bigbadxj

Has anyone swapped in a LT1 V8 into their XJ or even seen one done? I can get a complete '94 Camaro LT1 right now for $300 and a extra one that needs rebuilt for $100. I will probably get them no matter what cause I love Chevy 350's (even though the LT1 has the dreaded opti-spark) But I have never swapped a V8 into a XJ let alone an LT1 so I have alot of questions. Like what tranny and TC would work with it, is there any adapters & motor mounts out there or would I have to make everything, and stuff like that.

TXstiGuy

Novak makes bolt in mounts but i think there only for Gen 3 block ie LS1 5.3L, 6.0L and you can use ax-15 tranny or gm style

mobilecherokee4

go to advanced adapters website they have everything you need

xjbones

i put a sbc 350 in a commanche....used novak mounts.....not an lt1 but there is some tranny tunnel work to be done!!

TXstiGuy

Not for motor mounts but transfercase or trans adapter yes there good too

bigbadxj

I worried about that cause I would not want to use the ax-15 cause it would not hold up under the 350-400ft/tq that I would want to get out of the engine. But I see LS1's all the time now? the lt1 is very similar in the way it would mount to a tranny. Would a 4l60e be to large for an XJ?

xjbones

i would say so.....it was hard putting a turbo 400 under the manche. had to build a new tunnel.....way worth the power!!!!!!

fastest jeep ive ever been in....smoked a wrx in 1/4 mile at test and tune. i was right around 375 hp. oh yeah, and on 35's

TXstiGuy

no not at all shoot over to novak they have a whole write up and alot of useful information. There also really nice guys I worked with them on my YJ project. One of there guys has a ls1 with 4L60e They also have weights and lengths 5.3L vortec 525lb 4.0L 515lbs 5.3L double the horsepower personally I'm going with the 6.0L and 4L60 hopefully with in the next couple of months

strikechords

haha they didnt have a golf clap smiley, but thats awesome. wrxs are FAST too, my friend got rid of his wrangler for one, its one hell of a car.

xjbones

sounds like it will be a sick set up!!!

4.3L XJ

4L60 or 4L60E or the 700R4 predecessor fits fine in the XJ. It is 4" shorter than the AW4. However you have to get the adaptor from Advance Adaptors. There is also the option of using the S10 transfer case, it has 5 bolts instead of 6 on the mounting ring, then you won't need an adaptor.. However it has a very long tail housing and I am not aware of any SYEs that will fit. Advance Adaptors adaptor for the 4L60 does address a weak tail shaft issue and uses only the 23 spline input on the NP231. So you need to come up with one of these. They sell the input gear for $190, or you can make me an offer on my tcase. It is sitting on the shop floor right now. AA also sells motor mounts for the Chevy V8, but does not for the cross member. So you have to fab that. AA also makes motor mounts. You will have to come up with a radiator, which will cost you more than the engines you will get. Several companies offer them. Anyway, the list goes on.

P.S. You will want to go through these trannies and put the right stuff in them to stand up. I used Russell Performance kevlar bands etc as well as Red Line synthetic oil.

hedbutter

some day when i have enough money to have a DD, buy a 454 for the caprice with a T56 6-speed, the LT1 will be rebuilt and put into the XJ, which at that time will have a chop top among many other crazy/ridiculous mods. Unfortunately, the chances of that happening are slim to none.

Back on subject, you could go with a T56 6-speed transmission from a Z28 camaro if you want a stick.

bigbadxj

I do have ALOT of experience with the Gen I-III engines and trans, just not in Jeeps. Some say that the trans will not fit some say they will I guess I'm going to have to get it together and see how it fis in one of the old parts XJ's at my buddies house. I Figured that AA & Nocak would have stuff I was just hoping to be able see some install pics from someone who has done one.

4.3L XJ

You can't see much, but here is my 4.3



One thing you might notice is that with the intake so close to the front of the motor, it is hard to find a place for a air horn. Most V8 mods just stick a air cleaner element there where it sucks hot air off the radiator.

Right ow, the only pics I have of the back of the tranny show the atlas, but not the tranny very well.

Maybe in a couple of days I can take a few pics of the tranny installed

bigbadxj

I was thinking also of using the NV4500 tranny, all the ads for them say they are bulletproof?