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Ravenstev9's 5.3 TJ build

20K views 55 replies 6 participants last post by  ravensteve9 
#1 ·
Im so tired of the 4 banger. I turned 205k last week and she runs like a top, but its time to upgrade. I considered the 4.0, but for all the work involved I may as well go the 5.3.
Ive got a 4" lift, 33" tires, AX5 tranny, NP231 t/c, Dana30/35 axles and money to spend.
So far I have purchased:

5.3L Silverado L33 which is the all aluminum, HO version!
ECU with drive by wire
4L60E from a 2005 Silverado 4x4
3 core aluminum radiator
Electric fan
SYE
Novak: Engine mounts
Tranny mount
4l60E to NP231 adapter kit (23 spline)
NP231 23 spline input gear
F body Camaro floor shift
Upper radiator hose inline temp sensor housing
Corvette C6 exhaust manifolds

Im doing some little stuff right now prior to pulling engine and not having a vehicle for awhile.
Im going to keep the Jeep ECU and run it parallel to the Chevy ECU. This way I can keep the Jeep instrument panel.

Speedo works off the sensor in the transfer case, which is a good reason to retain the NP231. Also the shift linkage is already there.
Tach: spoke to Novak, they are coming out with VSS adapter to run this generation 5.3 with Jeep ECU
Oil pressure: I tapped the block off plate over the oil filter and screwed in a Jeep TJ unit. The Chevy oil pressure isnt compatible with Jeep (Ive read), so Ill use both. The GM switch is needed. Without it you will get a CEL, which Im trying to avoid.
Temp: Again Ill use the sensor in 5.3 block to turn the fan on. This is an option when having ECU reprogrammed. I will use an inline temp sensor housing for the Jeep instrument panel.
Fuel: Im keeping the jeep pump and fuel level assembly. Supposedly the OEM unit is adequate for the 5.3L.
Volts: Will workoff existing wiring.

There is alot of info out there on this build. If you are considering it, take time and surf the net!

Some pics of the oil switch, shifter (being modded to to a shaft instead of cable. Its a knock off of the Lokar but hundreds cheaper), inline temp sensor housing.
 

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#3 ·
Been gathering parts! I want to everything on hand when I pull the Jeep drivetrain. Since my first post Ive purchased a PSI engine harness, brake switch(TSS) and ECU mount. Also a new driveshaft compatible with the sye. Ive rough fabricated the shifter assembly. It required a little cutting of the Jeep shifter hole. Im definitely going with the hard shaft (lokar style) instead of cable. Ive tried many options and fittings for a cable. I really didint want to cut another hole in my floor board anyway. The newer shifter have a straight bar bolted to the handle instead of a "Z". The original layout would not have fit. See posts below...
 
#5 ·
Champion 3 row radiator. This model bolts straight into jeep. Has transmission cooler inlet and outlet. Also has radiator hose openings in better location. Champion radiator has many options including hose openings and is much cheaper than Novak. The cooling fan is generic 3000cfm.
 

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#9 ·
These are shifter pics when I was mocking it up. There is a pic of the jeep floorboard. You can see where the cuts were made.
 

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#17 ·
Spent last night pulling 2.5L. Couldn't decide if I should separate t/c from tranny and drop it out. Decided to leave the drive-train together and pull it out as one. Glad I did. The t/c nuts would have been next to impossible to remove, especially the two that hold the t/c shift linkage bracket. Out of the jeep hanging on hoist no problem. There was no problem at all clearance wise. The engine leveler on the hoist was huge! Prior to removing everything, I used a hydraulic floor jack to hold up the transmission while I removed the skid pan. Its really cool that the the Jeep grill comes apart like it does. I will be dropping the t/c off at the shop to install the SYE and upgraded 23 spline input gear from Novak.
 

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#20 ·
No pics today. Spent the morning removing wires from the Jeep PCU that I wont need. In the evening I was able to borrow a sawzall and remove the engine mounts. Sawzall did a great job. Tomorrow I will be grinding off the last mount remnants and removing the exhaust.. I have a welder lined up for Friday. Hopefully I can get the Novak mounts welded and painted so Sunday I can mock the engine trans t/c. Coming together well....
 
#21 ·
Subscribed! Want to do this to mine eventually...
 
#29 ·
Today I worked the gas pedal assembly. Im using the drive by wire setup. I cut the jeep pedal and gm pedal and had them welded together. There is no easy cheat here. The gm pedal is way too big for the TJ. I used pieces from both. Be patient and mock it up til you get it right.
 

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#30 ·
These are the mounting studs I bolted through fire wall. I pic is from the engine compartment the other from inside jeep on floor looking up. On the inside view you can see two shiny studs and two black studs. The black ones are from the Jeep pedal assmby.
 

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#31 ·
I mounted the TAC module near the power brake booster. It seemed like a good spot. There was real estate there to work with, the cord reached, there was a rubber grommet in the trans tunnel to feed the wire through, the module is high up on the firewall keeping it away from water and it covers the hole where the throttle cable exited cab. I dont know where the PCU is going yet, so I may have to lengthen the connecting wires (not a big deal). Actual mounting was easy. I just held module in place and drilled two holes through firewall. A bolt and locking nuts finished the job. The grommet and hole is a gift from Jeep!
 

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