Okay, so I have lurked here for a long time. Set an account up after one of my off road/being a tard incidents and forgot I even had an account.

Here's the deal I'm not looking for anyone to give me all the answers and hold my hand on this. What I am looking for are some thoughts and opinions on an engine and likely a trans swap on my 99 5.4 expy.

Something else to note: Logic does not seem to be a part of my equation with this truck. It was my first vehicle, I got it when I was 16. Put $4,000 down on it and paid it off over the next 4 years. Mommy and Daddy did not buy this vehicle for me, they may have had to sign because I was underage but it was paid for by me and only me. I love this truck, never left me on the side of the road, has been driven like it was a race car for 7 years, taken off the road like it was a build crawler and been wrecked in places that had it not limped home... I would be in jail I'm sure... Truck has seen girls come and go, moves from MD to VA to CO and back. It has been a sort of constant in a life of variation I guess. Flame on me all you want but I love the truck enough to put a ring on her intake. I'm committing


Anyway, I have seen a number of swaps for both 99 expy and 150's. All of them seem as though a great deal of work and headache will be involved. Even a number of failed swaps have popped up.

What I would like to do is put a newer model engine in it that can run gas, e-85 or any combination of the two. Gas prices are high and will likely never go down so me being knowledgeable in production of ethanol... It could be a smart move

I entertain the idea of a re manufactured engine but at 260 hp it begins to feel under powered. I'm not looking for a race expedition despite what my driving habits tell you but an extra 60 hp would be nice. Also we should clarify that if I get ahold of 500 hp or more I will be a hazard to myself and anyone on this continent. So lets avoid anything like that

So on the most basic level I'm looking for answers to some questions:

1: If I put one of the 08-now engines in, I will also be putting the transmission in with it as mine sounds to be near if not 100% incompatible. I would need a new comp, intake manifolds and such but what complications with my 4wd might I hit?

2: Does anyone make improved 5.4L engines that would be near drop in for this year? I have had no luck on that front. I see some factory spec rebuilds with 3-4 year warranties but cant get a solid quote on the labor as they need to be put in by certified shops.

3: Does anyone or anyone know of a place that sells ethanol/gas mix engines that you think would be something I could look into?

4: I'm thinking a full and by full I mean FULL restoration of this truck would cost approximately $22,000. Any motor heads who do down to the frame think that is reasonable?

5: Do I need a lesson on letting go? I even start justifying my ideas for it as it will be valued as a collectors vehicle in 30-40 years as it is an early model expedition.


I think I need a therapist

 

Do a 4 valve swap from a Navigator.

You can switch your existing harness over to COP(coil on plug) and reuse just about everything. You will need to switch exhaust manifolds and maybe do some exhaust fab up work. Throw in a custom tune and you are done basically.

You will need the intake and most of the Navi stuff to make it work but it is fairly straight forward and your trans and 4WD will work the same.

Bet you didnt think the answer would be so simple? Also it will pick up more then 60hp roughly.

I also do 4 valve motors so if you have questions then let me know.

 

Do you do builds or are you a hobby tech?

Not in a million years did I think it would be (appear to be) anywhere even close to that simple. In my quick look thus far it does look like a good swap, with most work being on top minus the exhaust manifolds. I did't see anything about the gas line hook ups? Are they the same? I'll likely put in a new fuel rail regardless because of the number of times I have messed with it.


Price differences for the re-mans seem to be what you could easily spend to mod up the hp that 40-60 anyway. Only concern would be finding a shop that can make me some ex heads if I can't find a way to work mine or the navigators into the engine.


Obviously I have some research to do but that is the kind of solution I was looking to have.

 

I do builds.

Im not sure about the interchangeability of the fuel rails and I know it will very by year. Thats not something that would be a big deal either.

You can typically find a used Navi motor for under 2K.

 

Just out of curiosity. Is a 5.4 Expi engine swap to a diesel possible?

 

What diesel?

 

Any. I just wonder if it generally is possible to go from gas to diesel.

 

you could do a 4bt that would be great on mileage and the ability to be turned up but get a p pump

quote:What I would like to do is put a newer model engine in it that can run gas, e-85 or any combination of the two. Gas prices are high and will likely never go down so me being knowledgeable in production of ethanol... It could be a smart move

A little unknown secret here use e30 wont hurt anything and in most cars it will fool the computer bu the octane increase

I know several people that I work with that do this I just filed my car up with e30 for 3.14 gal and e10 is 3.79 and in my little beater I get around 30 with either

 

you could do a 4bt that would be great on mileage and the ability to be turned up but get a p pump

quote:What I would like to do is put a newer model engine in it that can run gas, e-85 or any combination of the two. Gas prices are high and will likely never go down so me being knowledgeable in production of ethanol... It could be a smart move

A little unknown secret here use e30 wont hurt anything and in most cars it will fool the computer bu the octane increase

I know several people that I work with that do this I just filed my car up with e30 for 3.14 gal and e10 is 3.79 and in my little beater I get around 30 with either