How To LS Swap Your TJ

[Wildman]

Ah my fault, I was trying to find info all over the internet about LS swaps etc but couldn’t pirate never popped up on my end, thank you

A Hemi swap is better. Just had to throw that in there...

Good luck with the swap. While I know it's COOL to have all that HP are you sure you need it in a short WB Jeep?

If you do a search on Pirate for TJ LS Swap you'll find a lot of threads on the subject.

 

[Rolled Over Rubi]

A Hemi swap is better. Just had to throw that in there...

Good luck with the swap. While I know it's COOL to have all that HP are you sure you need it in a short WB Jeep?

If you do a search on Pirate for TJ LS Swap you'll find a lot of threads on the subject.

I used to wanna do a hemi swap then I drove a 2023 SS Camaro. now yes its got the LT motor not the LS but damn was that thing fun. Always been a Camaro guy since I was young so I thought the LS would be best. Just something I grew up learning to work on as well. The rig will be used for daily but also a offroader on the weekends as well. the ls3 would be the wise choice if I ever did head work to it and a mild cam but I knew at some point id probably wish I had an LSA with the supercharger it comes with. I’d most likely leave it stock but if I ever wanted to I could port the charger, heads, and call it a day. In the end it’d be a great mix for both hobbies I enjoy

 

[Rickyd]

I used to wanna do a hemi swap then I drove a 2023 SS Camaro. now yes its got the LT motor not the LS but damn was that thing fun. Always been a Camaro guy since I was young so I thought the LS would be best. Just something I grew up learning to work on as well. The rig will be used for daily but also a offroader on the weekends as well. the ls3 would be the wise choice if I ever did head work to it and a mild cam but I knew at some point id probably wish I had an LSA with the supercharger it comes with. I’d most likely leave it stock but if I ever wanted to I could port the charger, heads, and call it a day. In the end it’d be a great mix for both hobbies I enjoy

The supercharged LT is almost too much for a camaro on race tires. You know when you need to roll in easy at 80 to keep it planted it's a serious car!

I can't imagine one in a tj!

 

[Wildman]

I used to wanna do a hemi swap then I drove a 2023 SS Camaro. now yes its got the LT motor not the LS but damn was that thing fun. Always been a Camaro guy since I was young so I thought the LS would be best. Just something I grew up learning to work on as well. The rig will be used for daily but also a offroader on the weekends as well. the ls3 would be the wise choice if I ever did head work to it and a mild cam but I knew at some point id probably wish I had an LSA with the supercharger it comes with. I’d most likely leave it stock but if I ever wanted to I could port the charger, heads, and call it a day. In the end it’d be a great mix for both hobbies I enjoy

I get it. We all have our choices and I used to be a SBC guy in CJ's but I'm just not a fan of the LS in Tj. I'd really look at putting a LSA into a TL. It'd be like doing a 6.2 Hemi. There is such a thing as too much HP for a TJ.
The 6.7 Magnum I built would have been a lot of engine but I had a torquer cam in it and wasn't trying to make a ton of HP.
Like Rickyd said it's a lot of motor for a Camero with tires that are made for that power.
I'd do a 5.3 or a 6.0 first and see what think. You can always add the supercharger.

 

[Rolled Over Rubi]

The supercharged LT is almost too much for a camaro on race tires. You know when you need to roll in easy at 80 to keep it planted it's a serious car!

I can't imagine one in a tj!

Would definitely be a rowdy little thing

 

[Rolled Over Rubi]

I get it. We all have our choices and I used to be a SBC guy in CJ's but I'm just not a fan of the LS in Tj. I'd really look at putting a LSA into a TL. It'd be like doing a 6.2 Hemi. There is such a thing as too much HP for a TJ.
The 6.7 Magnum I built would have been a lot of engine but I had a torquer cam in it and wasn't trying to make a ton of HP.
Like Rickyd said it's a lot of motor for a Camero with tires that are made for that power.
I'd do a 5.3 or a 6.0 first and see what think. You can always add the supercharger.

Yeah you’re probably right, as cool as it would be to run the LSA it may just be to much motor, even for the jeep. And like you said I could always supercharge the ls3, I just need figure out what all needs to be done to that ls3 if I do end up going that route, wether I need forged internals or switch up compression rations etc.

 

[Wildman]

Yeah you’re probably right, as cool as it would be to run the LSA it may just be to much motor, even for the jeep. And like you said I could always supercharge the ls3, I just need figure out what all needs to be done to that ls3 if I do end up going that route, wether I need forged internals or switch up compression rations etc.

Even with my iron block with the aluminum heads I can drop a supercharger on the Hemi without doing anything internally to it. So I'd think you should be able to do the same on a LS but I don't know.

 

[Apparition]

Yeah you’re probably right, as cool as it would be to run the LSA it may just be to much motor, even for the jeep. And like you said I could always supercharge the ls3, I just need figure out what all needs to be done to that ls3 if I do end up going that route, wether I need forged internals or switch up compression rations etc.

