Possible Engine & Tranny ...

[PVExpedition]

Hi,

Question: What engine & tranny would be best to replace the engine & tranny in my Expy? I want to start planning now for this eventual need, and I want to know if I am limited to certain years. I know I want to go larger, to the 5.4L, but could I go with a newer motor than 1998? Could I go with a performance motor like the new "coyotes"? Is there anything that can be done to clean up the engine bay, and give it more room? Should I put dual exhausts on it? Should I go with headers and deal with their typical leaking at the heads?

My 98 4x4 Expy has 265,000 miles on the "baby" v-8, the 4.6l. It was diagnosed with a leaking head gasket and/or cracked head 11 months back, probably about 12,000 miles ago. I put in this block sealant I bought at Autozone, followed the instructions to the "t" , and wow! What a difference, and the leak appears to be fixed. For now. I have driven it 3.5 hours one-way to go hunting this past November, and just returned from a 14 hour one-way trip out to CA, stopping only for gas as my wife & I slept in the back while the other drove. There were no issues at all so it is running strong. And, the tranny is doing ok although it does slip, on occassion, when it is hot outside. Other than that it is fine, and I have had both the engine and the tranny serviced regularly over the years. However, after putting on new tires in November, then having the brakes done, and then having the front-end rebuilt so we could drive it on our recent trip, we have actually made an unconscious decision to keep it, vs. buying another.

This is not an issue as the only things we do not like about it are 1) you cannot put a regular size ice cooler behind the 3rd seat (so we had said we would buy an Expy EL next but not now..... ), and 2) the gas mileage, but actually I am used to this type of gas mileage as I have owned a V-8 powered truck for over 30 years so the mileage of 11 - 14 mpg is normal for me.

Thanks for the thoughts!

 

[tonydiv]

I think we need to know what kind of a budget you are thinking about for the project.

There are performance rebuilds done by reputable companies that start at about $2200. A 5.0L Coyote crate motor and the required accessories will cost you about 4 times that price.

Of course, you'll want a decent trans and converter like a Monster. Figure just under $2000

Then you'll want to go over the transfer case and give it a rebuild.

 

[stamp11127]

Tough question to answer not knowing how deep your pockets are. I will point out that you haven't established a need for more power other than the want for a larger engine.

What you need and what you want are two different things...

Unless I was going all out and the hell with gas mileage or total investment I would stay stock. Look how long the stock combination has lasted.

 

[JUST4FUN]

Remember its a "98" anything you do to it will just burn up your money fix what needs fixing. if it means putting new heads on it just do that and drive it .From what you've said you have put 2000 in to it already. it will become a money pit

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

all good advice above, esp, on the discretionary $$$ part. You could easily put $12-15K into drivetrain alone getting what you desired, but have to ask what are your true requirements?

I rebuilt when my 5.4 puked a plug nearly 3 years ago. Staying ahead on routine & preventive maintenance have been the key. Blue oval took care of some things early on (read warranty etc.) but have kept her going nonetheless.

There is a voluminous amount of info on here & "been there, done that" knowledge.

Let us know what you decide.

Thanks, PanHandler.

 

[toms89]

I agree with everything said above.

When you modify any vehicle beyond stock its very unlikely you will ever get your money back out of it. Modifying vehicles is not an investment but more of a passion / hobby. If you have the means, enjoy the challenge, satisfaction, headaches and all that comes with completing such a project while understanding that its a bad investment go for it.

Swapping to a different drivetrain than the vehicle originally came with can get very costly and involved. Fuel system, exhaust, pcm, tranny, accessories and custom fabrication will likely all need to be addressed.


If your just looking for reliable transportation for years to come... keep it stock as said!

If you decide to make the leap we just need to know how far you want or are willing to go. The options are many.

 

[PVExpedition]

Thanks for the input. And, all your advice is in-line with what I have believed all along: staying as stock as possible is best. So, it is nice to kow some things don't change. I just was not sure if it had and if any of the newer engines & trannies made deviating from stock easiy.

The reason I want a larger engine is I believe the 4.6 makes this Expy way under-powered, and I bet moving up to a 5.4 will not sacrifice any gas mpg, if any at all. And, I look at it this way: a fairly new Expy, 2 - 5 yrs old, will probably be at least $18k. A 10 yr old + Expy will be at least $4k - $10k and will still need the things done that this one just had done: front-end, tires, brakes, etc. So, if I put a 5.4 and rebuilt tranny in this one for say $8k - $10k, I will have a 1998 with most all new parts and know what I have, vs. spending that kind of money on an Expy that has not had the work done.

Again, thanks, and here's to hoping this 4.6 and tranny continue to live strong for another 30,000 - 40,000 miles. My goal is to get it to 300,000 miles.

 

[48dually]

whats the cost for a used 5.4? can you buy a new 5.4? how about buying a 5.4 from a 2002 and put it in your 98? I was looking in doing the same as I have that header leak in the back on the passenger side. what stuff did you buy from autozone to seal the leak?
Jamison

 

[BlueOtter728]

the 02 engine might not work as well in the 98. the block will be the same im sure but i can bet sensors are different and there will be different plug ins that they did not have in 98 also going form 4.6 to 5.4 will require Engine, Harness, Computer, and miscellanous other differences. im going off more of a general tech stand point as with these fords im not super knowledgable. I agree with the idea of keeping them stock the 4.6 motor has a pleathera of performance upgrades out there to make it as good or better than the 5.4. I am not going to knock the 5.4 though i have one with 263k it runs like a dream, ive heard the 4.6 is way under powered but they put that motor in mustangs you want power look at mustang seciton in Summit Racing they have plenty of power adders.

 

[48dually]

how bout transplanting an 02 5.4L to a 99 that had a 5.4L? I believe the motor from 99-02 were the same.

 

[BlueOtter728]

how bout transplanting an 02 5.4L to a 99 that had a 5.4L? I believe the motor from 99-02 were the same.

I am not 100% sure as previously stated. I would try it but I wouldn't be surprised to see a small change in something like sensor location or different type of sensor all together. My best example of this was with Jeep Grand Cherokees ( I know not ford) but I had a 1997 obd-II with I-6 motor and the 2002 I-6 motor was the same but electronics were different ( Went to coil over plug, moved crank sensor form front of motor to rear of motor) Mostly I was just warning to be cautious of small changes that typically go unnoticed but can have a massive effect on cost of project and parts needed to swap. The blocks and heads however should be a straight swap. mostly electrical that becomes the concern.

a known ford example would be ( I don't know fact here so bear with me) did they use COP in 1999 or Coil packs ? I know my 2001 5.4 has COP. but I think that's a 4.6 to 5.4 difference more than just a year change.

 

[48dually]

right, I understand its the small stuff that makes it difficult. my 99 has cop for the 5.4L