Greasy Power

Engine: What Say You - Crate or Build

Posted August 13 2009 08:15 AM by Christian Hazel
Filed under: Editorials, Jeep Enthusiast Culture, Christian Hazel

YJ repower time is coming. I'd rather spin wrenches to get what I want, but if I gotta lead the way for readers, I wanna know what your thoughts are. Crate or Build? Budget or Gonzo?

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It's really a rhetorical question because I'm gonna do what I'm gonna do. But I do value you, the readers' opinion. I know the economy sucks and everybody wants to see peanutbutter and jelly builds rather than insane dream-jobs. But if I junkyard together a whimpy 5.3L out of a junker or whip up a 383 stroker with budget aluminum heads it'll be just another 300-400hp red Wrangler running around with some tool behind the wheel (me).

I'm not saying I'm gonna pull the trigger on a 1,700hp twin-turbo nasty like this monster I recently saw at Westech Performance. But I do think there's a place for maybe a 482-cube LS engine with CNC-ported L92 heads and a .650-lift camshaft that'll hork out 700hp. Wouldn't you rather see that stuffed in front of my Wrangler's AX-15?

Or, what about an L92 with a hot cam or even an LQ9 with the guts wrung up to let 'er breath?

Or, how about a "budget" 540-cube big-block with a centrifugal supercharger that whacks the T-case with 1,000hp?

Or, do you just want to see the same dried-up Gen 1 383 Chevy or LS-1 install other magazines have done a hundred times?

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Reader Comments:

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1. How about a complete turnkey powertrain from Novak. I read about it the other day on their website. They'll source the engine, add your choice of trans and use your t-case. They assemble it with the proper adapters, test it, and send it to you ready to drop in. It's probably the most realisic way that I'm gonna get a V8 into my 4 cyl 89 YJ.

BigEarle - Posted August 13 2009 08:53 AM

2. How bout a 4bt or similar diesel? With a big turbo of course.

flyingjeeps - Posted August 13 2009 06:17 PM

3. I know Ali at 4wor is doing it, but what about a Viper motor? Or Fords v10?
How about a motor out of something completely new: (junk yard one that's been wrapped around a tree) A big Jag, a Merc. C550, a Toyota Prius (kidding) or one of those Endurance motors they build now?
I grew up a GM motor head, but why not branch out? Try something new?

And if you go with a big Merc. motor, then you can justify putting Mog axles under it... just think of where this can go!

fjduesel - Posted August 13 2009 07:14 PM

4. I've gone over this before. No diesels. I've got my reasons. I like diesels, but not for my trail Jeeps. It's a personal preference thing.

Ali's Viper engine is cool, but for the money it'd take to use a Viper engine I could have 150-350 more horsepower with waaay easier fitment using an LS.

I'm totally not opposed to using a Merc V-8 or something exotic like that, but again - cost vs. power vs. ease of install. In my mind if I did an LS engine or even a twin turbo engine it's way more repeatable/duplicable than doing one of those way off-base installs. You know - like putting a Shortstar in a flatfender. What kind of idiot does that?

Christian Hazel - Posted August 13 2009 08:36 PM

5. Since I want to see a Jeep do a wheelie on the street my vote goes for something from a box with some sort of blower.

Jp Web Editor - Posted August 14 2009 10:37 AM

6. Well, there are several choices to go with as you well know..How about a stroker Hemi like the 7.0 or 7.2 that Burnsville Jeep offers? Off the hook moneywise, but definately an attention getter. You could call TurnKey and order a LS2 415 cid for 580 hp and most likely do the wheelie that Cappa wants to see rather easily. IF,( read BIG IF) you cold keep it street legal, pass smog etc, then I and I'm sure many others would be highly impressed.
Otherwise, keep it in line with us mortals and swap in a regular 5.7 Hemi or a 6.0 GM. Get 400hp out of it and run it..I wish I had your dilema....

sduncan86 - Posted August 14 2009 05:01 PM

7. I have a 5.7L Hemi in my garage I've been tripping over for years. The aftermarket is still ramping up to support the Hemi, but it's just not where the LS support infrastructure is right now. There are still too many unsolved variables and overpriced solutions. Therefore, the Hemi will sit some more 'cause in my opinion the LS is an easier and more cost-effective option for my readers.

