Project Chevy Big Block

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

Hello there guys.
Been a bit bus lately with a few things and one of these was another upgrade for the Cherokee. Yes... You guessed it.. Its a V8..Here are the details and pics will follow
Engine:
Chevy Vortec L29. Thats a 454 ci or 7400cc V8 out of a Chevy Suburban (late nineties)
Transmission
4L80e (Automatic). with a left side drop TC. We are contemplating a Dually as well.
Diffs:
A beafy rear Corporate GM 14 Bolt. We are still working on getting a good front diff to support the left sided drop Transfer case.
Tires:
37" Wranglers (hopefully) on recentered H1 Wheels
Exhaust:
Twin X pipe, Dual High-flow mufflers.
Cooling:
Custom built Radiator (Alas the Chevy one wont fit). Engine and Transmission Oil Coolers. Hood vents to get some cool air in there.
Protection:
Once all the mechanical work is done, we will be making a 6 point, frame anchored roll cage with all the required triangulation. Custom front and rear bumpers.
Pics and more details follow..
Thank you
Ehsan

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

Motor
http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3012
http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3014
Transmission
http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3017
http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3018

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

The Rear Diff
http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3016
The BIG jump from the 3000 cc I4 Toyota Diesel (on the Right) to the 7400 V8 (Left)
http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3358

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

Fabricated mounting brackets
http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3364
http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3365
http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3367

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

The engine in the Bay
http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3368
http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3369

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

Working on the rear diff
http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3372
Rear Diff in place
http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3373
The H1
http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3374

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

Issues and Help needed.
1- Radiator needs to be fabricated and fabricated well as this engine needs a lot of cooling. We dont get Aluminium aftermarket radiators here. I wish the Chevy one would fit but its too high. Also. I will have to cut the front bib a little to fit the radiator in front of the fan. Would love to hear from you v8 guys if they had to do this as well or they moved the engine rearward by cutting the firewall.
2- The front diff needs to be sourced (Left side drop 4.1 ratio). The TLC 60 series diffs already on the Cherokee will not stand the torque.
3- Wiring. Thanks to Jahangir, we have found a reliable and experienced electrician. We just have to convince him to work on this now. .
4- H1 Rims recentering.
5- A lot more that are expected to pop up with time.. .
We (Myself, Suhaib (my brother) and Farooq (mechanic)) would love to get opinion and technical expertise onto this project.
Will keep you all updated.
Thank you
Ehsan

[The Colonel]

What engine is this with the turbo? That's not the same one you put in the Jeep.

http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3014

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

What engine is this with the turbo? That's not the same one you put in the Jeep.

http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3014
No. Thats actually a Chevy Vortec V8 Diesel. I believe a 6.5. Here is another picture of it.
http://ijc.com.pk/forum//download/file.php?id=3015

[Chumley360]

From that second pic of the diesel, I'd say it's the 6.5L Detroit.

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

We are having some issues regarding the Aluminium Chevy Radiator that came along with the motor. Someone suggested we tilt the radiator at an angle to fit it. Has anyone had similar issues with larger V8s in FSJs?
Ehsan

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

The Dana 44 front that we found. The only thing is that its the mirror image of what we need. .. We are contemplating flipping the tubes. Any input on that would be appreciated.
Ehsan
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3376

[james1414d]

Nice project!

You seem to have some fabrication skills, why not swap the left tube with the right?

The cheapest way to deal with your radiator troubles would be to install a body lift. I am not a fan of body lifts though. If you have access to a radiator shop, they can re-core your radiator with shorter tubes unless it's a cross flow.


The Dana 44 front that we found. The only thing is that its the mirror image of what we need. .. We are contemplating flipping the tubes. Any input on that would be appreciated.
Ehsan
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3376

[El Jefe]

JP magazine has a Chevy v8 in a M715. They used a chevy radiator and cut the front fascia to make it fit. Dont know if they did a write up on it. That just from seeing pictures. Maybe check their site to see. With mine I had the upper raditor port moved to the other side so it would line up with the chevy engine. but that wasnt a big block.

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

JP magazine has a Chevy v8 in a M715. They used a chevy radiator and cut the front fascia to make it fit. Dont know if they did a write up on it. That just from seeing pictures. Maybe check their site to see. With mine I had the upper raditor port moved to the other side so it would line up with the chevy engine. but that wasnt a big block.
Thanks for the information. The guys used a Chevy conversion radiator for a '78 CJ-7 from Radiators.com. We cant get that here so we will have to retrofit the OEM Chevy Radiator. Will post pictures of the plan later today.
http://image.jpmagazine.com/f/9207202+w750+st0/154_0611_14_z+1968_m715_project_build_up+chevy_con version_radiator.jpg

[Gambler68]

rear mount it in the bed with dual fans and overflow box. Google search should give you some ideas.

