Help Me Oppo

"Denver Is Stuck In The 90s" (denver80222)
03/28/2016 at 23:12 • Filed to: Danger Denver's 5.0 Ranger Swap

I need an ECU for my 5.0 swap. I have the mounting figured out. Here’s what I do know I’m gonna use:

5.0 HO V8 with a full rebuild kit

4.0 Radiator

4.0 engine mounts + James Duff 5.0 adapter plates Fox Body Convertible Engine Mounts

Mustang T-5 with a Ford Racing Reinforced Rebuild kit

Explorer Headers

My Stock Traction Lock 3.55 geared 8.8 rear end

1994 Thunderbird Electric Fan Assembly

4.0 Alternator

1993-1994 Manual Mustang ECU & Wiring

Now what I still need to figure out:

The Heater Box and AC will need to be re positioned for clearance, but where to?

What wiring harness could I use?

What ECU could I use that would allow for a manual trans? The 5.0 Explorer was Auto only. (I also wanna keep it OBD-I for emissions reasons)

Firewall Might need to be modified for bell housing clearance

I could really use some help answering the remaining unknowns, does anybody have any input? Im gonna repost this a bit throughout the week for more input, if the mods have any issue with that please comment.

Edited 03/28/2016- 10:10PM- Thanks to LOUDMUSIC, I got the ECU and wiring figured. Still need to figure out intake though...

DISCUSSION (35)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/28/2016 at 23:18

Quite and undertaking you’re conspiring there.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/28/2016 at 23:19

I know what Im doing with the mechanicals, but engine computers are magic and I need help understanding them. If my truck was a 70s-sumthin, I could fathom it all on my own

Birddog > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/28/2016 at 23:35

1987-1993 Mustang Mass Air ECU and Harness or 1993-1995 F150 Mass Air Harness and ECU. Both are EEC IV OBD 1. The trucks had the H.O. firing order and Roller Cam from 1993 up and were available with (Mazda sourced) 5 speed transmissions.

Don’t they sell pre-made harnesses?

Alex from Toronto > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/28/2016 at 23:35

This might help. iI’s a V8 swaped ranger too.

http://www.fordmuscleforums.com/all-ford-techb…

TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H! > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/28/2016 at 23:38

93-94 mustang, aka ECC-IV, iirc. You’d probably have better luck doing a standalone deal though. EDIT AS FUCK you can use motor mounts from an 86 GT Fox body convertible.

Needmoargarage > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/28/2016 at 23:40

If you aren’t comfortable with PCM modification, you may want to look into a standalone unit with good customer support. Not sure I can give a specific recommendation for your project, but spending that extra bit of money might save you a ton of time in the end.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H!
03/28/2016 at 23:45

I know I can use fox body vert mounts, I just forgot. and that ecu set up, is it just bolt on?

E92M3 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/29/2016 at 00:02

A friend of mine just put a 5.0 from an explorer into his 64 Fairlane. He’s using a megasquirt. Great if you plan to add any performance parts, as it’s self learning, and can tune itself for the best performance.. If you plan to keep it stock a Ford ECU would be cheaper. I would just use the harness that came with the motor originally, and modify it as necessary.

TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H! > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/29/2016 at 00:07

Well, the T5 and 302 were OEM components, so it’ll probably work, but yu might need to make a new plug.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/29/2016 at 00:15

why not buy a cheap fox and just use all the parts from it? Cheaper that way

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
03/29/2016 at 00:18

Because a Junkyard 5.0 is $250, and a Junkyard T5 is $100. I would still have to rebuild them both, regardless of where I get them

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/29/2016 at 00:22

or a good running fox for 2k. Then you wont have to deal with rebuild and such

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
03/29/2016 at 00:22

I’m looking for longevity, thats why the rebuild. And besides all-in this is costing me 2k-3k

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/29/2016 at 00:29

DIY? or shop? You have to factor in the time it takes to tear down and rebuild an engine. Not fast if you have never done it

TheOnelectronic > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
03/29/2016 at 00:31

Not to mention the risk of breaking something, putting it back together wrong, etc...

