2008 Wrangler JK 6.1L HEMI Swap Part 2

Cleveland Power and performance is proud to continue our latest build! We will be completing a 2008 Wrangler JK 6.1l HEMI swap. If you haven’t already, please make sure to check out our first blog entry on this build.

Due to the overwhelming requests from our customers, we will be swapping this 6.1L Hemi SRT-8 V8 engine into a theft recovery Wrangler Rubicon. Since the theft recovery had no damage, it has already been inspected by the state and carries a Rebuilt Ohio Title. We are now going to go forward with installing the SRT-8 Hemi Engine. Follow this blog to see the swap from start to finish.

In our last entry on this Jeep, we left off with the Jeeps body off of the frame. We took the necessary measurements that we needed and began an inventory list on the parts needed for the swap. As mentioned previously, we will be doing as much of this build as possible in house. That means using parts that we already have here, and fabricating what we can.

When we began looking into doing this swap, we honestly saw a very limited selection of parts and we set out to make our own kit, instead of buying one of the available kits. We are going to compare numbers and in the end see how much our parts cost as opposed to the kits out there. Making our own kit is also going to give this swap better form and fit over the cookie cutter kits out there that use generic coolers, bottles, and hoses.

After removing the original wrangler driveline, the engine mounts seemed like a good place to start the fabrication. Here are some photos showing the original mounts, and the set that we made in our shop.

We also began test fitting the HEMI in the Jeep to get an idea of the available space we will have for cooling, batteries, manifolds etc. Here is how the drivelines look next to each other, and how the HEMI looks in the Jeep.

Next we will tackle the necessary modifications to the exhaust manifolds, cooling, and more. Stay tuned to our blog to see this Jeep come to life, and as always please feel free to give us a call at 66-236-5031 with any questions.