Gen III Hemi Swap into TJ Reference Guide & Swap Info

[hardtailpan]

The AX15/NV3550 is rated for 300 HP per Novak if that helps any.

Hey Wildman, yeah, I remember reading this, probably from some of the awesome info you've pointed me to in the past. This rating makes it weak to put behind the hemi. My thinking is if you aren't thrashing the hell out of it it will be ok, but who knows, not enough of them have been created, at least that i know of, to give us any meaningful stats on viability.

I still say it'd be fun as hell to drive tho!

 

[Wildman]

For those looking to put a manual transmission behind their swap getting the shifter to line up into the stock opening in the floorboard here is how some have fit this. They cut the shifter and welded a piece of flat stock to move the shifter handle back.

I hope this picture helps to explain how it's done.

 

[Mike_H]

Hey @pc1p I know you're busy remodeling the house...but we want this thread finished! LOl.

 

[pc1p]

Hey @pc1p I know you're busy remodeling the house...but we want this thread finished! LOl.

Working on it! Need to find me a motor and trans again…

(I do have access to a free 5.3L LS with 4L65E that I’m resisting to swap into something too!)

 

[Wildman]

Working on it! Need to find me a motor and trans again…

(I do have access to a free 5.3L LS with 4L65E that I’m resisting to swap into something too!)

Hold out for a Hemi....

With the way cars/trucks rust out I'd think that you could find one.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Working on it! Need to find me a motor and trans again…

(I do have access to a free 5.3L LS with 4L65E that I’m resisting to swap into something too!)

Blasphemy!

 

[Mike_H]

Working on it! Need to find me a motor and trans again…

(I do have access to a free 5.3L LS with 4L65E that I’m resisting to swap into something too!)

Boring. You need to do another hemi swap... Cuz I need the info! Lol

 

[Gassiper]

I am using all the Holley parts they offer for my 6.1 swap. All of their mounts and hardware along with their headers, Y-pipe and exhaust.

 

[MichaelGH]

I am using all the Holley parts they offer for my 6.1 swap. All of their mounts and hardware along with their headers, Y-pipe and exhaust.

Have you received any of the parts yet? I am interested in the headers and y-pipe myself. I may switch over to them from my Cherokee manifolds…

 

[Gassiper]

Have you received any of the parts yet? I am interested in the headers and y-pipe myself. I may switch over to them from my Cherokee manifolds…

Yes sir! Have them all. Super nice. Great quality. I know they were backed up for a while and were out of stock of the y-pipe and headers but they didn’t take too awful long to come in.

 

[MichaelGH]

Yes sir! Have them all. Super nice. Great quality. I know they were backed up for a while and were out of stock of the y-pipe and headers but they didn’t take too awful long to come in.

I can hardly wait to see the pictures in your build…

 

[Gollywomper]

So a 98’ would need a cluster from a newer TJ and a fuel tank as well? Hemi is interesting.

 

[Wildman]

So a 98’ would need a cluster from a newer TJ and a fuel tank as well? Hemi is interesting.

Yes that is my understanding. Four Wheeler did a Hemi swap on a 97 or 98 around 2006 time frame.

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/129-0507-1997-jeep-wrangler-tj-57l-hemi-v8-swap/

 

[MichaelGH]

So a 98’ would need a cluster from a newer TJ and a fuel tank as well? Hemi is interesting.

Yes it would…

I can tell you that I converted my ‘97 2.5L TJ to a 5.7L Hemi myself. The only thing I had done was my wiring harness by Hotwireauto. Highly recommended…

After driving the four-cylinder for five years I couldn’t take it anymore…

My Jeep starts, runs and drives seamlessly with the Hemi. Like it came that way from the factory. I would do it over without hesitation…

 

[Gollywomper]

Yes it would…

I can tell you that I converted my ‘97 2.5L TJ to a 5.7L Hemi myself. The only thing I had done was my wiring harness by Hotwireauto. Highly recommended…

After driving the four-cylinder for five years I couldn’t take it anymore…

My Jeep starts, runs and drives seamlessly with the Hemi. Like it came that way from the factory. I would do it over without hesitation…

Some details in a nutshell please.
Year of donor
You swapped gauge cluster and tank from late model TJ?
What harnesses did you send in?
How was adding the nvlp?

