6L80 based TJ Wrangler Build

[Shabs]

Hi,

I am looking to put a GM V8 into my TJ Wrangler. There are plenty of Gen 3 builds out there but they typically mate to the 4LXX tranny. Nothing wrong with this tranny, but the 6 speed has a mighty 1st gear ratio that will allow me far better off road performance and on road driveability with 33 inch tyres.

Two questions:

1) are there any good sources in the uk for GM engines? Given my Jeep is rhd, I could try to import from AUS, but that will get expensive

2) are there any uk based shops that have done Gen4 and 6L80 based builds? Because the tranny and engine talk, the US based forums seem to regard this as materially more difficult than Gen 3 based. Holds

Help much appreciated

[stevieturbo]

Shabs said:

Hi,

I am looking to put a GM V8 into my TJ Wrangler. There are plenty of Gen 3 builds out there but they typically mate to the 4LXX tranny. Nothing wrong with this tranny, but the 6 speed has a mighty 1st gear ratio that will allow me far better off road performance and on road driveability with 33 inch tyres.

Two questions:

1) are there any good sources in the uk for GM engines? Given my Jeep is rhd, I could try to import from AUS, but that will get expensive

2) are there any uk based shops that have done Gen4 and 6L80 based builds? Because the tranny and engine talk, the US based forums seem to regard this as materially more difficult than Gen 3 based. Holds

Help much appreciated

I'd say Craig at Dynotorque has probably done more conversions that anyone in the UK. Although not sure about that specific trans. If you google "6L80 wiring swap", multiple options do appear so that aspect shouldnt be too difficult ?

As for the engine...an engine is just that, it wont care whether it's from the US or Aus, ie LHD or RHD. It's the accessories that bolt to that engine and the chassis its going into that would matter and how much room you have.
And there are guys who say some Aussie sources are cheaper than US sources for engines anyway.

So presumably the comment about expensive...rules out new/crate engines ? Obviously budget will be all important.

If you search Tech, there are various Jeep, Wrangler swaps and also 6L80 swaps so through those there are bound to be various control solutions, even if not all on one specific vehicle.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids-28/

[Shabs]

Thank you for this, I have looked around and found some interesting things:

1) you can get a paddle shifter / manumatic for the 4L60, which opens a wider more cost effective array of potential engines like the LS1

2) looking at AUS eBay, you can get GM L76 plus 6L80e at reasonable prices. It actually just clicked that as I am an Aus citizen and have lots of friends out there, I could potentially import this more cheaply as a one off

I will call the contact above to get his thoughts on the transplant differences between Gen 3 -'d Gen 4 engines. Would also like a ballpark cost estimate on it

[Psimpson7]

I have a Gen4 and 6l80 almost done in a Defender.

I am using a speartech standalone loom setup, with the tapup/down functions enabled on a seperate switch, and a lokar shifter (10" one for a 4l80)

http://www.speartech.com/product_p/58x6l-hp.htm

It may be worth having a read of this thread of mine.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

There are a number of issues you may hit which you may not have thought of especially if you use a car based engine and box, including the fact that the auto output is just a 3bolt flange for a tailshaft. You will need to convert it to a 4wd output to be able to fit a Transfer case.

[stevieturbo]

Have a nosey here too, always people buying and selling bits. There are a few guys who import parts too and some from the 4wd world

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1375847329333903/

[Shabs]

Psimpson7 said:

I have a Gen4 and 6l80 almost done in a Defender.

I am using a speartech standalone loom setup, with the tapup/down functions enabled on a seperate switch, and a lokar shifter (10" one for a 4l80)

http://www.speartech.com/product_p/58x6l-hp.htm

It may be worth having a read of this thread of mine.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

There are a number of issues you may hit which you may not have thought of especially if you use a car based engine and box, including the fact that the auto output is just a 3bolt flange for a tailshaft. You will need to convert it to a 4wd output to be able to fit a Transfer case.

Your thread is invaluable, exactly what I am considering doing except in a Jeep. Do you have the details of the conversion parts to take the 6L80e from 2wd to 4wd. If I could import the L76 package from AUS essentially as you have done it, that would be very cost effective

[Psimpson7]

Hi Shabs,

The 6l80 4WD rear housing is: GM 24241166
the seal is: GM 24238076
The coreplugs from memory are 13mm but I can't find the part number of those at the moment. When I do I will update this.

Cheers
Pete

[Shabs]

Thank you mate, massively appreciated

Why did you go with a separate lever for manual shifting and not paddles or buttons on the steering wheel?

[Psimpson7]

I just have a small toggle switch set up for the tap up/down at the moment. I haven't decided what I will do long term yet. I need to try it first and see how I get on with it.

I felt paddles were a bit overkill for what the car is used for. I may change my mind but the steering wheel is too large for most of the off the shelf solutions, and swapping to a smaller wheel causes other issues.

I see some of the UK tuners who do LS conversions in Defenders use a push button control panel to operate the auto (presumably with a servo motor to move the selector on the box?) and some even use an electronic handbrake but its all something else to stop working which I could do without next time I sink it in some sort of pond in the middle of nowhere!