New Project, Feedback Wanted On Engine Swap

[7upstang91]

From what I understand, swapping an ECU over can be a difficult task and seems much easier with the Ford Racing control pack. Either way, a stock set of headers should work just fine for now. The kit comes with the intake box as well. Deals are out there. Just picked up a full long block out of a 2011 mustang with a hurt #8 for $1,000. I really don't see why you couldn't do this swap for cheap. Just remember you will need an electric fan as well.

 

[Boosted92LX]

Cheapest 5.0 ive found in the greater Houston area is 3800 complete engine no trans. Most run 4200 to 5000.

there are 5.3 chevys everywhere here for 1500. The 6.0 lq4 and lq9 truck engines are 2000 and 2500 respectively with trans all over Houston. This is Texas folks. Every family here has a truck, if not two or three, unlike New Jersey where ppl rent trucks when they buy a refrigerator. .

 

[Boosted92LX]

LM7 5.3 & 4L60e, 4l80e, other LQ4 parts

 

[Boosted92LX]

I called my local salvage guy yesterday and the above prices on the 5.0 and ls engines were what he gave me. He said for 3k he could get me an ls1 with wiring, computer and 6 spd manual trans out of a camaro.. anytime, just call.

 

[84Ttop]

This is Texas folks. Every family here has a truck, if not two or three, unlike New Jersey where ppl rent trucks when they buy a refrigerator. .

Shots fired

This is LOL, You must be talking about North Jersey... There is quite the dividing line from the Prius driving population in the north to the "agricultural" south. While I don't have multiple trucks, 3 farm tractors and one Powerstroke Ford Truck should change your mind?

This is my next restoration project:
1959 Massey Ferguson 85

 

[Shoomakan]

I'd go for the cheapest iron block LS based engine I could find. If money was less of an object, I'd get an LS3 and never look back.

edit: does it have to be a manual? If your Fox is a manual, why not keep this an auto? Much cheaper to do I'd imagine.

 

[2000xp8]

23 houses on my block, about 20 of them have pick up trucks.
North jersey towards new York they don't have pick ups, nor do they have foxes or even cars at all, central to south jersey is totally different.
The ls1 is 300hp, that's not really worth the trouble of going to a GM engine.
The rest of the engines you name aren't really that desirable, that's why they are cheaper.
Ls6's, 2's and 3's are what people want, they are the 400+hp engines. They also cost a premium.

If 300hp is good enough, just a use dohc 4.6, came in like 10 different cars, can usually be had dirt cheap. Modular swap guys use them all the time.

 

[Bullitt347]

First swap that truck should see is the paint. If you going to go with a LS engine, then the current color should stay.............it fits.

 

[Boosted92LX]

First swap that truck should see is the paint. If you going to go with a LS engine, then the current color should stay.............it fits.

LMAO!! !

 

[Boosted92LX]

Shots fired

This is LOL, You must be talking about North Jersey... There is quite the dividing line from the Prius driving population in the north to the "agricultural" south. While I don't have multiple trucks, 3 farm tractors and one Powerstroke Ford Truck should change your mind?

This is my next restoration project:
1959 Massey Ferguson 85

Touche. I've actually never been to south Jerrsey... but have been to NYC and north Jersey. Very different from my little hole in the woods.. haha.

 

[Boosted92LX]

23 houses on my block, about 20 of them have pick up trucks.
North jersey towards new York they don't have pick ups, nor do they have foxes or even cars at all, central to south jersey is totally different.
The ls1 is 300hp, that's not really worth the trouble of going to a GM engine.
The rest of the engines you name aren't really that desirable, that's why they are cheaper.
Ls6's, 2's and 3's are what people want, they are the 400+hp engines. They also cost a premium.

If 300hp is good enough, just a use dohc 4.6, came in like 10 different cars, can usually be had dirt cheap. Modular swap guys use them all the time.

From my research, which was frustrating btw, because government motors wont give an honest hp rating on their engines.. (they literally will claim a 20 to 50 hp diff for the exact same engine in different suv or truck applications) the ls1 makes about 350 at the crank. There's a ton of conflicting info out there on this. The lq4 6.0 is said to have 345 to 350 and the lq9 is anywhere from 385 to 400..

Now, to play devil's advocate here a little, the whole idea of going LS was cheap power, and it doesn't get cheaper to improve one of these, any body that's owned a mod motor knows the pitfalls there. Plus, the responses are mediocre compared to the enemy's V8. Lingenfelter was able to pull 100, yes you read that right.. 100 hp more out of an ls with a cam amd headers.. you think you can do that with a mod motor? (Two cams, not cheap) You have to boost it to get that out of it unless you want to spend even more on engine work...

