Found this LS1 conversion in a Cherokee
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 9
From: Paso Robles Ca
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Its funny that you say that because I have spent weeks figuring everything out for the conversion to do it in my xj, the aluminum LS is almost 100 pounds lighter than the stock 4.0 and the cast iron LQ9 is ten pounds heavier. So you add ten pounds and double the horsepower and torque....sounds good to me. Throw the 4L60E with a shift kit and some upgrades behind it and a nice gear to gear t-case, you have yourself one hell of a ride. 
Novak-adapt.com <--almost everything you need.
Novak-adapt.com <--almost everything you need.
why go with the heavier LQ9 block
is it better in some way other than the aluminum vs steel argument
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Well at least stronger axles and gears in the stock setup would last on the street, maybe awhile on the trail, but yeah if you had the money after everything else in the conversion then bigger, badder front and rear diffs would be best.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
The LQ9 is only 10 maybe 15 pounds heavier so its not like its a big deal. But cast-iron blocks are usually stronger so thats why you would choose it over the aluminum block. The only thing I haven't been able to figure out is what companies can help with the wiring aspect of this. I know you can take the complete harness, ECM, PCM, and instrument panel out of the donor vehicle and rig it up but I was looking more towards having a wiring harness that would plug into the stock jeep computer so it will still run the stock instrument panel (because of the microprocessor) and use the GM PCM to run the transmission. Anyone find out information on this please let me know!!
Seasoned Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Nor Cal
Year: Gone but not forgotten
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Beautiful set up , but what did he do to reinforce the subframe to handle the additional weight / torque of the ls motor? A freind of mine put a 454 in his tore the subframe in 3 min.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
The LQ9 is only 10 maybe 15 pounds heavier so its not like its a big deal. But cast-iron blocks are usually stronger so thats why you would choose it over the aluminum block. The only thing I haven't been able to figure out is what companies can help with the wiring aspect of this. I know you can take the complete harness, ECM, PCM, and instrument panel out of the donor vehicle and rig it up but I was looking more towards having a wiring harness that would plug into the stock jeep computer so it will still run the stock instrument panel (because of the microprocessor) and use the GM PCM to run the transmission. Anyone find out information on this please let me know!!
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
I know digging up a dinosaur here but theres not alot of ls1 swap info out there unless you want to spend alot of money for novak stuff and I'm a big diy kind of guy and so is brenden at lt1swap.com he's help me do some custom swaps and I just want people to know its doable on a budget
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,952
Likes: 17
Model: Cherokee
You obviously have never swapped in an LS Motor into anything, much less an XJ...I have.
So please don't post drivel that is wrong on oh so many levels.
Brenden's site is goldmine of information and it's free.
Not only did Brendon program my PCM to suit my needs, he did it less than a week and for a helluva price.
The man has forgotten more about wiring an LS or LT motor than you can imagine.
He also responded to all of my inquiries any time I hit a roadblock while wiring my rig and did so a polite a professional manner.