Hey Mike,

I want to know the differences between a '98 4.6 and a '99-'02 5.4 4V Naivigator engine. I am thinking of doing this swap. I have the 5 speed, so tranny management is not an issue. I am wondering about firing order, wiring harness, computer compatibility.

There are aftermarket intakes and cams available now, which would let this motor open up. Is this swap feasible?

thanks,
John

 

Hey Mike,

I'll word my question a little different; can you burn a chip for my '98 computer to work with the 5.4 4v Navigator engine, or do I need the Navigator computer as well?

Thanks,
John

 

Use your telephone!

 

Hi John,

I'm actually thinking about doing such a swap (but with a fully race-built 4v long block) in my Lightning over the winter.........can't decide if 800 Hp is enough or if I have to have 1100+ for next season, and when going in excess of about 800 HP, it's hard to beat those 4v heads - some of them in stock trim will outflow heavily ported 2v heads!

That really depends on what year, which transmission, what computer code, etc. was in the Navigator the motor came out of, as well as all the same info about the transplant vehicle - I'd want to take a look at the original code and see if there's anything we have to have that isn't in or can't be adapted in the transplant vehicle's original PCM's code.

And of course, this is *far* too detailed to be appropriate to get into here (or anywhere else via typing). I should also point out before anyone reading this potentially gets a mistaken impression, that we cannot provide free Tech Support for DIY (do-it-yourself) engine swaps - our paying customers keep us plenty busy, & they have to come first.

For now I'll give you some brief info & then let you know what you need to do next if you want our help with this project.....................and yes, we can certainly make this work & tune for it using the right configuration.

Briefly....................

Normally we recommend using the PCM and wiring harness from the DONOR vehicle for a 4v motor swapped into a 2v motor'd vehicle, so you have the correct controls for the power train, IMRC's, etc. - like if the PCM is from a DONOR vehicle with a 4R100 automatic, then you have to use a 4R100 automatic transmission in the TRANSPLANT vehicle too, as you cannot use a PCM from a 4R100 vehicle to control a 4R70W transmission, and vice-versa.

Now swaps like a 5.4 into a 4.6 F-150, we usually use the original PCM in the transplant vehicle, but it depends on what year, what engine, etc. is in the transplant vehicle & in the donor vehicle - is the tranny in both vehicles the same if it's an automatic (IE, both vehicles are 4R70W's, or both are 4R100's), etc. Or for example, if it's a Lightning motor into a non-Lightning F-150, there in many cases we will use the original PCM in the transplant vehicle, like if the transplant vehicle has a 4R70W automatic, as the Lightnings all use 4R100's - so it just depends on the exact swap, what motor from what vehicle/transmission/computer code into what vehicle with what transmission & computer code.

If you want to pay us for our expertise, or want to pay us to provide you with tuning for such a swap, we'll be happy to help. The first thing you'll need to do is to contact us by telephone at our number listed below and request our Custom Program Worksheets. We'll send out our CPW's for you to fill out & fax back to us, and then at that point we'll take a look at the configuration to see if it's workable, or what needs to be done differently, etc., to make it work. We will also have to know other info as well, such as the exact model year, which automatic transmission and what was the computer code from the DONOR Navigator, as well as the same info on the TRANSPLANT vehicle.

I hope that info helps for now, good luck & hope to talk to you soon!