Help with 327 SBC swap

[JordanG]

I've got a 2001 TJ with the 2.5 and ax5. Both are in great condition, and like everyone else, I love them, just not the power...

DISCLAIMER:
I've lurked and read up on a lot of the write ups, the general consensus is that the ax5 is terrible for anything more powerful than a lawnmower, and that's okay, it's what it was designed for. What I did find out is that if you put a small block into your jeep with an ax5, you're going to blow it up, as well as your axles. I have seen that it is generally accepted that the ax15 is not going to last paired to a sbc.

I have an older 327 small block, and a jeep with a 2.5/ax-5. I'm a very cheap person, and I want this swap. Bad.
My plan is to use the Novak kit and mount up the 327 with an adapter to the ax5 and pray, as this is the easiest method.
I know it won't last long, but I am hoping if it just sees pavement it may last long enough for me to find an ax15 for a good price.

Question is, once I've got a V8 in there... what should I expect when swapping the adapted ax5 to ax15.. Any specialty parts besides another bellhousing kit? Will the transfercase bolt up? I plan to use the same transfer case till things break and it is necessary to swap.

Okay.. now let's chat. I have a lot of projects to accomplish to make a 327 work. I foresee the following:
1: Need to swap from ax-5 to ax-15 at a minimum once the engine is in.
2: Need to upgrade Dana 35 shafts or swap Dana 30/35 to F8.8 or Dana 44.
3: Need to slap in a new radiator.
3.5: Profit?


EDIT : Changed title to be more accurate.
This will be my first venture into engine swapping jeeps, I am used to motorcycles, so any advice is appreciated...

 

[Wildman]

OKAY
1) The AX-5 can be broken behind the 2.5 so I can promise you that unless you drive it with anything other than feather pressure it's gunna break.

2) Yes you will be spending MONEY TWICE if you really try to install a AX-5. It take a different bellhousing for the AX-15 so why would you even consider trying to put a AX-5 behind a V-8?

3) Is this going to be a off-road only rig? Federal emission rules do not allow you to take an older model year engine and install it into a newer model year vehicle. Even if you don't have emission testing where you live if they ever did start it you wouldn't be able to register your Jeep to drive on the street. It would also be illegal to sell said vehicle since it would no longer meet emissions standards for 2001.

4) What are your plans for the dash? Going to run aftermarket gauges?

5) The Dana 35 has been reported to holding up behind other V-8's before. But yes I agree it should either receive a Super35 kit or be replaced with a Dana 44 or 8,8. The Dana 30 front will survive as long as you keep the tires at 35" max.

6) I'm gunna guess your 327 is a carbureted engine. Why would you go in reverse and install a carb in a fuel injected vehicle?

Do some more reading. Yep you can swap that V-8 into your TJ but IMO it's a waste and the wrong route to go. If you want a V-8 then do it correctly and find an engine from the same model year or newer and make your swap legal.

 

[Gollywomper]

Is there even an adapter to put an AX5 behind a SBC? Not sure why anyone would even make one.

 

[JordanG]

OKAY
1) The AX-5 can be broken behind the 2.5 so I can promise you that unless you drive it with anything other than feather pressure it's gunna break.

2) Yes you will be spending MONEY TWICE if you really try to install a AX-5. It take a different bellhousing for the AX-15 so why would you even consider trying to put a AX-5 behind a V-8?

3) Is this going to be a off-road only rig? Federal emission rules do not allow you to take an older model year engine and install it into a newer model year vehicle. Even if you don't have emission testing where you live if they ever did start it you wouldn't be able to register your Jeep to drive on the street. It would also be illegal to sell said vehicle since it would no longer meet emissions standards for 2001.

4) What are your plans for the dash? Going to run aftermarket gauges?

5) The Dana 35 has been reported to holding up behind other V-8's before. But yes I agree it should either receive a Super35 kit or be replaced with a Dana 44 or 8,8. The Dana 30 front will survive as long as you keep the tires at 35" max.

6) I'm gunna guess your 327 is a carbureted engine. Why would you go in reverse and install a carb in a fuel injected vehicle?

Do some more reading. Yep you can swap that V-8 into your TJ but IMO it's a waste and the wrong route to go. If you want a V-8 then do it correctly and find an engine from the same model year or newer and make your swap legal.

