Jeep jk engine swap
11-21-2012, 03:41 PM
#42
JK Super Freak
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11-21-2012, 03:45 PM
#43
JK Freak
Originally Posted by chuck45
MoTech dropped the engine in today! I can't wait to get behind the wheel.
Robbie seems like a real professional who truly cares about his work. Please post pics and/or YouTube when you have it running.
I actually feel pretty jealous of you!
11-21-2012, 03:59 PM
#44
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AWESOME! Congratulations, I just finished emailing with Robbie; I was trying to get him to convince me to cancel my 2013 JKUR order and bring him an 07 JKU to put a 5.3 VVT in.
Robbie seems like a real professional who truly cares about his work. Please post pics and/or YouTube when you have it running.
I actually feel pretty jealous of you!
Robbie seems like a real professional who truly cares about his work. Please post pics and/or YouTube when you have it running.
I actually feel pretty jealous of you!
My wife and I drove down to Vegas to meet with Robbie and drive one of his conversions before we put down the money. In my wifes mind it was a bit of a flier and the Hemi was more proven. Robbie and Tom were most pleasant and gave us four hours of their day. Robbie explained what he was doing, why he was doing it and showed us parts being fabricated. After answering all our questioned and getting to drive one we were convinced it was the way to go.
In a heartbeat I would cancel the 2013 and buy a used JK. I rented a 2012 4 dr and drove it from Ouray to Durango and was extremely disappointed. They may work in the flat land and on lighter vehicles but I don't think the 3.6 is appropriate for a heavy JKU. The front axle, even on a Rubi with its 44, is a weak link. I had my trackbar bracket develop metal fatigue and break off from the axle tube.
Buy an 07 or 08, put in a 5.3 or 6.2 with a 6L80 trans and go with D60 or equivalent axles. The cost will be close to a new one and you will have a far, far superior vehicle. If you could make it out to Vegas and drive Robbies (it's an 07 or 08) 4 dr conversion you would cancel the 2013 in a heartbeat. The conversion drives so calmly and quietly without the sturm and drang of the high revving V6's. It would be worth a plane ticket I tell you.
11-21-2012, 05:13 PM
#45
JK Enthusiast
11-21-2012, 09:03 PM
#46
JK Freak
I was pretty jealous of all those guys I ran across with Hemi's too. Hell I was jealous of the guys with lifted Grand Cherokees and V8's who wheeled with our Jeep Club.
My wife and I drove down to Vegas to meet with Robbie and drive one of his conversions before we put down the money. In my wifes mind it was a bit of a flier and the Hemi was more proven. Robbie and Tom were most pleasant and gave us four hours of their day. Robbie explained what he was doing, why he was doing it and showed us parts being fabricated. After answering all our questioned and getting to drive one we were convinced it was the way to go.
In a heartbeat I would cancel the 2013 and buy a used JK. I rented a 2012 4 dr and drove it from Ouray to Durango and was extremely disappointed. They may work in the flat land and on lighter vehicles but I don't think the 3.6 is appropriate for a heavy JKU. The front axle, even on a Rubi with its 44, is a weak link. I had my trackbar bracket develop metal fatigue and break off from the axle tube.
Buy an 07 or 08, put in a 5.3 or 6.2 with a 6L80 trans and go with D60 or equivalent axles. The cost will be close to a new one and you will have a far, far superior vehicle. If you could make it out to Vegas and drive Robbies (it's an 07 or 08) 4 dr conversion you would cancel the 2013 in a heartbeat. The conversion drives so calmly and quietly without the sturm and drang of the high revving V6's. It would be worth a plane ticket I tell you.
My wife and I drove down to Vegas to meet with Robbie and drive one of his conversions before we put down the money. In my wifes mind it was a bit of a flier and the Hemi was more proven. Robbie and Tom were most pleasant and gave us four hours of their day. Robbie explained what he was doing, why he was doing it and showed us parts being fabricated. After answering all our questioned and getting to drive one we were convinced it was the way to go.
In a heartbeat I would cancel the 2013 and buy a used JK. I rented a 2012 4 dr and drove it from Ouray to Durango and was extremely disappointed. They may work in the flat land and on lighter vehicles but I don't think the 3.6 is appropriate for a heavy JKU. The front axle, even on a Rubi with its 44, is a weak link. I had my trackbar bracket develop metal fatigue and break off from the axle tube.
Buy an 07 or 08, put in a 5.3 or 6.2 with a 6L80 trans and go with D60 or equivalent axles. The cost will be close to a new one and you will have a far, far superior vehicle. If you could make it out to Vegas and drive Robbies (it's an 07 or 08) 4 dr conversion you would cancel the 2013 in a heartbeat. The conversion drives so calmly and quietly without the sturm and drang of the high revving V6's. It would be worth a plane ticket I tell you.
11-21-2012, 09:51 PM
#47
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Trust me, I am still considering it. I would have to find a 2007-08 JKU for $12,000.00, pay for swap labor and materials, airfare, and fuel back to Charleston, SC just to come close to what I am paying for the 2013 JKUR ($32,900.00). My motivation, other than power, is actually reliability. I am convinced that Robbie's power-train is more reliable, durable, and of course more powerful than a 3.6 Pentastar. I would really prefer a diesel swap, but that gets even more expensive.
So reliability is a major issue with me. One of the real benefits that Robbie has built into the MoTech kit is that the engine and trans can run stand alone. If the Jeep electronics fail te engine and trans will still function. He does this by keeping the engine management system separate from Chrysler electronics and running a GM computer to manage the engine and trans; it even has its own separate OBD II port. In addition he incorporates a relay that will run the in tank fuel pump.
Robbie really knows his shit and goes to great lengths to do quality work. I don't think any of the Hemi conversions begin to compare. And I think when the story of the Pentastar in a heavy JK is written it will be a sad tale.
01-04-2013, 10:24 AM
#48
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Join Date: Dec 2010
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I have been doing a lot of looking into this. Robbie at MoTech was great to talk to and I plan on using his kit in conjunction with Novak's adapter that bolts the 05-06 6Spd NSG370 to a GM engine. The 07+ NSG370 has a smaller bell housing so you will need to get a 05-06. I plan on keeping my cruise control as well which may be a whole other issue. Other than that you can go through RS Gear and they have an expensive t-56 6Speed 4x4 trans. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.