Cambo-8 (LS1 TJ)

[Cambo]

Happy Australia Day guys! I thought it was about time I shared my project with you fellow Jeep heads.

Here's where I'm at after countless hours of research (and a lot of $$):

The Jeep - Top half
I have bought SwampDonkey's original build. It's a Black '03 TJ with a 6 point roll cage, race seats, custom front and rear bars, dual batteries, ARB compressor etc etc etc

The Jeep - Bottom half
Solid HP D44 in the front with a Detroit locker and 35 spline Chromalloy Axles (I have since bought Ox uni joints for it).
Solid HP D60 in the back with an ARB air locker and 35 spline Chromalloy axles. The lockers will eventually be around the other way but this will do for now.
It has a custom long arm lift using Chromalloy control arms and Nissan bushes.
The Jeep currently has approx 4.5" lift with another 1.5" body lift and 37" Krawlers on 17" rims. I'm going to take the body lift out and fit brand new 35x14.5" Super Swamper Boggers on 15x10" rims (I already have the tyres but not the rims yet). I also have 35x12.5” MTZ’s which I’ll use as road wheels and for engineering.

Below are some pics of the Jeep as it sits now (I couldn't figure out how to put them throughout the thread) SwampDonkey did an awesome job with this thing)...

I'll replace the front guards with standard ones (anyone have some?).

Engine and transmission
LS1+ out of an '04 Monaro with 70,000 on the clock. It has 270kw of power and 500nm of torque standard (will be a bit more with a bigger exhaust)... Twice the power of the 4L!!!! :D
4L65E four-speed auto out of the same car and B&M Megashifter bolted onto the NV231 transfer case with an SYE kit using Novak adaptors. pic below

I already have everything (I think) for the complete running gear swap.

BIG Alloy radiator and Thermo fan from Novak - this thing will keep 600hp cool in all conditions. pic below

Bolt on engine mounts, custom fuel adaptor kit, block hugger extractors, Holden transmission to Jeep transfer case adaptor plate, transfer case mount, transmission cooling lines and more - all from Novak Adaptors in the States.

I have also sent my complete Monaro wiring loom and Jeep dash to Novak which has now been returned with a brand new custom programmed ECM so that it will all bolt together and work together.

My plan all along has been to buy as much bolt on stuff as possible so that when I go to do the engine swap I won't find myself spending days on customizing everything.

I have spoken to the engineer that I'm going to use.
My (first) exhaust system will have standard Holden cats as far forward as possible and a quiet muffler.
Brakes won't be an issue as I have big disk brakes front and back.
I'll keep the standard Holden pollution gear which, as long as the Jeep is lighter than the Monaro (which it is) will be fine.
I will have to do a swerve test which should be fine with some good stiff shockers.
I've got an ARB front bar and standard rear bar with mud flaps which will go on for engineering.
The one thing I'm not sure about is the roll cage has a cross member which goes across the bottom of the windscreen (against the dash) – any thoughts on whether this will pass VIC rules?

I’ve taken a week off to work on this thing full time at the end of Feb. I expect to have the engine in and running with tail shafts (will have to lengthen the rear and shorten the front). I’ll then send it to Al’s custom exhaust in Dandenong (he did a great job on my CJ5) for an exhaust system. The system will have a flange after the cats up the front – I will have two exhaust systems in the end (a legal one and a loud one).

I hope to have it fully built, engineered and ready for fun in VIC by end March.

I welcome any queries, questions or comments – have I forgotten anything!!??

Oh... And I have the number plate's "CAMBO-8"

[Richo]

Good work Cambo, in case you missed it I recently picked up a TJ from Qld with solid 44/60 combo and 4.7 stroker. After a lot of sorting by orig owner they work well, and are damned near unbreakable, unlike orig TJ diffs.

Let me know when you are done and we'll go for a wheel.

I saw this many times whilst DonkeyBoy had it, glad to know it will be on the road soon.

[itchy]

Good to see Jeremys beast back where it belongs........Vic.
Would be good to see yours and Lucas' out for a wheel sometime, any news on the Evil one?

Nice Build!

[fatfred]

sounds good. keep the pics coming

[itchy]

Think the rules state if it impares vision they'll shit-can it,dont think yours will pass or mine:)
Actually i think cages are illegal full stop, i might be wrong tho? ask your engineer he should know the ins and outs.

[Cambo]

Hey Richo - yeah that's a very nice Jeep you bought. I also spoke to Z to buy it after having some issues buying mine but you beat me to it!... As it turns out I ended up getting the black one and I'm very happy with it.

Itchy - Lucas's is down to the bare chassis at the moment - he wasn't happy with the suspension set up... should be back on the road soon. You might be right re the cage, I'll speak to the engineer and if I can't get it engineered I'll stick a standard bar on it to get it through.

