Swapping the V8 Engine into an EcoBoost Mustang: A Comprehensive Guide
Mechanically, swapping a V8 engine into an EcoBoost Mustang is a doable task, but the integration of electrical components in the engine can be a significant challenge. The safest route would be to have a complete donor vehicle with a comprehensive service manual, a selection of necessary tools, and a thorough understanding of the process.
Why You Should Consider the V8 Mustang Instead of Swapping
If you're considering the V8 swap, it's important to remember that it isn't the most cost-effective or straightforward option. You would need everything that differentiates a V8 Mustang from an EcoBoost Mustang. A donor car with minimal front-end damage is ideal, but the process will still require a considerable amount of labor and may affect the car's certification for emissions tests with a non-original engine.
To save time and money, it would be better to purchase a Mustang that already has the V8 engine. This approach is generally cheaper and much less troublesome.
What You'll Need for the Swap
For the successful execution of this project, you will need all the essential components that differentiate a V8 Mustang from an EcoBoost Mustang. You must also ensure that you have the Ecoboost wiring harness and ECU, which can be quite expensive. If you can find both of these components, the swap will be possible. However, this can be a daunting and costly project if you are not prepared for the required expenditures.
Official Ford Solution
Ford provides a path for performing this swap through their FRPP (Factory Recommended Parts Program) part M-6007-23TA, a crate engine for the V8, along with the control pack for the engine, M-6017-23T. This means that if you want to change your EcoBoost Mustang's engine to a V8, you can do so with official parts designed for this purpose.
Transmission and Shifter Considerations
Given the differences in the remote mount shifter and the Duratec bell housing pattern used in older EcoBoost Mustang models, a bell housing adapter is required. This detail is crucial for the successful installation of the V8 engine in newer models like the S550 Mustang since the S-197 models from 2009 and earlier use a similar shifter pattern. This adapter allows the use of Tremec’s line of S-197 specific transmissions, which house the shifter in the transmission tail shaft, making the installation smoother and more straightforward.
Swapping your EcoBoost Mustang's engine to a V8 is possible but comes with many challenges, especially concerning the integration of electrical components. For most consumers, it's often cheaper and easier to buy a V8 Mustang. However, for those with the resources and the technical expertise, using the official parts and an adapter can make the process more manageable.