Long-time lurker here looking for some answers to some CPU questions I have before setting out on an engine swap adventure in my 96 f150. There's lots of great information on here regarding 4.9 to 5.8 engine swaps but something I haven't seen mentioned is whether or not there is any reason to be concerned with the calibration of the replacement CPU.

I have an extra CPU for my 4.9 that I purchased a few years back and I distinctly remember the guys at the parts store asking me for numbers on the original unit to make sure I got the correct replacement. The impression I got at that time was that any old CPU wouldn't work. I had to make sure the replacement had the same calibration (?) as the original one. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

At any rate, I've found a guy in Michigan that builds EFI Ford engines using the factory CPU to control the engine and fuel management systems. Though a bit pricey, a 350hp 351w that maintains all the benefits of fuel injection sounds pretty good to me. It'll take me some time to save up the $'s to make this happen, but in the meantime I plan on gathering up the random bits and pieces to use for the swap. That brings me back to my question. Do any of you know if there is any reason why I should be looking for a specific CPU for this swap? I had one from a 96 f150 5.8 located today at the local PYP, but started to think about the above things and stopped short of pulling it completely out. Should I just buy a refurbished one from a parts store so I have at least some hope of getting one that works?

Thanks!

 

And the obligatory picture of the candidate for the swap.

 

Welcome to FTE, nice truck.

Good new/bad news.

Bad, 4.9 to V8 is the most wiring intensive swap/upgrade there is and best done with a complete donor near by.

OBDIIs are the hardest.

Good news is that there are some generalities that can be followed in PCMs ie, if you have a manual trans, you're golden.

An E4OD truck will need a ECU from either a 5.8 or 5.0 that has an E4.

If I can find a link to some active pages, I'll post a place to look for some "batch codes" that should work.

Good luck.

(edit)

This has been the #1 go to site for FI help here. It frequently gets taken down.

Its a great primer for EEC IV & V. Scroll down & click the link for "program codes".

http://www.fuelinjectedford.com/

 

With an all stock engine the differences in calibrations are tiny so you're not likely to notice any difference from the drivers seat as long as the PCM is compatable with the powertrain in question.

 

I have a complete wiring harness for a 95 F 250 5.8 L V8 and an E4OD trans. However I am gonna my to keep the eco ifnit will work in my 97 of the same engine and trans.

 

I do have a 5 speed, so it looks like that helps. I can see where the best bet would be to find a donor vehicle to move parts over from after the built engine is dropped in. The general location of things under the hood is similar between the two engines but I'm sure the wiring is quite a bit different.

Thanks for the information!

 

IMO ...

The first thing you need to do is ask what ECM(S) he uses in re-calibration and what emission system(s) he can or you want defeated. That will give you the parts list for any and all conversion parts you will need to come across. You then find the needed take-off/new parts and give him that info so he can modify the ECM to work with what you have.

ECM/PCM/BCM are not interchangeable as if that were true, FOMOCO would save one hell of a lot of $$$ on supplier/stocking costs.

 

Yes, but sadly nearly everything firewall forward is different.

5 spd is a plus. If you can't locate a PCM/ECU for a manual, the auto trans functions can be turned off in some cases.

Another plus is you can get mass air specific for a 5.8.