Every thing that has been mentioned above has merit.
And these are just my attempts to contribute.
Winches, bumpers bigger tires can add up to significant weight. After market springs are available to compensate the weight gain and help improve the quality of the ride.
PERFORMANCE
I added every bolt-on enhancement possible to my 88 YJ. Offenhauser intake , headers, Carter 4 bbl. MSD etc etc. Ultimately I couldn't tell a difference in performance. Still got 10 mpg sitting on blocks...
The stock V6 in our 07 JKUR is completely dependable, even here in the mountains of Montana. It never missed a beat last year even at minus 30 degrees. That being said I am still going to upgrade to a V8 and try to make a better overland long distance rig. I hope whatever you decide for yourself is the right answer for you. Good luck and safe wheeling.

 

yaak- I very much appreciate your input! I'm not necessarily discounting a V8 swap completely. For now, I am due to funds. I simply want to make sure it's the route I want to go. Just like a SC, just like staying stockish, with a tune and re-gear. Remaining close to stock is the cheapest/safest route after all. I don't want to rush head long into an expensive upgrade, whatever that may be. I hope to see a write-up when you do your swap! It'll be an interesting and informative read for sure!

 

I did a SC thinking that 5k would be worth it and it SUCKED. The 3.8 is just to weak in the first place. I was getting 4mpg and the auto trans makes it worse. The 3 speed with overdrive (they call it a 4 speed) is always either 3700rpm or chugging and the trans is always overheating. The 3.8 is basically a stroked minivan motor that is good for 100k by itself. Add forced induction and it will either spin the crank (I've seen three of these personally even without a SC) or the pos will grenade.... Save your money and upgrade to a newer Jeep with the 3.6 pentastar 2012 or newer or better yet V8 swap (thats what I did)

Just my 2 cents

 

A 3.6L conversion never made much sense to me. All that expense for another V6... But ultimately, I will more than likely end up going the V8 route. For now though, it's out of the question. The 3.8L serves my current needs well enough.

Thank you all for the great input! Definitely gives me points to consider in this struggle LOL

 

Some food for thought.
It appears the chevy ls engine swap can get better mpg than the jeep v6... if you can keep you foot off the pedal.
(I'm still going hemi)
The best advice I've received is
1. Don't start until you have all the parts.
2. Be patient
3. If you supply you own motor and transmission you will save. Also get all the accessories with the engine, power steering pump, alternator, air conditioning pump.
The 545rfe is the easiest way to go. (Programming the cpu)
4. There are complete parts lists here in these forums.
5. There are instructions here too.
It's Easier said than done.
The pro shops take the body off... not necessary.
The 241j transfer case is frequently misidentified. The model with the red and white round metal tag is the strongest stock case. 3/4 ton....
I'll pass you more when I learn it.

 

Sorry for the hijack but - by the time I am done I will have spent about $15k USD to install a 16000 mile 2016 Silverado 1500 5.3 Gen 5 direct injection engine and 8 speed 8L90 auto into my Jeep. That is from stem to stern including cooling upgrades, console and shifter new from Jeep (converted from a manual), all little bits and pieces purchased such as CATs, O2 sensors, MAF sensor, air filter, rad hoses and pipes, driveshafts, MC suspension, Chev Throttle pedal (specific for an 8 spd auto) and the myriad of small uncounted items. The bulk of the kit came from Motech and that part is bolt in or plug and play. Would I do it on my own ? Not at all. Way too complicated to get the same functionality that I will get. Was it worth it - for me, yes, as I got this Rubi for $13700CDN 2 years ago with 85,000miles on it. This post was to add to the OP to give him an idea of costs. Some of the costs involve Motech paying a third party about (or they charge us) $700US to have the T87 transmission computer unlocked to revise the pickup shift points to match the required shift points for the Jeep.
OP - you have a nice list of add ons there though without the extra HP. Good luck with all of that.

 

I remember what it was like when I was only 64... the good old days.
My question to you is having a 5.3 that spools up much faster than most of the other V8's and 355 horsepower are you happy you made the swap?

 

Yeah- I was figuring on $15k-$20k for a complete engine swap. No way would I attempt to "go it alone". I absolutely would get a swap kit. That's the majority of the cost right there... The only two kits I'm looking at are Motech and a Hemi kit from Jeep Speed Shop. Only because both of those are CARB legal. Well, in MD they're both legal, as those two kits specifically retain all smog equipment. But the complete kit from Motech is just over $10k and the JSS kit is just under $9k, neither of those prices includes engine/trans. Prices around me for 5.3L/6L80 and a 5.7/545 are about the same- hovering around $2k ea. for engine and trans- so $4k. With an LS I'd have to swap over to a standard JK t-case, and w/the Hemi swap, I can keep my Rubicon t-case. So around $15k if I do the swap myself in the driveway, and I'm thinking at least $5k for someone to install, plus tax. That's how I'm figuring $15k-$20k for a V8 swap. The only reason I was leaning towards a SC is because it's cheaper, by far. Also, all the mods I do now are transferable. Would 5.13 gears work well w/a 6 or 5 speed auto? I hate doing things twice, especially if they cost a decent amount of money! SOMEDAY I'll do the V8 swap. These JK's are heavy, and I'm not sure why Mopar never offered it as an option- they did w/Grand Cherokees... Mopar would have sold so many more JK's if they had. They could have sold special edition JK's w/more powerful engines/tunes as well. So much potential lost... Oh well.

 

Yak - not run this yet but guy I met in Edmonton and he did the Gen 4 LS and 6L90 tranny with a Motech conversion and he said it pulled hard and was economical more so than stock. He ran 4.88 gears and 37" tires on Rubi diffs. I have the Gen 5 at 355HP and 8 speed and according to Robbie at Motech this will have same giddyup as the Gen 4 6 litre. Start up (without exhaust) is Sunday this weekend. Will fill tranny when engine is running and see what happens.

Yemx - if you want an all round setup go with the 5.7. Way more easier on gas and still loads of power. You can even use the later model 2012+ Jeep 5 speed auto with that engine plus you can use the stock rad so you save a few hundred each time here and there and it adds up. And BTW the standard TCase is what I used and swapped my Rubi one with my son. With the GM 8L90 I have a 4.6:1 first gear and being an auto with converter slip that is amazing and makes up for the 4:1 case gone. Also using the 4:1 behind the Chev is possible and Advance Adapters I believe sell one. The problem here is the new input gear into the TCase is so thin V8 power has known to break the gear under heavy load. So with the 2.72:1 the wall thickness of the same input gear is larger which prevents this problem, Other way to fix this issue (throw $$$$$$ at it) is to use an Atlas TC.

 

Thank you Sixty4x4 for your good input.

When I first started thinking about doing a swap I wanted to do a 6.2 Chevy with a 6l80. There's a lot of advantages and... perks? With an LS engine. RPM extreme has great products.
I have come to the understanding that going with a Dodge Hemi is ( perhaps ) the way to go to offer a better ultimate resale value. Then the next issue (for me) is if I'm going to go through all the hassle of the swap might I get the biggest most powerful motor ? Again thinking of possible future resale. I hate throwing money away. It means a 5 speed automatic instead of a 6 or 8 speed automatic, but the hemi has other enticements. My ultimate goal is a long distance rig.