ok, this might just be totally insane, but I really don't wanna shell out $500+ for an E4OD tranny controller so I can convert my truck to mass air.
I have heard that I could use the exsisting computer to control the tranny and have another ecm, say from a mustang, control the engine functions.

I imagine it would be a wiring nightmare, but if it would work, I would assume with the right connectors, I could make a harness that would plug into both ecm's, plug into the exsisting wiring harness, and have the extra wires I need for he extra o2 sensor, the maf sensor, and the fuel injectors.

Anyone have any idea on how to even start such a monster?
I would need both male and female ecm plugs, not to mention other connector plugs and a ton of wire and some diagrams.

thanks

Chris

95 4x4 f-150 5.8 SD E4OD

 

Hey cam, your idea is not all the crazy, especially considering the things people try to do with your trucks these days. I don't know if you already have the MAF computer, but if not you don't have to get two computers. I have a 94 150 SD that I'm in the process of converting over to MAF just like you. I built my own wire harness adpater to plug into the existing engine wire harness that will allow me to keep the existing harness in place and the adapter has the extra wires for the fuel injectors, MAF sensor and 02 sensor, just as you mentioned. Now, what many don't realize is there is a MAF ODBI computer for a 5.8L with an E4OD, but it only came out in 95 for CA models. I purchased one from fordpartsnetwork for $317. The specific part number for it is F5TZ12A650BYA. It should work like a charm, but I yet to hook mine up, as my priorities are not always controlled by me, if you know what I mean.

Also, I got my MAF off of a 95 250 MAF that had the same setup so the calibration between the computer and MAF should be fine. If you would like to know more on what I did, let me know.

Best of luck to ya

 

The first problem that comes to mind is that in order to control the tranny, the computer needs to know the inputs of several sensors, one of which is the TPS. So you'd need a way to clone the signal from the TPS and send it to both computers. Ditto with the VSS and about 6 other sensors that someone else will chime in with-.

 

If you like complicated projects, feel free.

Or just buy an EEC that provides mass air for the 5.8L as well as shifts the E40d properly.

Like #F6TF-AAC, #F6TF-WE (If you live in NY/MA/CA get one of these: #F6TF-AEA/AEC/AED/AEE instead).

 

Agreed, that route would be so much easier.

The old Pro-M kits used two ECU's; A9L to control the engine and your stock unit to control the trans. I had one of these kits, but never installed it because the harness was huge and I didn't want all the excess wiring under the hood...as if there isn't enough already.

 

you could also get a 302/e4od mass air ecu. the nice thing about mass air is it doesnt care how big the motor is per say. but if you were worried about it you could get a chip burned with some more specific setting for the 5.8.

those 302 ecu's were more common

 

Hey guys, it's been my understanding that the 96 year computers were ODBII. Am I wrong about that? Did Ford still put ODBI computers in some 96 model years??

 

96 was obd-II for bronco's and F150's. some f250's were still speed density at this time

 

Interesting, I didn't know that but I probably should have suspected. So the conversion from ODBI to ODBII started in 95 and ended in 97 when all Bronco's and F series trucks were converted to ODBII. (?)

 

Only 96-up Broncos and F150's were OBD-II, nothing earlier. The over 8500 GVWR trucks did not go to OBD-II until the new SuperDuties were released in 98 as a 99 model.

 

Oops, I meant to say 96. I didn't realize the 250's & up remained ODBI until the 99 models. That's a good piece of knowledge to know. Were they still running SD or did they convert to Mass Air and were they any of them using an E4OD tranny? If so, then they could be candidates for use in a conversion.

 

I believe that the F250's & up still were speed density through the end of that body style.

 

Nope.

*SOME* of the 95-97 F250/350's were speed density, some were mass air. ALL of the F450's were speed density THROUGH 97, the last year of that cab style.

I say SOME because I've been those year ranges in junkyards, both ways, and Rock Auto sells EEC's for those years that cover SD and MPFI (mass air).

Personally, I think Ford built the heavier duty trucks out of spare parts sometimes

 

Interesting to note. Thanks

 

Frederic,

Similar question different vehilcle - 95 F-350, 4x4, 460 motor E4OD transmission, speed density fuel injection, BBK throttle body. I'm intending to rebuild this motor this comming spring for more power. The changes I'm looking to make are:
- Up the compression to 180 psi sealevel which is about 160 at altitude. (I'm an engineer and this is easy for me to calculate the affect of cam timing on compression)
- Set the pistion to cylinder distance to between 0.038 to 0.048
- Gas port the pistons to further reduce the octane requirements
- Install a 542 stroker kit
- Install headers and larger valves.

Am I better off with a speed density chip or a speed density programer or a mass airflow conversion with programer? Also is this a can of worms? And should I keep it 460 ci?

Ken