I know you guys will be able to help me out on this one.

I bought one of these engines on impulse yesterday. It comes everything except a gearbox, intake manifold and ecu.

and I right in thinking I have a few options available in terms of either fuel injecting it, or carburetting it.

Do I need an ECY? or if I find a suitable dizzy, will that fit on and take away the need for an ecu? This is what the seller told me when I asked him the same thing:

"i was going to use this on the engine: http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_.../2000/2838.pdf i think this is the right link.you get the right inlet manifold,and an electronic part (timing control module.manifold 2839 includes this) that plugs strait in,then get yourself a carb."

Thanks, and it's my first post - be gentle

 

First, WELCOME TO FTE!

This thread doesn't belong in this forum. I'm moving it to the Engine Swaps forum because this would really get a lot of info out there for other people looking to put 4.6L engines in all sorts of vehicles.

A few things to get you started:

1) The 4.6L has no spot to put a dizzy, it was never engineered for one, so no matter what, you need a computer to run the ignition (and fuel injection if you don't go with a carb).

2) You can carb it, there are intakes available for that aftermarket. But fuel injection, since you're going to need a computer anyway, is probably the CHEAPEST and EASIEST way to go.

3) I took a look at that Edelbrock setup, and that's SWEET. You can modify the timing curve with a laptop. Wow... nice setup.

4) You're probably stuck with a manual tranny, is that OK? Any automatic that will bolt to the 4.6L needs to be electronically controlled (except possible some VERY early Crown Victorias that might use a regular old AOD tranny and the 4.6L but those early engines also might use a 302/351W bellhousing, which means that tranny won't bolt to your motor anyway). You CAN get a stand-alone controller for a 4R70W (basically an electronic version of the AOD), but who knows how much in $'s.

 

Hey! thank you so much for the reply, extremely informative!

I'm from the UK and I'm goign to be putting it in a classic car from over here called a Ford Capri, the v8 will be right at home in there but I just want to make the transformation as simple as possible. So you think it will be easier to buy and re-fit the stock Fi system? I've looked on the USA EBAY and found ECUs for about a hundred bucks. Not exactly bank breaking.

Can I splice the engine loom into my car's main loom without problems? I've read things about keycoded ignition systems

Thanks again!

 

You can find certain ECUs that come from vehicles that do not have the coded keys, called the PATS system. Or, you can get a tune that does away with it.

I'm familiar with the Capri, what year is it?

Yes, there's a Capri in that picture

I don't know FOR YOU what would be cheaper. What gearbox do you want to use, a manual?

If so, I wonder if fuel injection is really necessary for you. The O2 sensors (you need at least two, one in each bank right after the exhaust manifold) would be necessary, and on most 4.6L ECU's, they also use two MORE O2 sensors, right after the catalytic converter to make sure they are working correctly - and if not, the ECU lights the check-engine light. Which can also be removed with a custom tune.

But in your case, you might be MUCH better off with a carb and the ignition stuff from that Edelbrock kit, especially if you are using a manual gearbox.

(side note: If you have problems getting things shipped from the US to the UK, someone here (like me) can help with that)

For me, I've always wanted to put a V8 into a Triumph TR7. I can fit a Ford small-block 5.0L with a carb, but the 4.6L might be a bit too tall. Those engine compartments are WIDE...

 

That's the one!


They've got a huge engine bay that is just CRYING out for something bigger than a 4pot 1.6L.

I'm looking at putting a ford T5 box on, should be fairly compatable, if not I've seen a box on ebay for £500 Tremec Box

So whichever route I go, I will need an ecu?



I would really appreciate it if someone could write me up a little list of things I will need to buy to get this running in the car?

This is the engine I bought: FORD 4.6 V8 SOHC MODULAR ENGINE. on eBay (end time 15-Feb-11 11:50:56 GMT)

 

If you go with the Edelbrock kit, you don't need an ECU. The T5 is a manual, so you don't need something to control an automatic transmission.

I just looked at the pics of that engine, it has the intake manifold and injection rails on it. The sticker on the one valve cover says "REP" which means Romeo Engine Plant, which will be important later maybe.

According to the head casting number RF-F5AE-6090, those are non-PI (performance improved) heads, so it is the lower-output motor like they put in the '96-'98 Mustang. Same engine as in my '97 Cougar.

It should have two coil packs, mounted on the front of the engine, that look like this:



From the pictures, I don't see the coil packs, and I also don't see any spark plug wires. Are there individual coil packs, one on each spark plug? If so, that is a COP system (Coil On Plug) on the motor now. If you use the Edelbrock carb kit, you'll need two four-post coil packs like the one in the pic above.


With that Edelbrock kit, this engine, and the tranny you linked to above (the Tremec box), there's not a whole lot more you need to get it running. Two coil packs, and a spark plug wire set. And making sure you have the right flywheel and clutch for that tranny and this Romeo-version motor.

Do you need to worry about emissions at all where you are? I'm assuming NO.

What year Capri, by the way?

We'll get this squared away soon. I'd also like some other people here at FTE to comment on this whole thing before you run away and start buying more parts

NOTE: Those "non-PI" heads are the lower-output heads. With PI cams, and a good port-and-polish on those non-PI heads, they can wind up flowing MORE than stock PI heads. But we'll get to that later.

 

For pictures of that Edelbrock kit for everyone: Edelbrock 2839 Edelbrock Victor Jr. Ford 4.6L SOHC Manifolds

For grins: Edelbrock 2839 Manifold Ford 4.6 - eBay (item 330524830475 end time Feb-28-11 09:27:25 PST)

 

Hey, I'm just about to leave for work, but thanks for the effort put into your post!
The seller apparently stripper out hte injection system read for the carbed inlet to be fitted, so that's probably where the coil packs have gone. I'll enquire further when I go to pick up the motor on the weekend! I'll also reply more indepth later! cheers!