Thanks for the fast reply! I have a lot of questions.. sorry.. I completely understand your response, I'm just working with the materials I have available right now. It is carbureted, its just what I have.. It is 80% road 20% dirt. I use it for my daily and love getting muddy but truth be told I drive pavement 6.5 days a week.
Side note ( I own a TH350 that can mate to the 327)

The reason I'm going backwards on the swap is because I'm not 100% confident in swapping the big 3 drivetrain components all at once, there's just a lot of room for error that I wouldn't know how to fix on my own. (350 to ax15 changed from ax5)

I see that welding some mounts, radiator replacing, and engine mounting to an already installed transmission is something in my wheelhouse.. I have no issue going with an ax15 from the beginning if I can expect a seamless bolt on..

I guess I can just say it like this.. The idea of swapping a GM engine into a Jeep and replacing transmissions with another older transmission then changing transfercases all at once and hoping it works is very intimidating to a new guy like me..

Is it a better idea to try to shoehorn in my 327/th350 combo into the jeep with a transfercase adapter?

I really have no idea what I'm up against trying to put in a new transmission, that's what scares me.
All advice is considered and appreciated!!

 

[JordanG]

Is there even an adapter to put an AX5 behind a SBC? Not sure why anyone would even make one.

AA makes one, I imagine they made it for dummies like me...

 

[astjp2]

Where is that face palm emoji when you need it? Don't waste your time of money on a shitty build, it will eat you out of hose and home trying to keep that ax5 from turning into a gernade. The asin Toyota transmission was bulletproof compared to the ax5, you may consider another route or just leaving it alone and save yourself a lot of grief until that 2.5 blows up your ax5.

 

[Gollywomper]

AA makes one, I imagine they made it for dummies like me...

Wow. Being it will take a different adapter for each of the AX5 and ax15 I would think you would be better off waiting. I know how it feels to wait. I have everything to do my Dana 300/EcoBox doubler except new 4-1 gears for the 300. They are not due till mid May, but I do t want to do it twice so me waits.....Impatiently, but me waits. Lol

 

[JordanG]

Where is that face palm emoji when you need it? Don't waste your time of money on a shitty build, it will eat you out of hose and home trying to keep that ax5 from turning into a gernade. The asin Toyota transmission was bulletproof compared to the ax5, you may consider another route or just leaving it alone and save yourself a lot of grief until that 2.5 blows up your ax5.

I agree it would be a time-bomb. I just can't find enough information on putting an ax15 behind a 350 if I'm coming from an ax5.. Wonder how deep the shithole goes...

 

[JordanG]

Wow. Being it will take a different adapter for each of the AX5 and ax15 I would think you would be better off waiting. I know how it feels to wait. I have everything to do my Dana 300/EcoBox doubler except new 4-1 gears for the 300. They are not due till mid May, but I do t want to do it twice so me waits.....Impatiently, but me waits. Lol

Misery loves company... Maybe I should wait for a better transmission to come, or try to slam in the th350 behind it and see what doesn't fit first...

 

[Gollywomper]

Misery loves company... Maybe I should wait for a better transmission to come, or try to slam in the th350 behind it and see what doesn't fit first...

The 350 is 6” longer than the AX5? New engine can be pushed a lot farther forward than the stock setup. An auto tranny setup could be done since no shifter to worry about.

 

[P man]

Just because you can doesn't mean you should

 

[Cross-Threaded-06TJ]

Dude, just slap that old carb'd 327 in there. It'll be fine. The Ax5 will live fine. It's all fine.


Now, you have the answer you wanted. Start a build thread so we can all watch.....

Carburetors rock BTW. I only ran one for like a month on my old squarebody before swapping crappy edelbrock pro flo 4 efi on there. But, that's just cause I didn't know how to "properly tune" my old carb. See, when you use the wording "properly tune" it makes carbs or whatever you want to do better.

So a "properly tuned" AX5 will handle a 327, no issues.









Or, sell that boat Anchor 327 and turbo that 2.5.....I'm think 14 psi easy.



Maybe even 5.3 LS with ebay turbos. I've heard those swaps are almost free.

 

[JordanG]

Dude, just slap that old carb'd 327 in there. It'll be fine. The Ax5 will live fine. It's all fine.


Now, you have the answer you wanted. Start a build thread so we can all watch.....

Carburetors rock BTW. I only ran one for like a month on my old squarebody before swapping crappy edelbrock pro flo 4 efi on there. But, that's just cause I didn't know how to "properly tune" my old carb. See, when you use the wording "properly tune" it makes carbs or whatever you want to do better.

