So I've got a 91 yj with a 2.5 / ax5. I swapped in an 8.8 last year. I've recently purchased an 89 Silverado donor with a 350 5.7 tbi Lo5 (runs Great) I am currently collecting parts for my swap. I have found a sm465 with the 231 adapter already on it (SCORE) but will need to locate another bell housing. the one that's on it is an adapter housing to fit a 4.0 TJ. The rest of my parts list to get are novaks motor mount, Painless Wiring harness, Radiator and all the other stuff I am forgetting.. This will be a slow process gathering parts but I will keep everyone updated. If anyone has tips or advice I am all ears.
What gears and tires are you running/planning to run? I believe the 465 is 1:1 in 4th gear so higher engine speeds for the same highway speeds when compared to the ax5.
I did the Novak engine mounts, pretty happy with them and Novak in general.
When I did my SBC conversion I found a bell housing on E-Bay but because I was using an NV3550 transmission I needed an adapter. Not sure you need anything other than a standard GM bell housing to mate up to the 465 but you can find out easily on Novak's web site.
I am currently running 4.10's with 31" tires plan on bigger tires later maybe 33" or 35", I plan on keeping the 4.10's in and seeing how they do. I don't see much highway time. but would like to make it highway friendly.
Yes I just need the standard bell housing as the 465 was a factory option for my donor vehicle.
I have called many of the salvage yards looking for a bell housing with no luck.. There is a local 4x4 salvage yard I called yesterday who has what I need. But the owner is an a** so I tried to find one elsewhere..
I made a thread a while back that I put links to Chevy v8 swap threads and a lot of other information in. I went with a tbi 305 and love if, of coarse if I do it again I'll go back with a 350 but its a great choice either way. Also if I were to do it again, when it came to wiring I would have modified a stock harness. I bought a Painless harness and truthfully its just not worth it. The wiring is super simple after you've done it once. I'll try and help you on any questions you have, I dont get on as often as I use to though. But anyways the links are in my sig, check them both out
That resource thread is great BTW. I agree on the wiring. I did a MPFI 5.2 and if I can handle that wiring you will be fine with a TBI swap. I have never been much for wiring. There are schematics available for your Jeep as well as the donor vehicle.
Well then thanks for the tips looks like I will not use the painless harness. That being said I will need schematics. I have not looked for any yet but I am sure I wont have much trouble finding what I need. I will also search the forum for others who have cut one down. Maybe I can pick up useful info. or avoid common mistakes.
I have a 305, SM465 ready paired to my transfer case! You answered my first question about painless wiring kit! I couldn't spend the money!
I have a new/used frame I swapped out due to rust! I have the body off the frame, motor mounts are in place! Do I need to upgrade my fuse panel in the engine compartment or can I run with the original 88 panel! This was a 2.5L?
Might be a dumb question but I honestly don't know the answer!
Correct your computer just needs a ignition source. Which you could use from your old computer. Here is the instruction manual from the painless tbi wiring kit. Even if you don't use their kit its a good reference. Its easier to understand it if you print it out then make notes on the paper. http://www.painlessperformance.com/Manuals/60101.pdf
So I got the engine out of my donor vehicle. I pulled the tranny and clutch. As I wont go back with it. Actually sold the donor vehicle for 650$more than what I paid for it..I Pulled out the computer and wiring harness used duct tape and a sharpie to mark all the wires. I will fab a small skid to mount the engine to the motor mounts so I can install the/clutch tranny. now to buy some parts with my profits.
SLOWLY BUT SURELY.
The 1991 yj has manual steering the donor motor is outfitted for power steering. It looks like I can remove the Power steering Pump and reroute the serpentine belt. (Don't need the PS) I have done a simple belt route mock up using string to verify it will work. It seems like a good idea. I'm sure many others have ran into this problem..
WHAT DID YOU DO???
When changing out the 2.5L to the 350 are you going to have to change out everything on the front suspension to hold the added weight of the 350? If so what did you have to change? I have an 88 and I'm doing research now... I'm wanting to do an engine swap as well. The little 2.5l is just not going to cut it...
The 350 is not that heavy compared to the straight six. There are lot of SBC conversions running original springs without an issue from what i found when checking on this subject.
