Engine swap

[ponfoz]

hey guys, looking to buy this 2016 expedition xlt but i want a beefer engine so im looking into dofferent swaps such as keeping it brand friendly with a 6.0 diesel, 5.0 v8 or a 7.3 godzilla or do a cummins swap 5.9 cummins but i know its a pretty big motor so what do you guys recommend?

 

[GlennSullivan]

Wow, that is alot of territory to cover and many different mechanical and electrical interfaces.

6.0 Diesel, worst engine Ford ever put in any vehicle (which is saying alot these days) on top of that deal killer, there is the fact that the front axle and suspension will not handle the weight, and the need for some serious electrical interface work.

5.0 Coyote V8 may a good choice. it is used in the F150 and you could “borrow” knowledge and parts used on that platform to make the swap work. Also, there may actually be a company or two out there that has done this swap.

Alternative to the above: the 3.5 T/T has proven to be a reliable performance engine, used in the Ford GT, the F150 Raptor as well as higher HP versions of the F150 and Expedition.

7.3 Godzilla, some tuners have done this swap into the Raptor, but I think the front axles and suspension in the Expy may not support the weight. Other than that, same other electrical and mechanical concerns.

 

[ponfoz]

Wow, that is alot of territory to cover and many different mechanical and electrical interfaces.

6.0 Diesel, worst engine Ford ever put in any vehicle (which is saying alot these days) on top of that deal killer, there is the fact that the front axle and suspension will not handle the weight, and the need for some serious electrical interface work.

5.0 Coyote V8 may a good choice. it is used in the F150 and you could “borrow” knowledge and parts used on that platform to make the swap work. Also, there may actually be a company or two out there that has done this swap.

Alternative to the above: the 3.5 T/T has proven to be a reliable performance engine, used in the Ford GT, the F150 Raptor as well as higher HP versions of the F150 and Expedition.

7.3 Godzilla, some tuners have done this swap into the Raptor, but I think the front axles and suspension in the Expy may not support the weight. Other than that, same other electrical and mechanical concerns.

well i have taken into consideration the heavy weight and may swap front and rear for something a bit stronger because i really like the 16’ body style and want to use it as my tow rig/project but im ready to put some serious work into it. and i ment the 6.7 but i must of mistyped oops. do you know if there are any good companies that sell supercharger kits for the v6? im looking for more torque then horsepower since it will be a tow rig

 

[DeafBringer]

You may want to do some research. The 2016 you mention having a v6 means it has the v6 3.5l twin turbo which is 365 hp and 420 ft lbs of torque. A simple flash with a reputable shop knowledgeable about the 3.5 twin turbo set up can get it into 400+ hp and 480+ ft lbs of torque along with better shift management and response.

unless you plan on towing more than 9,200 ibs, you really don't need to worry about an engine swap. Focus more on making sure the rig has the heavy duty tow package, is in good shape, etc.

 

[GlennSullivan]

well i have taken into consideration the heavy weight and may swap front and rear for something a bit stronger because i really like the 16’ body style and want to use it as my tow rig/project but im ready to put some serious work into it. and i ment the 6.7 but i must of mistyped oops. do you know if there are any good companies that sell supercharger kits for the v6? im looking for more torque then horsepower since it will be a tow rig

The 3.5 V6 is a Twin Turbo, which is one of the easiest ways to get low rpm torque.

Ive reached out to a buddy of mine that works in the automotive aftermarket distribution to see if he can make a recommendation.

I tow with a 2017 stock 3.5 Expy and I find it OK for the intended use of towing my car trailer with 4700 to 6500 total trailer weight.

If you want to do serious towing with a full size SUV, you want a 2002-03 7.3 diesel Excursion with a tune. When I towed heavier trailers on a regular basis, that was my weapon of choice.

There are a couple of companies that convert current super duties to Excursions.

 

[JExpedition07]

Only decent option there is the 5.0 and Whipple, the 7.3 isn’t as stout as the 5.0. 5.0 has a closed deck with steam holes and a forged steel crankshaft versus an open deck on the Zilla. Your cheapest bet is just tune your existing engine.