 

[MichaelGH]

Some details in a nutshell please.
Year of donor
You swapped gauge cluster and tank from late model TJ?
What harnesses did you send in?
How was adding the nvlp?

I built my engine to 2005 Ram 5.7 Hemi specifications. Front timing cover/intake/throttle body/alternator/AC/oil pan/etc are all Ram truck pieces…

Any ‘03-‘08 5.7 Hemi block and heads would have worked for a base starting point…

I switched my valve covers & ignition coils to the later 2007+ Hemi ignition setup though. That way there are no plug wires. It’s just a cleaner platform. My ignition coils are basically the same pieces used all the way through units installed on the Hellcats. You just need to let whom ever is building the engine harness know…

I went with a 2005 545RFE 5-speed transmission out of a Durango. Ram would have been the exact same…

Fuel tank and NVLD from any ‘05-‘06 TJ work. They plug in as stock to each other. The only thing I had to change was the fuel line connection. The new electrical plug-in for the fuel pump will already be installed in the new conversion harness…

I mounted the NVLD in the rear passenger side wheel well just like the newer TJs. It only took a bit of trimming and a couple holes drilled…

Any ‘01-‘06 gauge cluster will work. You just need to know what year it is from to get the correct wiring diagram so you can splice the 2 new gauge connectors into your current dash harness…

All you need to do is send your underhood PDC fuse box and it’s attached harness to Chris at HWA and he will work his magic…

 

[hardtailpan]

I built my engine to 2005 Ram 5.7 Hemi specifications. Front timing cover/intake/throttle body/alternator/AC/oil pan/etc are all Ram truck pieces…

Any ‘03-‘08 5.7 Hemi block and heads would have worked for a base starting point…

I switched my valve covers & ignition coils to the later 2007+ Hemi ignition setup though. That way there are no plug wires. It’s just a cleaner platform. My ignition coils are basically the same pieces used all the way through units installed on the Hellcats. You just need to let whom ever is building the engine harness know…

I went with a 2005 545RFE 5-speed transmission out of a Durango. Ram would have been the exact same…

Fuel tank and NVLD from any ‘05-‘06 TJ work. They plug in as stock to each other. The only thing I had to change was the fuel line connection. The new electrical plug-in for the fuel pump will already be installed in the new conversion harness…

I mounted the NVLD in the rear passenger side wheel well just like the newer TJs. It only took a bit of trimming and a couple holes drilled…

Any ‘01-‘06 gauge cluster will work. You just need to know what year it is from to get the correct wiring diagram so you can splice the 2 new gauge connectors into your current dash harness…

All you need to do is send your underhood PDC fuse box and it’s attached harness to Chris at HWA and he will work his magic…

Excellent Info!

I've got a couple more questions:

1) Yours was a 4 cylinder, so I assume you didn't have to do anything with the pillow block?
2) Did you use the RAM PS pump? I've heard there are some differences in pressure that can cause issues
3) I assume you just had the PS hoses made up at a hydraulics shop?
4) Do you have the AC connected? Any issues here or just a matter of getting an AC shop to make up the proper hoses?
5) If you have cruise control, is it functional?

Ok, I guess that was about 3 more than couple!

 

[MichaelGH]

Excellent Info!

I've got a couple more questions:

1) Yours was a 4 cylinder, so I assume you didn't have to do anything with the pillow block?
2) Did you use the RAM PS pump? I've heard there are some differences in pressure that can cause issues
3) I assume you just had the PS hoses made up at a hydraulics shop?
4) Do you have the AC connected? Any issues here or just a matter of getting an AC shop to make up the proper hoses?
5) If you have cruise control, is it functional?

Ok, I guess that was about 3 more than couple!

