sakers288

Ok so my plan is to put a 5.3 or maybe a 6.0 conversion in my cherokee and my goal is to have 400-425 hp, have lots of low end torque and run reasonably smooth at idle, keep it under a 4500 dollar budget, and mostly keep it reliable/problem free as possible. I was just wondering what were some of your guys suggestions for a setup like this because the parts and options out there are kind of mind blowing/overwhelming to go through.

243

s'288

Edit: I just assumed you have an FSJ, maybe an XJ?

I will be doing the same with my 76, 5.3/4L60E/NP241C.

Have you seen this video and build thread?


http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopi...&t=767&start=0

I just recently got mine running with the 360 after it sat in the driveway for a year. I need to get the title transferred and then I will get started. All I have done up to this point is buy the NP241C.

jbsjunk

Go to some of the XJ boards. There are quite a few with this swap. I have a small block in mine, but there are a couple around here running the LS.

Bodo

Working on a 6.0 4L80E swap for my XJ. Once it gets started I'll be starting a thread here.

sakers288

243, that's a pretty sweet build. I have an xj, but i was figuring basically the same setup, with the exception of using either one of the two dana 20's, dana 300, or 231 sittin by my garage. I'm still not sure which i'm gonna go with. But my biggest question was actually on which internals/heads/intake to run to get a 5.3 to meet the criteria i had in the original question. Like i said, there's so many parts available for the gen III engines that i'm just kinda overwhelmed with what would be the proper setup to achieve what i want in the best way. What i do not want, is something that screams down the street, but i can't take it down the trail cuz i gotta keep it above 2000 rpms to make it run right.

Bob@BruteSpeed

iTrader: (16)

I'd go with an aluminum block to keep the weight down. An LS6 camshaft would retain low end power and torque. Some of the 5.3's came with aluminum blocks, but you'd have more low end torque if you went with an LS1, LS6 or an LS2. You might be able to find a good running LS6 engine in your price range, it would already have the cam and it would have the better LS6 intake manifold. Add headers and a good exhaust system to it and you'd have 425 hp. Bob

Eaglefreek

Honestly a stock 5.3L will do everything you need it to do on the trails. It will be a SIGNIFICANT improvement over the 4.0L. I don't ever feel the need for more horsepower with mine turning 35" tires.