[sbindley]

Taking my 07 in for a Hemi conversion here in Phoenix. Will keep folks updated. This shop claims to be much less expensive than others with higher quality. Don't want to break forum rules, so won't mention name or site, but looking forward to a power solution than could benefit those wanting to scuttle their older and higher mileage 3.8's...

 

[sbindley]

Forgive me if this is old news, but I did not see them anywhere from searching...

They source really good used motors - I wanted to do a T56 6-speed, but don't have the time to wait for that, so they are swapping in an auto.

http://www.v8hj.com/

 

[sbindley]

Don't quote me, but I believe you can get into a turnkey package on a 5.7 for mid-teens and up.

 

[sbindley]

Mine is a near new VVT 5.7 Hemi to keep comparisons similar with other shops/options.

Feel free to move thread wherever it fits best, but seemed to make sense that another V8 build option would appeal to the Modified crowd, with or without a lot of "fuckin' tech."

For sure, will have some tech upcoming as the build commences and decisions come up with custom headers, exhaust, tranny and tune options.

 

[sbindley]

Right, many good options and also great that there are more V8 choices that are becoming more reasonable.

For me, I'm going with a new (0 miles) 5.7 Hemi VVT (less than 3K miles on it), a low mileage auto tranny to replace the stock 6-speed and all the hardware needed to make it runs better than stock - including all gauge functions and dash lights, A/C, cruise, etc. No CELs, overheating or emissions issues. It will be as if I checked the Hemi box on the order form, except I am adding a CAI, custom headers, cats and exhaust and also a custom tune to exceed hp and drivability compared to the same 5.7 stock.

Anyway, only news here is that there is another shop doing these and they are proud to put their work alongside anyone else out there, including price and quality. I'll be the guinea pig for this forum and report progress, good or bad.

Looking forward to sharing with those interested. I'm not new to engine swaps, and this one is mild compared to the last:

Edelbrock Supercharged LS3 Solstice Coupe - YouTube

My Jeep won't go in for another month, so won't have much to report until then.

Thanks for the discussion everyone.

 

[sbindley]

I drove the 5.7 swap from V8HJ here in Phoenix last week and it really pulls like crazy. This car had a cam and a fairly aggressive exhaust so it was a bit more extreme that my setup will be. Of course, the power difference was night and day compared to my sorry 3.8. Fit and finish was flawless and absolutely zero issues (no cels, no overheating, everything works, etc.). They do not "mask" the trouble codes, their computer setup simply doesn't have any.

Sorry I did not snap any photos. My JK has an appt about 3 weeks out.

 

[sbindley]

Whoops, Jeep. An 09 2 door with the hemi. I had just updated another project car on a different site, so had "car" on the brain (a new Trans Am).

 

[sbindley]

Update. I've decided not to do the Hemi and am going with the Maggie blower, gears, exhaust and a custom tune instead. I just don't want to give up the 6-speed manual and don't have the time to wait for a T56 conversion. The guys at V8HJ are still doing the work, and I will get another JK over to them this summer as part of a charity build I am doing for the Phoenix Children's Hospital.

Those of you in the Phoenix area who are interested in a V8 should check these guys out. Their work is first rate and they are great to deal with.

I know the blower will not be close to the Hemi's power and torque, but it should be great for how we use the Jeep and will make the manual even more fun to drive. If I can get close to 300 flywheel hp good low end grunt, I'll be happy. Also, it is less than half the price...

 

[sbindley]

I'm going with the Magnacharger. I expect similar gains.

 

[sbindley]

Price and time and wanting to keep the 6-speed. Blower is less than 6K professionally installed, tuned and out the door with 300+ flywheel hp.

I can't speak for the cost of a professionally installed, tuned and out the door 5.3 V8 with the 6-speed (and all controls retained, a/c, accessories, cruise, no CEL's, etc., etc. Not sure what you get (and don't get) with the "budget" 5.3, but know those motors provided around 300 hp stock in the GM trucks they propelled. I'd guess a professionally installed 5.3 swap with everything working 100 percent like stock, and a manual trans mated to handle the torque and some upgrades and tuning to make more than the 280-315 they make stock is going to run closer to 15K or more...

BTW, I'm no stranger to LS swaps, having put a 630 hp LS3 into a Solstice Coupe (p 2 of this thread with dyno).

As I said, I will do a 5.7 Hemi at V8HJ later this year, but need my Jeep back in a matter or days, not weeks, so the Maggie is the best option for this vehicle at the moment.

I was looking at mid teens for V8HJ's 5.7 with 400+ hp and everything working just like stock, which seems about the same for the LS 5.3, which I heard is a fantastic swap.

Like I said, so many great options. No wrong answers.

 

[sbindley]

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience with the Sprintex blower. Sounds like a V8 would have been a better option for you with all those extra parts needed, tranny problems, overheating, etc. I don't anticipate any of that with the Magnacharger. like I said, the V8 is not possible in my timeframe, but will do the Hemi later this summer on another Jeep.

 

[sbindley]

I have the Maggie on now and am loving it in every way.