Im basically getting lost. If I find some info on the net, 5 minutes later i find contradicting info or info I dont understand due to abbreviated or slang terminology.

Anyways, I have a feeling this is very simple. But cant figure out where to go from here. Between all the over time, and all the staring at a computer screen till 4am, i guess its gettin to me.

Heres what I have so far.

A jeep.

An 89' LB9 engine and TPI (no egr, no coldstart).

The transmission is an AX15 (5spd manual) and 231j tcase.

A 16198259 ECM with APYY 1613

1986 HEI distributor.


Can anyone recommend a stand alone harness that will work for this setup?

Can anyone recommend a reputable PROM programing service?

I dont mind buying the PROM burning stuff myself, but dont know what all components I would need to buy. So I just wanna get this thing going first while I drown more brain cells in caffeine and skittles learnin how to prod a PROM.

 

I am very interested in getting the G3 from Moates and his Burn2 kit. I think I may venture down that road.

 

Something like this harness cheaper than one from Painless
Can be had as low as $250

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TPI-M...Q5fAccessories

http://www.pcmforless.com/index.php?...id=2&Itemid=43

 

I would recommend leaving the motor and ecm as stock as possible. I also wouldnt recommend using the AX-15 with a V-8.

www.novak-adapt.com
Check that site out. I have a 2001 Jeep TJ that I am going to swap a LS-2 into and have been researching for a while. The NV-3550 Trans would be a better one to go with and they are found in the later model Jeep cherokee's. (98-01, I believe.) Make sure you check the local regs regarding the swap for smog and safety regs.

Also check this site: www.virtualjeepclub.com I am drknow90rs on there as well.
Good luck!

 

I'm going to assume it's a YJ? Most "Block hugger" headers work well with this.

 

You guys are great.
Thanks DrKnow. I plan on leaving the motor stock. And putting taller gears in. And running stock tires. This will be a highway daily driver. As far as not using the Ax15, thats another one of the contradictions I keep running into. Actually Novac told me I would be just find running the ax15. Not to mention that the stock jeep 4.0 of the same day had more HP an TQ than this LB9.
So based on all that, I assume I will be ok if I treat it right. But I will be going to 3550 once I can afford one. Its a direct replacement for the ax15 (i think). Just maybe have to take a hair off the drive shaft.

Yup. Its a yj. I have some vette ram horns I was gonna use.

 

If you baby it, the AX-15 will be fine for now. It is a direct swap. I think the rear shaft will even work. The Ax-15 is often called "The renault transmission" because overseas, they used it in the Renault fuego. Novak's adaptors are the best out there, and their machining is second-to-none.

Just glad to help out!

 

Good to know about Novak. Thats where I will be getting the adapter.
I plan on getting the motor mount from A.Adapter. I have heard good things about it.

One thing I havent looked into yet is the clutch assembly that the Nov adapter requires.

 

I'm not sure about the clutch, but the Novak motor mounts are adjustable front-to-rear and for height, allowing you greater adjustability later on when you want to swap in a different trans. Call Novak, everyone says their customer svc is the best and that they have the answers. Let us know how it goes and post pics!

 

Oh trust me. You'll know how it goes.

 

Not quite.

From allpar.com
Specifications (2003)

Overhead valves (two per cylinder), flat-face followers, hydraulic lifters, cast iron block and head
3960 cc (242 cubic inches)
98.4 mm bore x 86.7 mm stroke
8.8:1 Compression ratio
Redline: 5,300 rpm
Maximum power, 2003, Wrangler: Wrangler: 2003 figuresUSA/Europe: Horsepower190/177, Pound-feet235/218

and from f-body.org
89IROC
Formula
Trans Am A4 LB9 V8 9.3:1 5.0L (305) 195hp@4000 295lbtq@2800TPI 89IROC
Formula
Trans Am M5 LB9 V8 9.3:1 5.0L (305) 220hp@4400 290lbtq@3200TPI 89IROC
Formula
Trans Am M5 LB9 V8 9.3:1 5.0L (305) 230hp@4600 300lbtq@3200TPI

 

What you have got there is the later model wrangler (TJ model from 1997 to 2006) the model he has is a YJ and has even less power. The way jeeps are geared, you shift at 3000 rpm (Its pretty much over by then.) I wouldnt mash the gas and dump the clutch (Unless you want to see what the inside of an AX-15 looks like!) It ought to be interesting to see what it feels like to only be in 2nd gear when getting through an intersection. (I'm usually in 4th by the time I cross the 2nd crosswalk.)

