engine swap V6 for V8

[dustyrob]

I have an 06 F150 with the V6. Like many who write in this forum, I also could live with the lack of power if it were rewarded with decent gas mileage. If I pulled the V6 and repowered with either the 4.6 or 5.4 what changes would have to be made in the powertrain? The truck is an automatic.

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[glc]

Why not just do some common mods to the V-6 (exhaust, intake, efans, etc.) and get a custom tune? That's gonna cost you a lot less and be a lot less hassle.

[97XL]

What years are we talking about 97-03 or 04+ for the donor truck?? Assuming going from a truck in this year range to one in the same year range you need to swap over the PCM, wiring harnesses to start with.

[ChrisT]

Not worth it. Like glc said, look into some mods, especially custom tuning. You will be surprised how much custom tuning will wake up that V6.

[1clean42]

With the money you'll spend, it will be cheaper to just get a truck with a v8 already in it if that's what you're wanting. But if that's not an option, the V6 is no slouch...just look at ChrisT's pics of him pulling that big boat. Just a few bolt-ons and a tune will wake it up quite a bit. Lower gearing can help too.

[dirt bike dave]

One thing to consider is resale value. IMO, it's harder to sell a truck with a shade tree motor swap. And if you pay a pro to do it, it's going to be very expensive.

In terms of bang for your buck and hassle, this is how I would rank the options:

1) Modify your V6
2) Sell your truck and buy a similar truck with the V8 you want
3) Motor swap

[MudTerrain]

Lots of guys on this site have done motor swaps...

If you're competent enough, you should definately do it. You're not going to find any cheaper bang for the buck power than a motor swap.

[ChrisT]

Originally Posted by MudTerrain

Lots of guys on this site have done motor swaps...

If you're competent enough, you should definately do it. You're not going to find any cheaper bang for the buck power than a motor swap.

Disagree. I don't think many have done a 4.2 swap to a V8, at least I haven't seen any. It's not an easy swap and will cost BIG $ to do so.

[MudTerrain]

Originally Posted by ChrisT

Disagree. I don't think many have done a 4.2 swap to a V8, at least I haven't seen any. It's not an easy swap and will cost BIG $ to do so.

$500 bones for a motor.

You'd need:

- harness
- manifolds/exhaust
- starter?
- tranny & plate?

The 8.8 would be fine...

I'm sure I'm missing a lot more...

I don't think you're going to get that kind of power for any cheaper ($900-1500). And there's no way you're going to get the low end grunt of a 2V 5.4L with a modded 4.2L...

[ChrisT]

It sounds so simple, doesn't it? Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see someone actually do this swap. I'm just saying that in my years here I have seen this very topic brought up many, many times and have yet to see someone actually go through with it. 100% of the time people realize it's too costly, time consuming and just not worth it. They either mod their V6 truck to a point where they are happy with it, or they sell it and get a V8 truck.

No doubt that a 5.4 walks all over a 4.2, my only stand point on this subject is that for a few hundred bucks, you can mod your 4.2 to a point where you will be quite happy and surprised with it and that's from my own personal experience.

[bobkyle2]

id really like to swap my 02stepside 4.2 ...over to a small block chevy

[glc]

Then go buy an old stepside Chevy truck.

[bobkyle2]

haha ..sorry i knew you all would like that...but i have 5 older chevy pickups i mud race..always raced chevys much easier and cheap horsepower...always liked ford pick ups...sorry all

[Raptor05121]

Originally Posted by bobkyle2

haha ..sorry i knew you all would like that...but i have 5 older chevy pickups i mud race..always raced chevys much easier and cheap horsepower...always liked ford pick ups...sorry all

you get what you pay for!

[TruckGuy24]

Chevy's older engine like 5.7 were very good IIRC