5.3 wiring

[Hoist]

That is a whole bunch of work to gain 70hp. The 3.6L gains about half that with an e85 tune. Last I checked an ecu swap is far cheaper and easier than engine, trans, wiring, ecu, and trying to get it all to function together.

I appreciate what you are saying but it’s about reliability, not horsepower. If your lucky, your PUG might last over 100k before it eats a cam, rockers etc. Some get 200k in a minivan. Mine was 70k and is acting up again.
Your results may very.

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[Hoist]

So, I’ve been motoring the engine before starting it the first time of the day and haven’t had a light. Still hear a tapping occasionally when it’s first started. So, I’m living with it till it explodes or I figure out an affordable alternative that could pass emissions.

 

[Zachanadandy]

So, I’ve been motoring the engine before starting it the first time of the day and haven’t had a light. Still hear a tapping occasionally when it’s first started. So, I’m living with it till it explodes or I figure out an affordable alternative that could pass emissions.

I hope you find an affordable solution when the time comes. The $30k swaps from amw or bruiser are likely the way I'll go if/ when the 3.6L dies. Expensive, but far cheaper than a new truck at that point. New drivetrain, installed, with a warranty, and double the power? Starts making the $30k feel at least tolerable to me. Hell even the wife is on board (probably because the trx relaunch would likely replace the gladiator if the engine swap wasn't an option).

 

[cb4017]

Well, I had a 5.3 LS put into a JKU by Motech. Everything worked.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Well, I had a 5.3 LS put into a JKU by Motech. Everything worked.

Canbus is very different. The bruiser lx swaps seem to work so obviously it's possible in a JL/JT.

 

[rharr]

10K gets you a mail order LS kit.
https://lswrangler.com/gen-v.html

JT is an option

looks like motech uses a middle man device to act as a CAN bus translator to work between LS needs and Mopar products.

https://www.jkowners.com/threads/motech-can-technology.344818/

 

[Zachanadandy]

10K gets you a mail order LS kit.
https://lswrangler.com/gen-v.html

JT is an option

Is that just the wiring harness, motor mounts, and ecu for $10k? Their site is shit with no descriptions. If the JK kit is $10k, I'll be the JL and JT are more expensive. Add the cost of a new engine and trans and you're over $20k easy. That's making the $30k installed 5.7L amw swap look like a deal vs a DIY no warranty Hodge Podge swap.

 

[rharr]

Is that just the wiring harness, motor mounts, and ecu for $10k? Their site is shit with no descriptions. If the JK kit is $10k, I'll be the JL and JT are more expensive. Add the cost of a new engine and trans and you're over $20k easy. That's making the $30k installed 5.7L amw swap look like a deal vs a DIY no warranty Hodge Podge swap.

I agree, it's hard to discern. I looked at their parts list, and didn't see long block or trans listed as an item.

Seems like they want people to call them to get the detail.

I am just posting this as another engine option other than mopar products, there is some benefits moving to a LS over Hemi simply from a aftermarket and part availability stand point, yes you may have growing pains on the front end but once it's in then it should be pretty simple and easy to keep running.

I noticed that Motech is sticking with chevy transmissions, which is interesting since there is currently a trend moving from chevy trans to ZF 8HP70 or 75 trans which will save money for a ecoD guy looking to swap since they have that trans already.

You could do a "junk yard ls swap" and save some money instead of buying new.

Salvaged 2005 5.3 remans go for about $3500 around here.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I agree, it's hard to discern. I looked at their parts list, and didn't see long block or trans listed as an item.

Seems like they want people to call them to get the detail.

I am just posting this as another engine option other than mopar products, there is some benefits moving to a LS over Hemi simply from a aftermarket and part availability stand point, yes you may have growing pains on the front end but once it's in then it should be pretty simple and easy to keep running.

I noticed that Motech is sticking with chevy transmissions, which is interesting since there is currently a trend moving from chevy trans to ZF 8HP70 or 75 trans which will save money for a ecoD guy looking to swap since they have that trans already.

You could do a "junk yard ls swap" and save some money instead of buying new.

Salvaged 2005 5.3 remans go for about $3500 around here.

I know the OP is looking to go 5.3L, but that's not enough gain to be worth it to me. Odds are I'll either go AMW 392 swap or bruiser LT3 when the time comes.

 

[rharr]

Yeah each is own right. the good thing with a LS5.3 they are very durable and most issues have been worked out in it's long production cycle and are cheap. They may not make high horsepower but would still be a good choice as a daily driver. I have driven a 2005 suburban with a 5.3 and it's not a dog by any means and a suburban is as big and heavy as a JT.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Yeah each is own right. the good thing with a LS5.3 they are very durable and most issues have been worked out in it's long production cycle and are cheap. They may not make high horsepower but would still be a good choice as a daily driver. I have driven a 2005 suburban with a 5.3 and it's not a dog by any means and a suburban is as big and heavy as a JT.

At 295hp, that's a lot of cost and labor for 10hp. The 05 suburban's 10s 0-60 isn't a dog, but it's slower than a v6 gladiator.

 

[Hoist]

I would stick with the 3.6 if it was reliable, but it’s not. I wish it was the straight six.
I don’t think dropping 6 grand on a new 3.6 solves anything. As people with 2025 engines still have Cam plus issues.
Problem is the Canbus for any other solution. The chassis has to talk to the engine or things don’t work in the truck. That’s dumb, but that’s what they did.
If I wasn’t looking at living in an emissions area I’d gut the dam thing.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I would stick with the 3.6 if it was reliable, but it’s not. I wish it was the straight six.
I don’t think dropping 6 grand on a new 3.6 solves anything. As people with 2025 engines still have Cam plus issues.
Problem is the Canbus for any other solution. The chassis has to talk to the engine or things don’t work in the truck. That’s dumb, but that’s what they did.
If I wasn’t looking at living in an emissions area I’d gut the dam thing.

Depending on the emissions area, you may not be able to engine swap period. I know CA makes it nearly impossible. Basically the engine has to come from a same model year or newer, same manufacturer, and the emissions all have to be functional.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Depending on the emissions area, you may not be able to engine swap period. I know CA makes it nearly impossible. Basically the engine has to come from a same model year or newer, same manufacturer, and the emissions all have to be functional.

Where I'm at there are only five parishes that care, and if you can give them an OBDII connector to plug into that will show as 'ready' you are good.

So I could gut my Gladiator, put in an LS engine and trans, and as long as that PCM is tuned correctly and all emissions systems show as 'ready' on the scan - PASS. Super easy.

And in the rest of the state? Well it doesn't matter anyway. No checks.

Not sure how it is in New Mexico where the OP is though...

As for swap, my 3.6L is adequate for my use and if eats a cam it gets one try to get better.

After that I'll move along. Not saying my replacements in mind would be any better - I'm just not married to the Jeep.

 

[Hoist]

Well, swapped to a Toyota engine. It’s attached to a Toyota Tacoma.
Jeep was running good after cam change but just cant trust that engine.
Shame as I liked it otherwise.

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