Ok, let's talk about the kit. I'm going to preface this post with the following statement. I'm not an expert in any of the following fields: exhaust, manifolds, fans, radiators, air cooling, liquid cooling, heat transfer, welding, metallurgy, etc. I'm not qualified to determine if a certain part at $x is any better or worse than another part at $y. Any hints of sarcasm or annoyance in this post are strictly coincidental, I'm merely trying to share my observations with the group. Consider this, what the kids these days call an "unboxing" post.
As a refresher, I bought the Stage II kit from Red Rock modified to remove the following options:
EGR Delete Kit - I needed to be smog legal, and my motor actually had an EGR delete on it already
Body Lift - I had a savvy body lift kit already
OEM Pedal and Mount - Junkyard find and teraflex bracket already acquired
O2 Sensors - Bought from Rockauto
SYE kit - Already had one on the xfer case
Those adjustments removed $702 from the cost of the kit.
To the kit, I added a swap manual that I have yet to receive, and a hot rod exhaust kit. Those add $550 to the cost of the kit.
My out the door invoice (after the late shipping adjustment) was $5,241
Let's start with a refresher on what's listed in the Stage 1 part of the kit, with the description from Red Rock's website
"The Red Rock Offroad 'Stage 1 Kit' was designed to tackle all the key installation components and processes to jump start your conversion project. The objective of this Kit was to provide you with all the pieces to get the Drivelive properly, safely and quickly installed between the frame rails and then get all the primary fluid systems plumbed like the Engine Cooling System, Transmission Cooling System, Power Steering System and the Fuel Delivery System. The Kit contains all the current product versions of our install components, from our V2.0 Transmission Crossmember to our V2.0 Fuel System Kit.
With our Stage 1 Box Kit, you can have your HEMI sitting between the frame rails and plumbed within a Weekend.
KIT CONTENTS
- Conversion HEMI Motor Mounts
- American Made 2 Core Aluminum Radiator, custom made to our specifications
- Electric Fan and Shroud Kit
- Radiator Hose Kit
- Heater Hose Kit
- Transmission Crossmember Kit
- External Transmission Cooler Kit
- Drop-In EFI Fuel Pump Assembly
- Complete Fuel Line and Fitting Kit
- Complete Steering Shaft Kit
- Low Pressure Steering Return Line Kit
- 1.25" Body Lift Kit"
And the Stage 2 kit as follows, also provided by Red Rock's website
"Here is our STAGE 2 HEMI Conversion Kit for your 1997-2004 Jeep TJ/LJ Wrangler when installing a GEN 3 5.7 HEMI and 545RFE Automatic Transmission.
This Stage 2 Kit was designed to tackle all the key installation components and processes to jump start your conversion project. The objective of this Kit was to provide you with all the pieces to get the Drivelive properly, safely and quickly installed between the frame rails; get all the primary fluid systems plumbed like the Engine Cooling System, Transmission Cooling System, Power Steering System and the Fuel Delivery System; then provide the next set of components needed to further accell your build. .
KIT CONTENTS : Complete Stage 1 Box Kit plus the following components
- EGR Delete
- Thermal Activaction Fan Switch
- Reducer Fitting
- Factory Mopar Accelerator Pedal
- Accelerator Pedal Mount
- Complete Air Intake Kit
- PCV Kit
- Shorty Exhaust Headers
- [2] Upper O2 Sensors
- Battery Cable Kit
- Over-flow Recirculation Bottle Kit
- 4wd Cable Shifter Kit
- 545rfe Transmission Side Auto- Shifter Cable Bracket
- A/C Line, Fitting and Bracket Kit
- Mega Short SYE Kit for the 231J Transfer Case"
So, I'm going to go blow by blow, in order above to provide a review/observation of the kit:
Conversion HEMI Motor Mounts
The motor mount kit is in fact the Advanced Adapters Motor Mount Kit, as seen here.
http://www.advanceadapters.com/products/713098--jeep-tj-hemi-57l-motor-mount-kit/
View attachment 211548
Nothing really earth shattering here. AA makes a great mount.
Retail price $267.36
American Made 2 Core Aluminum Radiator, custom made to our specifications
So the radiator itself is in fact aluminum, with a transmission cooler built into the passenger side, and a bung on the driver's side for what I can assume is a switch. The sides of the radiator for attachment have clearly been cut, wallowed, and otherwise chopped. The shroud appears to be fabricated sheet aluminum and attached to the radiator with typical sheet metal screws.
