Contemplating FI 4.6 into '12 V6 car - looking for input as to what ECU to use

1950StangJump$

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If you look at some of the "build threads" where someone swapped in a Coyote, it can be a real hassle with a lot of hidden costs and gremlins . . . unless you don't care to have working A/C, stock gauges, cruise control, etc. I'm sure it is exponentially easier the second time after you know where the bugs are hiding.

And the Gen 1 Coyotes aren't exactly bullet proof, which is why they are cheaper, especially with mileage on them. Once you start getting into the subsequent generations, the cost goes up considerably.
 

Dino Dino Bambino

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Yeah, we have emission checks here in Tucson, so I gotta work with that. I have the block, crank, rods (Manley Cobra) and pistons, and I even have a couple of different 4V heads to pick from, along with a Termi intake fitted with a GT500 blower. My goal is about 800 "hero" (water-meth injected, cool IAT, ect.)horsepower on 91 octane pump gas, with 600-650 available when not pushing full tilt (limited by how much water-meth injection being used). I figure I'd need about 25lbs of boost to make that kind of power, therefore the compound boost scenario (PD roots blower to give me some low-end until the turbos become a factor).

I'll probably spring for a T56 Magnum XL tranny (or TR6060), but I do have an extra TR3650 that I could use in a pinch (I'd want to update 1st gear with a G-force gearset, but I'd probably be better off spending the $ on the T56).

The V6 chassis already comes with a 31 spline 8.8, so I'll be okay with that. Front brakes (Brembos) seem to be abundant, so I'm not too worried about that.

My lingering question is what ECU to use. I have an '07 4.6 mt ECU, but I'd have to flash the correct VIN into it, turn off the variable cam timing, knock sensors, and whatever else to get it ready for the additional changes to account for the added displacement (only 8 cubes, so probably not an issue) and the boost.

The more I think about it, the more I feel that the '07 ECU is the way to go as it is the closest to working with the chassis (other than possibly getting a '12 GT500 ECU + wiring.

Speaking of which, any thoughts on where to get an '07 and '12 wiring diagrams?

Yeah your best bet would be to get the '05-'10 GT ECU, engine harness, and body harness together with '05-'10 GT sensors and the '10 GT gauge cluster.
Your biggest headache is going to be the custom tune. Sticking to a GT500 blower set up rather than a supercharger/turbo combination will make the headache easier to manage.
 

Juice

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He needs to pass emission test.So a Gen 1 coyote is the only option that can be done with off the shelf parts and cause the least hassles, AND can be done with ford factory programming. Unless OP "knows someone" that will put stickers on his car. They lose their license to inspect if they get caught.
 
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I guess my limiting factor will be getting it through emissions. I think I can get the VIN flashed into the '07 ECU that I have, so as far as the emissions computer is concerned, the VIN would match the VIN on the registration. Then, with no check engine light on, it should be okay, I think?
 

01yellerCobra

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Honestly, for your goals and to save the headaches just pick up a car with a V8 in it already. By the time you get everything you need plus time spent working on it you'll probably have paid for a V8.

A long time ago a guy had a new edge V6 he made look like a terminator. All the body panels, suspension, and complete interior. He was looking for a drivetrain to drop in next. He had at least 15k in it at that point with all the paint and stuff. He wasn't far off from the real thing at that point. Which he tried to do once, but got called out on it. But that's another story.
 

Vorshlag-Fair

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I saw V8 swap so I jumped in!

IMG_5192-L.jpg


Our #LS550 swap is almost ready for production, and the same long tube headers from this chassis might just fit the S197. We're starting the LS V8 swap on the S197 chassis in about a month... way more potential than any 4.6L swap, that's for sure. ;)

Cheers!
 

JEWC_Motorsports

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Terry, that things needs some forward facing headers and a big snail sitting out front.
 

1950StangJump$

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I saw V8 swap so I jumped in!

IMG_5192-L.jpg


Our #LS550 swap is almost ready for production, and the same long tube headers from this chassis might just fit the S197. We're starting the LS V8 swap on the S197 chassis in about a month... way more potential than any 4.6L swap, that's for sure. ;)

Cheers!

At some point in the future, It will be time for me to add more power. Right now, I've got a KB on top a stock 4.6, but with a T56 Magnum.

I'm not a purest, so I would be really interested in the pros and cons of an LS swap . . . vs a Coyote swap and versus forging the 4.6 and going with a bigger blower/turbo.
 

tjm73

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I saw V8 swap so I jumped in!

IMG_5192-L.jpg


Our #LS550 swap is almost ready for production, and the same long tube headers from this chassis might just fit the S197. We're starting the LS V8 swap on the S197 chassis in about a month... way more potential than any 4.6L swap, that's for sure. ;)

Cheers!

thumb_blasphemer-the-14-words-of-hate-faith-goldy-blasphemer-53118927.png
:lmaf:
 

RED09GT

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Can't offer much advice on which ECU to use as I have never done an ECU or wiring swap as I just don't have the time or money to mess around with it and wouldn't do it for a street car that I wanted everything to work on. To me, the GT500 ECU would make sense as you can get one for the correct year for your car.