Here's a pic of the radiator and roll cage bar across the windscreen

[Shauny B]

Hi there cambo, sounds like it's going to be a awesome build mate good luck with it.

[fatfred]

nice looking radiator, what are you doing to cool the tranny? a seperate cooler. keen to see your setup i have one to drop into my build as well.. what are you using for fuel pump?

[Cambo]

G'day Fred, my radiator is set up to cool the Tranny so I’ll just run lines to the radiator and back for now (I like the idea of this as there is less clutter under the bonnet and less things to go wrong). I’ll run a Trans temp gauge and if I find that this isn’t good enough I would like to try and use an A/C radiator as the Trans cooler – it sits nice and neat in front of the radiator (and protects the expensive radiator somewhat).

[itchy]

http://www.jegs.com/p/B-M/B-M-Hi-Tek-Cooling-System/751118/10002/-1

[Cambo]

OK - I worked on this all of last week. Successfully pulled the 4L out and I’ve now mounted the LS1 / 4L65E / NP231 permanently!! Took me a long time but I’ve now got clearance everywhere (if anyone’s considering a similar swap I’m happy to share all of my knowledge / thoughts / ideas which will save you a fair bit of time).

I’ve also taken the 2” body lift out and put the brand new 35x14.5” Super Swampers on… It now sits at a nice height for what I want to do.

Not sure what I’m going to do for flares yet – I think I might just cut out some BIG rubber ones for now and eventually go to steel flat fenders front and back.

A couple of pic/s…

[Cambo]

PS - What a way to spend Valentines Day!!

[Macca2801]

PS - What a way to spend Valentines Day!!

Couldnt think of a better way!! Greeat build mate, keep the pics and updates coming!

Matt.

[Cambo]

Sorry for the lack of updates guys - I've had more issues than I care to mention... After much more blood sweat and tears I've finally got her started - here's a very short YouTube vid of the first (second actually) start...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYNDuTjUStM

...and no poking fun at my pokey shed!

[Richo]

I assume you will put an exhaust on it........
and your shed is tiny.

[Cambo]

Wish I didn't have to!

I've managed to arrange 35,000 m2 of shed for work - and about 20 for me... I'm doing something wrong!!

[Shauny B]

Good stuff cambo, were is the beer fridge? :D i know what it's like i also have a single garage mate.

[Cambo]

ha ha ha - Beer fridge is in the house - no room in the shed for it!

[Cambo]

More bits going in...

[Gojeep]

Must have been a great feeling to hear it run for the first time. :)

[Cambo]

Yes, yes it was... I now know what the feeling that women get when they give birth for the first time :D

[sssadamsss]

big shed! :P

[sssadamsss]

and that is a TINY rear shaft.....

your not worried about rear vibrations????

[Cambo]

The rear shaft has actually been lengthened... the angle is MUCH less than my CJ and it has a HP rear diff - time will tell I suppose!

[sssadamsss]

did your CJ have a double cardon style like this one?
do you have adjustable arms on the rear to bring the pinion inline with the shaft?

i know on mine, at 4", if i didnt adjust the angle the vibrations would be shite. then again, its a standard D44 on the back not an HP...

[Cambo]

Yep - I've got adjustable control arms and the total lift is only 3"... It's one of those things I'll have to 'trial and error' when she's on the road.

[sssadamsss]

Are you using something like a nokac adaptor to your AX15? and something like teraflex brackets for the LS1???

[Cambo]

Novak adapter for the 4L65E to the NP231 and Novak Engine mount kit (a lot more info at the start of this Thread) ;)

[sssadamsss]

should come up a treat!!

are you planning on getting in engineered?

[Cambo]

Yep, but I might start with Club Rego yet, we'll see... Anyone know a VIC Roads Registered Club that I could join?

[vin18u]

did you find out about the cage dash spreader by any chance. Mr EJ gave me some good advice just wanted to see if you have spoken to anyone yet.

[Cambo]

No haven't done any more research on that as yet but I'd be interested to hear the advice that you've received

[greenjk]

Yep, but I might start with Club Rego yet, we'll see... Anyone know a VIC Roads Registered Club that I could join?

I'm pretty sure MJOC is suitable for this.

[Cambo]

As of December 2010 they weren't - http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/3CA3A336-4FE7-4EB1-A0C1-AC75CC2F86DE/0/ApprovedCarClubsandAssociationsDec2010.pdf

Does anyone know of any different?

[Cambo]

Finally the engine bay is looking like a real one! She's now very close to being ready for er first drive... Can't wait :D

[rodxj]

Huge effort!! Well done.....