[bill3]

I'm on the look for the new style radiator, side flow, with the plastic tanks. They cool better than the old style top to bottom flow. I'm not sure what radiator I have in it now. I'll try and figure it out and let you knw. It's a 4 core and keeps my 427 cool. But its starting to leak. :D Welcome to the big block world. :thumbsup:

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

rear mount it in the bed with dual fans and overflow box. Google search should give you some ideas.
That sounds like a good idea. Anyone done this on a FSJ? I will do some research on this. Have to find out if a pump or something has to be added for better water circulation and all?
Thanks
Ehsan

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

Here are some pics from today.
The Chevy Radiator
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3380
Front of vehicel off
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3384
Cutting the inner fenders
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3387
The Radiator sitting too high
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3388

Solutions?:
1 - Inboarding the Radiator to the rear of the vehicle
2 - Fram mods!!
3- Tilting the radiator and using electric fans for cooling?

Suggestions and comments are NEEDED.
Thanks
Ehsan

[bill3]

I would tilt it and run a eletric fan. I'm running ford dual eletric fans on mine and it works great. Not to hard to mount. I have mine hooked up to a togle switch. The cool thing about running it in the vehicle is its safe from the elements.

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

I would tilt it and run a eletric fan. I'm running ford dual eletric fans on mine and it works great. Not to hard to mount. I have mine hooked up to a togle switch. The cool thing about running it in the vehicle is its safe from the elements.
Is yours tilted? And do the electric fans cause problems in water crossings and mud? We are not too sure about the reliability of electric fans. Whats your take on that?
Ehsan

[Gambler68]

stock FSJ sized radiator with an aux radiator in front of it. cooling via electric fans or a good shrouded clutch type mechanical fan.

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

Just recieved the flipped front dana 44. Some work well done. :)
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3401
The OEM diff
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3402
The flipped tubes

[Rompn]

Subscribing...

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

Subscribing...
Thanks. :)
Ehsan

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

The 44 fully assembled. The sprin perchs were tach welded on (the welds have to be improved). The left perch needed some grinding of the housing to fit but nothing to threaten the structural integrity.
Ehsan
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3456
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3457
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3458
The perch on the ground 44 Diff housing.
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3459

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

Before (Toyota Front Diff with 35s on)
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3460
And after (Dana 44 with 30s on)
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3461
High steer will be done soon as well.

[mattbauer]

I realy enjoy all of your posts. SUBSCRIBED!

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

I realy enjoy all of your posts. SUBSCRIBED!
I am flattered. :)
Thanks
Ehsan

[bill3]

Is yours tilted? And do the electric fans cause problems in water crossings and mud? We are not too sure about the reliability of electric fans. Whats your take on that?
Ehsan
Yes the old top to bottom one is tilted just alittle bit. Do to the mounts they used when installing it. So far I have had no problems with my eletric fans in mud or water. And I really put it to the test over this last weekend. :rolleyes: The thing I like about them being hooked up to a switch is when you are crossing deep water creek, river or pond :D. You can shut them off till you get out of the water. I have found the ford explore has the rite size side flow radiator, only problems is the lower inlet is on the wrong side. So I'm trying to see if chevy ever had a factory water pump that is a driver side drop on the water pump for the big block. I'll let you know what I find. If you do go with a steel fan make sure you have a good shroud. Just my 2 cents :thumbsup:

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

Made the ubolt plate today
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3464
And... YES we Cut the frame to fit the Radiator.. Now we will re-enforce it bug time soon.
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3468
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3469
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3487

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

Will need some suggestions regarding the re-enfocement of the chasis at the cut end. :)
Ehsan

[rick1985]

Wow! It nice to see the project.i have to say that you have really put some hard work to get it done.Thanks for keeping us update about your project.

[TPICherokee]

Not sure if you figured our your radiator issue but we have a bolt in radiator that is set up for a GM engine. I took a 74-91 Core support and put it in my M715 and bolted this up to my 454:

http://www.bjsoffroad.com/CartGenie/prod-1079.htm

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

Not sure if you figured our your radiator issue but we have a bolt in radiator that is set up for a GM engine. I took a 74-91 Core support and put it in my M715 and bolted this up to my 454:

http://www.bjsoffroad.com/CartGenie/prod-1079.htm
Thanks for the link. We dont get there here in Pakistan. :(. We decided to go ahead and cut the frame for the sake of a cool engine.. :)
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3567
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3568

[JeepMods]

So are you going to reinforce that frame with some plate-steel?

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

So are you going to reinforce that frame with some plate-steel?
Yes. We have welded in a 4/8th plate into it already. Will put a plate on the side and post pictures up.
Ehsan

[JeepMods]

Yes. We have welded in a 4/8th plate into it already. Will put a plate on the side and post pictures up.
Ehsan

:cool: :thumbsup:

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

Making Custom high flow mufflers :)
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3577
http://ijc.com.pk/forum/download/file.php?id=3576
Ehsan

[JeepMods]

Can't wait to see how these turn-out :thumbsup:...

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

Guys. A quick and important question.... I have been looking into and researching and thinking about putting in a doubler into the setup. I dont want to floor the rig up steep slopes. I love to crawl. There are a few questions I have about that. Will take it one by one.
1 - I need this to be a near-daily driver. Can one have a doubler setup and use the rig on the road as well?
Thanks
Ehsan