So a "properly tuned" AX5 will handle a 327, no issues.









Or, sell that boat Anchor 327 and turbo that 2.5.....I'm think 14 psi easy.



Maybe even 5.3 LS with ebay turbos. I've heard those swaps are almost free.

NOW THIS.. THIS IS WHAT I LIKE TO HEAR!!!

Seriously though, does everyone hate the ax5 with a burning passion?
Grandpas million mile carb'd small block in the tj is still an upgrade over the 2.5.. right.. right..?

 

[Cross-Threaded-06TJ]

NOW THIS.. THIS IS WHAT I LIKE TO HEAR!!!

Seriously though, does everyone hate the ax5 with a burning passion?
Grandpas million mile carb'd small block in the tj is still an upgrade over the 2.5.. right.. right..?

Negative.

 

[Rick Flair]

Every hillbilly has a 327.


You most like likely have a 283 or...a 305 that makes 160 HP new.

But I still wouldn’t put it behind the ax5.

 

[Cross-Threaded-06TJ]

My personal belief is the best place to swap that 327, is into a ride on lawn mower. And then compete in the "king of the trimmers" competition. It's a real thing, look it up.

 

[P man]

My personal belief is the best place to swap that 327, is into a ride on lawn mower. And then compete in the "king of the trimmers" competition. It's a real thing, look it up.

Nothing says "I live in a single wide" like a modified lawn mower

 

[Gollywomper]

I don’t think you will be happy trading in fuel injection for a carb either. I’m sure there are plenty on fuel injection options for your SBC though. To be happy with the end product you will need a well thought out plan and money.

 

[Wildman]

I'm not trying to rain on your parade but IMO swapping a 327 into a TJ is just not a wise option. I listed all the LEGAL reasons not to do it.

The amount of work required to swap in ANY engine depends a lot on if there are adaptors available and then what is needed to make it work.

You are going to have to change your your transfer case if you go to a AX15 or change the input gear to a 23 spline input gear. I do not know if AA makes a adapter between a Turbo 350 & 21 spline NP231.
If you are dead set on using the 327 I'd find out how long the TH350 compared to a AX15. You do not want to push your transfer case back anymore than what it is now since that would make your rear driveline shorter than it already is.

If you were building a CJ2/3/5/7 your 327 would be just fine but you're not.

I have a Dodge 5.9 V-8 in my TJ with a 46REauto transmission & aftermarket transfer case and it would be a LOT better swap for you and is the CHEAPER V-8 swap of newer emission legal engines.

What size tires are you running?

What gear ratio do you have in your axles?

Stock a 4 cyl TJ comes with 28" tall tires and 4.10 gears in the axles. If you have any larger size tires you need to regear your axles to get the better power out of your axles. I ran 33" tires and 4.88 gears and was able to use 5th gear again. Gearing is a HUGE deal when dealing with a 4 cyl Jeep. The other thing is WEIGHT. Do you have a hardtop? Heavy bumpers? Other steel armor? Back seat?

Yes you have to either change the radiator or figure out now to plumb your hoses to go across the front of the engine. Right now your lower radiator hose is on the drivers side and the upper is on passenger side. For a V-8 swap of a Chevy or Dodge they are swapped.

I'm trying to give you as much information as possible before you do this as IMO it is a CRAZY idea and shouldn't be done. Make sure you have all your info before you start this swap.
You have not said what you're going to do about your gauges. The stock gauges work from info given from your PCM. So they will not work with the SBC. So you are going to need new gauges which will add to your expense.

If you use a Dodge V-8 of the magnum family it's PCM will work & talk to your dash.

I don’t think you will be happy trading in fuel injection for a carb either. I’m sure there are plenty on fuel injection options for your SBC though. To be happy with the end product you will need a well thought out plan and money.

A carburetor can be tuned to run well until you take it off-road and then it has some inherent drawbacks.

 

[Echos67]

OP, i went down a similar road before with a YJ and a 406 sbc, I used the th350 with the stock transfer case (i think it was a 231) added sye, Tom Wood did the driveshafts, springs over axle (again it was a YJ) and ran 35" Jimmy Dean cut boggers on a front 60 and rear 9". Have several 0's in your checkbook because you will need them.

I have started looking into a v8 swap for my current TJ and even though i have a carbed 383 sitting here in a beat up 73 Camaro i would look into a newer version motor listed above. For me its LS and again get the checkbook ready because it isnt cheap