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XJ LM7 5.3 swap

indian

NAXJA Forum User
I decided to start this thread because it can help someone. I got a lot of inspiration from other's threads like from racer32, John D, PhotoJared, Frank Z, Jeff 98XJ WI, etc.. I would like to thank all the XJ LS swapers. Excuse my english.

My XJ is a 2001 sport. I put a M62 supercharger in it to get more power, but I was not very satisfied. Then I put a comp cam 232-4, piggyback ecu, wideband, headers but the results was poor for the effort. So I decided to go the LS route because I knew the engine from Corvette and I very like the V8 sound and torque production.

Now I am at the middle of the swap. (I hope).

This swap began in Feb 2017 when I got the package from ebay:
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then I pulled the old engine out:
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which one is better?
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but when I took the old truck intake I got a bad feeling about the LM7 (156k miles) engine
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and my frustration was bigger and bigger
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the engine was full of carbon buildups
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so I continued to the bottom end and without any surprise it was full of rust and carbon
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the rod bearings destroyed
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cleaning and rebuilding of the engine:
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new exhaust valves
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new valves seals
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old springs, retainers cleaned
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heads ready to instal
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crank bearings left some marks on tha crankshaft
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hope this will work
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most engine parts ready
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honing the cylinder
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should be OK
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assembling the bottom end
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installing the oil temperature sensor for my VDO oil temp gauge
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Jeep oil pressure sensor for the OEM jeep cluster
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a little bit longer adapter for the Jeep coolant temp sensor
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thanks Racer32 I bought the Camaro 99 headers
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for the fuel delivery I decided to use the sending unit from the diesel XJ (has inlet and outlet without regulator) and combined it with the 4.0 fuel pump. regulator is GM on the rails
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I bought the russel fuel lines and adapters:
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lowered the truck fuel rail crossover line
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some clearance issues with throttle body and water pump outlet. slighty bended and looks OK
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test fitting of the intake hose with MAF
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other VDO oil temp sensor for the 4L60e
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engine and tranny together again
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swapping the input gear and planetery gear from the NV246 to the NV231
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for the VSS I reused the 37 teeth ring from NV246 and placed it into the NV231. I will then reprogram the ECU to count the 37 teeth (stock VSS is 40 teeth ring)
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the GM VSS sensor adapted into the NV231
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many thanks Racer32 for the adapter ring specs
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Wow Peter looks great so far! Glad the adapter worked for you. Looking forward to more :)
 
end of May 2017 - LM7 first (hopefully last) install
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transmission mount
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engine mounts - I welded some universal LS mounts to the stock Jeep mounts
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manifold to mount clearance - passanger side
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manifold to mount clearance - driver side
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Last edited:
I hope you replaced the knock sensors while you have the engine apart.
Apologies if I missed that.
 
modified jeep throttle cable bracket:
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very custom modified jeep transmission cable bracket :looney:
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I only grind the last detent and it shifts through all the gear without any problems
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transfer case shifter linkage (it will be welded and painted)
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Nice looking good!
 
I checked the clearance between oil pan and front axle and I think I am very tight. the engine is too low. At full drop the steering stabilizer bolt hits the oil pan:
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I made bigger bumpstops and cut the bolt:
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oil pan to axle very tight at full drop:
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other option is to buy a flat steel oil pan. or any other suggestions?

and with the parts to EU it is not a big problem except I have to wait longer and pay a import fees. yesterday I got a very nice package:
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IIRC there are a couple vendors over at the pirate4x4 forums that make aftermarket 'shallow' pans with added baffles.
Pacific fab comes to mind.
 
I like this ICT accessory bracket kit, because of short belt, no idler, no tensioner only manual turnbuckle tensioner, very nice product, easy instal:
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tight clearence but OK:
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one thing I have to do is cut the steering pump spacer about 15 mm (0.59") because the old Jeep pump has other distance of the pulley than camaro pump:
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That doesn't seem to be much engagement on the waterpump or crank pulleys.
 
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