ive searched :flipoff2: any one got any info on a 03 4.8 vortec motor and auto
i can get a wrecked truck cheap would it be worth picking up for a motor swap for my scrambler

i never new a 4.8 was a option 5.3 and 5.7

I am not sure what your question is but a 4.8L is an excelent option. As far as what to do swapping it in just look for any info that relates to any gen III engine. LS1,LS6,6.0,5.3,and 4.8 are all very similar so swapping info is basically the same. The 4.8 is still a stout little engine and will surely outperform a 6 cyl or 304 if not a 360. Quite a bit more power than a Ford 5.0L swap as well. I am in the middle of a 4.8L swap into my CJ 2a build and it is working well so far. I am runing a SM465 behind it with the stock 80s chevy truck bellhousing along with a 2000 chevy silverado clutch and flywheel from a stick shift 4.8L optioned truck. I am running a stock truck oil pan as well as intake along with modified Advanced Adapters SBF headers for a flatty. Advanced Adapters has LS style fenderwell headers for the late cjs now for your aplication. Seeing as you have a CJ8 you will have plenty of room for an automatic if you want to go that route. I will be my engine basically stock with the headers, a custom cold air intake and the only internal mod I am doing will be to add a LS1 cam for a little more camshaft. The stock cams on all the truck engines are really conservitive but I still want a fairly small cam and the truck intake to build good torque. I believe this combo will work well. The 4.8 is really underated for swapps but there are tons of them around for really cheap because they are not that popular. If you can get one for the right price go for it.
Greg

I'm in process of swapping a 5.3/4l60e/241OR into my Scrambler. Did the harness myself. It's a pretty easy swap. I got sidetracked and ended doing a frame off while I had the engine out...

4.8 is a good engine if you're OK with more power...just not ALOT more like a 6.0... gotta be wise with your gear/trans choices.

What I've done so far on mine is here- http://www.cj-8.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19032

If you run through the thread you will find a good source for cheap exhaust manifolds that fit, and alot of wiring info links.

thank you guys so much for the info
now that i have searched a few days a 4.8 will fit my needs just fine. I have a 304 np435 and a 205 in the jeep now. i really want to use the auto that is on the motor now but its looking to be a electrical nightmare :eek:

I think you will be happy with the 4.8L. Try looking for a LS1 take out cam for it if you want a little more power. I just had one given to me from someone who took it out for more power in their LS1. As for the auomatic tranny, I don't think it will be too big of a deal to wire it. Send your harness out to one of the shops like speartech to be modded and just plug it all together when done or buy a stand alone harness from Howell or painless. You will then only have to hook up a few wires and away you go. With that tranny it should be easy to find any number of choices for a transfer case that fits it. I believe a Dana 300 would be an easy bolt up that would work well. Good luck with it all. There is plenty of info on the internet for reasearch if needed. Try http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/
Greg

Some info on the Gen III motors
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ar/eb040538.htm

The good thing is that any Gen III will bolt in place of it, so you can upgrade to a 6.0l later.

An LS1 cam won't again alot even in the 4.8l and is not really worth it The LS6 cam are alittle big as well. Call crane or comps and see what they recommend for your application (4x4). Most cams are made for high rpm car motors!

The harness can be made to a three of four wire hook up. I think several sponsor on here actally are making harness.

You'll also need you PCM tuned, and the 03 might be DBW as well.

For cams try here http://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/ its LS1techs truck site.

An LS1 cam won't again alot even in the 4.8l and is not really worth it The LS6 cam are alittle big as well. Call crane or comps and see what they recommend for your application (4x4). Most cams are made for high rpm car motors!
Your right an LS1 cam will not make a ton more power. I would not waist my time sticking one in if you had to spend much money to buy one, but if you can get one for free of very little, it would be worth the gaskets to install if you are on a budget. I do not know first hand yet, but I am told that a LS1 cam works very well in a truck motor from a friend that has lots of experience with Gen III engines. GM themselves use this cam in the LQ9 6.0L. All the truck engines have tiny camshafts in them. If you have plenty of money to spend go for it and buy a comp cam that will work great in your truck. I am just saying for a low budget pick me up, see if you can't stumble across an LS1 cam. I am told an LS1 cam in a 4.8 is worth about 15HP and will make mods like headers and cold air intakes work even better and I believe it. If you seriously want bigtime more power you might as well go for a 5.3L,5.7L or 6.0L. I wouldn't spend a ton of money hopping up a 4.8L for a truck/torque application. I do believe you could make some fun high RPM power out of a 4.8L that would be great for an IROC Z camero or something but not ideal for a Jeep. Anyway just spilling out some ideas.
Greg

