engine swap
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New User
Joined: Jan 2015
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engine swap
here's the deal, i have a 1990 f250 4x4 with a bad 5.8 and a good e40d. I also have a 1996 explorer with a 5.0L and a 4r70w the body is junk from to many harsh winters,but the motor is a runnin mother where do i start what am i going to need and most of all is this possible and or practical. The explorer is all wheel drive,any ideas or suggestions please send my way,thanks
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 5
From: Parkesburg PA
Take the 302 and bolt it in front of the E4OD. Hopefully the better flowing heads will make up for the 351w computer running the show. If not get an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and lower the fuel pressure a bit. You may have to change a few sensors and you'll have to do something about the different configuration of the intake, but that shouldn't be too hard. You'll also need a 5.0 flexplate to mate to the E4OD. Not sure if the exploder one will work.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,784
Likes: 1,751
From: Kentucky
Take the 302 and bolt it in front of the E4OD. Hopefully the better flowing heads will make up for the 351w computer running the show. If not get an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and lower the fuel pressure a bit. You may have to change a few sensors and you'll have to do something about the different configuration of the intake, but that shouldn't be too hard. You'll also need a 5.0 flexplate to mate to the E4OD. Not sure if the exploder one will work.
The flexplate from the Explorer 5.0 will not work either.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,784
Likes: 1,751
From: Kentucky
Do not use any wiring from the 1996 Explorer for this swap. You are mixing old OBD-I and newer OBD-II technology so a few things will need to be changed.
The EGR setup on the newer 5.0L engine, DPFE, will have to be changed back to positional aka EVP style EGR position feedback. If you try to eliminate the EGR electrically you will trigger an error code.
The computer from the 1990 5.8L engine will not work properly on a 5.0L engine, it's been proven (EDIT: SUGGESTED)time and again Speed Density based engine control is not that forgiving. You will need a computer from a similar era truck with a 5.0L engine and E4OD transmission.
You also need a flexplate for a 5.0L truck equipped with an E4OD transmission. The flexplate from the 5.0L/4R70W will not work at all on the 5.0L/E4OD combination. The torque converter from the Explorer will not work either. Completely different design. The existing one from the 5.8L/E4OD should work.
The EGR setup on the newer 5.0L engine, DPFE, will have to be changed back to positional aka EVP style EGR position feedback. If you try to eliminate the EGR electrically you will trigger an error code.
The computer from the 1990 5.8L engine will not work properly on a 5.0L engine, it's been proven (EDIT: SUGGESTED)time and again Speed Density based engine control is not that forgiving. You will need a computer from a similar era truck with a 5.0L engine and E4OD transmission.
You also need a flexplate for a 5.0L truck equipped with an E4OD transmission. The flexplate from the 5.0L/4R70W will not work at all on the 5.0L/E4OD combination. The torque converter from the Explorer will not work either. Completely different design. The existing one from the 5.8L/E4OD should work.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,772
Likes: 441
Do not use any wiring from the 1996 Explorer for this swap. You are mixing old OBD-I and newer OBD-II technology so a few things will need to be changed.
The EGR setup on the newer 5.0L engine, DPFE, will have to be changed back to positional aka EVP style EGR position feedback. If you try to eliminate the EGR electrically you will trigger an error code.
The computer from the 1990 5.8L engine will not work properly on a 5.0L engine, it's been proven time and again Speed Density based engine control is not that forgiving. You will need a computer from a similar era truck with a 5.0L engine and E4OD transmission.
You also need a flexplate for a 5.0L truck equipped with an E4OD transmision. The flexplate from the 5.0L/4R70W will not work at all on the 5.0L/E4OD combination. The torque converter from the Explorer will not work either. Completely different design. The existing one from the 5.8L/E4OD should work.
The EGR setup on the newer 5.0L engine, DPFE, will have to be changed back to positional aka EVP style EGR position feedback. If you try to eliminate the EGR electrically you will trigger an error code.