 

Ya. lol

This will be a pointless swap really if I dont put taller gears in.

 

1991 4.0L 190 hp (140 kW) and 225 lb·ft (305 N·m) of torque. (backed with the AX15) {wiki}

1989 LB9 (suffix code ATA) 190hp (295lb-tq http://www.nastyz28.com/camaro/camaro89.html)

http://www.chevy-camaro.com/chevy-ca...s.asp?group=10

A tad more tq in the LB9.

 

70lbtq could be enough to destroy a trans. 30lbtq was the reason GM didn't put T5s in 5.7 tpi f-bodys. I'd check the rating for your trans befor bolting it up. One less thing to wory about.

 

Nah. If it grenades, it grenades.

Heres what Novak says.
"The AX15 actually makes a very clean conversion to most GM engines and because it is a stronger transmission, it is well matched for the Chevy V6 and Chevy Small Block V8 and Gen. III+ V8 engines."

 

Heres what these guys say.
"Although the torque specifications are not listed on this transmission in any service manual, we feel it’s similar enough to the NV3550. The NV3550 was the transmission that superseded the AX15;" http://www.advanceadapters.com/tech-...-transmission/

The 3550 has a factory 300ft-lb rating

A tranny guy who has poked around inside of both would be the person to ask i suppose. Beefier parts in the 3550? Or just a beefier case design to reduce flex?

 

chrysler switched to the NVs because thats what they want to use in their crappy cars. The ax-15 is a great tranny, it will work fine behind the TPI. Many Jeep guys are running them behind mopar 318 V8s with few problems.
make sure the 91 has the ax-15. If it was a 4cyl model it would be the ax-5, which isnt strong enough.
Another menber refered to the "renault tranny", thats not the ax-15 (japanese). Earlier YJs, maybe even yours, used the peugeot BA 10 tranny. That wasnt a bad tranny, shifted better than the ax15, but had a tendency to blow gears when abused.
I dont think the gear ratios of the ax-15 are radically different than the t-5, except the first gear is lower. you might end up doing a lot of 2nd gear starts.

I dont see why you need a new harness, you should be able to adapt the stock lb9 harness. you will want to use a 5 speed PROM. ax 15 has no computer control, just a reverse switch IIRC (speedos in the TC)
you will want to consider the gearing and tire size of your YJ. since you say this is a street jeep, i assume you are looking for speed. if your Yj has taller axle gears and big tires, it will still feel doggy.
HTH i was big into jeeps before f-bodies and i have an ax-15 ZJ in my garage right now if you need some reference.

 

Thanks for the advice. I dont have a stock harness. I will be using an AX15 not AX5 which I also have. There is no sbc adapter for the AX5 anyways as far as I know.
I also have a peugeot BA10, but aint gonna use it either. (The BA stands for Boat Anchor).
I only have a PROM from an automatic. Is that a problem? That cant be edited? The ******* that sold it to me said it came from a manual, but has checkout to be auto.

 

were you planning on using the Jeep harness for the TPI motor? I dont think that will work, the jeep harness is very different. the mopar MPI system has different sensors, etc. I think you will need a TPI harness either stock or Painless.
Im not an expert on TPI computers, but I would think it would be best to have a manual PROM. the timing is probably different at the low end since you wouldnt have a torque converter, etc. Im not really sure if the TPi manual computers have a throttle float in them like euro cars do, but that might be another difference. S
I would start looking at other parts of this conversion as well. V8 exhaust can be tricky on a YJ as they werent built with that option like CJ's were. Theres usually a lot of room around and after the crossmember, but there could be a lot of issues getting the manifolds and pipes around the front axle and transfer case.

 

Im buying a standalone TPI harness.
The Jeep has a 3" body lift. Exhaust wont be a problem.
I will be using the chevy power steering pump, with converted hose's.
A 454 radiator. But havent figured out from which application yet.

 

FWIW, they are called the renault tranny because they were owned by peugot at the time, then sold to Denso (IIRC...Some company that now uses them in Nissan vehicles.) You see a lot of reference to them here: www.virtualjeepclub.com We have rocks in AZ (BIG ONES!) and most trannys including the NV3550 that I have dont handle them too well. Neither do the Dana 30's and 35's found under the Wrangler (And the front of your ZJ stealtht/a. BTW: a manual ZJ? Never seen one and I've had 4 of them! LOL, would love to see one!)

As for exhaust, a few of the guys around here used the stock exhaust and y-pipe for their conversions. With a few mods, that is.