Completed: At Home 6.1 Hemi Conversion
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
From: Longmont
Completed: At Home 6.1 Hemi Conversion
In short: 2007 JK Rubicon Unlimited. Bone stock to start. 6.1 Hemi with 5 speed automatic from Burnsville Offroad. AEV: 4.5 premium lift, 37 MT/R w/Kevlar tires, AEV Pinter wheels, and AEV front bumper with Warn 9500ti winch.
I installed a 2 post lift in the garage prior to install to facilitate a much easier install. Separated the body from the chassis. Only minor welding required for the motor mounts and transmission mount. A little more experience required to "re-clock" the header flanges to clear the upper control arm mounts on the JK. That was done professionally. A/C lines required modified as well as a little tweaking of the power steering cooling lines. A complete custom exhaust is required. I am using a Hot Rod shop here in Denver who only does mandrel bending for a true 3" exhaust all the way back.
In the end it took me 3.5 days from start to finish for the Hemi conversion. An additional 2 days for the lift and other little things to finish the job. It would have gone quicker if I has more help from buddies but when I worked on it from 6:30 till midnight every day it was a little much to ask.
Videos: Separating the body and chassis. The 1st start of the HEMI
New Shoes compared to the originals:
Body and Chassis separation (3.5 hours total from start to apart)
The Hemi in the stand (you have to replace the oil pan for proper mating to the transmission as well as remove the headers for the re-clocking)
Empty chassis waiting for a new heart and mounts:
New motor mounts:
Speaking of new heart:
Re-Clocking of the header flanges:
Ready to mate the two back together:
Friends always willing to lend a hand:
Finished:
New AEV Bumper:
Completed rig with lift and new tires and wheels:
This was nothing hard but time consuming. I wouldn't hesitate to anyone who can wrench to do this themselves. I searched long and hard prior to me taking this on trying to find someone else who did it themselves but couldn't find anyone. I am more than willing to assist anyone with what I learned along the way.
Enjoy!!
Mike
I installed a 2 post lift in the garage prior to install to facilitate a much easier install. Separated the body from the chassis. Only minor welding required for the motor mounts and transmission mount. A little more experience required to "re-clock" the header flanges to clear the upper control arm mounts on the JK. That was done professionally. A/C lines required modified as well as a little tweaking of the power steering cooling lines. A complete custom exhaust is required. I am using a Hot Rod shop here in Denver who only does mandrel bending for a true 3" exhaust all the way back.
In the end it took me 3.5 days from start to finish for the Hemi conversion. An additional 2 days for the lift and other little things to finish the job. It would have gone quicker if I has more help from buddies but when I worked on it from 6:30 till midnight every day it was a little much to ask.
Videos: Separating the body and chassis. The 1st start of the HEMI
New Shoes compared to the originals:
Body and Chassis separation (3.5 hours total from start to apart)
The Hemi in the stand (you have to replace the oil pan for proper mating to the transmission as well as remove the headers for the re-clocking)
Empty chassis waiting for a new heart and mounts:
New motor mounts:
Speaking of new heart:
Re-Clocking of the header flanges:
Ready to mate the two back together:
Friends always willing to lend a hand:
Finished:
New AEV Bumper:
Completed rig with lift and new tires and wheels:
This was nothing hard but time consuming. I wouldn't hesitate to anyone who can wrench to do this themselves. I searched long and hard prior to me taking this on trying to find someone else who did it themselves but couldn't find anyone. I am more than willing to assist anyone with what I learned along the way.
Enjoy!!
Mike
Last edited by TheMike; Sep 11, 2009 at 05:23 PM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ
What is funny is after all of that, you are still a "JK newbie" because you only have 5 posts. Your status should automatically be raised. Well done with the conversion. The JK looks cool separated like that. did you yank the drivetrain prior to lifting the body or after? Seems like it would be cake afterwards. I have hemi-envy!
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
From: Longmont
I really don't consider that any harder that a lift installation. Just takes time. I was very suprises how easy it all went together. The Devil is in the details so time will tell as to long term durability. I'de do it again, no hesitation at all.
