2.8 to 4.0 Conversion
#16
12-03-2004, 11:36 AM
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But is it loosing breath because of internal of the engine or is managment saying "No more" ?
I can buy a brand new engine for about $1400 but threre is no ecu.
And there are almost no 4.0 driving around here. Can I use a distributer from a 2.9 instead of the DIS ignition? Maybe I can use the ECU from the 2.9 as well with maybe a little adjustments.
What is a good brand for a Programmable ECU for a nice price? And how much is it?
Richard
I can buy a brand new engine for about $1400 but threre is no ecu.
And there are almost no 4.0 driving around here. Can I use a distributer from a 2.9 instead of the DIS ignition? Maybe I can use the ECU from the 2.9 as well with maybe a little adjustments.
What is a good brand for a Programmable ECU for a nice price? And how much is it?
Richard
#17
12-03-2004, 07:48 PM
#18
12-04-2004, 08:01 AM
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This is certainly an interesting thread!
To answer the question about the oil pump/distributor question, the answer is yes. A 2.9L distributor will fit in place of the cap and gear on the back of the block on a 12 valve 4.0L. The camshaft has a drive gear on it, and the oil pump is driven exactly the same as a 2.9L, just no distributor. As for the SOHC 4.0L, I'm not sure, since I have not had the opportunity of working on one.
As for the 4.0L running out of breath, it's the design of the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold restrictions. The intake is designed for maximum air velocity and smooth engine running, not for "HOLY **** I'M BREAKING THE SOUND BARRIER" performance. The 2.9L North American engines are the same way. The intake is designed for velocity and low end torque. The European twin throttle body 2.9L intakes are better for performance. If anybody is serious about getting some extra ponies out of a 4.0L, start by getting a proper set of exhaust headers. Anything is better than the stock exhaust manifolds. They suck! As for the intake, other than designing and building your own out of tubular aluminum and being good with TIG welding, you're kinda stuck with port matching and polishing (if possible).
If you have 3.22 ratio gears now, then bumping them up to 3.45 or 3.73 will get you plenty of quick off the line power.
To answer the question about the oil pump/distributor question, the answer is yes. A 2.9L distributor will fit in place of the cap and gear on the back of the block on a 12 valve 4.0L. The camshaft has a drive gear on it, and the oil pump is driven exactly the same as a 2.9L, just no distributor. As for the SOHC 4.0L, I'm not sure, since I have not had the opportunity of working on one.
As for the 4.0L running out of breath, it's the design of the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold restrictions. The intake is designed for maximum air velocity and smooth engine running, not for "HOLY **** I'M BREAKING THE SOUND BARRIER" performance. The 2.9L North American engines are the same way. The intake is designed for velocity and low end torque. The European twin throttle body 2.9L intakes are better for performance. If anybody is serious about getting some extra ponies out of a 4.0L, start by getting a proper set of exhaust headers. Anything is better than the stock exhaust manifolds. They suck! As for the intake, other than designing and building your own out of tubular aluminum and being good with TIG welding, you're kinda stuck with port matching and polishing (if possible).
If you have 3.22 ratio gears now, then bumping them up to 3.45 or 3.73 will get you plenty of quick off the line power.
Last edited by Elfasto; 12-04-2004 at 08:04 AM. Reason: content addition
#19
12-04-2004, 07:17 PM
Originally Posted by Rockledge
I ran across a discussion of this subject in another forum, and a couple of the more credible guys over there offered these comments which seem to confirm what canzus indicated earlier:
useless info, as I've been researching swapping the 4 speed out
for a 5 speed in my MG B GT, which is powered by a Cologne 2.6L V6...
Should be interesting, to say the least...
SteveL
#20
12-05-2004, 04:35 AM
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#22
12-11-2004, 01:45 PM
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Bit by bit I am collecting information about the "Big" cologne engine.
The only thing I don't know is how it drives in this Ford Capri and what my advantages are comparing to a 2.9.
I can buy several 2.9 engine sfor about $200,- and there are a lot of used parts for it. But I can only buy one 4.0 for about $1500-1600 with almost no spare part available, but it is more unique. So nice to get the job done.
What kind of performance difference do you have in a Ranger or Explorer between a 2.9 and a 4.0?
The only thing I don't know is how it drives in this Ford Capri and what my advantages are comparing to a 2.9.
I can buy several 2.9 engine sfor about $200,- and there are a lot of used parts for it. But I can only buy one 4.0 for about $1500-1600 with almost no spare part available, but it is more unique. So nice to get the job done.
What kind of performance difference do you have in a Ranger or Explorer between a 2.9 and a 4.0?
#23
12-11-2004, 09:24 PM
Originally Posted by fordcapri
Bit by bit I am collecting information about the "Big" cologne engine.
But I can only buy one 4.0 for about $1500-1600 with almost no spare part available, but it is more unique.
But I can only buy one 4.0 for about $1500-1600 with almost no spare part available, but it is more unique.
for my Capris, I like to drive them, and they make lousy driveway
ornaments...
