I own A 97 4*4 and would like to know what it would take to swap the 4.6 for a 5.4. Will the computer out of my truck work or will I need a new one. I would realy like to put a lightning motor in my truck and was wondering what that would take.

 

Would be easiest if you could get Computer and tranny for 5.4 engine. Then it becomes direct bolt in pretty much.

SCotty

 

Get a new truck, it's not worth the effort.

 

By far the easiest thing to do is to pull the 4.6 and install the 5.4 in its place but use the 4.6 engine wire harness including the plug wires and coil pacs. You will have to lengthen the oil pressure sensor wire, and the TPS wires. You will need to fab a bracket to hold the coil packs and you will need to have a muffler shop fabricate an adapter for the exhaust manifolds to match up to the 4.6 exhaust system. You will need to get a custom tune done for the PCM to properly handle the 5.4. Your 97 has an Intake Manifold Runner Control and depending on the doner 5.4, yours may not have one so you will need to compensate. The connector for the knock sensor on the 5.4 engine may not fit.

I did the swap and it was a lot easier than buying a new truck. Ford never made a 4x4 with the 5.4 engine and a manual transmission. Now I have one.

Regards

JMC

 

Oh would that ever be nice!

 

Without a reflash, the computer won't work or will have serious CEL issues. And I guess JMC would know if he did the swap, but there are going to be headaches in doing such that will **** YOU OFF!

 

One of these days I will sit down and write out a list of all the little things that have to be decided and what adjustments are needed to complete the swap.

JMC

 

you must have the only 5.4 out there that doesn't have cop's.

i'll bet if you could come out with a conversion kit to go from to cop's to coil packs and wires you could become a millionaire. there are alot of pissed off people out there due to ford's coil on plug design. i know other companies out there have separate ignition coils for each cylinder but at least they're easier to access like on the hemi.

 

It wouldn't be hard to change from COP to regular mustang 4.6 coils. All you'd need would be a new harness and a reflash. (and the coil packs obviously)

 

In 2000 Ford started using COP ignitions on the 4.6. Mine is a 2000 so the 5.4 has COP ignition taken from the 4.6. The coils are not all that hard to get to. Once you have changes the plugs on a modular engine a few times it gets easier.

JMC

 

Shouldn't be that hard to fabricate brackets for coil packs for a 5.4. That's what I plan to do when I do my swap. However, is there any difference in spark strength that would be a problem for the 5.4? I run MSD coil packs (much better than stock). Any opinions?

 

The coil pack is strong enough for the 5.4.

JMC

 

I just purchased a Harley 150 motor and transmission to swap into my 98 4x4 Scab.
It will be a lot of work and money. Probably better off to buy a new truck, but anyone can do that.
A regular 5.4 would be alot easier and you could use your existing transmission.

Not to say that a blown 5.4 wouldn't bolt up, but your transmission may not be strong enough to handle the motor.

The new tranny is a 4r100 setup for a 2wd. I will have to switch the tailhousing and output shaft from a 4wd transmission.
I have the entire wiring harness to the new power train and computer but will need a programmer to turn off the PATS as I do not have the key.
If there is a difference in transmission length may need to get a different cross member and legthen/shorten driveshafts.
Looks like the radiators are different.
The rear end should be upgraded to the 9.75 unit.
Then there is the wiring.
I will stop here, as I am starting to talk myself out of it.

 

the 8.8 should work fine if you upgrade the carrier. a nice eaton posi unit would handle the horsepower just fine. the only problem with the 8.8 is the spider gears and the carrier itself. my carrier is actually starting to deform from the extra torque with the 4.56's and wider tires.