The computer from the 1990 5.8L engine will not work properly on a 5.0L engine, it's been proven time and again Speed Density based engine control is not that forgiving. You will need a computer from a similar era truck with a 5.0L engine and E4OD transmission.
You also need a flexplate for a 5.0L truck equipped with an E4OD transmision. The flexplate from the 5.0L/4R70W will not work at all on the 5.0L/E4OD combination. The torque converter from the Explorer will not work either. Completely different design. The existing one from the 5.8L/E4OD should work.
now for that pesky computer debate
. how has it been proven time and again that the 5.8 computer wont run a 5.0? ive proven it to be the contrary...it may or may not be easy for him to find a 5.0/e4od computer...if its easy to find one then "misewell get one" motto can be applied. if its not easy, a 5.8 computer will work just fine. I've run basically every computer combo imaginable and the 5.8 and 5.0 are so similar that with the normal/typical "air" mods the 5.8 can run a 5.0 no problem, even in open loop, wideband confirmed. I've been running 460 computer and 24# injectors on my setup for almost 2 years now with no problems. wideband confirmed. much bigger difference between a 351sd-460 sd computer vs a 5.0 and 5.8. the gt40p's and exploder cam are more than enough to compensate for the open loop calculation differences between the two engines, preventing excessive rich condition. closed loop they'll run basically identical regardless of modifications/differences in airflow.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,784
Likes: 1,751
From: Kentucky
That's another item to address. Good catch.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,784
Likes: 1,751
From: Kentucky
I will re-phrase my previous statement: "It's been stated many times you MAY need a computer designed for a 5.0L engine."
OP....good luck with the swap.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,772
Likes: 441
We have debated this before, I am not going to go find dozens of threads to prove my point nor am I going to poke holes in your statements from your experience.
I will re-phrase my previous statement: "It's been stated many times you MAY need a computer designed for a 5.0L engine."
OP....good luck with the swap.
I will re-phrase my previous statement: "It's been stated many times you MAY need a computer designed for a 5.0L engine."
OP....good luck with the swap.
I don't want you to think I'm trying to start pissin matches with ya. . .that's not the case.
you obviously display encyclopedic knowledge on a lot of topics, and a huge contributor to this site and probably others. I respect that.
these are my kinda threads...in other words, when I see one I'm damn sure clickin on it. I don't know everything, no one does, but I also have a thorough understanding of a wide array of topics. I've done a lot, tested a lot, tuned a lot, built a lot, and driven a lot. ive tried stuff and failed, ive tried a lot and succeeded. my contribution isn't to pee in your cereal while youre not looking, but I wouldn't be contributing at all if I didn't speak up when I read something in a thread that I didn't agree with based off experience. no matter how many different threads I see the same thing....
So, when you see my name pop up in the future, we are likely in agreement. if we aren't, know that when I'm responding its for the purpose of helping.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
The only way this 5.0 will work in the F250 is if you strip it to the bare longblock, go find a complete 5.0 truck intake and distributor(early model with the TFI) and install those parts, and then put that in the pickup using a 5.0/E4OD flexplate(50oz) and all the original pickup wiring and accessories. So to be double clear you can not use any of the Explorer wiring, accessory brackets or accessories, smog equipment, upper or lower intake, fuel rails, flexplate, ignition components, engine mounts, none of it.. just the bare engine block and cylinder heads and parts contained within. Also note you cannot use the 5.8 intake(upper or lower) or distributor on a 5.0. I don't see any issue with using the existing 5.8 PCM with the newer 5.0.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 116
From: Saskatchewan Canada
You also need a flexplate for a 5.0L truck equipped with an E4OD transmission. The flexplate from the 5.0L/4R70W will not work at all on the 5.0L/E4OD combination. The torque converter from the Explorer will not work either. Completely different design. The existing one from the 5.8L/E4OD should work.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,784
Likes: 1,751
From: Kentucky
Torque converter.......