View attachment 211543
View attachment 211547
View attachment 211541
The attachment points appear to be modified, it's a little rough but fine. Zoom in to those mounting points and you'll see what I mean.
The shroud seems similar, but not exactly the same to something like this
http://www.assaultracing.com/item/1213960-fan-shroud-fits-22-58x-18-58-its-19x28?category=8012
While I couldn't find an exact copy, it certainly shares a lot of characteristics with various aluminum TJ to Hemi Conversion radiators available. All in all, appears to be of good quality, and a competitve price.
Retail Price: 4-500ish
Retail Price alone at Red Rock: $415
Electric Fan and Shroud Kit
So, if you were to buy just the radiator/electric fan and shroud kit, here's the description on Red Rock's website:
"The Red Rock Offroad V8 Conversion Radiator is built right here in the USA, right here in Michigan to be exact. The Radiator is built to our specifications, so it has a few features most standard 'conversion radiators' dont.
The HEMI Conversion radiator works perfectly with our Hemi conversion based Upper and Lower Radiator Hose Kit.
Our Radiator is a custom built, 2 core, all Aluminum product. It is a direct fit for the 97-06 TJ/LJ grilles, replacing the stock 4c or 6c radiators.
We offer the Radiator with or without our Custom Electric Fan and Shroud Kit. We use high flow quality SPAL electric fans on our radiators to give our customers peace of mind that SPAL fans come with. If you choose to order the Fan kit, you can also choose whether or not, you want us to install it on the radiator for you before it leaves the shop."
For reference, the SPAL 16" puller fan retails for 178.31 direct from SPAL.
Now, one would assume that this would carry over into the kit. One would appear to assume incorrectly, here's what was delivered.
View attachment 211536
While it looks similar, it does not appear to be an SPAL fan. In fact, it appears to be eerily similar to this fan here:
http://www.assaultracing.com/item/1213632-electric-fan-16-in-s-blade-wmt-kit?keyword=16"+fan
The retail price of this eerily similar fan is $27.69.
Radiator Hose Kit
Heater Hose Kit
The hose kits are also very straight forward. Unmarked brands. Associated hose clamps included.
View attachment 211560
From Jeep Speed Shop's notes, the radiator hose parts as follows here
http://jeepspeedshop.com/hemi-swaps-1997-2006-lj-tj-jeeps/
- Upper Radiator Hose (Napa Part #: 8030)
- Lower Radiator hose (Napa Part #: 7759)
Today's retail price on those, 46.99 and 18.79 respectively
Heater hose is non-molded, run of the mill hose, 3/4" and 5/8". Retail price is 1.99 and 1.19 per lf respectively.
Transmission Crossmember Kit
Full disclosure, I don't have the manual yet so I'm assuming my understanding of the assembly is correct. I will come back and fix this when I receive the manual, if I've misrepresented anything.
This kit is fully fabricated, the only off the shelf parts are the bushings and the bolts/nuts/washers. Essentially it has two frame brackets with various height adjustments and uses fabricated pipes to support the transmission, independent of the skid. Obviously this is advantageous as it allows you to drop the skid without needing to support the trans/transfer case from drooping. the frame brackets are made from punched and pressed steel, and have a nice logo cutout on them. In general, this solution is much beefier than the typical OEM mounting solution.
Pics of the kit. Simple welding required.
View attachment 211573View attachment 211574
Retail Price: ??? N/A
External Transmission Cooler Kit
The transmission cooler kit appears to be a run of the mill add-on transmission cooler. Two ports via hose barb. Hose and fittings.
View attachment 211575
Suspiciously similar to something like this
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/d...erVDFuRSMSJNpmAY6IZAQ5wQctbMU-BUaAhFpEALw_wcB
Retail price: 46.99 plus hoses/fittings.
Drop-In EFI Fuel Pump Assembly
Complete Fuel Line and Fitting Kit
This kit can also be purchased separately from Red Rock. Description from Red Rock as follows:
"Red Rock Offroad has put together the only direct fit DROP IN FUEL PUMP KIT on the market. It works with either HEMI or LS swaps.
Our fuel pump assembly, will drop right into the 97-04 TJ/LJ fuel tank and secure with the stock retaining ring. The internally regulated pump delivers the required 59psi for both V8's. The fuel level signal sensor is correct for the Jeep TJ/LJ Fuel Gauge based on a stock fuel tank.
