Engine swap

[arod52413]

Hello all,

I am looking for threads or info on the do’s and don’ts on swapping a 5.3 vortec and electronic Transmission (still need to look into this), a complete guide on how to would be great as well. The reason for the swap is to get rid of my 4cyl (either an AMC I4 or Iron Duke I4), and Borg-Warner manual Transmission . A well-known local shop gave me a fixed price of $5000 to do the swap (seen his work looks well done, wiring looked great), the price comes with parts and labor all I would do is provide the Jeep. He also includes installing A/C with the price which is needed here in Yuma, Az. It is above my price range, and there are other areas that the Jeep need attention as well like rust. I guess my question too is, is this too much money to throw on a Jeep before repairing cosmetic areas? Also I have time, I won’t need the Jeep until next year, I will be using it as my daily driver and to tour the Sand Dunes.

 

[mtnwhlr]

I think most of the people here are like me and will tell you to keep your Jeep a Jeep it is a classic but is you's so do with it what you want.

 

[gert]

Hello all,



I am looking for threads or info on the do’s and don’ts on swapping a 5.3 vortec and electronic Transmission (still need to look into this), a complete guide on how to would be great as well. The reason for the swap is to get rid of my 4cyl (either an AMC I4 or Iron Duke I4), and Borg-Warner manual Transmission . A well-known local shop gave me a fixed price of $5000 to do the swap (seen his work looks well done, wiring looked great), the price comes with parts and labor all I would do is provide the Jeep. He also includes installing A/C with the price which is needed here in Yuma, Az. It is above my price range, and there are other areas that the Jeep need attention as well like rust. I guess my question too is, is this too much money to throw on a Jeep before repairing cosmetic areas? Also I have time, I won’t need the Jeep until next year, I will be using it as my daily driver and to tour the Sand Dunes.

1st you need a frame and body that's solid so it won't fall apart but beyond that rust won't stop you

2nd if you are trying to use it as a daily you need a reliable drivetrain not cosmetics, so I would say make sure it's safe and concentrate on making the drivetrain reliable

$5000 doesn't sound terrible for a complete swap from a shop, I will probably have that much in the rebuild of my AMC 360

I prefer AMC motors in Jeeps, and swapping a 4.0 in your Jeep can be done for far less by yourself from the junkyard if you are willing to do the work and that will be a dead nuts reliable motor that's all factory Jeep Wrangler parts

I will have to let others comment on the chevy swap I didn't spend much time researching those


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[hagar]

The shop price sounds too cheap to me.
Most shops charge $100 an hour---10 hours would be $1000.
I doubt they could do the job in 30 hours + parts.
Guess it depends on what all you will be getting, new or used parts.

 

[Belizean]

Yeah sounds like a really good price if all you are providing is the jeep. And a/c to boot !

 

[76cj7chick]

Wow. Sounds like a good deal to me too.

Be careful with the front driveshaft hitting the tranny though. I had that issue when doing a 1988 s10 blazer engine 4.3 and th700r4 tranny in my CJ7 ). But if the shop will do it for you for only $5k sounds like he already knows about that issue. Wish I went that route rather than doing it myself.
So much less stress....

 

[smbundy13]

here ya go..

5.3 Jeeps - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

these guys are pretty raw over there.. I would just read and not ask any questions.

also, that shop that charges $5k for a swap is a great price.. if the work is quality.

there is a shop in alabama that I used for several things.. I asked them about a 5.3 swap and they said around $10k.

 

[arod52413]

1st you need a frame and body that's solid so it won't fall apart but beyond that rust won't stop you

2nd if you are trying to use it as a daily you need a reliable drivetrain not cosmetics, so I would say make sure it's safe and concentrate on making the drivetrain reliable

$5000 doesn't sound terrible for a complete swap from a shop, I will probably have that much in the rebuild of my AMC 360

I prefer AMC motors in Jeeps, and swapping a 4.0 in your Jeep can be done for far less by yourself from the junkyard if you are willing to do the work and that will be a dead nuts reliable motor that's all factory Jeep Wrangler parts

I will have to let others comment on the chevy swap I didn't spend much time researching those


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not sure if your still on this page? But I wanted to ask about the 4.0, what engine Transmission and tranny you recommend? I currently still have the 2.5 4cyl and going to try and keep it a Jeep as much as I can.

thanks

 

[hole]

With the 4.0, you can run the Transmission you currently have and upgrade to fuel injection too. 92 and up are the years to be looking for

 

[RiverandSand]

Well, there is no such thing as a pure jeep in the AMC years, they were notorious for using parts from the other manufacturers. If your 4 cyl is the iron duke, its a GM product with a bellhousing bolt pattern that will match most GM transmissions.
I on other hand am pro LS or SBC swap, good power and parts availability. The price given by the shop is good price IMHO. Sounds like they have done these swaps before, and know the ins and outs. If you want to read up on swaps, Novak Conversions is a good site for info and parts.