Turbo vs engine swap

[Rickyd]

I still think an ls1 would fit your lightweight bill better. Even a 5.3 or 6.0l would be lighter than a magnum. Only real swap differences using chevy over dodge is the small amount of work to figure out gauges.and theres a few ways to do that.Otherwise everything about chevys are cheaper. Building a stand alone harness for an ls is easy.buying them is also cheap. The cpu's are much better quality and easy to tune. Ls motors regularly go 3-400,000 miles before rebuild....

 

[Wildman]

Ideally I would find a manual trans magnum donor. That keeps future parts replacements easy. I have read through most threads on the subject. It is all a bit overwhelming until you narrow things down a bit more. Being a 98 I have only a couple of years to choose from to be ccd and 98+. Can’t really do much until after we relocate since I’m not starting a project like this until after that.

Yes the PCM selection is limited by the fact that you only have 98-2000 to get one from but IMO there isn't a real hassle with the number showing up on Ebay. And now with the number of companies that offer rebuilt PCM's I don't see it as being a problem.
The parts are the same if you use a AX15 or NV3500 if you're meaning clutch parts.

 

[Rickyd]

companies that offer rebuilt PCM's I don't see it as being a problem

do some research on that. "Rebuilt" pcms have a terrible track record

 

[Wildman]

do some research on that. "Rebuilt" pcms have a terrible track record

I've got one that has been working great.

 

[Rickyd]

I've got one that has been working great.

Then you're lucky or all they did was wipe the grease off the outside.wait is your jeep actually driving???

 

[Gollywomper]

Yes the PCM selection is limited by the fact that you only have 98-2000 to get one from but IMO there isn't a real hassle with the number showing up on Ebay. And now with the number of companies that offer rebuilt PCM's I don't see it as being a problem.
The parts are the same if you use a AX15 or NV3500 if you're meaning clutch parts.

Looks like an ax15 from a Dakota v6 4wd would be plug and play on a magnum with the appropriate v8 flywheel. What about crank sensor locations?

 

[Wildman]

Then you're lucky or all they did was wipe the grease off the outside

Nope my vin was put into it. I know when I was looking for a good PCM 10+ years ago I found some shady companies, but I don't know about anymore.

Are you talking about only Dodge PCM's or the business in general as far as rebuilding engine computers?

Since I already had my magnum engine swap, I really haven't looked into a GM swap option anymore. I know when I looked in 2006 it was a lot more complicated than the magnum swap.

Looks like an ax15 from a Dakota v6 4wd would be plug and play on a magnum with the appropriate v8 flywheel. What about crank sensor locations?

The crank sensor is on the passenger side at about 11 o'clock position.

 

[Rickyd]

Nope my vin was put into it.

that isn't rebuilding. Its a vin flash. The only good source of mopar ecm's is a known good used one. If its been opened up and tampered with its highly suspect.

 

[Wildman]

that isn't rebuilding. Its a vin flash. The only good source of mopar ecm's is a known good used one. If its been opened up and tampered with its highly suspect.

It was a rebuilt unit that was also flashed. Or that is what they toted it as.

 

[Rickyd]

It was a rebuilt unit that was also flashed. Or that is what they toted it as.

I hope it works good for you when the beast is back up and running!

Nv3500s were also used behind ls motors

 

[Wildman]

I hope it works good for you when the beast is back up and running!

Nv3500s were also used behind ls motors

It worked in my Jeep for almost 5 years before it was parked and has been used in 3 other rigs to get them running since then. Plus sat for 8 years.

 

[Rickyd]

For me its all about cost/benefit ratio. I consider the magnum swap to be the poorboy option.but it only makes sense if you get lucky and find a donor that doesn't need work(less and less likely). Once you start to spend money fixing a mopar engine/trans that goes out the window.
obselecence is also i big problem. Mopar has phased out a lot of the parts we need to keep tjs and older dodges running.
Ls still has support.and in many ways is the cheaper,better,more reliable option.
Hemi is the new LS. just plain sexy, awesome flow numbers and capable of amazing power.but not cheap at all.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Are you sure you need to upgrade the AX5 for a turbo? I was asking before whenI suggested it, not stating it. If you only really use the boost driving down the highway, you might be just fine. Now drag launches using the pro-start on 35's---that might not end well.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

