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5.2/5.9L magnum swap and info

86K views 39 replies 8 participants last post by  ckn412 
#1 ·
Hi everyone, I have decided to try and swap in a v8 magnum into my jeep. I will do my best to document the whole process, from research all the way to the trails again:D
This thread is for anyone who is curious or knowledgeable about this swap. So please no engine bashers or alpha posters! I hope everybody finds this thread helpful, thanks!

Ok so from what I have read the magnum engines are overall the simplest and cheapest engine to swap in to a jeep, compared to 350's, hemi's, ls's, etc.
Also a donor vehicle is highly recommended to keep the cost of the swap down.
This is a very good list of donors ---> http://www.hotwireauto.com/?page=mopar-eng

Some other great websites to check out are:
pt. 1 http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/engine/154_1107_jeep_wrangler_tj_59l_magnum_v8_swap/
pt. 2 http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/engine/154_1108_swap_a_magnum_v8_into_a_jeep_wrangler/
First hand account
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/who-has-5-9l-swap-how-do-you-like-1301700/

Now I'll leave all technical mumbo jumbo to the better informed!

Side note I'm 16 so we will just see how difficult this really is:rolleyes:
 
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#4 ·
Seeing as you have a 97 Wrangler with a CCD computer system you could find a 96-2001 Ram truck with either a 5.2 or 5.9 in it. It has the same CCD computer system.Myself I would go auto but that is up to you.
 
#5 ·
Oh yeah I never considered going manual (it's already an auto so no need to complicate stuff anymore than needed) was just throwing that out there for anyone that was going that route, but would the ram need to be a 4x4? Also what about anything to do with the t-case?
 
#9 ·
OK Now my swap was a little different then what you will be doing. I opted to use the entire Dodge wiring harness, cluster and steering column, axles, motor and trans but I kept my NP231 Tcase.

For mounting the motor I used Advanced adapters 5.2/5.9 engine mount kit. http://www.advanceadapters.com/products/pn-713095/

For my Radiator I used Oconee offroad conversion radiator http://www.oconeeoffroad.com/servlet/the-24060/Jeep-Wrangler-1987-thru/Detail

On my radiator hoses I just used universal flex hoses as nothing else fit.

Many say you need block hugger headers but it must be different for different Dodge years because the factory headers on the 5.9 fit fine.

For my fuel delivery I used these parts

Tank side fuel filter - G-2 Filter Fram I had one but they seem to be harder to get and I would personally look for a metal filter, this one is plastic.
Fuel Pump - Airtex E2000 got mine at autozone, these are made for an older Ford van
Motor side Fuel Filter - FF832 with fuel return and pessure regulator I think this is off a Jeep liberty.
Throttle cable - Stock 96 Dodge 2500 This fit right onto my pedal assy and the motor.

Exhaust I used the stock truck to the cat and after the last O2 sensor I put my 40 series flowmaster and a down pipe and that is it.

My air filter I used the Edelbrock low pro and it cleared my hood by about 1/2".

I used the 46RE trans out of the truck with a tranny cooler and a 60" Winters shift cable and had to make my own brackets. I am still having problems with my set up and will likely upgrade to a floor shifter in the future.

On my Tcase I used my stock one since they were both 23 spline but I put on an SYE and built my own rear driveshaft from a 99 Grand cherokee front shaft and just lengthend my front one.

I had to make my own Trans mount.

The 5.9 measured about 2 inches shorter then my 4.2 and the trans measured about 2 inches longer so it all fit pretty well in there and it almost looks like it was made for it.

If have any particular questions feel free to ask and I will help where I can.

Being 16 I think it is great that you are willing to take on a project like this. It will be a learning experience with a great reward the first time you fire that thing up.
 
#10 ·
http://jeepspeedshop.com/
Check out this site. He's done around 150 Hemi-Conversion. There's a part section for TJ Hemi Conversions. Might get some ideas from his site. It's always exciting to go to his shop and see the new projects he's working on. Start to Finish is about 13,000. Includes low mileage motor & tranny. His personal TJ is almost done HEMICON,

97 5.7l truck Hemi Emissions Legal. (California)
 

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#19 ·
Thanks! You might be able to reuse your factory Trans mount with a little modification. I was going to incorperate the dodge set up in mine but it was either borrowed or made it to the scrap yard and by then it was too late. Even if you have o make a new one it is really simple.

Gearing, I have dana 60 axles and 4:10 gearing with 37's and I feel it is under geared. I would like somewhere closer to 5:. If I were running 33's or even 35's I would probably be quite happy with it.
 
#20 ·
Yeah, right now i have 33s with 3.73s and that setup sucks. Almost anytime I'm cruising and have to accelerate i down shift or on any kind of hill i down shift. Not to mention i get about 12 mpgs on a good tank. So i was hoping that my gearing right now would be ok with the bigger engine. Would save me about $1300.
What kind of mileage are you getting anyways?
 
#23 ·
Your gearing would only get better with a larger motor and more horse power, if you are running the dana 35 rear axle you will probably not be for long. Any other axle may hold up better to the added power. In that case you could always do an 8.8 swap for a few hundred bucks.

My mileage on the highway is 20 or better, surface streets it drops quite a bit but mainly because I have a lead foot. I hear the 5.2 will give much better results in the mileage dept.
 
#25 ·
I plan to either buy a bolt in 8.8 from ecgs with a Detroit already installed or do the explorer swap. And my dad is a mechanical engineer at the university and he works with a guy that can weld for me, but i personally don't know how to weld or have a welder. So hopefully he can help out!

So would you recommend my gearing for the 360? Sorry for all of the questions.
 
#30 ·
I plan to run 35s locked on 5in lift (3.25sl and 1.75 bl) with flat flares. The wheeling around here its mostly trails with thick mud. Not much rocks, but there are some washouts that are pretty cool.
Was there a particular reason you wanted the 5.2 over the 5.9?
 
#31 ·
I plan to run 35s locked on 5in lift (3.25sl and 1.75 bl) with flat flares. The wheeling around here its mostly trails with thick mud. Not much rocks, but there are some washouts that are pretty cool.
Was there a particular reason you wanted the 5.2 over the 5.9?
 
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