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
03/29/2016 at 00:32

I have access to a shop, and Im not worried about time. I’d still drive my truck around on the 4.0 until its ready to go in.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > TheOnelectronic
03/29/2016 at 00:33

I’m not doing it alone, I have Jake Huitt to help me. Also any other Colorado Oppo who wants to help.

Slant6 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/29/2016 at 00:41

What are you doing about the brakes/ suspension?

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Slant6
03/29/2016 at 00:47

I don’t know how much the front end will sag from the weight so I’m keeping it stock for the time being. The 10" discs up front and the 10" drums out back should do just fine with 220hp.

If the front end doesn’t sag enough for aero I’m gonna do splash springs up front and a leaf flip in the rear and if the brakes are no good, Im gonna do an explorer rear disc conversion.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
03/29/2016 at 00:48

Yep I agree, then you don’t have to source cluster, harness, etc.

Slant6 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/29/2016 at 00:56

So no Turbo?

Bigger brakes also are needed for stopping your much heavier truck. Maybe get used Edge rotors and calipers. They’re the 4x4 size (11 inch) but attach at the spindle like the 2wd ones.

Also sagging isn’t the best. Geometry and such. Im not an engineer so I can’t explain it right but it puts on a constant load when it should regularly be just temporary extreme load.

TL:DR if you want to do this safely and have it be practical enough to daily you should really look into upgraded brakes and suspension.

I’d also love to do this to my Ranger so take tons of pictures. NC has virtually no laws about changing engines so I might have an easier time.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Slant6
03/29/2016 at 01:01

Yeah, my turbo connection fell through. although, I didn’t know edge rotors were 11", I may do that and leave the drums in the back because its easier

TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H! > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/29/2016 at 01:04

Like I told Huitt, get me a ride and a cot and I’m down.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H!
03/29/2016 at 01:05

Whats going on with your Timing belt BTW? I heard Jake was doing that

Slant6 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/29/2016 at 01:08

It’s something to look into. I had a hard time finding the right ones when I replaced them. They were in stock but I had to get the larger ones with built in hubs. You’ll probably need bigger calipers and of course bigger pads. The rear drums should be fine since there’s no weight back there (the Cyclone had rear drums).

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/29/2016 at 02:55

Still engine swaps that are not original replacements take time. U cant just drop one in and make it work. Electronics are diffent and such

 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/29/2016 at 07:47

While you are doing all that work, might as well throw a cam in there and some GT40 heads.

crowmolly > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/29/2016 at 07:51

If you are replacing the motor mounts do the trans mount too.

Is the “clearancing” of the bellhousing something more than just some light hammer work?

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/29/2016 at 09:43

You mentioned 93-94 ECU and wiring. The difference between these two years is HUGE. What’d you wind up getting?

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Birddog
03/29/2016 at 10:05

Most of those are rather generic now, unless you wanna pony up a decent amount of money. Best bet is a NOS harness from EBay or the like. Still gonna run close to $300....

Nibbles > TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H!
03/29/2016 at 11:14

Problem with that in Colorado: If the engine is newer, emissions controls have to be from that newer engine. If the engine is OBDII, installing an ECC-IV will be technically illegal.

The ECU from a V8 Explorer will work with a manual transmission. It can be reprogrammed to remove the quirks, or just live with the O/D OFF light on all the time.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
03/29/2016 at 13:38

How big a difference? I still have to go pick up an engine, no ecu yet. Im just trying to dot my I’s and cross my T’s

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/29/2016 at 15:06

Different enough where I wouldn’t mix a 94 ECU with 93 wiring.

http://webpages.charter.net/darrell1/musta…

If I do another Fox body 5.0 car, I’ll probably go with a standalone system.

TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H! > Nibbles
03/29/2016 at 18:09

Y’all need to move to Loveland or something. Ain’t got shit for inspections or emmissions there.

Nibbles > TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H!
03/29/2016 at 18:11

just wait. Inspections are cyclical in Colorado counties