PHOTOS OF JOHNSON VALLEY ROLL-OVER AND IN MY GALLERY IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A LOOK, I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO LOAD TO MY BLOG. [IMG][/IMG]

Went out to Johnson Valley today and went up a small canyon about a mile and a half long. Roughest trail to date for me. got about about 3/4 the way up and we decided to turn around and head back down. I got down to the bottom and on one of the easier section I caught a rock on the left side and fell into a hole on the right rear. and rolled it onto it's side. Nice slow roll. with some good damage. I hit the right side A pillar windshield frame, cracked the front window, front fender, smashed the right rear top and took out the side window. New top $1300, New fender $400, New windshield frame, window,
and body damage $1,500. Memories to share with friends for a lifetime, Priceless. I think I will use my American Express card a lot soon. I think since i spent all the money i did on this engine swap and goodies to go with it. Rolling was my biggest fears. But after it happen I didn't bother me, Bother Me, Bother Me. At all. The roll cage add-ons where money well spent.
I have the rear crossover bars from Rockhard and it landed on it square. No problem!!! So any of you guys out there have a hardtop, windshield frame, CHEAP? contact me!!!

I went to the smog referre the other day to see if i did my V8 engine swap up to code. He looked at my Jeep and said you did a fine job but you can meet any smog requirements for California!!! But why I ask? So he started down the list.
#1 you have a Corvette motor, then you have to have a Corvette transmission, I said the Corvette has a Transmission in the rear of the car this is a Corvette style trans.?
#2 A Corvette never came with a transfer case.
#3 you have to have Corvette headers, Catalytic converters, intake, gas tank. I said that stuff will not fix in my Jeep. So what do I do? He said I don't care you just can't register it
here!!
So In review, you have to use all the same engine, trans, transfer case,headers, as were in the
donor car or truck, So the smog guy can turn your Jeep into a Chevy 4 x 4 truck or a Dodge 4 x 4 truck. As to what I am going to do? I am not sure yet! I most likely going to register it in another state. My Dad Lives in Arizona,
PS. the smog guy said that the newer motor produces much less smog than the in line Six!!!

WELL I got the jeep all back together on Friday afternoon and loaded it up and left for the Rubicon on Saturday morning, Ran the Rubicon on Monday and tuesday Very tough trail neverending
boulders, cliffs, dropoff's, granite ledges, and I made it though with the only damage was my torsion bar connector rods bent. So i removed them and continued on!!! Coil-over's are great and the jeep is (if it is possable) to tall in the front. Put a real nice dent in the front diff
cover. Air the 37" xterrains down to 15lb and had great traction. The ls1 ran great plenty of power got 17mpg on the highway and 11 off road. better than the stright six.

As to the do's and don'ts of the engine swap.

Don't buy a corvette ls1, the air compressor is in the wrong spot, wrong oil pan,
Do buy a truck ls1 they make a 350hp truck motor

do buy the biggest raditor and fan you can fit in!!

the Hemi is and easier swap dodge to dodge but it weight 150lb more.

do buy the 4l60e auto trans or the 4l80e for the overdrive.

do buy advance adpater swap kit it worked good.

Do have a big big wallet!!!

If you have any questions feel free to call me if you are considering this swap.

Bill 760-250-8980

Well i never thought the day would come but it's here!!!!! It runs, it drives at least that's what the mechanic said??? He drive it today, as i drove to get the final Rims, and rear torsion bar to complete my project. all the bump stops were put in today, tires and rims tomorrow oh! and torsion bar. He said it feels very sold, lots of power and tork. all the gages work execpt
the gas gage is the wrong one, reads backwards.

Driveshaft are in and off to the Muffler shop, front bumpwer is back on and no brake line yet.
More phots on my gallery

Well since my last post Vast improvement have been made, The engine runs, sounds great, suspention is mostly complete, bump stops and straps left. Driveshafts tomorrow and off to the muffler shop all the new Autometer gages work but the fuel gauge is the wrong one reads full on empty. all hose, a/c, raditor hooked up. looking good, sold my 35" and rims for $800 and ordered walker evans, beadlocks & 37" xterrains @ $3,500 buckaroos. should be here by Friday.
I took a couple of photos and will post them in my Gallery.

WAITING FOR PARTS IS KILLING ME!!! Finally got my new gas tank today the gen right enduro 25 gallon looks great but still waiting for front coil-overs and new oil pan. I removed the instrument cluster, removed the clear plastic and used the under structure for my new Auto meter gauges. so far so good.

I am in the middle of my project TJ it is a 1998 and i have removed the stock stright six with and auto trans. In place of that i have installed a 2001 5.7 Corvette ls1 all aluminum engine with a B & M 4l60e 4 speed trans. i kept the stock tranfer case np231. To withstand the additional horsepower the front and rear axles were removed and replaced with Currie 9+ high pinion 35 spine axles the rear has explorer disc brakes arb air lockers ans 4:11 gears. the front has dana 60 knuckles warn hubs wilwood duel piston calipers arb air lockers and 4:11 gears. I am still working on the suspention and steering so far i have King coilovers front and rear and removed all the stock stocks and springs and kept my Rubicon 5.5 longarm lift, with tri-link. the front steering is being fabed up now as a high steer with heim joints. I have run into many problems i doing this swap and was hoping to help out the next swap guy!! I would not buy the covette ls1 again, instead i would have gone for an ls1 out of a truck or Camaro. the corvette has a flat oil pan with fins that stick out to the sides and i had to replace it. the air compresser is in the way of the frame and had to buy a relocation kit to move the compresser up to the top of the motor. some truck motors come that way. the wiring is tough also. Chevy ecm and Chysler gauges done mix. so I replaced all the dash gauges with Auto meter gauges. I lucked out with headers, the rep at Doug Thorley headers helped me and the first set fit perfect. Part #thy309C.