"Pixel" (Improbcat)
02/09/2019 at 10:39 • Filed to: Project Colony Ship
2
21|
"Pixel" (Improbcat)
02/09/2019 at 10:39 • Filed to: Project Colony Ship | 2
| 21 |
Having just gotten it running again, I’m thinking of getting rid of the early 5.0 with its crude EFI in Project Colony Ship (my ‘87 Mercury Colony Park Wagon), and replacing it with something better (read: OBD2, and better parts availability).
My first thought was, of course, LS. But that had the potential for a lot of fabrication
, and would make speedo, etc. a major hassle.
Recently I was pointed at the fact the Explorer kept the 5.0 into the early 2000s, despite the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis ditching it in 1992.
So how hard would it be to swap the 5.0 and 4R70W and associate electronics from something !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! over?
I assume the engine is a bolt-in, and most/all of the accessories would either swap over, or be use-able in the wagon (Hell, I w ould have an A/C compressor designed for R-134, so I could get the A/C working again). Anyone know about transmission mount differences? also relative transmission lengths for the driveshaft?
I assume lots of trimming of Explorer wiring looms, but does anyone have a guide for it, and/or know a source for the minimum needed to hook up the Explorer ECU to the wagon electrics ?
It looks like I can scavenge the tailshaft off the AOD and run !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! to have both the electronic signal for the ECU, and the mechanical speedo cable for the dash cluster.
Already having fuel injection makes fuel pump easier (though I’d probably swap in a higher rated pump, as the c urrent one whines sometimes), and I’d probably keep the stock exhaust manifolds, but probably build a new exhaust using high-flow cats (side dump exhaust? Yes please).
Any help/thoughts would be appreciated.
MM54
> Pixel
02/09/2019 at 11:13 |
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This would be an intere sting project. I’m not familiar with the evolution of the 5.0 but might it be easier to swap intake/fuel/ECU onto the bottom end already in the car?
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Pixel
> MM54
02/09/2019 at 11:18 |
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The explorer engine has better heads too, and the transmission is much stouter with better gearing. So at that point it isn’t worth keeping the bottom end only.
Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
> Pixel
02/09/2019 at 11:21 |
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Stick to pre-OBD unless you want serious migraines.
Also, assume nothing bolts up. Mo’ computer, mo’ sensors. Blocks change, particularly to accommodate sensors. If a pre-OBD block bolts into a post-OBD car, then you can assume it fits.
Past that, I’d need to see the full wiring diagrams including the mechanical specifications, and I do charge for that.
If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> Pixel
02/09/2019 at 11:22 |
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Engine swaps are a hell of a lot of man-hours, even supposedly bolt-in ones. Theres always something unexpected that needs a custom part fabbed or some rare adapter or what not. I guess you should ask yourself, are you ready for this commitment? Ready to have PCS off the road for potentially months?
Alfalfa
> Pixel
02/09/2019 at 11:30 |
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Transmission mounting should be the same, as the 4r70w is just an updated AOD.
Wi rin g would likely make a lot of work for you. I think the simplest thing to do is take as much as possible out of the Explorer, especially since you want OBD2.
Honestly, I’m not sure it would be worth all the work for maybe
20
extra hp and
OBD. The EFI really didn’t change all that much. Your Mercury might have SD intake where the explorer would have MAF. But that can be retrofitted anyway, as well as the better alternator on the la
ter engines.
I
think you’d see better results with less work by
putting speed
parts on your existing block. Not to discourage you, just my 2
cents.
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MM54
> Pixel
02/09/2019 at 11:35 |
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In that case, the full swap is probably the way to go. That said, even a simple swap isn’t exactly easy. Getting it installed and running might not be too crazy, but the little details to get it all right might take some time. Overall it’s up to you if you, of course - if it were me, I’d be questioning the value of the upgrade to me vs the effort it will take.
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Pixel
> Alfalfa
02/09/2019 at 11:36 |
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Horsepower would go from 160 to 215, with better gearing in the transmission.
The wiring is my biggest concern.
Future Heap Owner
> Alfalfa
02/09/2019 at 11:43 |
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What’s an “SD” intake?
Funktheduck
> Pixel
02/09/2019 at 11:44 |
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I’d look at what people have done with similar vintage fox bodies.
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Alfalfa
> Pixel
02/09/2019 at 11:50 |
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Oof, I thought it was 185 that year.
Wiring is already a thorn in my side swapping a 94 mill into an 88. That’s just from them deciding to arrange wiring differently, not even any notable changes to electronic sensors and whatnot. One thing I can tell you will be different is there’s an under hood fuse box which the wiring harness goes through to get to the ECM. That's in addition to one in the cab, so if you want everything to work you may have to play with a lot of dashboard wiring.
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Pixel
> Future Heap Owner
02/09/2019 at 11:51 |
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Speed Density, basically a different EFI design. THey are less accurate than MAF and aren’t programmable as they calculate the fuel values based on a lookup table instead of a programmable map
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Alfalfa
> Future Heap Owner
02/09/2019 at 11:51 |
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Speed density. No sensor, just kinda gulps in air in relation to engine speed.
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Future Heap Owner
> Alfalfa
02/09/2019 at 12:06 |
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Ah, so O 2 amount can vary a lot, esp depending on density?
Urambo Tauro
> Pixel
02/09/2019 at 12:15 |
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I’m a little fuzzy on all the differences that OBDII brings to the equation, but I suspect you’ll need more than just the engine, trans, and PCM. I believe tho se Explorer s have PATS, so you may find yourself needing whatever all that entails (key? key switch? dash cluster?) Buying the entire ’Sploder as a parts car is a great way to be prepared to cover all those bases.
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Alfalfa
> Future Heap Owner
02/09/2019 at 12:17 |
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I wouldn’t say a lot, but it’s not as precise as MAF. There is still an O2 sensor that allows the engine to adjust, just no atual measurement of air through the intake. This also means it can't adjust itself for a lot of performance upgrades like an MAF can.
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Pixel
> Urambo Tauro
02/09/2019 at 12:27 |
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OBD2 is a game changer for diagnostics and programming. The pre-96 stuff requires a ford-specific diagnostic computer (or to short specific terminals on the plug and read a blinking check engine light) just to get the codes, and only give very limited diagnostic info even with the specific computer.
Also far more is done in the computer, so less vacuum lines and such. And the engine runs cleaner and more efficiently because the system can do more than just adjust the amount if fuel it is dumping in the motor.
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Urambo Tauro
> Pixel
02/09/2019 at 12:37 |
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Oh, I didn’t mean “differences” as a concern of whether or not it would be worth it . I think it is a worthwhile swap, and am totally on-board with it . I just meant “ differences” in terms of plug-n-playability.
TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
> Pixel
02/09/2019 at 13:08 |
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I mean id just get a 351 windsor and stroke it then throw a good holley EFI set up on it. :)
Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
> Pixel
02/09/2019 at 13:40 |
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Painless has a wiring harness kit.
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Pixel
> TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
02/09/2019 at 13:54 |
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Im not interested in spending several thousand dollars to put an engine in my $500 low-buck project.
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TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
> Pixel
02/09/2019 at 14:41 |
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I put a dang near 5k LS1 in a $700 RX7....
so i may not be the person to ask these questions...