I replaced my springs because they were flat but it didn't really have anything to do with the weight change, it had to do with their age. I went with a 2 1/2 lift spring after a lot of contemplating replacing with stock lift springs. The lift adds some complications to the brake lines and drive shaft that I didn't really plan well enough for.
Its Been quiet a while since my last post I have not done too much work on the swap but will soon start. Ill catch yall up
I pulled the donor motor. Removed the stock motor mounts and installed the ones from advanced adapters,. ( I went with the AA mounts to save $$)
I made an engine stand out of wood that would mount to the motor mounts.
I Removed the Stock exhaust manifolds and installed the block huggers from Advanced adapters. The new Headers hit the knock sensor.. After quite a bit of research I relocated it a few inches in front of the motor mount I had to drill and tap a new hole ( Very Easy) Ill add a picture ASAP To show the location.
I removed the Air pump and ac compressor. I will stay with the manual steering for now so I will remove the power steering pump soon. I mapped a new belt route and measured the length I would need. I found a 75" 6 groove belt to work from summit racings website ( dayco belt#5060750) for 27$
I found an aluminum bell housing from a 1989 Chevy 2500 in a local salvage yard to mount the SM 465 and have a hydraulic clutch. (Although I was told by Novak there was not a sock bell housing I could find to do so)
I first mounted the bell housing without the transmission on it and using a dial indicator magnetized to the flywheel made sure the bell housing would be properly Centered. It worked well and was within tolerance (Otherwise I would have had to install offset Dowell pins to center it.)
I removed the bell housing bolted it to the tranny installed the clutch and Mounted it to the engine..
So it gets a little tricky here but not too bad. The SM 465 transmission I bought was previously installed in a jeep, It was a TJ with The 4.0
The transmission came with an adapter From Advanced adapters to mount to the Jeeps transfer Case( NP 231J)
But the NP 231J in the tj had an input shaft with 23 splines And My NP 231J has only 21 splines Thus it wont make up.
After some research and a call to advanced adapters all I need to do is replace the 21 spline input shaft For a new 23 spline shaft.
This is the cheapest option but also is a great upgrade and cost only 192$
I have not swapped the shafts Quite yet but will tell you how it goes...
Here are some pics. of where I relocated the knock sensor there was already a bolt hole here with nothing in it I just drilled it out (with a 7/16" Bit) And cut new threads with a 1/4" NPT thread tap.
So I got the Engine, Transmission and transfer case pulled yesterday. Got it all out in one piece. It went pretty smooth other than getting hung up on the motor mount momentarily.
So I dropped the tank this weekend. I Removed the yj fuel pump and installed a fuel pump from autozone that is stock to the engine I am putting in. Although the pump was smaller it fit well I had to drill another hole in the bracket that holds the pump a little lower and put in a longer piece of fuel line. I was even able to use the yj's sock filter.
I ordered a slip yolk eliminator kit and master rebuild kit for the transfer case from Jb conversions yesterday. I also got a 23 spline input shaft. Waiting for all parts to come in.
Well I pulled the T-case apart this weekend I installed the 23 spline input as well as the JB conversions SYE kit. I had two problems
1. When I was reinstalling shafts / gears I had the t-case setting upright( input down output up) had the internals and chain installed but had the cover off still attempted to use the lever to change into 4HI/Low . it would not shift.. I assume The weight of the shaft was keeping it. I laid it on the side and it shifted perfectly.
2. I did not cut down the shaft on the shift fork and the rear cover would not go on. Oos I guess that's what I get for not taking the time to toughly read the directions.
Once I got it cut it went together well and I mated it to the transmission..
I installed the 350 yesterday it went well.
I was surprised to see when I set the weight of the engine down the jeep did not squat down too far in fact it moved maybe 1"
The advanced adapter mounts did not line up very well I had to modify the mount by drilling and grinding to make two separate bolt holes one slotted bolt hole. But once I slotted the hole it fit very well.
I got everything welded up and painted.
Reinstalled the fenders.
Installed the grill and radiator to check for clearance.
(I cracked the distributer cap.)
I split the difference between the distributer and radiator. Before I set it in place I pulled out the wiring harness and made sure there was enough clearance to plug in the wires..
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