Sorry for reviving an old thread, but I was wondering if anyone has yet to successfully swap a 5.0 into a 05-09 car using a 2011/12 factory PCM and harness?
I know a bunch of people have done the swap into SN95's and Foxes using the FRPP kits, but they present several problems for the S197 if you intend to keep stock features like PATS, factory gauges, a/c, etc. I'm also aware of the S197 projects that are more like race cars than modded streeters, at least in terms of systems or electronics that had to be bypassed or fabrication needed to complete the project.
I've read a lot of threads from searching on the subject, and while it has been interesting to see what people are doing with the FRPP controls pack and crate 5.0, no one has really ever answered any of the common questions on making this swap happen and function like a stock 2011 car. The controls pack is a great starting point for hot rodders building pre-s197 cars, but it was not designed nor intended for use in the 2005+ cars so IMHO it is not a realistic option for these cars unless you don't mind dumping a lot of the things that make these cars so much nicer to drive everyday than previous models.
I can think of several reasons why Ford would not invest in making this swap simple or less expensive for the s197 owner, at least for the present time, but I can also see there being enough interest in swapping the 5.0 from a wrecked 2011 into an older s197 that surely someone somewhere has done it or is working thru it.
There were some good points made in this thread about the cost of swapping vs just going with a forged/built 3V, but as these cars age the cost of the 5.0 in salvage yards is going to come down, particularly if you factor in the production numbers of the F150 5.0, while the cost of building an NA 4.6 3V into something with 400+ hp isn't exactly cheap, and even tho it's easy enough to top 400 hp with FI that adds $4-$6k to the build cost and neither option offers the efficiency of the 5.0, plus the 5.0 is already over 400 hp stock, it's just a better starting point to work with.
Considering many older s197 are now reaching a point where it's impractical to just add bolt-ons or FI to a tired engine and those owners are faced with the cost of a performance rebuild or buying a lower mileage salvage yard engine to build on, the cost of a salvaged 5.0 (or even the crate 5.0 @ $6500) for that 1st 100hp gain starts to look a little more doable. That is of course, entirely dependant on how difficult it would be to swap a 2011 PCM/harness into the older car.
So how about it, anyone have any success in this area or have some reliable info on the possibility? Someone has to be 1st
