Quite some interest has been shown, so I will actually do a build thread on our beloved Dexter, the Grand Cherro, after all. I’d be just as happy to keep it on the down low. It'd be a lot easier. But, it may help someone else, and entertain others, so here goes.
It’s not that I wasn’t happy with the performance and attitude of the 4.7L eight that they came with, it’s because stupid me wasn’t bleeding the air out of the cooling system sufficiently during a long trip home, after putting a small hole in the radiator while hooning around.
Even though I absolutely had one eye one the temp gauge and one eye on the road at all times...it hit the fan real bad… real quick.
Coolant dropped below the temp sensor, temp gauge lied, and seized the engine solid at 100kph plus. By the time I stopped the damage was done.
Both heads rooted, cracked three bores from memory. That motor was done. At only 115K kms.
Before I even nuked this engine I always thought about engine swapping in something else. I’m hard on gear, and abuse the crap out of this weekender. I don’t want the Powertec 4.7 anymore. I was always stoked with the 545RFE tranny, never missed a beat, until I filled it with muddy water (I should have extended the 30mm long breather tube for the tranny), but even then it was simple to rebuild, and is now in another fellow Ausjeeper’s rig and going strong.
So, I’ve sourced a Gen III LS1, 4L60e and all other bits needed donor car for very little, because I bided my time. Nearly two years actually. I want this project budget to be reasonable.
Didn’t want to fork out for a 6L, throttle by wire etc. Just give me the Gen III.
Everyone who has seen, and been drivin in this Stato thinks it's a pity it's being decommissioned. It's actually pretty decent. I admit I feel a bit bad about it, but, eyes on the prize.
There’s an insane amount of aftermarket and OEM parts support for these engines and autos. It’s ridiculous. That’s because the LS is the slut motor of the engine swap world. There is no engine as popular as this series, for repowers. World wide.
You won’t ever see work done any where near as good as in Gojeep’s build thread for example Far out, Marcus has set the bar way way wayyyy over my head Full respect there. It’s probably going to bore some readers, who have more talent than me.
I’m under no illusion of this being easy to do. Much challenge ahead. I’ve been researching the hell out of this, and actually studying towards it. Many hours already put in. More later.
The aim is to make the below legit. VicRoads certified engineer is in. Money has been put down.
Project duration estimate: 12 - 18mths
Main Bullet points to be done:
I’ll slowly get through how and why’s.
Stay tuned, but, DO NOT HOLD your breath. I’m not limiting my time for this. I want to enjoy it, do it at my own pace. So far it’s been fun.
Oh and, it's going to be a bit like this... for I be just a humble carpenter, with average dough available.
It’s not that I wasn’t happy with the performance and attitude of the 4.7L eight that they came with, it’s because stupid me wasn’t bleeding the air out of the cooling system sufficiently during a long trip home, after putting a small hole in the radiator while hooning around.
Even though I absolutely had one eye one the temp gauge and one eye on the road at all times...it hit the fan real bad… real quick.
Coolant dropped below the temp sensor, temp gauge lied, and seized the engine solid at 100kph plus. By the time I stopped the damage was done.
Both heads rooted, cracked three bores from memory. That motor was done. At only 115K kms.
Before I even nuked this engine I always thought about engine swapping in something else. I’m hard on gear, and abuse the crap out of this weekender. I don’t want the Powertec 4.7 anymore. I was always stoked with the 545RFE tranny, never missed a beat, until I filled it with muddy water (I should have extended the 30mm long breather tube for the tranny), but even then it was simple to rebuild, and is now in another fellow Ausjeeper’s rig and going strong.
So, I’ve sourced a Gen III LS1, 4L60e and all other bits needed donor car for very little, because I bided my time. Nearly two years actually. I want this project budget to be reasonable.
Didn’t want to fork out for a 6L, throttle by wire etc. Just give me the Gen III.
Everyone who has seen, and been drivin in this Stato thinks it's a pity it's being decommissioned. It's actually pretty decent. I admit I feel a bit bad about it, but, eyes on the prize.
There’s an insane amount of aftermarket and OEM parts support for these engines and autos. It’s ridiculous. That’s because the LS is the slut motor of the engine swap world. There is no engine as popular as this series, for repowers. World wide.
You won’t ever see work done any where near as good as in Gojeep’s build thread for example Far out, Marcus has set the bar way way wayyyy over my head Full respect there. It’s probably going to bore some readers, who have more talent than me.
I’m under no illusion of this being easy to do. Much challenge ahead. I’ve been researching the hell out of this, and actually studying towards it. Many hours already put in. More later.
The aim is to make the below legit. VicRoads certified engineer is in. Money has been put down.
Project duration estimate: 12 - 18mths
Main Bullet points to be done:
- Engine and trans swap - With 'ALL' electronics working
- 150mm lift, including tyre radius enlargement. To 35's.
- Keep IRO long arms, front and rear.
- Winch bar.
- Battery relocate.
I’ll slowly get through how and why’s.
Stay tuned, but, DO NOT HOLD your breath. I’m not limiting my time for this. I want to enjoy it, do it at my own pace. So far it’s been fun.
Oh and, it's going to be a bit like this... for I be just a humble carpenter, with average dough available.
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