As for the engine setup, if you have the parts, build the motor and then sort out how you want to do the power adders. I would start with the blower setup and get the car and chassis to where you want it first.

As far as the whole LS motor thing goes, they are the best junkyard swap out there but if you want over 700 hp and reliability, you need to spend pretty much the same amount of money as you would for a SBF or a mod motor.

The good news is that there are a lot of them in junkyards so you can just use them like condoms-have fun, blow your load, throw them out.
 

skwerl

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And the reason there are so many in the junkyards is because Chevy electrical systems suck. They are so bad people throw the car away in spite of the fact the motor is still good.
 

tjm73

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And the reason there are so many in the junkyards is because Chevy electrical systems suck. They are so bad people throw the car away in spite of the fact the motor is still good.

That. And they put them in almost everything including other manufacturers vehicles. SAAB, Isuzu, Buick, Hummer, Pontiac, GMC, Chevrolet and Cadillac all used them.
 

Sally08V6Coupe

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I saw V8 swap so I jumped in!

IMG_5192-L.jpg


Our #LS550 swap is almost ready for production, and the same long tube headers from this chassis might just fit the S197. We're starting the LS V8 swap on the S197 chassis in about a month... way more potential than any 4.6L swap, that's for sure. ;)

Cheers!
 

jsimmonstx

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Putting a 4.6 into a 2011 or newer is kinda stupid. If you're gonna go backwards like that, do what I did, and go WAY back - put a Windsor in the car.

But since you're starting out with a v6 you'll need another $10K in suspension mods, new rear axle, brakes, etc.

Actually, the rear end in a 2012 v6 uses 31-spline axles, and the rear brakes are the same as the GT. As for the front brakes, upgrading to GT brakes (bigger rotor and maybe different calipers) is pretty cheap, but if his wheels are big enough (he needs at least 18's for this), he could just go ahead and get some 4-piston brembos (and of course, the appropriate rotors to go with them). So, costs to upgrade would be as little as $400-700 (rotors and calipers), depending on if using new parts, too. Struts/shocks shouldn't be an issue, but he should plan on upgrading if he's running OEM parts. All in, his suspension/brake upgrade shouldn't cost more than $1800.

The engine is the cheap part. The v6 running gear is not capable of handling that much power safely and will be a death trap.

If I'm not mistaken, the transmission is the same for the v6 and v8, but it is something he should research.

Honestly it would be cheaper to go buy a new car.

This. If you want a V8, get a 2011+ GT (older GT's can be had for less than $15k). It's faster and cheaper than doing a motor swap of any description. When the topic of a motor swap comes up, this is my standard advice (having done it myself).

If you insist on doing it, research, research, and more research - consider the ENTIRE car, meaning every system and sub-system, such as cooling, electrical, driver train, fuel delivery, etc. Find out how much everything is going to cost, and to be brutally honest, there's no such thing as a "budget" when you start doing a motor swap. Once you figure out how much all the parts will cost, add at least 10-15% of that number for after-though "upgrades", "incidentals" and "no-see-ums", and start saving money to buy those parts.

After you've saved enough money, gather ALL of the parts you'll need before removing the first bolt (I cannot stress this enough).

If you still wanna do all this, I wish you luck in your endeavor, but then again, just buying a V8 car is faster and cheaper. Did I already mention that?
 

jsimmonstx

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As someone who has 3v pride I have to admit that the coyote is a great motor and has a lot more potential. However when it comes to motor swaps to me its just another motor. Yes its cool to see one in a fox but wouldn’t a built 351w perform the same? And I feel like its a waste when people swap motors just to boost the new one. Why not just boost what you have. With the money you have into the swap itself then on top of that you get a blower kit you could’ve boosted what it already had for the same money if not less. And this isn’t aimed at anyone its just my opinion.


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The 3.7 won't hold together much over 500hp, and most procharged ones only go to 475. People are gonna claim that the 3.7 will be fine over 500hp, but you have to put so much work into it to make it hold together that makes it would be just as expensive as swapping to a coyote.

A properly built 351w with smallish heads (AFR 205's) and a carburetor will do 450 rwhp without breaking a sweat, and will be much more awe-inspiring at car shows (ask me how I know :) ).
 

jsimmonstx

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I'm not a purest, so I would be really interested in the pros and cons of an LS swap . . . vs a Coyote swap and versus forging the 4.6 and going with a bigger blower/turbo.

Pro - your car will be more ready for the salvage yard than ever before.
Con - Everyone will think you're gay (of course this could be a pro, too, depending on how you lean).
 

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