Hemi swap resource thread

Wildman

Wildman

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Okay with all the talking about V-8 swaps I know the Dodge magnum V-8 was discussed but Dodge dropped the Magnum V-8 line in 2003 with 2002 really being the -last year to find the 5.2 or 5.9 engines. So if you own a 2003-06 TJ and want to keep it emissions legal by Federal Standards you either have to do a Hemi or LS swap.

Here is a thread on JF with some good information:

https://tinyurl.com/y8voq59p


Businesses that offer parts for the Hemi swap:

https://redrock4wd.com/

https://redrock4wd.com/conversions
https://redrock4wd.com/v8-conversion-parts
https://jeepspeedshop.com/
https://jeepspeedshop.com/product-category/vehicle/tj-jeeps/
TeraFlex still offers just a few items for the swap.


https://teraflex.com/shop/category?category_0=Engine+&+Underhood
Another thread on JF of a person who did a Hemi Swap. Starts about page 95 in his build thread.

https://tinyurl.com/y99anjn3
I don't have a Hemi in my TJ because back when I was looking into engine swaps a take out Hemi was still $8-10K for a engine & tranny combo. Yes I would have loved to have a Hemi as they make more power STOCK than the Dodge magnum V-8's but I'm hoping my stroker V-8 will make north of 400 HP & TQ. What I don't have is things like the 5,6 or 8 speed transmission option. And if you are following Tox's thread on his LS swap there is a lot more to it than some think.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...her-torque-a-streetable-lj-engine-swap.36240/
Or there is Motormick's thread on his LS swap.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/00-sahara-ls-conversion-with-nv3550-and-jk241or.34980/
So look thru all the info before you make your choices as there are plenty out there.
 
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Wildman said:
Okay with all the talking about V-8 swaps I know the Dodge magnum V-8 was discussed but Dodge dropped the Magnum V-8 line in 2003 with 2002 really being the -last year to find the 5.2 or 5.9 engines. So if you own a 2003-06 TJ and want to keep it emissions legal by Federal Standards you either have to do a Hemi or LS swap.

Here is a thread on JF with some good information:

https://tinyurl.com/y8voq59p


Businesses that offer parts for the Hemi swap:

https://redrock4wd.com/

https://redrock4wd.com/conversions
https://redrock4wd.com/v8-conversion-parts
https://jeepspeedshop.com/
https://jeepspeedshop.com/product-category/vehicle/tj-jeeps/
TeraFlex still offers just a few items for the swap.


https://teraflex.com/shop/category?category_0=Engine+&+Underhood
Another thread on JF of a person who did a Hemi Swap. Starts about page 95 in his build thread.

https://tinyurl.com/y99anjn3
I don't have a Hemi in my TJ because back when I was looking into engine swaps a take out Hemi was still $8-10K for a engine & tranny combo. Yes I would have loved to have a Hemi as they make more power STOCK than the Dodge magnum V-8's but I'm hoping my stroker V-8 will make north of 400 HP & TQ. What I don't have is things like the 5,6 or 8 speed transmission option. And if you are following Tox's thread on his LS swap there is a lot more to it then some think.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...her-torque-a-streetable-lj-engine-swap.36240/
Or there is Motormick's thread on his LS swap.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/00-sahara-ls-conversion-with-nv3550-and-jk241or.34980/
So look thru all the info before you make your choices as there are plenty out there.
Click to expand...

Wildman, Thank you for putting this together! Lots of good info!
 
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motomick76 said:
Wildman, Thank you for putting this together! Lots of good info!
Click to expand...

Just trying to help others out. Since there had been so much discussion about swapping the magnum V-8 I figured the Hemi needed a little exposure. Not discounting the LS swap but if I was to be doing a swap right now I'd be giving the Hemi a hard hard look right now.

One thing to note is that if you have a 2002 or older then you will also have to change out your dash to communicate with the Hemi engine.
 
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Chris said:
Any opinion on Red Rock conversion stuff vs Novak or others?
Click to expand...

From what I have heard as far as for the Hemi side things Red Rock is suppose to be REALLY good. But I don't have any first had experiance with either company.

For other items I have always used Advance Adapters. The headers, motor mounts and brass radiator I have for my Magnum V-8 swap are all from AA. I used their parts on a few of my other CJ's I've owned.

I think it just comes down to which company you choose and then I'd try to stick with them for parts as much as possible.

Didn't mean to make more work for you. Was just trying to share the other option since the magnum V-8 or LS seem to be all that has been discussed.
 
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Chris said:
Any opinion on Red Rock conversion stuff vs Novak or others?
Click to expand...

Red Rock has some good items- steering relocation kit for using headers on Hemi, and a nice book on the swap... I had problems with them on delivery of harness. after 6 months I told them to stuff it and moved on to JeepSpeed shop where I had just as bad of an experience... If I were to make 1 recomendation- use Chris at Hotwire Auto. They are the place for your harness needs and he will respond to emails and texts in a professional manner.
 
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Reelm n Rubi said:
Red Rock has some good items- steering relocation kit for using headers on Hemi, and a nice book on the swap... I had problems with them on delivery of harness. after 6 months I told them to stuff it and moved on to JeepSpeed shop where I had just as bad of an experience... If I were to make 1 recomendation- use Chris at Hotwire Auto. They are the place for your harness needs and he will respond to emails and texts in a professional manner.
Click to expand...

Great information, thanks for sharing this 👍
 
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.
 
Gassiper said:
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.
Click to expand...

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…
 
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MichaelGH said:
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…
Click to expand...

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.
 
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Gassiper said:
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.
Click to expand...

I can hardly wait to see the pictures in your build…
 
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Gollywomper said:
So a 98’ would need a cluster from a newer TJ and a fuel tank as well? Hemi is interesting.
Click to expand...

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…
 
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MichaelGH said:
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…
Click to expand...

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?
 
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Gollywomper said:
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?
Click to expand...

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…
 
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MichaelGH said:
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…
Click to expand...

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!
 
hardtailpan said:
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!
Click to expand...

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…
 
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