Good morning everyone. I have never done a build series thread before. I may or may not do a good job with this. I have a 2002 TJ that I have owned and enjoyed for the past 12 years. Being from South Ga. I am my jeep is pretty much in perfect condition. I keep it inside a barn. It is not a daily driver. It is a john boat pulling, dirt road cruising, good time machine for my wife and I. It is a X model and just has a soft top and half doors, but the top has not been on it in quite a while. Just a bikini top to protect my scalp from the UV we enjoy so much here. It has a 4 inch suspension lift and a one inch body. I run 12.5 x 33 BFG's on it. It has been my dream to convert it over to a V-8 ever since I got it. But, it is such a good machine, I have talked myself out of it.....until now. I have begun this project. I sold the original engine, which only had 81K on it. It has been removed along with the front sheet metal. I am in process of removing the factory engine mounts and cleaning up the wiring at this point. I may have already made mistakes, who knows, but I will figure it out. I have been doing the research for over two years on what my intended outcome will be. I will be reusing the NV3550 transmission. I will not be reusing the factory ECM. I have a full Autometer gauge package on order with the six gauge pod. I will be using the stepper motor gauges that have individual warning lights in each gauge. I debated a long time, but, I am not going to retain the A/C. The compressor was controlled through the factory ecm, and I don't want to reuse that. And, I never use it anyway. The top only goes on in winter if at all. I will have a few more challenges without the factory ecm, but I will find a solution. Maybe some here can advise me on this. The guys at NOVAK are my source of parts and knowledge. I will be using their engine mounts, headers, radiator and fan assembly. Also their flywheel and clutch setup and everything else they say I need.
So, my engine choice. Well there really wasn't a choice for me. Just time to save for it. I will be using a LS3 from Pace Performance. 525hp version with the stand alone GM harness and ECM. I am using a Holley mid mount accessory drive system on the advice from NOVAK. No, I do not need this. Yes it will be overkill. I may break things. Probably not. But if I do I will fix it. I have 4:56 gears in the factory axles now. I will probably upgrade the rear to something bigger. A ford 8.8 perhaps? Or a dana 60. I do not climb rocks or mud bog. I ride around cotton fields and pond dams. I want to listen to the engine run. Only time, and my right foot, will tell about what else is needed.
Any advice you can give, or even criticism is welcome. I am old enough to know better, but still young enough at heart to try. This is my damn toy and the build is going to be half of the fun. I will post some pictures as I go. If you want something specific please ask. I hope this will be completed by the spring. If you have read this far, thanks. Ol Rob.
Here is a before picture.
So, my engine choice. Well there really wasn't a choice for me. Just time to save for it. I will be using a LS3 from Pace Performance. 525hp version with the stand alone GM harness and ECM. I am using a Holley mid mount accessory drive system on the advice from NOVAK. No, I do not need this. Yes it will be overkill. I may break things. Probably not. But if I do I will fix it. I have 4:56 gears in the factory axles now. I will probably upgrade the rear to something bigger. A ford 8.8 perhaps? Or a dana 60. I do not climb rocks or mud bog. I ride around cotton fields and pond dams. I want to listen to the engine run. Only time, and my right foot, will tell about what else is needed.
Any advice you can give, or even criticism is welcome. I am old enough to know better, but still young enough at heart to try. This is my damn toy and the build is going to be half of the fun. I will post some pictures as I go. If you want something specific please ask. I hope this will be completed by the spring. If you have read this far, thanks. Ol Rob.
Here is a before picture.