#1
Install your new oil pressure sending unit and water temperature sensor BEFORE you drop the motor in.
#2
The only header that will fit the 5.3L in an XJ is the Sanderson header sold by Novak Conversions.
#3
The only motor mount brackets on the market as of 06-07-10 are also from Novak.
#4
Although it s possible to adapt a GM gauge cluster to work in an XJ, the amount of time spent doing the wiring and modifying the dash is huge.
#5
Establishing and maintaining a good relationship with the local parts house will save you a lot of time and money.
#6
With the right adapter ring, you can indeed run a GM fuel pump assembly in your 97+ gas tank.
#7
Wiring in a new motor is not as complex as some believe, but basic understanding of electrical circuits is needed.
#8
A stock AW4 shifter can be modified to control a 4L60E transmission and maintain a stock appearance.
#9
Although the LSx truck intake makes more low end torque, the additional hood mods may not be desireable for some.
#10
Braided fuel lines are the simplest means of connecting the engine to the fuel tank. Yes they cost more but the time savings is immense.
#11
You don’t have to be a master fabricator to do this swap, but some basic skills are required.
#12
You don’t have to re-invent the wheel to do this swap….and you don’t have to do it alone either. Take the time to read about what others have done and use their mistakes and success stories to simplify your project.
1. Yes
2. I used the Pace Setter's that are CARB legal and spent around $800 getting them to work. If you don't live in CA, then get the Novak's
3. No brainer, they are very reasonable in cost.
4. Agreed, unless you have an older XJ.
5. OMG yes.
6. I'm running the '87 pump, did not touch it, all stock.
7. Yes, i ran the Howell kit so i cheated.
8. I ran a Winter shifter.
9. Engine sticking out of hood or large hood scoop = bad-ass.
10. Agreed, spend the money on quality hose, adapters avail on Amazon.
11. I don't even know how to weld.
!2. YES! You should spend twice the amount of time researching then what the actual swap will take.
Just read the entire thread as I'm considering a V8 in my 90.
I think i read this post like 2-3 times as well before i dove in. Frank Z and john D pioneered this swap, or at least documented it, HUGE help. I think i did 7 months of research and the swap took me about 4 months (for some idiotic reason i thought i was only going to need a month or so for the swap....HAHAHA!!!!)
It will prob be easier on the '90 as far as instrumentation goes. I did my swap on an '87 which was super easy. Oil pres is a no brainer. Coolant temp: V8 has 2 heads, 1 head outlet for the gm ecu and 1 for the Jeep cluster. Let me know if your running the factory RPM gauge, i have a very simple fix (not requiring a controller) for that (using the GM ecu signal coupled to the Jeep gauge). And if you use the advanced adapters 4L60E to NP231 it comes with a speed sensor for the GM ecu, so all you gotta do is leave the gauge pickup in the transfer case for your gauge.
My .02: Spend the money when it comes to pre-fabbed parts that will plug and play.