• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech

My Mustang Motor Swap

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bigg-Beat-Elite
  • Start date Start date Jun 10, 2017
  • Tags Tags
    1995 1997 3.8l engine motor swap
B

Bigg-Beat-Elite

New Member
Jun 10, 2017
6
0
1
49
Seattle, WA.
Jun 10, 2017
#1
  • Jun 10, 2017
  • #1
Hello.

Am I able to swap out my blown 1997' 3.8l engine (with high miles), with the motor of 1995' 3.8l?

And if so, then what exactly needs to be done with my 1997's original computer so that it recognizes and is compatible with a 1995 engine?

I appreciate any attention given to my question and thanks in advance.
 

85ragtop

BTW, I like dudes.
10 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
823
475
123
NC
Jun 10, 2017
#2
  • Jun 10, 2017
  • #2
I moved this thread for you. Well your 97 is obd2 and the 95 is obd1. You would have to change a considerable amount of things over. Someone else will chime in soon and fill you in a bit better.
Oh and welcome to the site.
 
B

Bigg-Beat-Elite

New Member
Jun 10, 2017
6
0
1
49
Seattle, WA.
Jun 10, 2017
#3
  • Jun 10, 2017
  • #3
Thanks Nick.

I'm interested in learning more on the specifics.
 

85ragtop

BTW, I like dudes.
10 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
823
475
123
NC
Jun 10, 2017
#4
  • Jun 10, 2017
  • #4
I have never done it before. But any time you have two generations of emissions standards there is always a lot of work.
 
Reactions: Bigg-Beat-Elite

RaggedGT

Been here over a DECADE and still no CT
Mod Dude
Jul 20, 2014
4,739
3,188
203
41
Taylorsville ky
youtube.com
Jun 10, 2017
#5
  • Jun 10, 2017
  • #5
95 V6 car should be obd2. 95 GT's where still obd1. Other than that-I got nothin' lol
 
Reactions: Bigg-Beat-Elite
B

Bigg-Beat-Elite

New Member
Jun 10, 2017
6
0
1
49
Seattle, WA.
Jun 10, 2017
#6
  • Jun 10, 2017
  • #6
Any knowledge and/or ideas of what type of work will be required in making my obd2 Stang compatible with an odb1 motor?

Currently my car is sitting in a shop with all work of swapping motors completed... Until it was discovered that now it won't start.

I just need to understand how much lube I'll need to have on hand after being bent over on the bill this shops gonna charge me for.
 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
5,892
514
204
Houston Texas
Jun 11, 2017
#7
  • Jun 11, 2017
  • #7
Re-engineering the electronics of your car is not the way to go. To have a reasonable chance of success this project needs to retain the original car's electronics. That means to SWAP the motor's wring harness onto the donor motor. Each sensor needs to be researched for compatibility. The idea here is to make it so the PCM can not tell the difference electronically between the old and new motors.

Ford is real bad about making small changes. For example in the cam sensor. Some model years use a 2 wire and others use a 3 wire.

If the shop has attempted to use the wiring harness from a 95 into a 97 IMO it should be EXPECTED to have problems.
 
Reactions: Bigg-Beat-Elite
B

Bigg-Beat-Elite

New Member
Jun 10, 2017
6
0
1
49
Seattle, WA.
Jun 12, 2017
#8
  • Jun 12, 2017
  • #8
wmburns said:
Re-engineering the electronics of your car is not the way to go. To have a reasonable chance of success this project needs to retain the original car's electronics. That means to SWAP the motor's wring harness onto the donor motor. Each sensor needs to be researched for compatibility. The idea here is to make it so the PCM can not tell the difference electronically between the old and new motors.

Ford is real bad about making small changes. For example in the cam sensor. Some model years use a 2 wire and others use a 3 wire.

If the shop has attempted to use the wiring harness from a 95 into a 97 IMO it should be EXPECTED to have problems.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your response
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
2004 Mustang 3.8L V6 vibrations above 65 MPH and differential leaks
  • joeybuddy96
  • Mar 16, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
16
Views
594
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Jul 14, 2026
joeybuddy96
J
1
Engine Motor swap from a 2003 Explorer
  • 1996mustang new
  • Oct 9, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
602
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Oct 16, 2025
squeak93
R
What's it Worth? 1997 Cobra, a ton of mods and restoration
  • riored97snake
  • Jun 18, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
2
Views
172
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 21, 2026
riored97snake
R
J
Help Figuring Motor Choice(Possible future turbo)?
  • jaygee15
  • Dec 14, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
13
Views
653
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 3, 2026
Jarhead67
J
D
4.8 LS swap in a 1975 coupe
  • DFlikks
  • Jul 7, 2025
  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech
Replies
8
Views
560
1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech Aug 21, 2025
DFlikks
D
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?