[Cambo]

Engineering question:

My air intake is 4” diameter at the manifold.

I’m not sure whether I’m going to run 1 or 2 snorkels yet.

Obviously if I run 1 snorkel I need a 4” pipe right through (big snorkel).

If I run 2 snorkels my calculations are as follows:

4” pipe
Formula for area is Pi x R2
3.142 x (51x51)
= 8,172 mm2

Working backwards I would need two x 2.8” pipes to give the same area of pipe

2.8” pipe
3.142 x (36x36)
= 4,072 mm2

Do you achieve the same air flow through two 2.8” pipes as you would through one 4” pipe? If so, If I run two 3” snorkels I should be covered!

[Cambo]

PS. Assume I’ll use mandrel bends

[sssadamsss]

no, from memory its an inverse square law. which means, 1cm increase in diameter gives you 4cubic cm more flow. 2 gives you 16 etc...

its because the velocity of the air in the centre of the pipe is fastest and slows down as it goes towards the outside...

so one 4" pipe will be far superior to 2 X 2" pipes...

[craigperth]

Yup friction slows the air. Next to the pipe which is why a pipe twice the size allows much more than twice the flow... I used to run gravity fed filters on a koi pond do been through this one before...

But IMHO two 3" should give you the same flow as 1 4" :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cambo]

Thanks guys - that makes sense to me...

So if I run two 3" pipes the total surface area will be 9,122 mm2 which is 12% more than one 4” pipe… does this allow enough for the additional slowdown of air caused by the additional inner wall area?

[Cambo]

Just found some results that someone else had achieved:

3" flowed 570cfm and is able to support roughly 425hp before restriction occurs

4" flowed 1025cfm and is able to support roughly 775hp before restriction occurs

So I’ve answered my own question – two x 3” pipes will just cover one 4” pipe in terms of air flow…

Thanks guys ;)

[itchy]

Nice job Cambo :)

[Richo]

Whens it ready to wheel Cambo?
A shakedown this side of Christmas you reckon?

[Cambo]

Yeah on the road this side (or around) Christmas but probs not engineered / registered... that will take a bit longer.

[TJ Dave]

Just curious, where did you get the engine from (ie, wreckers, auction etc.), and how much did it cost? Pm me if you don't want to publicise the answers.

Cheers

Dave

[Cambo]

I think i got it from Ebay for about $4.5k but if you're planning on doing a similar conversion the cost of the engine is a relatively minor part...

[Cambo]

Megashifter and Trans Shifter now bolted up and in place - was able to get it back into the original slot. Both Tail Shafts now bolted in place...

Was THIS close to taking her for er first drive on the weekend till I learned that some **!%$$# has stolen my wheels & tyres... Now have to buy a new set and try again.

[mika]

jeep is looking great!
sorry to hear about the tyres, not the boggers was it?

[Tys]

Am loving this build, I think you have done a awesome job fitting such a cumbersome engine in such a tight spot and makeing it look reasonbly factory.

I would be very keen to see this on the road.

Keep up the good work.

Tys

[Cambo]

Thanks Mika.

I had a set of 35x12.5" MTZ's to use as road wheels that got stolen. Just ordered a new set of BFG M/T KM2's today (they look like the Krawler pattern) to chuck on er.

I'm leaning away from using the 35" Boggers and using the 37" Krawlers at the moment...

[Cambo]

Am loving this build, I think you have done a awesome job fitting such a cumbersome engine in such a tight spot and makeing it look reasonbly factory.

I would be very keen to see this on the road.

Keep up the good work.

Tys

Cheers mate

[AJ]

Don't know how I missed this thread but Good work so far!!

What is the clearance like under the Dana 60? obviously depending if you go with the 37's??

[Cambo]

Haven't measured it but I'm guessing it would be slightly less than a 44 - but it is a high pinion and fuggen tough to it'll drag over stuff if / when I need it to...

This photo was demonstrating the difference in the body lift (i took it out) but you can see the diff clearance...

[Cambo]

Picked up the straight through muffler that will sit above the skid plate... then 3" straight to the back... Haven't decided whether to go stainless and/or mandrel bends yet... will decide when I speak to the exhaust guys re $$

[Richo]

Don't know how I missed this thread but Good work so far!!

What is the clearance like under the Dana 60? obviously depending if you go with the 37's??

Mine also runs Dana 60 rear and Dana 44 front on 37" Krawlers.... I'll measure tonite and let you know tomorrow.