My problem is, no matter what I do, I try to keep it applicable to the Jp reader. Not to submarine Ali's Viper build 'cause I think it's cool, but since it was brought up I'll use it as an example. Virtually no 4-Wheel & Off-Road readers will duplicate it. Of the roughly 400,000 readers, maybe 2 or 3 will try to pull it off. In my mind, other than the wow-factor (which does count for something) it's wasted ink.

However, if I show how to install, adapt, wire, and fire an LS engine in a Wrangler, it's got greater appeal to hundreds of Jp readers regardless of what the engine's internals are.

A 482-cube LSX-block with CNC-ported L92 heads will mount and install just the same as a junkyard 5.3L out of a wrecked pickup. Sure, the injector and throttle body size will be bigger on the stroker engine, but everything else would be the same. That way I still get the exotic wow-factor of a 700hp engine without missing an opportunity to highlight a common/popular engine swap.

See where I'm coming from?

Christian Hazel - Posted August 15 2009 06:45 AM

8. I like where you are going with this Christian! I think that you should shop around for high horsepower "crate" motors, then set out to build your own motor from a junkyard engine with the same budget and see how much horsepower you can get for the same price as an engine from Turnkey or Kroyer or GM Performance Parts.

DirtyHarry - Posted August 15 2009 08:45 AM

9. I completely see what you are saying. I have been wanting to V8 my TJ but cannot decide which way to go. You read the Hemi stuff and it seems the way to go. Then I hear how easy an LS swap is and think "ok, now what coach?" I want 400-450 reliable HP with an OD auto. I think this is what a lot of the JP readers would like to see, whether its a Hemi or an LS based motor. Most don't need/want 700hp but you gotta keep the "wow" thing for the Mag there and like you said, for the most part, its basically the same. Do the LS motor, let us know the "who, what and where" stuff, and then all the not so good stuff too. Will it pass smog? Will it stay cool? Can those of us who live in desert temps run A/C with it? Whats the $$ end of it? Would you drive it daily if needed?
I think this could be one of the better stories you guys have done in a while so don't "cheese out" on it.

sduncan86 - Posted August 15 2009 01:53 PM

10. Why does it have to be GM? I am getting tired of seeing GM motors in everything.
Just asking why not a Ford motor?

mb82 - Posted August 16 2009 03:24 AM

11. The Ford debate is a good one. I've kicked it around some and steer away from the Blue Oval for a few reasons.

1- Cost vs Availability vs Power = GM. No exaggeration that you can make more power easier with the GM. That's fact.

2- If I did a Ford I'd either wind up stroking a Mustang 302 with Trick Flow Twisted Wedge heads for 400-450hp. Or, maybe stroking a 351 with the same heads for 450-500hp. Not too shabby, but it's just easier to make that power with a GM LS 'cause all it'd take is a cam and head swap on a junkyard 6.0L or 6.2L short block.

3- To do a smog-legal engine swap, the engine you use must be of the same model year or newer. The last year of the injected Ford 302 or 351 was '96 and the '97-up 4.6L mod engines are a nightmare, so anybody looking to do a smog-legal swap in a TJ is out of luck. Guess what - most of our readers own TJs.

Christian Hazel - Posted August 16 2009 07:01 AM

12. How about keeping it in the family, and swapping in an AMC motor, swap injection on,and build it up. You can get lots of power and torque, almost every wagoneer had a 360 until 1991, so you could show alot of readers a low-buck approach where they can piece parts together, but throw some high-perf stuff on it, and it wont be another GM swap like everyone else. take the road lees traveled.

joesoffroad - Posted August 16 2009 08:12 AM

13. How doing a 4 banger swap with a turbo? Maybe one from the turbo Dodge neon? I remember a previous story in JP that mentioned this and you don't really see them often if ever. Be original!!

maycob - Posted August 17 2009 04:38 AM

14. Fhead!

:)

Ericm - Posted August 17 2009 04:54 AM

15. FYI... you can get an injected 5.0 up until 2001. They were in the Explorer.

Jp Web Editor - Posted August 20 2009 10:03 AM

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