I do not know first hand yet, but I am told that a LS1 cam works very well in a truck motor from a friend that has lots of experience with Gen III engines. GM themselves use this cam in the LQ9 6.0L. All the truck engines have tiny camshafts in them. If you have plenty of money to spend go for it and buy a comp cam that will work great in your truck. I am just saying for a low budget pick me up, see if you can't stumble across an LS1 cam. I am told an LS1 cam in a 4.8 is worth about 15HP and will make mods like headers and cold air intakes work even better and I believe it. If you seriously want bigtime more power you might as well go for a 5.3L,5.7L or 6.0L. I wouldn't spend a ton of money hopping up a 4.8L for a truck/torque application. I do believe you could make some fun high RPM power out of a 4.8L that would be great for an IROC Z camero or something but not ideal for a Jeep. Anyway just spilling out some ideas.
GregThe LS1 cam is basically the same as the 6.0L's. The 6.0ls work well with the later LS6 cam because there 317 heads are based on the 243's. The GM hot cam is pretty good for the 4.8l/5.3l as well.

Stock LM7 cam: 190/191 .466/457 114
Stock LQ4 cam: 196/207,116,.497/.467
Stock LQ9 cam: 201/196 .479/467 116 LSA
Stock '01-02 LS6 also '04-'05 LS2: 204/211 .525 .525 116.5 LSA
Stock '03-'04 LS6: 204/218 .551 .547 116 LSA

And these cams don't really wear out as they are roller cams.

thanks for the links guys im not to worried about making big power out of the 4.8. Im just looking to put a nice running motor in my scrambler. This motor is DBW. Should i keep dbw or covert it to cable ?

thanks for the links guys im not to worried about making big power out of the 4.8. Im just looking to put a nice running motor in my scrambler. This motor is DBW. Should i keep dbw or covert it to cable ?
Just keep it you'll need the TAC box as well. It'll make it easier and you'll have easy cruise control.

thanks for the links guys I'm not to worried about making big power out of the 4.8. Im just looking to put a nice running motor in my scrambler. This motor is DBW. Should i keep dbw or covert it to cable ?
If you have the whole truck to cannablize for parts I would stick to the drive by wire. You might as well work with what you have. If you didn't have a harness or pedal from the truck I would go for the cable throttle body. The drive by wire pedal doesn't exactly work perfect with the Jeep floor as far as fitment and stroke. Jeeps have a bit of an odd pedal placement. I have only seen one fitted and I didn't like the way the pedals fit but I think if I did it I would take some more effort to make the pedal sit in the right place and have a stroke that works comfortably. I would mod the floor to work with the pedal if needed to make it right. Maybe I am just picky.
Greg

I am using the DBW setup. I measured the throw and angle of the stock gas pedal, and then built an arm for the DBW pedal that gave it the same throw. Ended up needing a longer arm . Mounted the assy just to the right of the column. Don't have any pics, it's all disassembled now for cage building.

Don't know if it's important to you, but with the DBW setup adding cruise is as easy as as adding the switches-

If you have the original harness, keeping the auto trans is the easiest route. It all just plugs in. I was going to run a NV3550 first, but finding the right flywheel/spacer/ect ended up being more expensive than buying the Novak adapter to run the 4L60E with the 241OR.

Im ready to get started i got the truck last night :D
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/flip2spin23/042109_185400.jpg
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/flip2spin23/042109_185301.jpg
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/flip2spin23/042109_185302.jpg


im going to get the truck running as it sits before i pull the motor and then i will sell the truck hopefully, it has a clear title:eek: so it should sell pretty quick