1978 Jeep CJ7 with 5.3 LM7
06-19-2010, 05:40 PM
#1
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1978 Jeep CJ7 with 5.3 LM7 I think i have posted about this in the past but it's finally running.
Just need to get it past the smog ref. He failed me because I have 49 state legal cats and not 50.
Basics are:
1978 CJ7
5.3 out of a 1999 silverado, flashed computer to 2002 to eliminate egr
Jeep T18 Tranny
Dana 20 transfer case
amc 20 rear axle and dana 30 front
pacesetter shorties to magnaflow cats and dynomax bullets, true dual
6.0 intake
custom CAI
here is a vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3rxziQZMII
Just need to get it past the smog ref. He failed me because I have 49 state legal cats and not 50.
Basics are:
1978 CJ7
5.3 out of a 1999 silverado, flashed computer to 2002 to eliminate egr
Jeep T18 Tranny
Dana 20 transfer case
amc 20 rear axle and dana 30 front
pacesetter shorties to magnaflow cats and dynomax bullets, true dual
6.0 intake
custom CAI
here is a vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3rxziQZMII
06-20-2010, 12:24 AM
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06-20-2010, 11:11 AM
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thats awesome! i just restored my cj7, i would love to put a 5.3 in it in a couple years. what did you have to do to connect to the trans? what did you use for headers? did you make your own engine mounts?
06-20-2010, 12:49 PM
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oh and if you do it, upgrade to the hydraulic clutch, pedal feel and engagement is like a brand new car, not the springy rough feel like the factory setup.
06-20-2010, 02:22 PM
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youre gutsy running those axles with that 5.3.. im not really sure about the strength of the transfer case either. id upgrade to an NP205/208 if you get the chance. you can pick them up dirt cheap. need some dana 44's under that beast too. cool build tho!
06-20-2010, 03:56 PM
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One thing at a time. Next step will be axles and lift and hoping to find some D44's out of a scout or bronco.
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06-20-2010, 05:02 PM
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ok thanks, yeah i upgraded to hydro clutch when i did the restoration. i just need some thing with a little more power then the i6 its got now, dosn't do to well on the hwy.
06-20-2010, 05:15 PM
#9
What did you do for the fuel system on it? Do you have more pictures that you could post up?
As for the front and rear end what are you going to be doing with the jeep, a lot of people give those rearends a bad rap but depending on your intentions they may be fine with minor mods. The AMC 20 has larger ring gear than the D44, weakpoint it the axles which can be found pretty inexpensive. If you are upgraded rearends and having to go to the trouble of narrowing and stuff I would look into the D60 or 9" for rear over the D44.
As for the front and rear end what are you going to be doing with the jeep, a lot of people give those rearends a bad rap but depending on your intentions they may be fine with minor mods. The AMC 20 has larger ring gear than the D44, weakpoint it the axles which can be found pretty inexpensive. If you are upgraded rearends and having to go to the trouble of narrowing and stuff I would look into the D60 or 9" for rear over the D44.
06-21-2010, 01:23 PM
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What did you do for the fuel system on it? Do you have more pictures that you could post up?
As for the front and rear end what are you going to be doing with the jeep, a lot of people give those rearends a bad rap but depending on your intentions they may be fine with minor mods. The AMC 20 has larger ring gear than the D44, weakpoint it the axles which can be found pretty inexpensive. If you are upgraded rearends and having to go to the trouble of narrowing and stuff I would look into the D60 or 9" for rear over the D44.
As for the front and rear end what are you going to be doing with the jeep, a lot of people give those rearends a bad rap but depending on your intentions they may be fine with minor mods. The AMC 20 has larger ring gear than the D44, weakpoint it the axles which can be found pretty inexpensive. If you are upgraded rearends and having to go to the trouble of narrowing and stuff I would look into the D60 or 9" for rear over the D44.
fuel system is stock tank into a walbro external pump and 1997 corvette fuel filter with the regulator integrated in the filter. I changed the intake manifold/ fuel rails so I didn't have to run a return line.
The jeep will get mostly road duty but occasional mild to moderate trails. I'll probably end up doing the 1 piece axles for the amc 20 as a bandaid until I get the D44's down the road.
not pretty but functional and easily serviceable if I have issues.
06-21-2010, 03:15 PM
#12
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Just did the same thing in my '79 CJ7 but I went with a 2004 6.0L LQ4 instead....
I used shorty headers and a single 3" exhaust system. Custom engine mounts with the stock rubber mounts from the 6.0.
Still have some tuning to do, but this will be the best and most driveable engine I ever have had in this car.
Running 4L60E, NP205, 9" front and rear axles with Moser driveshafts
I used shorty headers and a single 3" exhaust system. Custom engine mounts with the stock rubber mounts from the 6.0.
Still have some tuning to do, but this will be the best and most driveable engine I ever have had in this car.
Running 4L60E, NP205, 9" front and rear axles with Moser driveshafts
06-22-2010, 01:53 AM
#13
fuel system is stock tank into a walbro external pump and 1997 corvette fuel filter with the regulator integrated in the filter. I changed the intake manifold/ fuel rails so I didn't have to run a return line.
The jeep will get mostly road duty but occasional mild to moderate trails. I'll probably end up doing the 1 piece axles for the amc 20 as a bandaid until I get the D44's down the road.
not pretty but functional and easily serviceable if I have issues.
The jeep will get mostly road duty but occasional mild to moderate trails. I'll probably end up doing the 1 piece axles for the amc 20 as a bandaid until I get the D44's down the road.
not pretty but functional and easily serviceable if I have issues.
Nice thanks for the pictures of it. Keep posting more pictues and videos if you have some and have time. Have you drove it enough to see how MPG is? I know you dont have a rig like this for MPG but just wondering. As my jeep is now with the crate 350 it gets 9 mpg.
As for the rear I think if you are spending the time and money to swap out the rear I would look into something besides the D44, maybe D60 or 9". Unless you have the 44 already or can get it really cheap. If you do the axle weld tubes and truss the amc 20 it is pretty compairable to the D44. The main weakness after the axles is the thin wall axle tubes. The 8.8 is a good rear but the bolt pattern is off for us with CJs.
06-22-2010, 07:58 AM
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You are brave running a rear 20... Ive got 44s in my YJ and Im afraid to run them. Ill be swapping to 60s once my engine swap is done. All it takes is getting the tire bound up one time, and BOOM....
04-04-2011, 12:35 PM
#17
I need your help please. I am doing a 5.3 conversion into my 1986 CJ7. I purchased a crate engine with came without the alternator brackets, power steering brackets for the serpentine belts. I am not running A/C so that's not required. Give me your thoughts on aquiring the needed parts.
Thanks
Thanks
12-31-2011, 03:26 PM
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5.3l lm7 cj7 I am in the process of gathering everything that I may need to do 5.3l conversion in my 1982 cj7! Here is a list of what I have so far!
-2001 5.3l lm7 out of silverado( ls1 intake, injectors, fuel rail )
-rebuilt 4l60e transmission
-trans to transfer adapter from adv adapters
-lokar shift kit
-twin stick shifter for transfer case
-moter mounts from adv adapters
-computer and wiring harness reflashed
Can anyone who has done this conversion let me know what else I need and where to get it? Thanks in advance!
-2001 5.3l lm7 out of silverado( ls1 intake, injectors, fuel rail )
-rebuilt 4l60e transmission
-trans to transfer adapter from adv adapters
-lokar shift kit
-twin stick shifter for transfer case
-moter mounts from adv adapters
-computer and wiring harness reflashed
Can anyone who has done this conversion let me know what else I need and where to get it? Thanks in advance!