 

[JExpedition07]

Looking closer the 5.0 will not fit dimensionally in the Expedition chassis as the chassis is modified and not as wide as the F-150. Now we have our answer on why Ford never offered it in these, she don’t fit.

 

[iowacarpenter]

With heavy towing with an Expedition, your main problem is going to be in the suspension. Mine has plenty of power, but gets wallowy with too much tongue weight. Go with an Excursion if you need to tow really heavy.

 

[Pilgrim]

I'm a big-block guy at heart, but....

How much do you plan to tow? The 3.5TT (especially with 3.73 gears) will EASILY pull more than the weight it can support. I have 2 expeditions and an F150. The F150 is a heavy max tow 3.73 package with tuner that is just used for towing. It pulls second only to the big diesels without all the downsides of the diesels. Has 170,000+ on it with only spark plug changes.
Only negatives are the lack of engine braking you get with the big engines, and it is THIRSTY!
My $.02

 

[chuck s]

Max towing capacity of the 2016 Expedition is about 9300 pounds (that's what my 2017 3.5EB is rated at). And the engine ain't the weak point...

-- Chuck

 

[LokiWolf]

hey guys, looking to buy this 2016 expedition xlt but i want a beefer engine so im looking into dofferent swaps such as keeping it brand friendly with a 6.0 diesel, 5.0 v8 or a 7.3 godzilla or do a cummins swap 5.9 cummins but i know its a pretty big motor so what do you guys recommend?

Beefier Engine? You realize in the 150 the 3.5TT EcoBoost has a higher tow rating than the 5.0, all other specs equal. The 3.5TT EcoBoost was designed for low end Torque, and pulls like a Diesel. A swap is pointless, if you are going for added towing capacity, because the motor is not the limitation. Like others have said, and 3.5TT stock can pull anything you can legally put behind the Expedition. Add a good tow tune from a good tuner like ZFG to improve power where it is needed, and improve shifting. If you already have a heavy tow equipped, swap out to an aftermarket Intercooler, and swap the downpipes if you are serious. Both will help with heat management and maintaining power on hard pulls.

 

[JExpedition07]

Regarding 5.0 swaps because probably the most common…There are also many generations of 5.0L F-150 engines with big changes. Many things are not interchangeable between generations.

Gen 1 - 360 HP/380 LB FT PI 10.5:1 compression
Gen 2 - 385 HP/387 LB FT PI 10.5:1 compression
Gen 3 - 395 HP/400 LB FT dual PI/DI 12:1 compression
Gen 4 - 400 HP/410 LB FT dual PI/DI 12:1 compression

Gen 3 & 4 can handle a lot more boost as they have a 3,000 psi direct injection system to ward away knock. Gen 3 & 4 also have way beefier connecting rods and gen 4 further beefed up the block big time with closing the deck and utilizing steam holes.

A Gen 1 5.0 and a Gen 4 5.0 are not even fundamentally the same engine as they have different displacement (Gen 3 and 4 are actually 307 cubic inches with a larger bore) compression, fueling etc.

The 6.0 is definitely too heavy for stock Expedition front springs, and I doubt fitting is a possibility anyway.

7.3 is on its only generation so not many changes, would likely work but a lot of effort and cannot throw out insane power like the 5.0 on stock internals or fueling. Being pushrod it is nice and narrow.

5.9, nahhhh

I’d say get a tuner lol.

 

[abkirk]

Looking closer the 5.0 will not fit dimensionally in the Expedition chassis as the chassis is modified and not as wide as the F-150. Now we have our answer on why Ford never offered it in these, she don’t fit.

Wow! I figured this was the easiest. I thought it would just be a wiring harness issue. I was planning on pursuing this when I needed a motor in my Expedition.

 

[bloodhound]

I predict 1) the OP will never do any swap and 2) will never return here.

 

[LokiWolf]

I predict 1) the OP will never do any swap and 2) will never return here.

I second this! Hasn't signed back on since the initial post.