Dang so it wouldn't be considered " Never Done before" If I do it. . What should I do it in?

 

A bubble cart.

 

For the most part, there are no original ideas left. Just better refined versions of those done before. If you can fab, you can build anything.

 

Im interested in what radiator you go with. Do you really need a 3 row aluminum unit? Im trying to figure that out myself. I can't find any 3 row aluminum units that are reasonably priced....

 

True!! Griffen wants damn near $700 for their Aluminum Radiator.

I finally got a reply from FFDynamics regarding their 2 row radiator.
So do I take the chance and try one? Really tough question.

On another note:
So I'm heading home with my wife and daughter n the heep, feeling oh so proud of myself for building a street/trail beast and hoping I get asked to take someone to the mall so I can show off a bit....

As I glance into the rear view mirror I see that I'm being tailgated by a billowing cloud of white-ish smoke. My first thought was that the radiator blew.

The steering was getting really tough and then I heard the tell-tale squeal of the power steering pump. Son of Bitch! Not again!! Another ruptured power steering line!!! This is the second time that this has happened. The damn line developed a tear/cut/rupture right at the end of the return nipple on the reservoir.

So WTF am I doing wrong here folks?
Stock 5.3L pump for an 03 Tahoe, stock location as well.
PSP Pulley is from a Ford E150 van (3/4" smaller than the oem pulley).

I did not install the OEM PSP cooler....did I screw up by not doing so?

 

Yeah, Im finding the bolt in YJ aluminum radiators are 2-3x the price the same standard sized aluminum radiator. Im thinking about picking up a 2 core aluminum radiator and going with it.

 

For my XJ small block swap, I used what is basically a circle track radiator. I measured the available space and looked thru a few of my books till I found one that would work. I then made my lower and upper mounts. It's a 2 row which should be dandy for my Jeep.

The rad.


Installed.

 

What dimesions did you go with?

 

It was 19"x22". That should be the core. The tanks add 2" a side. Had to fit between the steering box and frame rail. Think I paid $140ish. I know some people at the store.

Circle track radiators are pretty cheap, just need to engineer the mounts.

 

Thanks Mine is going to be limited to 24"x16" total width because I start to hit the power steering box.

 

Take a look thru Griffin, Bee Cool, and other places for universal aluminum radiators. I assume your height is 16" and 24" wide?

 

Yes, I want 19" height, but don't seem to have the room. Im not sure if a 16x24 will keep my 5.3 cool.

 

Converted the rig to run on E85.

Before:



After:

 

Although I’m driving the rig and hope to get it on a trail this weekend I still have to install a new radiator and get busy installing some A/C, I figured it was time for this:

Since the end of this swap is at hand I thought I’d take up a little bandwidth and share some info in a condensed format to help those of you that are considering this swap. I’ve learned a lot along the way, wasted some money and plenty of time. Hopefully you can avoid the same pitfalls.

#1

Install your new oil pressure sending unit and water temperature sensor BEFORE you drop the motor in.

#2

The only header that will fit the 5.3L in an XJ is the Sanderson header sold by Novak Conversions.

#3

The only motor mount brackets on the market as of 06-07-10 are also from Novak.

#4

Although it s possible to adapt a GM gauge cluster to work in an XJ, the amount of time spent doing the wiring and modifying the dash is huge.

#5

Establishing and maintaining a good relationship with the local parts house will save you a lot of time and money.

#6

With the right adapter ring, you can indeed run a GM fuel pump assembly in your 97+ gas tank.

#7

Wiring in a new motor is not as complex as some believe, but basic understanding of electrical circuits is needed.

#8

A stock AW4 shifter can be modified to control a 4L60E transmission and maintain a stock appearance.

#9

Although the LSx truck intake makes more low end torque, the additional hood mods may not be desireable for some.

#10

Braided fuel lines are the simplest means of connecting the engine to the fuel tank. Yes they cost more but the time savings is immense.

#11

You don’t have to be a master fabricator to do this swap, but some basic skills are required.

#12

You don’t have to re-invent the wheel to do this swap….and you don’t have to do it alone either. Take the time to read about what others have done and use their mistakes and success stories to simplify your project.

The Thank You’s…

Thanks to all of you that have followed this thread and shared your comments and opinions.

Thanks to JohnD (naxja.org) for answering my questions and sharing his knowledge and experience.

Mega-Thanks to Brendan Patten of www.LS1Swap.com for the incredible website and back-channel assistance.

Most of all a huge Thanks to my wife and kids for tolerating my long days and nights in the garage, trips to the junk yard, mindless babbling about headers and wiring.

 

Way to go... Glad its finally running and "done" for now. Once mine is done, Ill have to drive it down and compare notes.

 

Well folks I FINALLY got this project of the pavement and onto a local trail. My family and I took the afternoon and ran a local trail called Eagle Rock (You can see the rock formation in the back ground).











My son's rig...

 

So what did you do about the radiator? Also is the ac working in your rig? Im considering the swap for my new xj project.

 

Nothing yet.

FFDynamics was less than helpful, can't see them staying in business very long with the lousy customer service I've experienced.

I'm going to order a 2 row Silla off ebay and see how it works.

I haven't fabbed up the required brackets for the A/C compressor yet. I've been a little busy with other projects and commitments.

 

Im running the csf 3 row copper brass rad and it is pretty impressive. Heres a link to some options FWIW.

http://www.radiatorbarn.com/search.php?product=radiator

BTW what keeps the ac compressor from fitting in the stock location? Do you have any pics of the clearance? I've looked all through the NAXJA thread also but didnt see it discussed.

 

The compressor won't fit betewwen the motor and the unibody frame rail....same with a TJ.