Simple Life
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Joined: Aug 2019
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Simple Life
Paring back and I'm toying with keeping just one vehicle. It's my old reliable 1989 F-150 w/extended cab.
I recently had the dents taken out of the one side (thank you Berkeley motorist with no insurance, hence no reason to stop when you side-swiped me???) and had the truck painted and a spray in bedliner added.
New wheels & tires, a running board, it's looking pretty good.
It's not very gas efficient though. I don't have unrealistic expectations, but I recently read that my year truck with the EFI and a 5.0 engine makes 160 HP. (my massaged four-banger in an old P-car made 224 HP and only weighed 1900 lbs.)
I see a lot of engines for sale on eBay. Is it feasible to buy a later model 5.0 engine, with better refinements & technology and more HP, and have it installed? My 1989 truck still has to pass smog every other year here in CA so would the engine swap just change the standards for compliance to whatever year engine I buy (theoretically)?
Has anyone crossed this bridge ahead of me?
Thanks
I recently had the dents taken out of the one side (thank you Berkeley motorist with no insurance, hence no reason to stop when you side-swiped me???) and had the truck painted and a spray in bedliner added.
New wheels & tires, a running board, it's looking pretty good.
It's not very gas efficient though. I don't have unrealistic expectations, but I recently read that my year truck with the EFI and a 5.0 engine makes 160 HP. (my massaged four-banger in an old P-car made 224 HP and only weighed 1900 lbs.)
I see a lot of engines for sale on eBay. Is it feasible to buy a later model 5.0 engine, with better refinements & technology and more HP, and have it installed? My 1989 truck still has to pass smog every other year here in CA so would the engine swap just change the standards for compliance to whatever year engine I buy (theoretically)?
Has anyone crossed this bridge ahead of me?
Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 17,559
Likes: 1,081
From: Central Delaware
Welcome to FTE.
Your question(s) would better be answered in the proper forum, Older, Classic and Antique trucks, (1987 to 1996 F150).
However, as I understand California law, the emission requirements stay with the engines year of manufacture. That is, if you installed a newer motor, your truck would have to meet the newer requirements.
Don't forget to check out your state chapter too.
Your question(s) would better be answered in the proper forum, Older, Classic and Antique trucks, (1987 to 1996 F150).
However, as I understand California law, the emission requirements stay with the engines year of manufacture. That is, if you installed a newer motor, your truck would have to meet the newer requirements.
Don't forget to check out your state chapter too.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 10,703
Likes: 1,491
In California emissions controlled vehicles, you can't replace an engine with an older or larger engine than original. If you "upgrade" engines, the replacement needs to have all emissions equipment in place.
Keep in mind: Later model engines get better fuel economy through computer trickery that your 1989 PCM couldn't dream of. With this trickery comes integration with transmission control. Because of this, you'll probably have to swap the transmission with the engine unless it's a manual. Then there's the matter of getting the gauges to work against the new parts.
That having been said, You probably won't recoup the cost of this engine swap with fuel economy, even at CA prices, for 50,000 miles or more.
Welcome aboard!
Keep in mind: Later model engines get better fuel economy through computer trickery that your 1989 PCM couldn't dream of. With this trickery comes integration with transmission control. Because of this, you'll probably have to swap the transmission with the engine unless it's a manual. Then there's the matter of getting the gauges to work against the new parts.
That having been said, You probably won't recoup the cost of this engine swap with fuel economy, even at CA prices, for 50,000 miles or more.
Welcome aboard!
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