Plumbing your V8 Fuel Delivery System is quick and easy with our ROCK LOCK High Performance Race Quality adapter fittings and 'push to connect' line fittings. Our fuel system has only 2 connections- one at the pump assembly and one at the fuel rail. Done!
The Fuel Pump Kit also includes a universal adapter harness that with the included DIY WeatherPac Connector, will easily wire into any 97-04 chassis harness."
As previously noted, it appears to be an assembly from Autobest. The lower section of the pump does not appear to have been modified or replaced. The top ring has been slightly cut down to fit the older tank opening. Part number used in the comparison pic is f3211a from an 05-06 TJ. What was not included in the kit was any way to secure the line to the frame. I bought some 5/8 stainless clips to get it done.
View attachment 211576
View attachment 211577
Retail Price from RR: 379.99
Retail price for the DIY: $100 pump +$30 hose + harness + fittings + 1 hour or less of time
Complete Steering Shaft Kit
This kit is also available separately from Red Rock. Their description as follows:
"The Skinny Steering Kit.... this is the kit we designed to work with a Gen III or Gen IV HEMI outfitted with either the JBA or BBK Headers (Highlighted so you notice it specifically, will be reference later on) in your TJ or LJ.
We designed and created this kit out of need as you cannot run a stock pillow block with headers. Adding to this, Jeep no longer manufactures the 4cyl pillow block that was an option years ago. No other aftermarket solution works like ours! We use this kit on all our Hemi Conversions.
Our Skinny Steering Kit replaces the intermediate shaft on the stock jeep steering. This is the primary shaft between the Firewall Joint and the Gear Box. The kit uses both upper and lower bearing towers to support and orientate the new steering shaft correctly. This is a builders kit, so welding is required.
The basic kit utilizes a solid steering shaft. If you want a collapsible shaft, contact the shop for more information."
This kit includes a section of steering shaft, two support eyes as pictured, a fabricated tall support and fabricated short support.
View attachment 211578
Retail price from Red Rock: $95.99
Low Pressure Steering Return Line Kit
There's really nothing fancy here...it's hose plus two fittings.
Retail Price: xxx
1.25" Body Lift Kit
As stated above, I did not purchase this with the kit.
EGR Delete
As stated above, I did not purchase this with the kit.
Thermal Activaction Fan Switch
Super straight forward, this is an on at 200, off at 180 degree sensor. No control module, relay or wiring was included for the fan, just the sensor.
View attachment 211551
Retail Price: $21.89
Reducer Fitting
I am assuming this is the silicon/rubber reducer fitting for the air intake tube. Again, very straight forward.
Factory Mopar Accelerator Pedal
Accelerator Pedal Mount
As stated above, I did not purchase this with the kit.
Complete Air Intake Kit
This kit includes a bent aluminum pipe at 90 degrees, with a barb welded onto it for the pcv hose. A spectre air filter has been included.
View attachment 211579
Retail Price: TBD
PCV Kit
Per the previous email with Jim, this is no longer part of the kit since they welded the tube onto the intake. They just haven't updated the site or manual supposedly.
Shorty Exhaust Headers
I want to pull your attention back to the steering kit above. One might assume that the headers included in the kit are JBA or B BK based on the description of the steering, but one would assume incorrectly.
The headers sent are stainless steel, and have been modified by grinding the tabs off and welding in a reducer fitting and a vband coupler.
View attachment 211552
I bought a suspiciously comparable set of headers from DNA Motoring off Amazon for $166.
View attachment 211553
View attachment 211554
View attachment 211555
I'll let the readers draw their own conclusions.
Retail Price: $166 + fittings and stainless welding. A local fab shop here charges $150/hr for stainless welding. My estimation is this is less than an hour of welding.
[2] Upper O2 Sensors
As stated above, I did not purchase this with the kit.
Battery Cable Kit
This is pretty straight forward, 8ish gauge wire kit with ring terminals on each end for attachment. Labeled at each end.
View attachment 211559
Retail Price - Not much. $20 plus 30 minutes of your time
Over-flow Recirculation Bottle Kit
This kit includes an overflow bottle and bracket for attachment. The bracket is fabricated aluminum. The bottle itself is brushed stainless, 3"x10". It is suspiciously similar to this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0816D7QWT/?tag=wranglerorg-20
View attachment 211580
Retail Price: $25 plus bracket