Ok, looking into this swap. AEV recommends the WK 5.7 vvt as the best option, but I've also read that all LX-based engines will work. Does anyone know for sure if the Charger accessory configuration will work? I know the front sump pan would need to be changed. How about the exhaust manifolds?

 

Regardless of the origin, you have to change manifolds.

 

I have helped out on a couple of AEV vvt conversions. (Did my own, but its non-vvt.) Unfortunately, they were all WK based crate motors so I cannot answer your question with certainty. As someone else pointed out, the exhaust manifolds need to be changed out regardless. (Although this might not be true if you go with a custom exhaust...) Since AEV specifically recommends the WK motor, I think it is safe to say the LX motor will require more mods.

I think the two major areas of concern are the intake arrangement and the front accessory mounting hardware. Both can be solved, but at what cost. If you can do some research as to the intake manifold that would be where most of the cost would be. If the intakes are different, plan on installing a new intake for a WK. The front accessory mounting points are most likely the same in the block - its the brackets and pulleyes and tensioner that may have to change.

You could have some sensor issues as well, but those are not too bad to change out, depending on which ones. A couple of mine were "wrong" but I was surprised at how inexpensive they were.

Hope that helps a little.................

 

You cant change the accessory locations. Its the routing of the lines that complicates it. You can use any lx, wk and dr motor. The difference is the ease of routing lines and air intake. The manifolds are changed to get the angle necessary to clear firewall. The wk manis work stock, while the 6.1 manis have to be reclocked to get the angle. It all depends on what motor you get, how involved the swap.

 

Hhmmm, I have seen the 6.1 motors with the stock intakes work just fine with the AEV kit for 6.1s. Its the 6.4s where the intake manifold angle has to be corrected. But AEV has a solution for that.

 

Ok, good information provided. But I'm still a little unclear on engine type and few other things. Let me list of a few 'assumptions' and you guys can comment/respond:

1. How many 'classes' of the 5.7vvt are there? I know the LX version is for cars. Does the Grand Cherokee also fall into this category regarding intake and accessory placement? I take it the DR version mentioned above is the truck version (which I know has a different upper and lower intake as well as accessory placement and exhaust manifolds - I am NOT considering this motor).

2. There were two conflicting statements above. I think the one from jkcondry was correct....the WK exhaust manifolds are the ones required by AEV. Any other motor will require the WK manifolds, correct?

 

I think you misunderstood both of us. If you use a WK 5.7L VVT motor and an AEV premium kit (with AEV exhaust) you have to change the exhaust manifolds to a non-vvt 5.7L exhaust manifold. (And even though AEV's BOM does not tell you to get new gaskets I would as I have changed these manifolds and sometimes the gasket comes off perfectly intact and sometimes in pieces.) Now, if you choose to not use the AEC exhaust, I think you might be able to keep the VVT exhaust manifolds. There will some interference with the control arm mount, but I think you can trim it to clear. I say I think because I have never done it, but it might be possible.

As for classes of VVT motors, I am pretty sure the Commander and the Grand Cherokee motors are the same. The passenger car version is different from the Commander / Grand Cherokee version. The truck version is very different, as you stated. Have you contacted AEV? They know this stuff because these questions come up all the time. I don't know about the LX motors as I have never worked with one of those on a hemi conversion.

 

Yes, I did contact AEV. They basically couldn't (or wouldn't) provide any insight. They said they only work with new WK engines, so they do not keep track of the other options. I'd hoped for a little more responsiveness since I'm sure they've dealt with questions about this a 100 times on the Builder kits. Oh well, can't force them to help. I've posted the same question now on the AEV forum, so maybe a user will be more helpful.

Thanks,
Bryan

 

Here's the answer I received from Dave on the AEV forum in case anyone would like to know. Still not 100% sure on the Charger accessories, but it sounds like they're at least in the right place:

"Not sure who would have told you that, but it breaks down like this.

Car and Jeep ENGINES are essentially the same.
Dodge truck and Durango ENGINES are the same but have a front end acc drive that is longer and doesn't work with our kit because you would need to bash in the firewall to make it fit.
The Dodge Trucks, Durangos, Jeep Commander, Grand Cherokee all use the 545 trans which is what you need.
The LX Car's use the A580 which does not work with our 07-11 JK HEMI kits.

So you can use the LX engine but you'll need a Jeep or Dodge Truck transmission and associated parts like the flexplate etc.

You'll need to use the parts list we provide to make sure you have the correct sensors, alternator, PS pump, exhaust manifolds etc.

dh"

 

Not surprised that Dave jumped in right away and answered your question. He has always been great to work with.

One last thing..........since you will be sourcing the 545 trans separately, you might want to make sure you get a 2010 or older trans. Chrsyler changed the valve body in 2011 but kept the part number the same as the 2010. This caused some compatability issues when using the AEV kit and a 2011 545 transmission. To be honest, not sure if AEV has solved this issue or not, but the safest way to go is to source a 2010 or older transmission. If you get a 2011 trans, you can change the valve body back to the 2010 version, but then you are tearing into the transmission, more cost, more work, etc.

One other last point, the truck 545s and the Jeep 545s are the same transmissions, but the torque converters are different. Either will work and as to which is "better" is sort of a "ford" vs 'chevy" thing. Some people will prefer the truck torque converter and others will prefer the Jeep torgue converters. Just something to know going in. Hope that helps.