2007 mstang engine swap

[STL2SLO]

I am going to do a engine swap. Don't know What engine I am going to be going with at this moment. I just haven't made my mind up yet. I do know I will be going with a forced induction and full stand alone engine management system. Just for the ease of tune ability and all the added features the newer systems have now. My question is,What does the factory ecu control on these cars. I think I am going to keep the a/c if possible on my build. I have had a car once before with no a/c and being from Mobile Al. summer time its not fun in the sun with no A/C. No emissions checks in alabama so i free to swap what ever i want and be street legal. So do i need to keep the factory ecu for the a/c to work and what else would i lose with out the factory ecu?

 

[TexasBlownV8]

The a/c is currently controlled by the ecu. But, you can alter the circuit and bypass it. The ecu turns off the a/c if the car starts to overheat.

Otherwise, the ecu provides some of the instrumentation (vehicle speed and rpms) to the instrument cluster, controls backup light operation, controls cruise control (if you care), security (PATS), cooling fan operation, etc.

 

[blownGTvert]

What are your power goals? I am not sure ditching the ford ECM for a stand alone system gains you much. Dig the Krokus avatar!

 

[STL2SLO]

The a/c is currently controlled by the ecu. But, you can alter the circuit and bypass it. The ecu turns off the a/c if the car starts to overheat.

Otherwise, the ecu provides some of the instrumentation (vehicle speed and rpms) to the instrument cluster, controls backup light operation, controls cruise control (if you care), security (PATS), cooling fan operation, etc.

Im not worried about the cruise anyways. The a/c isnt a big deal just something im keeping optional. I just don't won'toto rewire the whole car.

 

[STL2SLO]

What are your power goals? I am not sure ditching the ford ECM for a stand alone system gains you much. Dig the Krokus avatar!

Upwards past 750 depending on what engine I go with. But right now its looking like a fuel injected sbf or bbf haven't decided yet. Thats why I'm choosing to use a aftermarket stand alone. I entertained the thought of a built modular. Seeing how I am mostly strip kinda of guy I'm not worried about added weight in the front. So right now the engine of choice hasn't been decided on yet.

 

[19COBRA93]

Unless it's purely a race car, I wouldn't ditch the Ford ECU either.

edit: I assumed you were going to do a modular. A sbf or sbc would obviously require something else.

 

[Department Of Boost]

Are you doing this to be different? If so that's cool, but different=expensive.

750hp and you are talking engine swap and a stand alone ECU. Sounds like a waste of time and money to me. You can make 750hp with the stock ECU, a 4.6L-5.3L 3v and a big Whipple on pump gas. 1000hp on e85. Why mess around?

Now if you are talking about making 1500+hp then go for a BBF, a BIG Whipple and a stand alone system. $50,000 will get you started.

 

[irishpwr46]

$50,000 will get you started.

oh is that all?

 

[BruceH]

What they already said^^^^.

Your power goals are achievable with a 4.6. It would be more economical than any other motor. I have to ask why do you think a stand alone would be easier?

 

[STL2SLO]

Are you doing this to be different? If so that's cool, but different=expensive.

750hp and you are talking engine swap and a stand alone ECU. Sounds like a waste of time and money to me. You can make 750hp with the stock ECU, a 4.6L-5.3L 3v and a big Whipple on pump gas. 1000hp on e85. Why mess around?

Now if you are talking about making 1500+hp then go for a BBF, a BIG Whipple and a stand alone system. $50,000 will get you started.

Lol how u figure 50k are u counting the price of the car and not doing any of the work yourself? That seems like a crazy number seeing how I done built a f-body that made 750rwp. Thats why this car is still stock except a few bolt ons. Only I paid for parts and machine work. Maybe a few beers here and there for the help. Sure if count everything and not just the motor I can see 50k but hell i would be that deep regardless.

 

[STL2SLO]

What they already said^^^^.

Your power goals are achievable with a 4.6. It would be more economical than any other motor. I have to ask why do you think a stand alone would be easier?

I was using the 750 as a starting point not a ending. Instead of a power goal i should have said as much as possible.

