Jeep JK HEMI/LS Swaps

Rubiconsean

Rubiconsean

New member
Hey y'all, I have a 08 JK with a the torque monster under the hood, the good ol 3.8. It's getting to be that time to do some upgrades under the hood. I am looking at doing either the 6.4l HEMI or the 6.2l LS swap but want some input on people that have one of these under the hood. I am running 37s and 5.38s with an auto tranny. Il be soon upgrading axles and running 40s also, but want to be able to turn all this weight.What should I do? What's the best motor/tranny combo? Any issues doing the swap?
Il also have some more questions but it's just a start.
Thank you! ImageUploadedByWAYALIFE1466521325.421798.jpg
 
FLKEYSJK

FLKEYSJK

Member
I know that Eddie is running a 6.2 LS swap on Moby with 40 inch tires and from what I've seen he seems to love it.
 
M

Mr.Green

New member
Ok ok sorry I said anything. I'm looking at least 5 years down the road before I do anything this big to my jeep any way.
 
8POUND

8POUND

New member
I agree with FLKEYSJK about what Eddie is running in Moby. He would be a great resource for the LS swap.
 
g00se04

g00se04

New member
I am also in the market of doing a hemi swap, I would consider a LS but i dont think there is a shop near NC that performs them. The nearest shop to me only performs hemi swaps or supercharger installs. It just a tough call to make spending that type of money $25-30k for a motor/tranny swap or do you save the money put in a fresh 3.8 and supercharger.
 
Grubbicon

Grubbicon

New member
Personally I would go with the LS over hemi because of its simplicity. As far as trans goes if it is a rig that is gonna be on the road a lot Id have a 6L80. My next choice would be a 4L80.
 
JK_Dave

JK_Dave

Caught the Bug
Grubbicon said:
Personally I would go with the LS over hemi because of its simplicity. As far as trans goes if it is a rig that is gonna be on the road a lot Id have a 6L80. My next choice would be a 4L80.
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I heard the 6L80s can have a lot of problems even on stock power levels. If you're buying it anyway, the 4L80 might be the better choice and have the 4th gear with a custom ratio maybe?
 
Thegreenmachine12

Thegreenmachine12

Member
I've got a 430 LS3 in my Jeep, I love it. I prefer the LS over the Hemi because there is so much support for LS motors & the LS cools better than the Hemi due to the LS having an aluminum block vs the hemis iron block.
 
Grubbicon

Grubbicon

New member
JK_Dave said:
I heard the 6L80s can have a lot of problems even on stock power levels. If you're buying it anyway, the 4L80 might be the better choice and have the 4th gear with a custom ratio maybe?
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Its possible. So many options out there to go with.
 
BRinSCupstate

BRinSCupstate

Member
I have the L96 (iron from 2011 GMC 3500) LS 6.0 with 6L80 in my 09. With a 2 post lift, it was not difficult to do. This was my first swap. No codes, no CEL, etc. seems factory, appearance wise. Went with Motech kit; they were great!
 
C

Cubewarrior

New member
LC9 and 6L80 with 4.88 ratio -- only regret is not going 6.2. No problems with heating, and anyone can work on engine. Combination is bulletproof.
 
ScoobyCarolanNC

ScoobyCarolanNC

Active Member
g00se04 said:
I am also in the market of doing a hemi swap, I would consider a LS but i dont think there is a shop near NC that performs them. The nearest shop to me only performs hemi swaps or supercharger installs. It just a tough call to make spending that type of money $25-30k for a motor/tranny swap or do you save the money put in a fresh 3.8 and supercharger.
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If you're talking about Rubitrux they use the AEV kit which is basically OEM parts from what I understand. That and they've done a ton of them over the past several years. You get what you pay for with engine builders.
 
g00se04

g00se04

New member
ScoobyCarolanNC said:
If you're talking about Rubitrux they use the AEV kit which is basically OEM parts from what I understand. That and they've done a ton of them over the past several years. You get what you pay for with engine builders.
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I think from a reliability standpoint for me its between a hemi or ls motors. From a cost standpoint just doing a new long block install and throw a supercharger on it would save a bunch of money.

I'm roughly looking at 30k to do a 5.7 hemi swap with a auto conversion at Rubitrux. It looks like I would come out a little cheaper to ship my jeep to motech and have them perform the 6.0 ls swap and ship the jeep back to me. I am still doing the homework and wont make the decision until Oct/Nov timeframe of this year.
 
D

Da20captain

New member
Hello everyone new poster, but been lurking for a bit.

I completed a Hemi swap the end of November last year. This was a DIY project by me, never witnessed an engine swap, and my father in law who has had a couple drag cars. I did a shitpile of research before deciding on the Hemi. I did consider an LS but after speaking with someone who does both Hemi and LS swaps I decided on the Hemi. It was plug and play, no shit. it may be a little heavier by 150 pounds. True an LS is lighter has tons of aftermarket support. coming from a guy with no major mechanical experience there is no way in hell I would pay someone $20-30k to do this swap. I have heard of more headaches getting an LS swap going than that of a Hemi. I have never had any overheating issues. Either way a V8 in a JK is quite gratifying. The Hemi can be done cheaper than an LS. But that is coming from a DIY experience. After selling old 3.8 and trans I have not much more than the cost of a supercharger install (parts & labor).

I have heard there is someone or some folks that are getting together in Myrtle Beach, SC this weekend(Jeep Week), starting tomorrow. I would be happy to show anybody under the hood and answer questions.
 
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