Navigator engine swap
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Eastern, Iowa
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Eastern, Iowa
If I want to avoid tuning the engine, can I just get the ECU from the donor truck and use it? Do you know if it plugs into the 4.6 harness ok? Or, should I get the 5.4 harness too and swap that as well...?
I realize I won't be getting max power, but if the ECUs will swap over (I can get the ECU for free with the engine) that seems like the fastest way to get my truck back on the road. Save me the money of the SCT + dyno time too...
Thanks a ton,
Peter
I realize I won't be getting max power, but if the ECUs will swap over (I can get the ECU for free with the engine) that seems like the fastest way to get my truck back on the road. Save me the money of the SCT + dyno time too...
Thanks a ton,
Peter
If you are taking the engine from a 99F250 and putting it in an Expy, I cannot imagine that the ECU's would be compatible without tuning it anyway.
Trust me when I say this: In the hands of a credible, experienced dyno shop, the $500-600 that you spend between the tuner ($250-350) and dyno time ($200-300) will be the BEST and SMARTEST thing you will do on this sway bar none.
Just get it tuned, whether you can afford to or not. Cut something else out, but not that.
New User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Harrisonburg, VA
First, I don't think you can avoid tuning the engine. If you can't afford to do that, then I wouldn't do the swap. It's centrally important and I cannot stress it enough. It's not about max power, either. It's about proper engine function, timing, air/fuel ratio, various sensor arrays that ensure the engine is cooling properly, etc.
If you are taking the engine from a 99F250 and putting it in an Expy, I cannot imagine that the ECU's would be compatible without tuning it anyway.
Trust me when I say this: In the hands of a credible, experienced dyno shop, the $500-600 that you spend between the tuner ($250-350) and dyno time ($200-300) will be the BEST and SMARTEST thing you will do on this sway bar none.
Just get it tuned, whether you can afford to or not. Cut something else out, but not that.
If you are taking the engine from a 99F250 and putting it in an Expy, I cannot imagine that the ECU's would be compatible without tuning it anyway.
Trust me when I say this: In the hands of a credible, experienced dyno shop, the $500-600 that you spend between the tuner ($250-350) and dyno time ($200-300) will be the BEST and SMARTEST thing you will do on this sway bar none.
Just get it tuned, whether you can afford to or not. Cut something else out, but not that.
Thanks for the reply. To clarify, the truck is a 2001 F150 and the engine will be from a 2003 F-150.
If I bring the ECU from the 2003 with the engine, why would I need to get it tuned?
Thanks man!
Peter
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Eastern, Iowa
OK.
I thought you were the guy with the 5.4 Expy swap. My bad.
I think what you propose will work, and it will save you money. Will you have to pay extra for the donor CPU? Do you know that it was functioning properly?
If it's cheap and is coming off a running vehicle, you might be as good as gold.
I thought you were the guy with the 5.4 Expy swap. My bad.
I think what you propose will work, and it will save you money. Will you have to pay extra for the donor CPU? Do you know that it was functioning properly?
If it's cheap and is coming off a running vehicle, you might be as good as gold.
New User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Harrisonburg, VA
It's free and it's coming off of a running truck, the same truck that I'm getting the 5.4 from. The truck was totaled when it sideswiped a hill, and they drove the truck to the salvage yard. I think it's a good bet.
Thanks for all the advice Jason and Burns!!!! Couldn't have started this project without ya!
Thanks for all the advice Jason and Burns!!!! Couldn't have started this project without ya!
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
If you swap the ecu over directly the truck will not start. The PATS system will detect that its not hooked to the same computer parts as before. Its built in so that people cant steal parts and resell them without ford reflashing the computer PATS.
So more than likley if you use the ECU then you will need to take it to ford to reflash the PATS. Probably wont cost more than 50 bucks but it wont drive untill then.
Its still the cheapest option.
So more than likley if you use the ECU then you will need to take it to ford to reflash the PATS. Probably wont cost more than 50 bucks but it wont drive untill then.
Its still the cheapest option.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
New User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Harrisonburg, VA
Progress!
The 4.6 is out! What a bear that was. By far the toughest engine removal I've done. Those top two tranny bolts are a pain!
Anyhow, only casualty was one little wire so I Call that a success. I do have a question though please:
The 4.6's flexplate has 6 bolts, whereas the 5.4 has 8. What's all the talk about swapping stuff around? Do I need to do something here?
Also, thanks a bunch for the heads up on the PATS. That would have driven me nuts!
We'll get an early start tomorrow so if you don't mind to post up a quick note about the flex plates I'd greatly appreciate it!
Take care,
Peter
The 4.6 is out! What a bear that was. By far the toughest engine removal I've done. Those top two tranny bolts are a pain!
Anyhow, only casualty was one little wire so I Call that a success. I do have a question though please:
The 4.6's flexplate has 6 bolts, whereas the 5.4 has 8. What's all the talk about swapping stuff around? Do I need to do something here?
Also, thanks a bunch for the heads up on the PATS. That would have driven me nuts!
We'll get an early start tomorrow so if you don't mind to post up a quick note about the flex plates I'd greatly appreciate it!
Take care,
Peter
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
If your 5.4l has a flex plate on it then just leave it. As long as it was bolted to a 4r70w to start with.
Ya the tranny can be tough but a bunch of extensions and coming from the back of the tranny by the tail shaft isnt to bad.
Ya the tranny can be tough but a bunch of extensions and coming from the back of the tranny by the tail shaft isnt to bad.