My crate LS3 in my garage for my LJ is 495 HP. I’d look at all the accessories you need to run on the engine and see if it will work with an LSA.

The same package LSA vs LS3 like I bought looks to be another $5k for the extra 60 HP and 78 lb ft.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

… There is such a thing as too much HP for a TJ. …

Did you hit your head, Richardo?

 

[Rolled Over Rubi]

My crate LS3 in my garage for my LJ is 495 HP. I’d look at all the accessories you need to run on the engine and see if it will work with an LSA.

The same package LSA vs LS3 like I bought looks to be another $5k for the extra 60 HP and 78 lb ft.

so it might be more worthwhile to go LS3, adding the supercharger later in future would probably end up pushing more hp and torque than the LSA might, idk id have to look more into it. if i did go LSA i could port out the heads and supercharger lol

 

[Apparition]

so it might be more worthwhile to go LS3, adding the supercharger later in future would probably end up pushing more hp and torque than the LSA might, idk id have to look more into it. if i did go LSA i could port out the heads and supercharger lol

I likely would go with the 430 HP LS3 if I was going to supercharge it.

One of the basketball coaches for my daughter has a truck that you can tell was more than meets the eye. I asked him what the hell he had under the hood. He said it was a LS 5.3 with a procharger that he bought off marketplace for $2500. He had a shop tune it and was making over 600 to the wheels, he'd been running it for a couple years. There are lots of options with the LS platform just depends on your needs and budget.

 

[XCRN]

To update, I am hoping ill have some hands-on Gen V and 6L80 information in the next few months. Though not a V8, the LV1/3 4.3 V6 is practically the same swap as the Gen V LT engines except for mounts (could also end up being the same). Picking up a brand new LV1 today from GM and returning an old core I had lying around. Upcoming project is LV1 with 6L80 and NP242J transfer-case which will use the same adaption parts as a 231J. I have all the main parts and some smaller parts from other LS swaps (engine, trans core, transfercase). Not sure when the swap will happen but I am hoping to make it quick so I can enjoy the Lj for what its intended for.

 

[XCRN]

Got the new engine unloaded, what a PITA trying to push a hoist through 6in of ice so I just used the winch and my TJ as an anchor point to pull it in.



Doing research on Gen V fueling and being able to use the PWM fuel pump. It sounds to be preferable to run a return-less PWM is for increased efficiency and extend the pump life. The FP housing to tank gasket (reference Spectra LO186) is the same between a 2016ish Silverado and the 05-06 TJ and the Silverado housing looks like it would drop right into the 05-06 TJ tank, but I bought an 04 Genright LJ Safari tank so I cannot verify if getting a factory PWM pump setup would be that easy when I do the swap on the LJ. I MIGHT eventually do a Gen V 5.3 in the TJ that does currently run a 05-06 tank so I could try then to see. The fuel level sending unit ohms are a bit different but there might be some resistance converter boxes for this.



There might be options for 04 and older tanks. Supposedly the Aeromotive A340 is PWM capable and it sounds like it can be installed in a TJ FP housing, but the thing that needs to be figured out is the PWM setup in a factory application has a safety relief valve to prevent an over pressure scenario. I think the PWM pump at full power runs around 70ish PSI so possibly run a regulator bypass like Novak’s and use an external regulator that is rated for 80ish PSI that goes back to the return.

 

[XCRN]

Figured I would would follow up some of the progress on the Gen V swap. Pretty much only been collecting parts before tariffs and price increases start. It is shocking how much GM Genuine parts, specifically 6L80 rebuild parts come from China and Canada. But one of the parts that came in was the @NovakConversions 6L80 adapter. It is a beautiful machined piece! So I called them up and ordered a stripped down kit since I have the transfer case input shaft needed already and its just one way to save money if you already have some of the parts. But regardless the machining on this adapter is purdy and it’s a shame it wont be too visible when installed. But no real new progress yet, but I have spent like 75% of the money needed for the swap the way I plan to do it which is considerably higher than what I did with the Gen 3 LS (currently budgeting around $9000) but I could most certainly do it cheaper using different components and maybe not rebuilding/replacing everything.

 

[NovakConversions]

But one of the parts that came in was the @NovakConversions 6L80 adapter. It is a beautiful machined piece! So I called them up and ordered a stripped down kit since I have the transfer case input shaft needed already and its just one way to save money if you already have some of the parts. But regardless the machining on this adapter is purdy and it’s a shame it wont be too visible when installed.

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Thanks for the complements!!! Glad to see you making progress.

-Dustin

 

[Shank]

Figured I would would follow up some of the progress on the Gen V swap. Pretty much only been collecting parts before tariffs and price increases start. It is shocking how much GM Genuine parts, specifically 6L80 rebuild parts come from China and Canada. But one of the parts that came in was the @NovakConversions 6L80 adapter. It is a beautiful machined piece! So I called them up and ordered a stripped down kit since I have the transfer case input shaft needed already and its just one way to save money if you already have some of the parts. But regardless the machining on this adapter is purdy and it’s a shame it wont be too visible when installed. But no real new progress yet, but I have spent like 75% of the money needed for the swap the way I plan to do it which is considerably higher than what I did with the Gen 3 LS (currently budgeting around $9000) but I could most certainly do it cheaper using different components and maybe not rebuilding/replacing everything.

