Ls swaps

[craveman85]

I took a good running 2003 6.0 lq4 on trade from someone that I'm probably going to put in my scrambler. Has 80000 miles on it. The truck rotted out and broke in half. I'm going to go with a carb setup because i don't have all the efi stuff like the computer or all of the harness. The Transmission was already sold. What are you guys doing with these ls swaps for drivetrain, motor mounts ect. Are there clearance issues anywhere? I'm probably going with a stick. Probably a sm465 because they're cheap and available in my area. Nv4500 seems very hard to find around here and the two I did find were junk. I have 3.73 gears and will probably keep them. At 60 with 33s should put me at around 2300 rpm which should be ok. I know that a spacer may be required for the flywheel but are there any other bugs I should be looking for? Best headers for the swap? Pictures of anything would be a great help too

 

[tarry99]

I think the LS Platform will be as big and or even better than the SBC platform ever was....although using the more modern fuel injection I believe far outweighs the need to ever look at a carburetor again........plenty of aftermarket ECM's and harnesses out there that will get that motor up and running.......stock cast iron rear dump exhaust manifolds fit lots of Jeep swaps, but there are plenty of Block hugger sets that will also get you there......as I get older I actually like the Auto transmissions behind these rather than slamming gears in those old truck trannys if you have the length........motor mounts are no different than any other.........with the auto's it's nice to do a drivers side drop unless you already have wider axles up front.......
Lots of options........do your homework and your project will turn out nicely.

 

[smbundy13]

I am not sure the "juice is worth the squeeze" to take one of these awesome LS engines and convert to carb. I would find a computer and use the fuel injection..

look through this thread 5.3 Jeeps - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

has tons of good info.

 

[craveman85]

There's an article about a 6.0 build with just a cam, springs, intake, and carb and I think their base line with the carb was extremely close to factory efi output. They used the msd box for ignition. I think after a cam they got well over 400 hp

 

[craveman85]

Just looked it upagain. They took a used 5.3 rated at 320hp/340tq and with the carb setup it put out 315/325. Which is probably what the efi was actually putting out. After a cam swap it was 415hp and 396 torque. There's also an article on the 6.0 that made 464/437. It's not going to be a daily driver or driven in cold or high elevations. A carb will also let me tune it myself whenever i make changes unlike trying to find someone to tune it. Which is nearly impossible in my area.

 

[PistolDave]

Do you have emissions testing in your area? As has recently been discussed on the forum here, this makes swaps like this an absolute no go in a lot of places in the US.

 

[craveman85]

They don't test emissions on anything older than 96 so I'm good there

 

[craveman85]

I picked up a sm465 yesterday for $50 that needed bearings. Going to order a master rebuild kit and the Dana 300 adapter from novak soon. I may use their ls engine mounts. Anyone have any input as to which headers or manifolds to use? I just looked up the length of the sm465 vs my SR4 with the adapter and they're almost identical in length. Hopefully this will let me use the same drive shafts.

 

[Torxhead]

Another issue I would like to add is the amount of power that your swap will be putting out. Since it is no real match for the driveline in your CJ. The sm465 will hold up fine, but a heavier than normal foot can easily break parts. Lockers do spread the power out some, but the axles and u-joints take the load especially with oversize tires. I have seen the additions of aftermarket axles and u-joints really help out.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

i agree that if you are upgrading the power plant and trany you will need to upgrade the axles as the Dana 30 front and AMC20 rear more than likely wont hold up or at least not for long under a heavy foot

 

[craveman85]

I have one piece shafts for the rear and will probably upgrade shafts in the front as well. However there really isn't much off road driving around here in the Adirondacks in ny Definitely won't be climbing any rocks or mud holes. Worst I'll probably see is stuff my rwd ranger with chains could still get through. I'm still debating on a Transmission though. Different options are T-176 /300. Sm465/300 or maybe a GM Turbo 400 /205. Plan is to go with a carbed 6.0 for a while and then eventually a hole self learning efi. I'm thinking with my 3.73s I could use a 33" tire for "rubber Overdrive ".

 

[craveman85]

I've got a sm465. Ive seen them mated to the passenger drop 205s. Which would be better? Finding the 205 or getting the adapter for my Dana 300 ?

 

[Manic Mechanic]

I've got a sm465. Ive seen them mated to the passenger drop 205s. Which would be better? Finding the 205 or getting the adapter for my Dana 300 ?

either would work i put a 6.2 diesel in 89 YJ with the sm465 and NP 205 combo and other than weighing a load it was fine. they are both good cases. it really comes down to what you want and if you want to spend money for a Transfer Case or an adapter. in my opinion id use the Dana 300 1 because i like them and there is alot of support for it and 2 because you already have it.

 

[inthegarage]

I hope to transplant this exact drivetrain at some point (LM7-SM465-Dana 300 ) so I'll be watching your progress with interest!

I have no hands-on experience with the following and can't vouch for it actually working, but through some research I found that Camaro (right before they discontinued them, late 90's) exhaust manifolds can be a good fit with the LM7 and CJ engine bay. Perhaps you could find a pair for cheap in a local yard?

 

[RiverandSand]

I would use the sm465 and Dana 300 , but I am biased.