Now, that being said.. I love my Fords and would love nothing more than to drop a 1500 dollar coyote in this thing, but the reality is they are just not here for that money... I have four kids... and already a hundred dollar bill vacuum in my garage.. haha.

 

[Boosted92LX]

I'd go for the cheapest iron block LS based engine I could find. If money was less of an object, I'd get an LS3 and never look back.

edit: does it have to be a manual? If your Fox is a manual, why not keep this an auto? Much cheaper to do I'd imagine.

No, it doesn't have to be manual, but the truck already is manual. It's pretty fun to drive and I'd miss that aspect, but ive pretty much made peace with the idea of going auto with what ever I end up putting in it.i just threw the 6 spd reference out there because they are very desirable and for 350 hp and a 6 spd 3k is cheap!

 

[Boosted92LX]

@84Ttop
Nick maybe I should get you to buy me a coyote and ship it down here.. I could pay you for your trouble and we'd both come out ahead a bit...

 

[2000xp8]

See, now you are talking about modding the engine too. This all adds up.

By the time you are done you could just buy an 03 cobra engine change the pulley make more power, easier and still have a ford engine.
You could always do a lightning/Harley 5.4, same thing, swap the pulley and go. Might even be better because that engine is worth about $2500 less than a cobra engine.

Make no mistake, I like ls engines, I really wanted to buy a first gen cts v for a while. The ls2 and ls6 with exhaust and a cam makes low 400's through a 6 speed. They really do respond well to cams, but still doesn't make swapping the engine budget orientated.

Still, if you crunch the numbers, there is always a better or equivalent ford solution for the same or less money.
I've yet to see a single argument from anyone (in general) who has pondered the idea of going gm in a ford that has made any real financial sense.

 

[Boosted92LX]

See, now you are talking about modding the engine too. This all adds up.

By the time you are done you could just buy an 03 cobra engine change the pulley make more power, easier and still have a ford engine.
You could always do a lightning/Harley 5.4, same thing, swap the pulley and go. Might even be better because that engine is worth about $2500 less than a cobra engine.

Make no mistake, I like ls engines, I really wanted to buy a first gen cts v for a while. The ls2 and ls6 with exhaust and a cam makes low 400's through a 6 speed. They really do respond well to cams, but still doesn't make swapping the engine budget orientated.

Still, if you crunch the numbers, there is always a better or equivalent ford solution for the same or less money.
I've yet to see a single argument from anyone (in general) who has pondered the idea of going gm in a ford that has made any real financial sense.

Well, you have to understand, it wouldn't be modded right away.. more like down the road as time and money allow. I'm one of the guys that does that whole work on my own stuff on a budget... This is why it makes a valid arguement. They are cheap to get into, cheap to mod, respond better to mods, easier to work on, and will eventually make way more horsepower... For less money. Stock ls heads flow better than a lot of ford aftermarket heads, ported ls heads are insane. Plus, parts for the chevys are exponentially cheaper.. (if not why are ls swaps so popular?) It's been this was since the flathead ford was eclipsed by the ohv sbc.. nothing new here.. Can I get some kind of ford motor in for the same money? Sure. Will it be a financially equal platform for a high hp hot rod later? Not even remotely. The only thing that may come close would be this elusive 1500 dollar coyote I keep hearing about, but I think it's in bigfoot's garage...or maybe the tooth fairy's.. haha. Still with a coyote it wouldn't be a hundred hp gain with a cam and headers, it would have to be boost... and that after it's said and done will be very costly.

Maybe by the time I'm ready to work on this thing, they'll be cheaper down here, but right now I haven't seen one reasonably priced yet.

 

[84Ttop]

I do have an 04' cobra motor with 57k on it at the shop we've been talking about selling lol. It has no blower though
Shame there are so many miles between us

 

[Boosted92LX]

I do have an 04' cobra motor with 57k on it at the shop we've been talking about selling lol. It has no blower though
Shame there are so many miles between us

Now that would be something to consider, but buying a blower for it might hurt.. my wallet.

Yep, too bad it's not just a few hour drive..

 

[A5literMan]

don't understand the LS hatred?! Doesn't bother me. That's what hotrodding is all about.

 

[Boosted92LX]

PM sent @84Ttop

 

[Boosted92LX]

don't understand the LS hatred?! Doesn't bother me. That's what hotrodding is all about.

I get it, but it doesn't bother me.. I hate on chevy guys even though I've owned lots of them.. I have a spot in my heart for Mustangs.. What always ticked me off was the obnoxious chevy guys who relentlessly trash fords because of their ignorance and ridiculous brand loyalty. That's why I've always built fast Mustangs, because for these simple minded haters, NOTHING kills them worse than getting spanked by a FORD, NOTHING. That's were it all stems from.. One of my best friends is like that. He has a vette, talks crap on my fox, but is afraid to race me, because he knows what'll happen.. haha.