Hello guys my name is Kristján Stefánsson and i come from Iceland, This is my first post, I am not quite sure were to put it but i thought it is pretty hardcore to stuff a BBC in a small CJ5.

So here's the thing, I have a '66 CJ5 that currently has 350 SBC in it and i am in source for more power, Big Block Power.

The Jeep is on 38" ground hawks
Dana 44's with 4.10's
SBC 350 mildly built - for now.
Th-350 transmission with shift kit.
Dana 20 transfer case.
Coil spring front/rear.

The frame has been extended 30 Cm and i have bought a big block to put in the Jeep, i was wondering if anybody here had done such thing to a little Jeep.

Do i need to beef the frame up around the motor mounts ? and what exactly do i need to do to the Jeep so it can take a big block.
It is my understanding that all cast BBC is only 100 lbs heavier than all cast SBC.

Please tell me your thoughts about my adventure :D

Best regards and take care

Kristján.

Honestly, I think it would be much easier to put your jeep on that big block!

For more power, I would custom build a complete new frame, beef the T-case up with 32 spline outputs, build custom front fenders and use a hood off of a '72 or later jeep to get more room for cooling equipment. You are gonna need a much stouter frame and better crossmembers for all of that torque, plus the added wieght. Also dont forget about beefing up your suspension, although your only adding about 150 lbs of motor, its all concentrated up front. Add that to all of the extra wieght torquing much harder than a small block, and I can hear metal crunching. Also plan on traction bars if you are going with a leaf spring suspension.

I am not going with a custom built frame, My Jeep has had a 500-550 HP 406 SBC and that wasn't a problem at all.
The front end is extended 30 Cm, so i am about 20 Cm longer than 72+ models.

I am running coil springs in the Jeep, front and rear.

Here's a photo of my Jeep

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v354/144/76/765064861/n765064861_1012493_8120.jpg

Best regards.

Looks like a sweet jeep! Good luck with the big block!

Thanks.

The engine that is going in this winter is 396 BBC that has been mildly built :D
Just a pump gas engine. As i have found by browsing the internet and mentioned above a Cast everything BBC is only 100 lbs heavier than Cast everything SBC, I have aluminum intake of course and headers, there i should save a couple of pounds.
So because my Jeep has already been with 500-550 HP 406 SBC that had shit load of torque, it might just withstand the Big Block as well, or atleast with few / minor modifications to the frame, besides that i think it has been beefed up a little with cross-members that seems to me are not original.

Here's another photo of the Jeep.

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v354/144/76/765064861/n765064861_1012492_7773.jpg

On this website - www.icejeep.com here are many photos of our icelandic Jeep/truck culture, it all started in 1970/80's when farmers and adventue guys started to put larger tires under Jeep's and Broncos, they started with tires around 31" but soon started to use tires from Volvo Laplander (they where 34" high), and now the largest and biggest trucks are rolling on 54" tires but 38" is still the most popular for guys driving in snow, because they are radial tires so they are still driveable :D Gumbo Monster Mudder is the most popular tires among us icelanders and has been for many years.

Best Regards.

LIES


there are no trees in Iceland. :flipoff2:

Kinda serious though...lived there a few years back. No trees, especially ones taller than a house. Have things changed since I was a wee lad? :p

The BB will bolt up to your current mounts and trans.Since you already have the SBC.The thing is the length from bellhousing to motor mounts is the same but from the motor mounts forward the BB is IIRC 7" longer.This doesn't leave much room for the radiator.So you will have to move the rad. forward or not run a engine mounted fan.Good luck.

The Big Block is 2" longer yes only 2" longer !!! I will be running electric water-pump so there is no mechanical fan, but i am going to have electric fan on the other side of the radiator.
The engine on the other hand looks like a monster, but i think it's just because it is in more of a V than the Small Block and the valve covers and heads are gigantic.

This is the 396 than is going in to the Jeep :D

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs247.snc1/9416_1171724744699_1575420845_448783_3897788_n.jpg

TJVigilante Did you go to any Formula Off Road Races ?
And also where did you live ?

Best regards.

I lived on the Keflavik Naval Air Station as a kid in the late 80's, didn't go to any formula offroad races as they didn't exist back then.

I've always wanted to go back, but it's pricey living up there.

are you working on that thing in your living room?

This is the garage :grinpimp:
Has anyone here done this before - thus putting BBC into an old CJ5 ?

This is the garage :grinpimp:
Has anyone here done this before - thus putting BBC into an old CJ5 ?

I have a stock TBI 454 under the hood of my CJ-7.I could have swore the BB was more then 2" longer.I got rid of the mech fan. and cut the grille to fit a stock Chevy 4 core rad.Best pics I have.
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr359/Cheepin70/radmount.jpg
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr359/Cheepin70/cj.jpg
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr359/Cheepin70/CJtub.jpg
It isn't finished yet.Here's the build.
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=729072&highlight=

I have measured the both engines the 350 that is in the Jeep right now and it measures 76.5 Cm with mechanical fan blade.
The big block however measures 76 Cm astonishing i thought, I never thought i would gain space by putting BBC in the jeep but :flipoff2:
However i need to test fit it in the Jeep and then i will see it black on white how it is going to be :)

Really like your build Mr Cheepin.

Best regards and take care.