5.7 VVT Hemi Conversion for my JK

I'd call the shop in Petaluma to see what they'd charge if you provided the engine.



Did you get the tranny too? I believe the 5.7 conversion requires the engine/Tranny and an Atlas T-case.



Also, your engine will have the MDS if that truck had an auto. MDS will get you 18-20 MPG under regular driving conditions.



I bet there are people here on this board that would buy your Rubicon case from you - Kevin - John - Josh.



I'd be interested in helping, especially if I may end up with the engine at some point. However, I just don't have the time currently.



Sounds like a great project! Take pics!

I'd be willing to help with the swap. Would be a fun project! How about if you removed the engine/tranny, THEN took it to the shop for the build? Might save some cost and still get a pro install???

Nice!



Here are couple links I just stumbled onto. Sorry if you already came across them.



http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22055



http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59687



http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3373

"BKGM Jeepers" wrote: I bet there are people here on this board that would buy your Rubicon case from you - John

4 to 1 is not required for mall crawling or running the kids to soccer practice 😁

"BKGM Jeepers" wrote:

I bet there are people here on this board that would buy your Rubicon case from you - Kevin - John - Josh!

For the right price yes. I can help on your build. I need the practice for my own rig. Can't help to much until after April 17 though do to work.

It comes with the engine, ECU, harness, and Automatic Tranny the truck was a 4wd. It does not require a different transfer case although that is not a bad idea. Maybe down the road.



I have heard mixed reviews with JSS in Petaluma. The cost is the same as having Scott do it so I would prefer to do it locally.



I am hoping to do at least some of it myself. I'm just not sure I have the room in the garage for something like this. Not to mention I have limited time (nights and weekends) it could take me over a month if I do it myself.



I'll keep you posted and take lots of Pics!



Huck

That's AWESOME!!! Good luck. I'd love to help, but I'd pretty much be a tool grabber.

"finder_87" wrote: I'd pretty much be a tool grabber.

That's always my job too 😁

"huck271" wrote:
I have heard mixed reviews with JSS in Petaluma. The cost is the same as having Scott do it so I would prefer to do it locally.

Is the cost he quoted or the cost that shows up on the final invoice the same? 🙄

Maybe we could do a couple of "mini" work parties. For example, we have a party to pull your motor and tranny/T-case. Then you install all the brackets, adapters and the new ECU. Then we have another party to get your new motor/tranny in. Then you do the finish work and your done?



I've looked in to this before (for both a TJ and my JK).

Petaluma was $13K turnkey for re-using my tcase and with a manual (but no MDS like an auto has).

Scott was $25K.

The complete kit from AEV was about $6K, but I couldn't find a motor/ECU/manual tranny for under $5K, unless I drove out of state to pick up up (for about $3K). Why pay 11K for the parts when I could pay 13K to have it done, unless I want the experience? If I could get a steal on the motor/tranny/ECU. I'd be up for a garage job - or I could do it on the side of my house without problems.



I

"Bender" wrote: Is the cost he quoted or the cost that shows up on the final invoice the same? 🙄

Been there, done that...won't go back there again.

The work party is a possibility. All things equal here is what I found.



Petaluma

Kit $4500 http://jeepspeedshop.com/index.php?page ... &Itemid=26

Labor $4000





Scott

Aev Kit $5500

Labor $4000



So the cost difference is in the kit. With Scott in the backyard for support issues. I am really inclined to use him. Not to mention I am so happy with my lift kit install and he has always serviced any concerns I have quickly.



Another point to note is the AEV kit comes with a factory like harness and ECU and new Radiator. The JSS kit charges an additional $700 for the radiator and the harness is the factory Hemi harness rewired. If you add the radiator to the above quote the kits are close to the same, with AEV being the more reputable brand.



Huck

Jeep speed shop implies the ECU is part of their kit. Is it also part of the AEV kit? I didn't think so. Many people on this board have been burned with Scott's variable pricing. That includes me, but I do like the quality of his work and have figured ways to manage his budget challenge.



If the price were close, I would use Scott as well, but his turnaround may be quite a bit longer than the petaluma shop.



Could you PM me the details on your motor? How you got it? What research you did? How much? What was included? Etc.?



I may start saving and get the parts little by little. Especially now that I have extra room in my garage for a motor on a stand.

Gotta ask how much did you pick up the Hemi for???

FWIW i would contact Todd at Jeep Speed Shop in Petaluma. He’s a good guy and I’m pretty sure he can get you set up for way less than 9000 for the install and he has experience with getting it Cal smog legal

"BKGM Jeepers" wrote: Many people on this board have been burned with Scott's variable pricing.

Yes, Yes we have 😈

From Jeep speed:

If you own a ’07-’08 Jeep JK and would like to get Hemi power under the hood but don’t want to spend a fortune, look no further.

