3rd Gen Expedition meets Godzilla

[Datchu09]

Been thinking about swapping my old Triton 5.4L engine with the new 7.3L Godzilla engine.
what do you all think about it? do you think the factory transmission and transfer case could handle about 150 more horses? or the Diff's?

 

[Boostedbus]

I think the trans and differentials would be fine with the extra power. I’d be more worried about all the electrical work/changes that you’ll have to figure out. It’s not like the old days anymore with just fabricated mounts and a trans adapter plate with some headers and homemade exhaust.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Do it.

 

[Boostedbus]

^^ X2

 

[07xln]

Wont happen

 

[Thunderbirdsport]

Wont happen

The ones who say "it can't.....", or "it won't.......", need to sit back, zip lips, and let those who can and will, do it.

It will fit, bolt up to the existing trans. Will need mounts, possibly. Probably going to need a standalone and trans controller. How that will integrate to the body harness I don't know, but I'm sure it's not insurmountable, just $. I too am interested in this. I'm actually pretty intrigued and if I had the funds for the crate motor, it'd be happening. There's also a feller here wanting to put a 6.2 in his Expy. The electronics again are going to be the big obstacle to get past.

The mechanical stuff is out there. 6.2 were in 1/2T trucks, so there's mounts and the like available. The 7.3 might be different, then again, the mount bosses on the block might be the same as the 5.4, I'm not sure. I haven't found any info that confirms/disproves this. Of course mounts aren't nearly a thing if you know of a fab shop or race car builder. They could likely whip some up in short order assuming they add access to measurements and whatnot..

 

[Aspen03]

Just about anything is possible so long as you're willing to put out the $ to make it happen.

I've known others with supercharged 5.4 setups with little to nothing done to transmission and they handled it fine. Now I'd you're talking about driving it like a raceway and that's another story. Towing or hauling around 8 people, go for it.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Transmission controller:
https://www.usshift.com/6r80.shtml

I have no experience with it, but it looks promising. I wanted to put a 6r80 behind my 2000 5.4 before I gave up on it.

 

[Trainmaster]

You can do it! My opinion is that the drivetrain can easily handle the power.

 

[JExpedition07]

The same drivetrain was used behind the 6.2L V8 @411 horsepower/434 lb ft so it should handle it. Question is with that many miles will the trans handle it for long....

 

[bws2015]

So it never happened, lol.....

 

[weston707]

My 7.3 Godzilla arrives from summit tomorrow to my mechanics shop and we are starting the swap. From what I’ve been able to find, a lot of people are interested in this swap yet no one has done it. I’ll keep posting progress along the way but I’m already invested so it’s happening now one way or another. I just couldn’t bring myself to buy another 5.4 after all the issues that engine gave me.

 

[weston707]

Its begun! Will keep updating with the progress, going to be a lot of work. Will be awesome to see it complete.

 

[JExpedition07]

Well you’ll have the fastest 3rd gen on the forum besides the few who have put blowers on their 5.4 lol

 

[weston707]

I’ll be getting a 10speed trans next year when the 3.0L Whipple charger is available. Very excited. As it sits now I’m gonna be pushing hopefully close to 450-460hp and 480ft lbs of torque after the performance cold air intake and tune are done. 700+ with the Whipple. Going to be one mean towing machine.

 

[Dennis_H]

Sounds like it is going to be incredible for power, but not sure about the towing machine part. The existing engine could handle the max weight of the trailer for this suspension. Can't really add weight capacity and big trailers are already close to hairy in decent winds.
Will be one of the coolest trucks here though.

 

[BlackBetty]

The ones who say "it can't.....", or "it won't.......", need to sit back, zip lips, and let those who can and will, do it.

It will fit, bolt up to the existing trans. Will need mounts, possibly. Probably going to need a standalone and trans controller. How that will integrate to the body harness I don't know, but I'm sure it's not insurmountable, just $. I too am interested in this. I'm actually pretty intrigued and if I had the funds for the crate motor, it'd be happening. There's also a feller here wanting to put a 6.2 in his Expy. The electronics again are going to be the big obstacle to get past.

The mechanical stuff is out there. 6.2 were in 1/2T trucks, so there's mounts and the like available. The 7.3 might be different, then again, the mount bosses on the block might be the same as the 5.4, I'm not sure. I haven't found any info that confirms/disproves this. Of course mounts aren't nearly a thing if you know of a fab shop or race car builder. They could likely whip some up in short order assuming they add access to measurements and whatnot..

I agree. Don’t discourage. I tried to order Full Race’s oil catch can and Freak-O-Beast intercooler kit, and they told me it wouldn’t fit my 2016 EL. Oh, was also told my F-150 OEM take-off wheels wouldn’t work either… Boy, we’re they wrong… When there’s a will, there’s a way.

 

[weston707]

Sounds like it is going to be incredible for power, but not sure about the towing machine part. The existing engine could handle the max weight of the trailer for this suspension. Can't really add weight capacity and big trailers are already close to hairy in decent winds.
Will be one of the coolest trucks here though.

I’ve pulled 11.7k with my expy while it was stock and it didn’t have a ton of power going up hills, I’m getting new suspension all around while the cars getting it’s swap. Going bilstein all around with new springs and a 3/2 readylift. I know it’s nothing fancy but should be nicer on the towing when all is said and done. I don’t find myself towing to often so it will be more for puttering the kids around to school and enjoying a bit more power when I get some daddy time alone in her.

 

[JExpedition07]

I’ll be getting a 10speed trans next year when the 3.0L Whipple charger is available. Very excited. As it sits now I’m gonna be pushing hopefully close to 450-460hp and 480ft lbs of torque after the performance cold air intake and tune are done. 700+ with the Whipple. Going to be one mean towing machine.

5 Star got over 500 lb ft crank on tune only. I think most tunes put it over 500 lb ft.

 

[Dennis_H]

I am curious how all the electronic things work when you do this. I'm guessing you need a new ECU, but doesn't that also control everything in the vehicle? How does it know what to do with transmission shift points and even what transmission is in there. PATS, instrument cluster, etc all have to be programmed or configured. Just curious how all that works. Not as easy as dropping a 427 in a 305 chevy back in the old days...