my biggest dream is having a v8 jeep, hemmi swap or LSs swaps are way over my bugged (20 k plus ) I'm not saying that I will swap my engine any time soon but I'm a person that sets goals and I make them happen, well most of the times, Like having my first 2 door jk and buying a jku etc..... What would be the price for a Chevy 350 swap? I'm also in Cali so I need to deal with the smog BS .
If not what would be another cheap V8 swap Let's talk about that

 

For those costs. Y not just look into gettin a Range Rover Defender. Or if ur near LA...
Icon makes a nice custom built to ur specs 4WD

 

i belive the hemi and LS motors are about the only ones they have swap kits for right now. the hemi seems to be arround 15 to 20K and i think the ls swap is a bit cheaper at arround 12 to 15k from all the different posts and other forums ive seen them on.

 

It's all about getting the computers to play nice, which pretty much means going with a swap kit from a company that has already figured it all out, which means using the engine/trans combo's they suggest. (Or, you spend the time and effort and money to figure it all out yourself.)

 

I'm right there with you, I've thought about a 350 swap myself. i wish you could that all the electronics out of the jk's, just have the needed stuff.

 

Why do u wanna put an old school leaky small block chevy in a jk? Thats would be like putting a old jeep 4.2L in a new corvette.... Just doesn't make sense. You can get a used ls from your local salvage yard with a harness and computer for not a whole lot of money. ($1,000 or less)

 

It's not the engine that is the cost. Those shops will swap in used motors. You can get a hemi for under $1500 and an LS not much more. The rest is them charging you for a $5k swap kit you don't need and then like $8k in labor.

Do it all yourself and it is far less. However, you absolutely don't have to keep the jeep electronics. The engines in the swaps run off the ECU they came with. It doesn't need the jk computer. You'd just need to run aftermarket gauges, etc. That said, Hotwire auto sells the wire harness and computer for $1500 if you wanted it to work that way. Most guys building buggies just toss and LS in and some gauges and off they go. No magic.

 

Do you have to pull the body in order to do the swap?

 

I just finished a Hemi swap using a 2010 truck motor and tranny and the JSS swap kit. I have less than $9k in mine. I then sold my old 3.8 with trans for $1500. This swap could be done for less in my opinion. It is not imperative you remove the body for the swap. I did and would do it the same way. I also had a friend with a brand new two post lift chomping at the bit to use it for something. I would be happy to email you my spread sheet. It is down to the nuts and bolts. After having done this and compared notes with "elusive", we both believe this swap could be done in the $6k range with patience and sensible shopping. You absolutely need a harness (Hotwire auto $1095), PCM programming (Hotwire can do I believe but there are others $350-395), radiator ($5-500 maybe less, I spent $700), motor mounts(can be purchased separately at JSS and I think Hotwire, transmission adapter plates that could be made at home. And of course your engine and trans which I have $3k into mine but it also came with a transfer case. I could not use the TC but it can be sold. I am sure I could have had this engine and trans cheaper but he had already come down $500 and I felt bad for his 19 year old respectful ass that was trying to get cash together to marry his pregnant GF and buy a house. And of course you will need anywhere from 700-$1000 in parts. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Exactly what I've been saying. Most of the swap kit can be made. $6k swap minus sale of motor and trans. In my case, I have $20k on a 3.6, so I can get $3k for the motor and trans. $3k swap.