Jeep Speed Shop of Petaluma, California developed a kit that allows end users an affordable alternative to existing Hemi conversions. The system was developed to greatly simplify the conversion process, allowing shade-tree mechanics and home-based builders a cost-effective way to swap in a 5.7L Hemi engine in place of the 3.8L V6. The kit shown here includes all the parts needed to perform the conversion and sells for just $3,500.

(Pic coming soon!)

In addition to offering the conversion kit, Jeep Speed Shop also offers low mileage used 5.7L Hemi engines mated to 545RFE automatic transmissions for just $3,500.





On top of that, you can have the conversion experts at Jeep Speed Shop perform your JK Hemi swap for an additional $3,500 in labor. The best part of this setup is the fact that Jeep Speed Shop has been working with the California Air Resources Board to secure a E.O. number for this kit, making it the only JK Hemi conversion to be Smog legal in California.



10,500 for a turnkey smog legal 5.7 Install. This is cheaper than I had thought. Jason, since you have the motor/tranny, your install is 7K.

Unfortunately that won't work for my jeep, mine is a 2010, the prices quoted is for a pre VVT Hemi install 2007-2009 models. The VVT hemi (which comes in 2010 and newer Dodges/Jeeps) is more, the kit is more and the install is more. The install from JSS for a VVT Hemi is 4500(kit) + 700(radiator) + 4000(labor) = 10,200 plus what I gave for my engine/tranny. BTW that $3500 Hemi/Tranny price is for a non VVT Hemi with some miles. The one I picked up has 2 miles on it (practically crate). The VVT produces quite abit more horsepower and has VVT which should allow for some better mpgs.



I have reviewed all the kits and I believe the AEV kit to be the most factory appearing option. With all that said I may end up going with th JSS kit, as the AEV works better with the Cherokee motor than the Ram. The main differences between the two motors being the Ram Hemi has a taller air intake (part of the reason it produces more hp) and larger manifolds and larger front accessories. This translates into needing to be mounted about an inch lower than the Cherokee engine. The AEV kit has fitment issues with the Ram motor because of this. The JSS and Burnsville kits both put the engine about an inch lower and about a half inch farther back to allow more clearance.



In reference to Scotts estimating and final bills I haven't had much of an issue in that department. He estimated about 40-50 hours to do the install. All other costs are constants. I bought the motor myself and I plan on buying the kit and any other items needed directly. Honestly if I had access to a lift/garage for a couple of weeks I would try it myself. From what I have read there is not much welding (engine mounts) and its not pulling the motor and putting the new one in place that is the hard part, its all the details and final plumbing and if called for troubleshooting issues that can get you.



If it doesn't come together quickly it will be put on hold until after MAOB. Don't want to miss my trip over this.



I got the motor from LKQCORP.COM. I saw them selling other engine/tranny combos on ebay. The motor I picked up is out of 2012 that was vandalized on the dealer lot and is now being parted out. It comes with the VVT 5.7 Hemi, Harness, ECU, Transmission (for a 4wd). Something to note, the newer (2011+) 6 speed transmission requires a sending unit from a 2010 transmission to function correctly so that is an odds/end part that has to get thrown into the mix.



I'll keep track of the bills and take pics for future reference.



Huck

Thanks for the info Huck.



My jeep is an 08, but I'd still probably want the 2010 VVT motor. I've heard that the manual from the Ram is neary identical to the manual from my jeep. The VVT gives better performance, but it's the MDS which will get you the better mileage. My manual will not have that. I've got the budget to grab a motor or the conversion kit, but not both. I think landing the specific motor/tranny will enable me to order the specific kit rather than the other way around. My project would probably not be until next spring, if I start saving now for it...

First pics of the beast getting packaged for shipment. Should be here next week!



Huck

Attached files

Jealous.

Hemi Conversion Update



The motor is here, the kit will be here this week. I ended up going with the BOR kit. After further research and talking to a few people with Hemi's thier kit seemed to be the best choice. Also ordered a new hood for heat reduction purposes. And the battery box section is for a dual battery setup. I wanted the option down the road to add a second battery.



I was suprised(not that suprised) to learn that even after the motor and kit were ordered there were some odds and ends parts from Mopar that needed to be ordered. I am keeping receipts(yet hiding them from the wife) so I will have the grand total when it is all said and done.



I'm not removing a bolt until I have every part needed in my hand. I don't want to take the chance we get halfway through the conversion and find out we are missing something that is on back-order 30 days and I can't go to MOAB.



With that said it looks like next week will be the week to do this assuming everything shows up this week as expected.



Wish me luck...BTW Anyone need a V6 looks like I am going to have an extra one 😀 ??



Huck

Take pics!

When's Moab? Seems like projects never go like they should. I sure hope you can get it done for Moab.

"finder_87" wrote: When's Moab? Seems like projects never go like they should. I sure hope you can get it done for Moab.

March 30th