Simple Life
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4wd Low
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 11
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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
PS: I understand through one earlier reply elsewhere I need to check with CA DMV. Understood, just floating the idea out there to see if anyone has gone this route
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
PS: I understand through one earlier reply elsewhere I need to check with CA DMV. Understood, just floating the idea out there to see if anyone has gone this route
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 114
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The big thing is if I remember right your truck runs a speed density EFI system which cannot accept the changes for a higher horsepower motor. You would need to look in to the possibility of having a custom chip tuned for the speed density system that would work with your newer motor if that is the case. Just something to consider.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
You have a 1989, but you asked this question in the 1980/86 F100 and etc. forum.
You should ask questions in the 1987/96 F150 and etc. forum.
You should ask questions in the 1987/96 F150 and etc. forum.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 5,081
Likes: 865
From: N.W. Alabama
The big thing is if I remember right your truck runs a speed density EFI system which cannot accept the changes for a higher horsepower motor. You would need to look in to the possibility of having a custom chip tuned for the speed density system that would work with your newer motor if that is the case. Just something to consider.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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The "rules" say if you swap in a later motor, you have to meet the specs for that model year and vehicle. That's a deal killer imo, as the equipment and the complexity soon exceed the value of the truck.
If you went with a newer engine and were able to camouflage the installation, you would be installing all your intake, exhaust etc on the new engine. Your SD EFI may not play well with the newer engine. A bit of a risk.
If your engine is still passing smog, and otherwise running at or near it's 160 HP, I would leave it.
If you went with a newer engine and were able to camouflage the installation, you would be installing all your intake, exhaust etc on the new engine. Your SD EFI may not play well with the newer engine. A bit of a risk.
If your engine is still passing smog, and otherwise running at or near it's 160 HP, I would leave it.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,342
Likes: 1,315
From: Central Mississippi
The EFI in his truck will support nearly 300HP.
He could drop a later, roller cam equipped short/long block, rebuilt or salvage in and use everything stock.
There are a limited number of aftermarket EO/cali compliant parts extant in the world but there are some.
And his engine is making more than 160hp. Borrowed this elsewhere:
He could drop a later, roller cam equipped short/long block, rebuilt or salvage in and use everything stock.
There are a limited number of aftermarket EO/cali compliant parts extant in the world but there are some.
And his engine is making more than 160hp. Borrowed this elsewhere:
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FTE Community Team
Joined: Jan 2019
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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.
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.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 217
From: Northern VA
You could drop in a 5.0 from a 2000 Explorer, and maybe put headers and what have you on it. Might give you better performance and fuel economy.
dropping in a 300 six is another option.
But really neither would get you much in mpg to be worthwhile.
dropping in a 300 six is another option.
But really neither would get you much in mpg to be worthwhile.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 8
you don't say that there is anything wrong with your current engine. if it is healthy, the simplest thing is to just stay with what you have.
get your fuel savings by walking , cycling, busing whenever the opportunity arises.
get your fuel savings by walking , cycling, busing whenever the opportunity arises.
OK, sounds like I'll be leaving well-enough alone