v10 swap into 2000 Eddie Bauer

[jruppert]

I have been trying to search as much as possible regarding this swap but have come up with very limited information. I know many would say why but why not? I have the opportunity to purchase a 2000 Eddie with 92,000 miles. It has a bad engine. They want $1500. for it and its in very good shape.
Anyway, my dad has a 1997 e-350 with a v10 that he recently parked because he decided to start driving a different vehicle for economy purposes. He was planning on selling the van for $1000 but told me I could have it if I wanted. So here goes the wheels turning in my head. I understand that there are a few obstacles ahead of me but from what I can imagine, I believe it can be done. I do have some questions though. One being the harness. I would plan on swapping the harness from van to expedition. I am curious to know if it would actually fit or if I would be better off with a truck harness. The other is the PCM. Does the PCM have any actual control over 4 wheel drive? The van is 2wd and so this may be an issue. Any ideas or suggestions that you guys may have? If I go ahead with this project I will keep you guys posted. Thanks in advance.

 

[JDMitchell]

Take lots of pics, that would be an awesome swap.

 

[panda24619]

i would get rid of the electronic shift. find an f150 with the manual shift transfer case and either put that in or see how its hooked up. sure you might lose a4wd but it would be easier. as for the wiring harness i would use as much as you can for the v10. then spice some wires for the v8. the ecus would have to be flashed for the change. find a company that could do it. might cost some pesos but it would work. and if they can make the change for the T-case so you could keep A4wd. just a though.

 

[nvycrmn]

you are probably going to have to move the firewall back some as well because the engine is a little bit bigger. i also planned on doing this swap but first i am trying to concentrate on the solid axle portion. if you are going to pull the engine and do the swap, do the solid axle conversion while you are at it. i am originally from reed city so i know there are lots of good ol' boys that can probably help you with some of the work.

 

[panda24619]

o yeah forgot about the sus. that engine is HEAVY! so you will need to do some sort of SAS. with some leaf springs to start out.

 

[jruppert]

Thanks for the suggestions. nvycrmn, you are from Reed City? How long ago? I have lived here all my life. I am wondering if I should steer clear of this project then. I havent seen much information regarding this swap but it does sound interesting. My thought was to pull the engine and drop in the v10 and route v10 wiring from either e-350 or f-350. Do the super duty trucks have the A4wd? Maybe I should stick with the 5.4 or go Navi??

 

[panda24619]

if you want easier put the navi motor in. i want one. its a 4v engine. and the expeditions and navi are the only ones that ford made a4wd for.

 

[jruppert]

I have been thinking about what my best option should be. It has 92,000 miles on it and I think for resale purposes I shouldnt go with the v10. If it had 192,000 then I would be thinking differently.

This leaves me to either the Navi motor or go with some hi flowing heads and cams for the 5.4 sohc. Decisions Decisions

 

[panda24619]

or if you can find it get a lighting motor and put new heads on that. that should be a funn ride.

 

[jruppert]

I just found a Kenne Bell kit that was used on a Lightning. I assume its a complete kit and he is asking $1000 for it. That sounds like a reasonable deal. As far as a lightning engine goes, from what I have googled, it appears that there isnt any difference between a 99-03 5.4l and the Lightning. I dont know if this information is accurate but it said that the Lightning still uses the powered rods that the stock 5.4 uses. I thought it said the crank and pistons were the same also. If this is true then that surprises me.

So here is what I am thinking... Since this 5.4 is running (but has knock) tear apart and find out if it needs a crank repair kit or more. Rebuild it if possible and purchase a set of Patriot heads. Should I get a set of cams at this point? From what I read in the past, a lot of cams sacrifice low end torque. At some point I wouldnt mind getting a supercharger and bolting on. Maybe a kenne bell or a lightning blower. What do you think about with the rods?

Thanks

 

[nvycrmn]

i think if you are going to go through that much detail, you can either do a SC install and rebuild the bottom end. that will give you probably 350 HP to the rear wheels. this might end up being cheaper. either that or find a wrecked lightning and just take the whole engine. then you should just have to swap harnesses and whatnot. yes, i am from reed city. i moved away when i joined the military in 2003.

 

[jruppert]

Would you forget about the Patriot heads? I would hate to go to the trouble of rebuilding the bottom end and putting new rings in pistons without doing something with the heads. It would be a lot easier to do something at that point then to go back 6 months later to upgrade heads. 350 horse does sounds pretty sweet...

 

[schmeg]

5.4

I've done lots of Bowtie stuff, and if it were mine, I would pull the motor down, go through the whole thing, go first over on the bores, and put on a set of Twisted Wedge heads and be done with it. IMO.

 

[Racenut]

I've done lots of Bowtie stuff, and if it were mine, I would pull the motor down, go through the whole thing, go first over on the bores, and put on a set of Twisted Wedge heads and be done with it. IMO.

+1 for the Twisted Wedge heads. Trick flow has been in Ford perfomance for a long time and they have a great head design that offers way better flow and also fixes the issue with not having enough threads in the plug holes.

 

[jruppert]

Would you throw in a set of cams or stick to the stock cams? I may consider putting either a lightning blower or kenne bell on this.

 

[walnuts4x4]

all this talk of motors... I have seen a 98 F150 with a 460..... always has been my dream but might have to think of a lightning swap now...lol

 

[panda24619]

well the lightning motor has forged crank and pistons. from what i keep reading. what i would do. is get a lightning motor put new heads on it, some new cams, and keep the lightning super charger! would be about 350-400 rwhp.