Project Sublime YJ gets a V8!

[Avanteone]

So, you knew this was coming. :redneck:

Take a little of this:

Add in a little bit of Vortec small block Chevrolet power:

And an aftermarket bumpstick to make it rumble: (wil be getting roller rockers too)

Motor mounts, new Atlas input shaft, 4L60E adapter, VSS and a few other parts from the great people at Advance Adapters:

Some high-zoot bling from our friends at Griffin Thermal Products:

To make sure we never have to deal with loose header bolts or other engine fasteners, we have Stage 8 on board to help out with some of their innovative fasteners:

I'll also be trying out the new Stage 8 D60 spindle nut kits!




..... and we've got a great start to making my trail rig a little bit more fun!!! Also on board for this build so far are Tom Turner and the crew at Performance Prep in Federal Way who will be doing the custom PCM programming to get rid of the emissions and evap stuff, and then dyno tuning for maximum horsepower! Stay tuned as this will be getting started right after Thanksgiving Weekend! As always, huge thanks to the crew at CRAWL Magazine for their help in keeping this project rolling!


John

 

[redyj1]

good decision on good quaility parts john, i big step up from the old xj :awesomework:. what tranny and t case are you running??

 

[pos97TJ]

I would say a 4l60e and an atlas

 

[zukkev]

Very cool John!!!
Man, I want mo powa....:booo:

 

[Avanteone]

I would say a 4l60e and an atlas

You would be correct.

 

[beyatch]

very nice! Yep, I'm jealous

 

[zukkev]

Nice... Hope you get it all ready for KOH John...:awesomework:

 

[Avanteone]

Nice... Hope you get it all ready for KOH John...:awesomework:

It'll be done to go snow wheeling on New Years Day. :fawkdancesmiley:

 

[zukkev]

It'll be done to go snow wheeling on New Years Day. :fawkdancesmiley:

Would be a good shakedown!!!

 

[bigiron]

[I'll also be trying out the new Stage 8 D60 spindle nut kits!


John

Are you going to carry these? if so pm me cost on 2 sets:awesomework:

 

[Avanteone]

How it sits as of 5pm today:

 

[jeepdarinx]

do another jump like that one the other day and it will al be over as quick as it started!:awesomework:

 

[Avanteone]

Update pics:

Been working on cleaning up the insides of the frame rails, grinding down excess weld and metal left from stock bracketry, etc.

 

[Avanteone]

And then Brown Santa showed up with gifts from the fine folks at Advance Adapters:

Worked on modifying the 4l60E with the vehicle speed sensor kit from AA:

 

[Avanteone]

Also made arrangements with Tony at Hotwire Auto to supply the wiring harness for our project! It's being built now and should be on it's way shortly. These are the same people that built the harness used in Scott's Hemi Jeep. Check 'em out at www.hotwireauto.com

John

 

[Avanteone]

So in the initial build, the motor never came out of the rig. I always wanted to plate the inside of the frame a little extra to add some strength where the frame notches were made for clearance. Clark W cut me out some frame reinforcing plates and Eli got those welded in:

The lower end bearings ended up being a little more chewed up than I had hoped for, so a quick crankshaft polish, and some new bearings, oil pump, cam bearings, etc. went in along with the new roller camshaft:

 

[Avanteone]

With the new input shaft installed in the Atlas, and the necessary adapters bolted up to the 4L60E, it was time to mate it all together and mock it up into place:

This is where it sits using the original crossmember and putting the Atlas exactly where it was to start. EXACTLY what I was hoping for, set the engine back as far as possible and NOT have to re-do crossmembers, mountings, drivelines, etc! Making good progress now!!!!! More to come soon!

John

 

[Ty.]

Looks good. Gotta love that Vortec.

 

[skinny_pedal]

looks sweet. You guys hiring:redneck:

 

[Avanteone]