 

[RocketcarX]

You could def make the power you are after much cheaper and will much fewer headaches with a turbo or blown 4.6. Putting a fuel injected SBF/BBF motor in a s197 is $$$. Unless you're talking all home made adapters and a carb it's not gonna be cheap even with you doing your own work. To get 750HP reliable out of a SBF (especially a small block considering you would HAVE to run an aftermarket block) or a BBF without forced induction or even fuel injection will run at least 7-8K even with you doing your own machine work (ask me how I know, lol).

For what it would cost to build a pushrod motor to meet those goals, you could cover all forced induction and forged bottom end costs, just add a good fuel system (drop in from S&H) and a tune and you're done. In a 2 weekends if you were really motivated. 750 HP in a s197 is literally bolt in, non custom stuff.

 

[NotaHybrid]

I think you'd be better off going with a build mod engine as everyone has said, but it's all about what you want. Nice to see some more mobile people around

 

[STL2SLO]

I think you'd be better off goi? a build mod engine as everyone has said, but it's all about what you want. Nice to see some more mobile people around

Yeah I completely understand what everyone is saying. Im comletely aware of 4.6l is capable of doing. Just not.wanting to limited on cubes for future plans. I was asking the question jist find out ,what all the ecu is tied too. That way when I make my decision I will already know what to expect. I inderstand everyones point on the cost side it could.all be very.costly with a few mistakes. That I knknow fo a fact. You every run at the dragway?

 

[Department Of Boost]

Lol how u figure 50k are u counting the price of the car and not doing any of the work yourself? That seems like a crazy number seeing how I done built a f-body that made 750rwp. Thats why this car is still stock except a few bolt ons. Only I paid for parts and machine work. Maybe a few beers here and there for the help. Sure if count everything and not just the motor I can see 50k but hell i would be that deep regardless.

1500hp=

Motor $20000
Blower $7500
Trans $5000
Intake manifold $2500-5000
Headers and exhaust $2000
Rear end $2500
Fuel system $3000
Stand alone system with dash $5000-10000
Engine cooling $1250
Intercooler/supercharger cooling $1500
Suspension $4000
Brakes $2500
Cage/chassis $5000
Seats
Motor mounts
Manual rack
Labor
Tuning
Etc
Etc
Etc

My mistake, it would be over $50K.

 

[19COBRA93]

You could do a GT500 5.4 swap, and a big Whipple...

 

[BruceH]

Yeah I completely understand what everyone is saying. Im comletely aware of 4.6l is capable of doing. Just not.wanting to limited on cubes for future plans. I was asking the question jist find out ,what all the ecu is tied too. That way when I make my decision I will already know what to expect. I inderstand everyones point on the cost side it could.all be very.costly with a few mistakes. That I knknow fo a fact. You every run at the dragway?

Another option would be a big bore boss. 304 cubic inches with the stock crank, 322 with a 3.75 stroke and 326 with a 3.8 stroke. It's probably still not as big as you would like.

The ecu is tied to everything. As you know all of the sensors enable high compression motors to run pump gas with lots of spark advance to wring out power.

The most I've made with a 4.6 was 699rwhp with 19psi. There was more power left but 699 was a stupid amount of power on the street even with drag radials. However, as long as I didn't get on it too much the car was just as driveable as a stock car.

I know of one forum member who made over 1000rwhp with a 326 and e85.

If not a modular then I'd guess you will go with a big block. Paul psfracer has done a big block in his s197. I'm pretty sure he documented the build on this forum. A little searching should turn it up. Marc S has put a 351 Windsor based nascar motor in his car. You could search out that build for more ideas.

 

[06silverbullet]

You could do a GT500 5.4 swap, and a big Whipple...

if i am going to ever swap motors that's gonna be it. any gt500 motor will do and easily keep ac and everything else fully functional. plus it's the cheapest way to get big numbers

 

[STL2SLO]

I have decided to just rewire the car if I go with anything other than a mod motor. At that point abs and all junk wont be needed. I already plan for a full cage so far. But this will be a radial car with a pg trans. I just figured I would do the rewire when I have the interior out for the cage install. I will admit to just assisting in the rewire. I have a friend that volunteered the effort for that. Just going to order a new wiring harness from painless or other source.

 

[STL2SLO]

Way I look at the cost I would have the cost in the car regardless. When you think about it as whole car and not just the motor. So wouldnt eventually have 50k in a car going for big power sooner or later? I always have a habit of doing everything anyways.