I previously had a SuperCharged 4.2 in the wrangler using an EatonM90 Charger , and post doing a head gasket decided it was time to go for the v8.
The project vision was fun not practical but had to still be a daily driver and competent beach truck for kite surfing/surfing. The result is awesome, its a magic car to drive and is like a weapon when the LS1 opens right up once hitting the 4-5K rpm mark .
First Job was strip the engine and transmission out and get the engine bay back to basics. Cut out the stock engine mounts.
The LS1 was mated to the AX15 using the Novak adapter plate and a custom clutch set up . Getting the right pressure plate and clutch plate took a bit of hunting around. Then it was time to run a couple of trial fits to get the engine mounts in the right place . I mounted it as far back as possible to keep the weight as centred as possible. Interesting the original Jeep engine was mounted 25mm to one side off centre.
The donor engine came form a wrecked HSV Maloo with only 70k on the clock. Note the Holdens had a front hump sump. That needed to be changed for a rear hump sump to clear the axle. The alternator was also relocated from the bottom of the engine to the top using a Marks Adapter bracket.
Setting up the clutch hydraulics took a bit of trial and error using various slave cylinders and master combos. I used braided lines I made myself throughout for fuel and hydraulics. The headers also took a bit of trial and error. Ended up going for a set of Sanderson Headers which exit slightly off centre to miss the new mounts.
I used a off the shelf aluminium 3 core radiator with thermo fan. So far on a couple of hot days it has help the LS1 down at the 93 degree mark. Will see how she holds up in the sand dunes at Moreton.
There were many late nights dealing with this sort of complexity. To help simplify the whole install I kept the LS1 harness completely separate from the old jeep one. The jeep ecu now runs the speedo and that's it.
Painted her myself with iso free 2 Pack in a custom mix lime green with 4 coats of clear on top.
Note the mods to the rear quarter for the led rear lights.
The hornet bonnet scoop is going to duct a cold air intake to the LS1.
The old fuel tank skid plate was rusted out, I folded the fuel tank skid plate up from alloy chequer plate.
The stock gauge cluster only runs the speedo now. Oil Pressure, Volts, Temp, Fuel Pressure are all run via VDO gauges.
I could never have dome this without the help of my family, thank you Catriona, Maddy, Bella , Toby and Ryan . The many hours you spent in the workshop supporting me, advising and helping will always be remembered as some of the best of my life.
TJ: V8 LS1 Wrangler
Wrangler Jane (97 TJ)