1) I have the Savvy 1.25” body lift so I went with the MORE 1” taller bracket. Just to keep the steering shaft in better alignment. You are correct that the four-cylinder bracket can be used though…

2) The 2005 Ram 5.7 Hemi Power steering pump works beautifully with the TJ steering gear. At least it does with the early box. I am not sure about the later Mercedes box…

3) A TJ 4.0 power steering pressure line works perfectly between the Ram pump and the earliy TJ steering gear. You only have to bend the one end a little to go in the Ram power steering pump…

The low pressure line needs to be fabricated though. You need to go from the 5/8” hose nipple on the Ram reservoir to the early TJ steering gear low pressure port. It can be done several ways…

4) I actually bought a hydraulic crimper and made all my own AC lines. An AC shop can easily do it though…

5) I do not have cruise control. I believe Hotwireauto has an aftermarket kit that will work…

 

[NashvilleTJ]

I built my engine to 2005 Ram 5.7 Hemi specifications. Front timing cover/intake/throttle body/alternator/AC/oil pan/etc are all Ram truck pieces…

Any ‘03-‘08 5.7 Hemi block and heads would have worked for a base starting point…

I switched my valve covers & ignition coils to the later 2007+ Hemi ignition setup though. That way there are no plug wires. It’s just a cleaner platform. My ignition coils are basically the same pieces used all the way through units installed on the Hellcats. You just need to let whom ever is building the engine harness know…

I went with a 2005 545RFE 5-speed transmission out of a Durango. Ram would have been the exact same…

Fuel tank and NVLD from any ‘05-‘06 TJ work. They plug in as stock to each other. The only thing I had to change was the fuel line connection. The new electrical plug-in for the fuel pump will already be installed in the new conversion harness…

I mounted the NVLD in the rear passenger side wheel well just like the newer TJs. It only took a bit of trimming and a couple holes drilled…

Any ‘01-‘06 gauge cluster will work. You just need to know what year it is from to get the correct wiring diagram so you can splice the 2 new gauge connectors into your current dash harness…

All you need to do is send your underhood PDC fuse box and it’s attached harness to Chris at HWA and he will work his magic…

Good info, but Just a couple of clarifications. The coil on plug setup did not start in ‘07. My ‘06 runs the coil on plug - but I’m not sure what year they started. It is a nicer setup - especially if you hate spark plug wires (and LS’s…).

The ‘03 to ‘08 Gen III Hemi will work, but for the stock gauges in the ‘01 to ‘06 TJ to work you need to run an ‘05 (or prior) ECU. The ‘06 to ‘08 Hemi (at least in the Ram) used a CAN BUS setup, which is not compatible with the TJ cluster. For the ‘01 and prior TJ, you will need to source an ‘02 to ‘06 TJ gauge cluster, or go custom gauges. Further, if you use the wiring harness from an ‘06+ Hemi, the harness has to be modified to ‘05 specs (among the other necessary changes).

The fuel tank mod is required because the Hemi fuel injection requires 59 pounds of fuel pressure. The ‘04 and prior TJ pump does not make enough pressure. You can solve it by swapping in an ’05-‘06 tank (which makes the 59 psi), but you can also install and ‘05 pump into an ‘04 tank with just a minor modification. A little trimming of the top ring on the housing and it works. The required wiring change is the same.

By far the best resource I have found for info on a Hemi swap into a TJ is the conversion guide written by Jim Bebe at Red Rock Off Road. I believe you can still buy it on their sight.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

1) I have the Savvy 1.25” body lift so I went with the MORE 1” taller bracket. Just to keep the steering shaft in better alignment. You are correct that the four-cylinder bracket can be used though…

2) The 2005 Ram 5.7 Hemi Power steering pump works beautifully with the TJ steering gear. At least it does with the early box. I am not sure about the later Mercedes box…

3) A TJ 4.0 power steering pressure line works perfectly between the Ram pump and the earliy TJ steering gear. You only have to bend the one end a little to go in the Ram power steering pump…

The low pressure line needs to be fabricated though. You need to go from the 5/8” hose nipple on the Ram reservoir to the early TJ steering gear low pressure port. It can be done several ways…

4) I actually bought a hydraulic crimper and made all my own AC lines. An AC shop can easily do it though…

5) I do not have cruise control. I believe Hotwireauto has an aftermarket kit that will work…

I originally ran the stock Hemi PS pump, but I also run hydro-assist steering and hydro-boost brakes. The stock pump was not enough volume or pressure for that setup. For a stock setup, either Mercedes or saginaw, it is certainly fine. Good news is that PSC makes a performance pump which will bolt to the Hemi, and that did solve my issues.