Originally Posted by fordcapri
So nice to get the job done.
What kind of performance difference do you have in a Ranger or Explorer between a 2.9 and a 4.0?
What kind of performance difference do you have in a Ranger or Explorer between a 2.9 and a 4.0?
SteveL
#24
12-21-2004, 05:56 AM
high richard im dave in uk i have a 28mfi ford sierra xr4i and thinking of the 4.0 for a replacment engine i can get that cheaper than building up 2.8 / or 2.9 to 4.0 the reason that im hesatating is im not sure if i can fitt my injection system in the 4.0 manifold or can i have 28 manifold modified to fitt as i see on here you have come up on a similar prob please post on here if you get over this and how and i will let u no if i get answer myself thanks
#25
12-26-2004, 10:40 AM
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Hello Dave,
First I haven't seen a 4.0 with my own eyes, thats why I came here and all what I gonna write is based on 4 weeks internet surfing.
I don't think it will be an easy job to replace the 2.8 for a 4.0 if you wanna stay with your original fuel system. First the 4.0 doesn't have a distributor so you have to work with multiple coils, or you can try a distributor from a 2.9 or maybe you can modify your 2.8 to the 2.9 gear. The 2.8 injectors would not fit into the 4.0 manifold so have to modify the manifold or go EFI. The 2.8 manifold would not fit because the 4.0 manifold is higher and wider. Maybe you can fabricate some plate's between the 2.8 manifold and the 4.0 heads if you are handy.
So the best way is to use the complete 4.0 with the original ECU or a programmable one like DTA, Haltech or simmilar.
Don't forget the 4.0 with std. manifold is higher then a 2.8/2.9.
So if you wanna stay cheap visit Burton in Essex and rebuild that 2.8, but If want to have something special give it a try.
Richard
First I haven't seen a 4.0 with my own eyes, thats why I came here and all what I gonna write is based on 4 weeks internet surfing.
I don't think it will be an easy job to replace the 2.8 for a 4.0 if you wanna stay with your original fuel system. First the 4.0 doesn't have a distributor so you have to work with multiple coils, or you can try a distributor from a 2.9 or maybe you can modify your 2.8 to the 2.9 gear. The 2.8 injectors would not fit into the 4.0 manifold so have to modify the manifold or go EFI. The 2.8 manifold would not fit because the 4.0 manifold is higher and wider. Maybe you can fabricate some plate's between the 2.8 manifold and the 4.0 heads if you are handy.
So the best way is to use the complete 4.0 with the original ECU or a programmable one like DTA, Haltech or simmilar.
Don't forget the 4.0 with std. manifold is higher then a 2.8/2.9.
So if you wanna stay cheap visit Burton in Essex and rebuild that 2.8, but If want to have something special give it a try.
Richard
#26
12-27-2004, 01:45 PM
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#27
12-27-2004, 07:07 PM
The flywheel *MAY* be the same, but one way to
check is to use http://car-part.com/ It will tell you
if they'll fit eachother...
Did some checking with another site I've done business with,
the 2.9L and 4.0L do *NOT* share flywheels, there are two
seperate part numbers, one for each... Sorry man, you'll
need a flywheel for the 4.0L, I'll PM you a part number and
my favorite supplier if you want...
SteveL
check is to use http://car-part.com/ It will tell you
if they'll fit eachother...
Did some checking with another site I've done business with,
the 2.9L and 4.0L do *NOT* share flywheels, there are two
seperate part numbers, one for each... Sorry man, you'll
need a flywheel for the 4.0L, I'll PM you a part number and
my favorite supplier if you want...
SteveL
Last edited by canzus; 12-27-2004 at 07:24 PM.
#29
02-05-2005, 12:48 PM
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Todat I bought a brand new 2.9 engine. It is mounted on a stand for education purposes.
I think it has low hours on it because the paint is still on the pulleys.
So I think it is better at this moment to fit this in the capri and see what it will do.
I am planning to buy a programmable ECU, and get known with it.
After this conversion to 2.9 EFI it will be easy to fit a 4.0 in it.
I don't know how it is in "the states" but here in europe we have two type of computer systems one with Mass Airflow sensors and one with intake pressure.
Normally here the MassAirFlow is before 1990 and the intake pressure from above 1990.
The stange thing is that it is a 1986 engine with a intake pressure system on it.
Maybe a USA engine?
Richard
I think it has low hours on it because the paint is still on the pulleys.
So I think it is better at this moment to fit this in the capri and see what it will do.
I am planning to buy a programmable ECU, and get known with it.
After this conversion to 2.9 EFI it will be easy to fit a 4.0 in it.
I don't know how it is in "the states" but here in europe we have two type of computer systems one with Mass Airflow sensors and one with intake pressure.
Normally here the MassAirFlow is before 1990 and the intake pressure from above 1990.
The stange thing is that it is a 1986 engine with a intake pressure system on it.
Maybe a USA engine?
Richard