For me its all about cost/benefit ratio. I consider the magnum swap to be the poorboy option.but it only makes sense if you get lucky and find a donor that doesn't need work(less and less likely). Once you start to spend money fixing a mopar engine/trans that goes out the window.
obselecence is also i big problem. Mopar has phased out a lot of the parts we need to keep tjs and older dodges running.
Ls still has support.and in many ways is the cheaper,better,more reliable option.
Hemi is the new LS. just plain sexy, awesome flow numbers and capable of amazing power.but not cheap at all.

An LS isn't near as easy of a swap as a Magnum, especially for his year. That's why. It's also more expensive and wouldn't allow you to keep the factory gauges (at least not easily). Nobody is arguing the Magnum is a better motor than an LS. It's just easier, cheaper, and more than enough for anything you'll do with it in a TJ. If this was a track build, it would be a completely different story.

 

[Gollywomper]

Are you sure you need to upgrade the AX5 for a turbo? I was asking before whenI suggested it, not stating it. If you only really use the boost driving down the highway, you might be just fine. Now drag launches using the pro-start on 35's---that might not end well.

The trans swap would be when/if needed.
The lower tcase gears should really help the transmission from stress off-roading.
There are valid pros and cons to each option.

 

[Wildman]

For me its all about cost/benefit ratio. I consider the magnum swap to be the poorboy option.but it only makes sense if you get lucky and find a donor that doesn't need work(less and less likely). Once you start to spend money fixing a mopar engine/trans that goes out the window.
obselecence is also i big problem. Mopar has phased out a lot of the parts we need to keep tjs and older dodges running.
Ls still has support.and in many ways is the cheaper,better,more reliable option.
Hemi is the new LS. just plain sexy, awesome flow numbers and capable of amazing power.but not cheap at all.

I think you're not giving the magnum engine enough credit or respect. The magnum engines if you watch the build videos or read up on mods done can make some pretty good power numbers for just a little work.
The 44RE or 46RE are pretty strong transmission with the only drawback being that they are only 4 speed. I've not had any issues finding the parts I needed for either my TJ or Dodge.

I'm not a LS fan but do agree that the LS or Hemi does make more power than a stock magnum but again with some work you can get decent numbers out of all 3 engine platforms.

Are you sure you need to upgrade the AX5 for a turbo? I was asking before whenI suggested it, not stating it. If you only really use the boost driving down the highway, you might be just fine. Now drag launches using the pro-start on 35's---that might not end well.

I think even for this the AX5 is questionable. Stock engines with larger tires have been known to break one.

 

[Gollywomper]

If I end up in a non emissions test location a LS is at the top of my list. All option are on the table until then.

 

[Rickyd]

An LS isn't near as easy of a swap as a Magnum, especially for his year. That's why. It's also more expensive and wouldn't allow you to keep the factory gauges (at least not easily). Nobody is arguing the Magnum is a better motor than an LS. It's just easier, cheaper, and more than enough for anything you'll do with it in a TJ. If this was a track build, it would be a completely different story.

It isn't as far apart work or cost wise as is often implied.especially once you get into repairs on the motor or trans. Only real difference is gauges and which trans or adapters are used.thats a wash since he doesn't have an ax15.

I don't bring up power levels because its irrelevant in a jeep. I'm familiar with and wheeled with both ls and magnum swapped early tjs.

Honestly,neither is very appealing to me because i find loud jeeps are obnoxious.and if you don't drive like grandma then breaking pretty much everything is in your future.

 

[Jezza]

Meh, I turbocharged a 4 cylinder S10 once for less than $500. It doesn't have to be expensive. You could probably run the ax5 as long as you don't bang the gears. The torque comes in fairly smooth with a turbo.

 

[Gollywomper]

.and if you don't drive like grandma then breaking pretty much everything is in your future.

This is what I keep Spinning back to.
V8 leads to Dana 60s.
Hell, maybe I should just buy a trailer and tow my shit to the trail.

Maybe cam and stroke my 2.5?
Seems to be a lot of failures around stroked jeeps Engines.