That is correct. Parts cost only. Easily tack on a few thousand if you're paying someone else to install it.

 

Yeah, your edited post is much closer to what I experienced.

I kept a detailed list of costs on my modest 360 build, if the OP is interested.

I always tell people to expect $4-6K in parts and machining costs alone for a rebuild. Then add to that the labor costs for whatever portions of the job they don't do themselves.

Matt

 

Yeah, your edited post is much closer to what I experienced.

I kept a detailed list of costs on my modest 360 build, if the OP is interested.

Matt

thanks but no thanks, all this conversation has me cemented in my decision to LS it.

 

It takes a lifetime to become a good mechanic, no matter what piece of machinery you are working on. I continue to learn new things everyday and I've been wrenching professionally since 1992.

 

Where are you finding rebuilt 5.3s for $600? Or is that a used engine estimate?

Matt

 

They are all over the place here used from $300-$800


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

They are all over the place here used from $300-$800 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OK, I can believe that.

I just never considered swapping in a used engine as an option, especially one you can't hear running before purchasing. Seems like a roll of the dice to me. But I guess finances sometimes dictate taking a chance.

Matt

 

Don't forget the axles. I'm happy with the AMC20 in a modest build, but I'd have my doubts with that level of HP.

 

thanks! I really think its one bad clutch pop away from ripping the stock axles out anyway and plan to look at axles next, 33-or 35 inch tires, with moderate rock crawling and heavy mudding will be the use goal. ill make a axle thread when the time comes..because I really am not sure where to begin other than to just throw the dana brand name at it lol

 

anyone have experience or heard of anyone dealing with this vendor?

https://www.novak-adapt.com/

I learned a lot from their article https://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/engines/swap-guides/chevy-buick-gm/cj5-cj7-76-79-swap/ , and have my eye on their radiator if nothing else.

 

Here is my build on a complete Novak build.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/novak-power-train-3491570/

 

Novak and Advanced Adapters are the 2 most common venders used for engine and transmission swaps in Jeeps. Both are pricey, but generally get good reviews.

As you've found out, Novak's knowledge center is a wealth of good info.

Matt

 

I work with "mechanics" though I'm not one, all day everyday, believe the word that talented is very hard to come by, I see maybe 1-2% that are there. Hence why so many of these fine folks do their own work, Google and YouTube are at your fingertips, and anything and everything has pretty much been done to Jeeps that can be. The world is your oyster friend, crack it open and see what's inside!

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

 

The world is your oyster friend, crack it open and see what's inside!

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

It certainly is and I would prefer to buy name brand farm fresh organic oysters, hand shelled for me by someone else. preferably while I watch.

 

since I am not a mechanic I was going to take my mechanics word for it? What else would I do? Thats like saying are you going to take the doctors word that you have a broken arm, or would you like to smash a hammer against it to self diagnose it regardless of the fact that you are not a specialist... That said, the shop has confirmed its a lifter noise, haven't broken it down yet but from putting a stethoscope to it certainly seems to be a lifter issue (mechanics words ofc, as I wouldn't know a lifter from a shock..being just a layman and all)

I agree with Matt on this one. Did the doctor take an X-ray of the arm to prove it is broken or is he just guessing? Maybe it is just badly bruised. It could be a loose rocker arm or something else minor. Have they been into the top end to confirm their diagnosis? IMO you would be building yet another Jeep with a Chevy engine. It is your so do what your wallet will allow.

You guys saying if you fabricate "X" or "Y" it won't cost so much must have skipped over where the OP is most likely going to be paying for this swap to be done so I would have to believe he won't be fabricating anything on his own.

 

IMO you would be building yet another Jeep with a Chevy engine. It is your so do what your wallet will allow.

so I would have to believe he won't be fabricating anything on his own.

IMO every jeep ever should have had a better engine in it from the start. so maybe a jeep with a chevy engine in it would have been the best idea from the start beats the **** out of a fiat engine imo

and no, I wont be fabricating a damn thing thats what labor rates are for however I will get my hands dirty doing the monstaliner paint job and washing the mud off lol

 

You must've forgot where we said "try it" and "you'll learn something". All of which suggest we understand you wanting to pay someone, but this is an opportunity to gain mechanical skill.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

You must've forgot where we said "try it" and "you'll learn something". All of which suggest we understand you wanting to pay someone, but this is an opportunity to gain mechanical skill.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I did not. I was going by what he said in post #40.

 

Sorry, I'm having a terrible day. I didn't mean to come on here and sound rude.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I kinda feel like I painted my self into a mechanical box here.....for the record if you want a computer hand built programmed operated modified upgraded tweaked hacked or jailbroken im that guy but nuts and bolts are beyond me lol


telling me its a chance to get mechanical skills is like telling an introvert its a chance to get social skills..:nerd:

that said I take no offense at all to any suggestions to get off my *** and do it myself...trust me my father has been saying it all my life.

 

I kinda feel like I painted my self into a mechanical box here.....for the record if you want a computer hand built programmed operated modified upgraded tweaked hacked or jailbroken im that guy but nuts and bolts are beyond me lol

telling me its a chance to get mechanical skills is like telling an introvert its a chance to get social skills..:nerd:

that said I take no offense at all to any suggestions to get off my *** and do it myself...trust me my father has been saying it all my life.

No worries from me AstroGuy. I had a four car garage that was my shop (wife had her own two car garage). My son, he's now 23, was never mechanically inclined, while I had a full wood working and metal shop going, he was never interested in getting involved with the work. Now he can tell you the stats on ever player in baseball or football or soccer and on and on..he just never wanted to twist wrenches. I, on the other hand have twisted wrenches as long s I can remember but I only know what three positions on a football team does, Quarterback, kicker and center...after that its all greek to me. We are all different and to me, thats the best way to be, be yourself.