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That looks to be of far better quality than the adapter I purchased elsewhere (granted different application and mine will work just fine).

 

[XCRN]

That looks to be of far better quality than the adapter I purchased elsewhere (granted different application and mine will work just fine).

I was looking at other kits as well but the Novak seemed like a cleaner piece to use and I feel like other companies would not be willing to sell a stripped down kit like what Novak did when I called them.

 

[Shank]

Something showed up ahead of schedule. I believe I am about 1 week behind my original plan unfortunately.

 

[Shank]

View attachment 599904
Something showed up ahead of schedule. I believe I am about 1 week behind my original plan unfortunately.

Totally posted this in the wrong thread, oh well.

 

[Kay_kiwilee]

Engines

First thing to consider is what motor and transmission do you want to run. Definitely go into this project knowing what you want out of it, daily driver, rock crawler, mud rig, overlander, etc. This will help you narrow down what engine and trans combo you should go with. There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding an engine. There are 2 generation of LS engines, gen 3 and 4. And there is also the Gen 5 LT direct injection engines which I want to touch on as well since ill be working on one soon I hope. Gen 3 engines also come in drive by wire and drive by cable. There are ways to convert a DBW to DBC but that is beyond the scope of this write up. You ideally will want a DBC setup since it is easier to adapt the universal throttle cable to a Jeep pedal and a LS throttle than it is to mount a DBW chevy pedal to the Jeep. All gen 4 engines are DBW but I do not know anything about converting them to DBC but I think it is possible. Gen 5 engines absolutly require the use of a DBW setup, and as of right now no one has converted these engines to DBC. There are plenty of people who do LS TJ swaps with DBW and eventually ill update this with how to do so when I try this my self.

Engine Mounts

I have only used the Novak weld on mounts but have done tons of research on different manufacturers as well. I went Novak because at the time, they were the only one advertising that you do not need a suspension lift or body lift to use their mounts and that appealed to me since I was keeping my Jeep somewhat stock in that regard. But there are certainly a lot of other companies that make quality mounts. I have my gripes with the Novak mounts, but they work and they do have engine mounting plates for Gen 5 engines that use their frame side mounts.

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With the Novak mounts, in their instructions they said to cut some of the pinch welds at the trans opening. I do not think I had to with a Jeep manual using a Jeep bellhouse, but would likely had to with a larger auto trans and it looks to be needed for the Quick Draw Brand bellhouse that is closer is size to a GM bellhouse. You can see marked in red what I had to cut. I then put a coat of seam sealer over top since it cut into the tub and then painted over top.

View attachment 486248

A note about the steering shaft. The Novak weld one mounts require cutting the steering shaft support mount off and they supply a new bracket that relocates it and spaces it away from the engine a little bit. I messed up with placement of engine and it was too close to the driver side so I had to REALLY space the steering shaft away. Supposedly the Holley mounts do not require relocacting the steering shaft support.

I have also been looking into the Holley mounts for my next Gen 5 project so stay tuned and ill document more on the Gen 5 mounts. They are a bolt on, then weld on mount. The nice thing is they use I believe a factory F-body LS1 engine isolator for gen 3 and 4 engines that again can be picked up at a local autoparts store. The gen 5 engines uses the same frame side mount but a slightly different isolator mount that is based on the LS1 mount. Just follow the directions and things will turn out fine.

https://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/engine-mounts/mmtj-g/

https://www.holley.com/products/eng...and_crossmembers/engine_mounts/parts/VK090181

https://davescustomsunlimited.com/jeep-tj-ls-series-and-gen-iii-conversion-engine-mounts/



Engine Accessories

For this one it is very simple. Stock truck accessories work great except for the AC. You probably got a $500 truck motor and what came on that will work great. With the AC (if you want it) it will have to be moved up high or you will need to notch the frame. I had both a plain truck accessory setup and a Trail Blazer SS setup which is the same other than it uses a different pump. I am working on a custom bracket that moves the PS pump higher since mine was acting as a bump stop while at the dunes but will allow more off the shelf parts like PS hoses.
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Oil Pans

This is also very simple. You can be cheap and use the truck pan your motor likely came with. Only draw back is it is deeper than the other pans out there. F-body has also been known to work and the Holley pans are also good (but expensive options). I personally like the Hummer H3 5.3 oil pan which is commonly advertised as the muscle car oil pan. Price point is reasonable, easily able to source, sump is not very long and also half the depth of the truck pan and the edges of the sump are very round to help with exhaust routing. First picture is the H3 pan, second picture is comparing the truck pan to a Holley 301-2 pan.

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What was the oil pick up tube you used for the hummer oil pan?