Hello all,
What is your opinion on 5.7 vs. 5.3 chevy swap. I'm making plans for a swap maybe this summer. In my opinion the 1998-99 5.7 has a little more advantages, it makes full torque at 2700-2800 rpm and the 5.3 comes in around 4000 rpm,to me, that is a more usable rpm range. It also has a throttle cable instead of drive-by-wire. The 5.3 weights less, and has a little more HP. I know the fuel delivery systems are different, is there advantages to one over the other? Any opinions or comments are welcome.

One of the Big differences is for the 5.3, you will most likely run two ecus .... but this does not seem to be a problem for most.

I have heard that the 5.7 non VVT is not as impressive performance wise as the VVT - but appears to be the common, if not only install in the TJ ( at least for a kit ). Some have complained of a tendency for this engine to overheat in the TJ.


Have you read through Jeep Speed Shop's site - they do both. Lots of good info

Home - Jeep Speed Shop

Lots of info on the 5.3 in the pirate site - here is one of the definitive threads:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/jeep-...5-3-jeeps.html

Thanks Gauss66 I will read that link.

I would go with the 5.7L hemi or the 5.2/5.9L magnum. With the hemi you would have to update to the 2003 or newer Jeep Wrangler fuel system and PCI cluster but you get to keep your stock gauges (2001 to 2002 or 2003 to 2006 PCI gauge cluster would be necessary with the hemi), AC, Radio and everything works in your Jeep like it came from the factory. Also you don't need a ton of custom wiring that you would need with a Chevy motor. A family member put an LT1 in his 2001 Jeep Wrangler and the wiring was a bitch and had to get run a Chevy transfer case as well. Also he had to run the Jeep PCM for his radio, lights, turn signals, air bags and heater controls and then the Chevy PCM and transmission controller.

I'm in the process of putting a 5.9L magnum in my 1998 Jeep wrangler and it was pretty cheap for an engine swap. I think I have $750 in a plug and play harness from Backwoods Offroad then $650 for the 5.9L Magnum, 46re transmission, engine and trans wiring harness and PCM, $180 for Advance Adapter engine mounts, $500 for the exhaust, $300 for the radiator, $150 for AC lines and then $350 for driveshafts.

Everyone I have talked to about their 5.7L Hemi and 5.9L magnum swaps loves them in their Jeeps and they are very livable and it's great that you can plug it into any OBDII scanner and you get the warning lights and codes. Also if you are in a place that has emission if done right a 5.7L Hemi or 5.9L magnum can even pass CARB. The 5.3L Chevy will never pass emissions in a Jeep. The rule for an engine swap are as follows:

1. Engine must be same year or newer with all emission devices intact.

2. Must be offered in the same class of vehicle and from the same manufacturer.

3. The PCM has to be flashed with the VIN of the vehicle you are putting it in.



Just my 2 cents.....

Just a note/correction - there are plenty of LS's in jeeps that have passed emissions / are even CARB cert. Swaps are at the State level ...

You are right I guess the guide lines have changed a bit since I last look. The engine does not have to be from the same as the manufacturer anymore. 1 and 3 still apply and it must be scannable with an OBDII scanner.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

All good to follow - especially if you end up moving to a place with different swap rules. Vehicles older than 1973 seem to be exempt - but have heard about zealous inspectors who sometimes have different interpretations.

Again - these are governed at the State ( and county ) level - some have emissions ( and plug in ), some don't and just have a visual ( not sure if sniff tests are still performed ).


Best to find out what is enforced where you plan to lic the jeep.

Thanks guys, this is the kind of info that I need, to make decisions when it comes to spending this much time and money.

Yeah I did a lot of research before I picked the 5.9L magnum for my 1998 Wrangler. I wanted to do the least amount of work when it came to the electronics. I didn't want to have to run 2 PCM on for the Jeep parts of the car and another for the Chevy parts. I also didn't want to have to update from CCD to PCI or CANBUS PCM like I would have had to do with the Hemi.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

what year 5.9 did you use and what trans?

Hey JayJeep !

Just re-read this thread and saw we forgot to address what you want out of this project and why are you doing it. Some like challenges of a complicated DIY, sourcing parts directly etc ... Others have some specific performance/usage criteria. Some might have a blown engine .....

Depending on what you are looking for - other options might materialize.

Dan

I used a 2001 Durango 5.9L and 46RE in my 1998 Wrangler but I also updated my wiring harness from CCD to PCI because I wanted to use the factory RB1 radio and it needs a PCI signal for the turn by turn navigation.

Below is the different years and vehicles for what motors have CCD or PCI, I got the info straight off Back Woods Off-Road's website they have helped me a lot in getting things planned out.

HOW DO I TELL IF MY TJ IS CCD OR PCI?

Jeep changed from CCD Buss to PCI Buss between the 2000 and 2001 model. The easy distinction between the two is the color of the needles on the instrument cluster. White needles are CCD, fluorescent orange are PCI.

-1997-2000 = CCD
-2001-2004 = PCI

HOW DO I TELL IF MY DONOR IS CCD OR PCI?

All 5.2L Magnum engines are CCD. Dodge and Jeep switched from CCD to PCI for the 5.9L Magnum in different years of each vehicle. Some vehicles have both in the same year. Dodge Ram had CCD and PCI in the same year.

-Durango 1998-2000 = CCD, 2001-2003 = PCI
-Grand Cherokee 1996-2000 = CCD, 2001-2003 = PCI
-Dakota 1997-2000 = CCD, 2001-2003 = PCI
-Ram 1998-2001 = CCD,
-2002 (Ram 1500) = PCI
-2002 (Ram 2500 light duty Vin Z)=CCD
-2002 (Ram 2500HD) =PCI
NOTE* 1996-1997 Ram is neither CCD nor PCI and will not operate gauges in TJ

From Back Woods Off-Road's website

PM me for some details on the hemi swap. I have a 98 with a CARB legal 5.7 which was done at home. A link to my build may be below or google "And so it begins.. 5.7 hemi conversion". The thread is on jeep forum.com

That is a great build - I recall viewing it a while back ! Did you ever do any dyno runs or have to do any tuning ?

Dan

To answer the question about why, I guess I just would rather drive a V8 as apposed to I4. The 4 banger does a good job and I have no real complains other than it's just under powered for my personality. It just needs low end torque. Maybe I just need that low end torque.

That's cool - and having the 4 cylinder you should notice a bigger difference. Not sure if regearing would be as effective as for the 4.0 - but do believe people have done it in the 4 cylinders for more low end ( ie go to 4.88 ).

You might have some more complications on the V8 swap - like redoing the driveline. I believe you would have to replace your rear for the more hp ( dana 44 / 8.8 etc ), and might have to change out the transfer case depending on the spline count. I am not up on the 4 cylinder .....

Thanks.....No..Havent really done much to it lately...been working around the house..lol