[Cambo]

Out of interest Richo - run your tape measure across your 37's. I just bought a set of BFG Mud KM2 35's which are a similar pattern (just for everyday use) and I measured them before they put them on rims and I’ve come up with 33"

[sssadamsss]

Out of interest Richo - run your tape measure across your 37's. I just bought a set of BFG Mud KM2 35's which are a similar pattern (just for everyday use) and I measured them before they put them on rims and I’ve come up with 33"

i got my 35" goodyear mtzs, when on the rim, AND on the car when its on the ground, i got a smidgen over 34"

[sssadamsss]

i got my 35" goodyear mtzs, when on the rim, AND on the car when its on the ground, i got a smidgen over 34"

AND, my mates 34" jungle trekker IIs measure 34" when on the car on the ground...

[Cambo]

Yeah I'm guessing they'll expand / bulge when on rims with air in them...

[Richo]

OK, just ran out the beers and also found a tape measure......

The Krawlers measure at 36 and a quarter inches with about 25 psi, although they have been sitting on the concrete not moving for about 3 weeks so may have a slight flat spot.

I have about 30.75 cm of clearance under the d44, and about 29.5 under the rear 60. Bear in mind they are Solid high pinion castings, not stockers.

[flexytj]

my goodyears look big .

[Nudge]

Correct me if im wrong,

Arent the Solid/Rockcrusher 60's supposed to be a smidge higher
in clearance than a stock D44

[Cambo]

Thanks Richo - about what I expected. I'll pick up these 35's tonight and measure them with air in them.

How many landcruisers have a foot of clearance at the lowest point!?

[Cambo]

The 35's measure up to 34.5" on the vehicle

[Cambo]

Chucked the 35’s on last night – these are what I’ll use for on road and easy-medium trips. I need to do a Hi-Line / cutting to get the 37’s on and working properly without a body lift (which I’m trying to avoid).

Had the Hi-Lift under the chassis and had to have it nearly to the top (with the sway bar connected) to get a wheel off the ground…

Hoping to take her for er first drive Sunday arvo.

[sssadamsss]

Chucked the 35’s on last night – these are what I’ll use for on road and easy-medium trips. I need to do a Hi-Line / cutting to get the 37’s on and working properly without a body lift (which I’m trying to avoid).

Had the Hi-Lift under the chassis and had to have it nearly to the top (with the sway bar connected) to get a wheel off the ground…

Hoping to take her for er first drive Sunday arvo.

Looks good, whats your front suspension setup there? looks like a high steer, is it a 4 link front?

[Cambo]

Yeah I think it's a High Steer kit - anyone help?

Yep - it is a 4 link set up...

[sssadamsss]

Yeah I think it's a High Steer kit - anyone help?

Yep - it is a 4 link set up...

oh mate, its a 5 link with high steer. your going to get shocking bump steer at speed...

a high steer should either have a raised track bar mount on the axle or a 4 link.

or a normal low steer with low track bar... :/ not good

[Richo]

Same high steer set up and front diff as mine, although my diff pan hard mount has been raised instead of your pan hard bar shape.
Mine is on extended RE short arms with the chassis mounts lowered and repositioned. It steers fine, although had to crank the front angle caster out to about 6 deg.
No bump steer, but it does steer from the back a little due to the triangulated upper arm rear set up.

[sssadamsss]

based on what...ive driven this rig...before the v8 and it was fine.

here you go mate
http://www.quadratec.com/jeep_knowledgebase/article-124.htm

http://www.quadratec.com/jeep_knowledgebase/article-68.htm

its all about stopping the front axle movement from moving the steeringwheel.

its very dangerous. i had it before i lowere the front track bar at the chassis side...

[Cambo]

Quick Test Drive with the 35's on... Ready for an exhaust

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-waRKQJR-0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97lZWNNnBEA

[itchy]

******** yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dan84]

AWESOME!!!!!
sounds mean at the moment.

[Tassie Jeeper]

damn near wheels stands prob would with the pop of the clutch;)

[vin18u]

do a burnout!!!!! hahaha i know you have thought about it

sounds and looks tough.

[RenegadeDom]

what a beast!

[Hally]

wow!!! watched that 6 times.....

[resident e]

whats wrong with the exhust, sounds great , id leave it the way it is.

[Macca2801]

Haha I think the insane giggle at the end says it all... Awesome!

[Dirtbag]

Hey dude great build, i am looking at doing the same with my 06 TJ, but i would like to keep mine a manual. just a quick question how many km's do u get in her ?
cheers jamie

[Cambo]

Hi Jamie,

Haven't taken er on the hwy yet but the fuel consumption will be as good or better than the standard 4L.

The Jeep manual box won't be strong enough - look into a conversion kit to keep the LS1, Holden manual into the Jeep transfer case if you can.

good luck with it

[swifty_ano]

Any news on fuel economy yet?
Would the ls1 auto be strong enough for a conversion like this?