Engine swap question

[Jpoissa]

Looking to upgrade my rig with an engine swap. Currently I have the wimpy 4.6l mated to a 4R75e and NP271 on a 2011 Ford E250. I found a 2010 E350 6.8l mated with a 5R110W, 160k miles.

This subject was brought up many time through my research but I am looking to confirm some of my findings and perhaps lacks of. I am a complete beginner in that matter. I am simply trying to get everything to go smooth, avoid buying wrong parts, etc.

- As far as the swap goes, everything should physically fit. The swap would require the donor engine, transmission, engine harness, transmission harness, PCM/ECM, radiator/fan. Am I missing anything else?

- The 5R110W in the stock E350 is a 2WD version, which mean I would need to convert it to 4WD by replacing the output shaft and the tail housing so it can mate to the transfer case. Apparently a transmission rebuild is not necessary for swaping the output shaft, it can be slid in/out (parking brake sprawl might need to be messed around to make it work).

- Would my current NP271 transfer case mate to a 5R110W?

- If I were to get my hand on a bus/RV style van with the 6R140 transmission, would this also work?

- I have a lack of knowledge when it come to the ECM. When swapping over the engine/tranny and ECM, would there be any issues with the electronic. Like VIN numbers mismatching.

Thanks

 

[geoffff]

My Ujoint Offroad 4x4 converted van has a 5R110W mated to a NP271. The gas tank needed to be shortened to make the t-case fit.



That's all I can contribute to these questions!

 

[carringb]

Yes, it’s basically a swap in, assuming both or neither have RSC. Probably a no-go trying to convert RSC one way or the other. You’ll also need to swap the BCM, Instrument Cluster, and shifter. The VINs are matched, which is why you have to also swap the BCM and cluster. You may also have to swap some of the steering column electronics if one of the vans uses encoded keys.

5r110 can have the tail shaft swap done without opening up the trans. Yes, the 271 is the standard T-case used for this.

6R140 has even more differences, so while it can probably be done, it’s most likely much more work.

 

[Jpoissa]

Yes, it’s basically a swap in, assuming both or neither have RSC. Probably a no-go trying to convert RSC one way or the other. You’ll also need to swap the BCM, Instrument Cluster, and shifter. The VINs are matched, which is why you have to also swap the BCM and cluster. You may also have to swap some of the steering column electronics if one of the vans uses encoded keys.

5r110 can have the tail shaft swap done without opening up the trans. Yes, the 271 is the standard T-case used for this.

6R140 has even more differences, so while it can probably be done, it’s most likely much more work.

Interesting about the RSC. Never though of that. Thanks for the input!

 

[spurious-SMB]

In addition to that the transfer case you have two options on the nv271 31 spline and 34 spline. The 4r75E most likely have the 31 spline..

 

[Big_ern_101]

There is no universe where it is cost-effective to swap a V10 into a 4.6 van. Either live with the 4.6 or sell the vehicle outright and buy what you want. Even if there is a $10k delta between the two, it doesnt take much struggle to make it a net gain to just pay the man and buy the right thing.

If you are dead-set on doing this swap, best advice is buy a complete V10 van that is the exact same year and close trim level (power windows, power locks, cruise, etc) as your current vehicle. That way you at least have all the right parts to make it work. There are so many different parts between the V10s and the 4.6 this is the only remotely close to cost effective way to make it work, otherwise you will be nickel and dimed to death on the smalls.

Once you get it all swapped and running, then you get the fun of dealing with a vehicle where the registration VIN on the dash and door jam don't match the ECU VIN, so this rig won't pass emissions or an inspection without some hanky-panky, severely limiting the resale market.

So yeah, don't do it. Not worth it when the vehicle you want already exists and it only takes money to get it.

 

[landcruisin-SMB]

Why not just drop in a 5.4? They use the same trans, and I'd imagine would simplify the swap. And maybe, possibly, be close enough to fool the emissions folks.

 

[Big_ern_101]

If you can swap a 5.4 and flash the ECU for the 5.4 fueling while keeping the same VIN, that would be the only swap I can see making sense.

Here are some more nuggets for your swap.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/articles-how-s/355403-4-6-5-4-swap-notes.html

 

[jeff.depaul]

Second that on stay away from RSC. Cargo van is the way to go, no RSC to mess with.

 

[Jpoissa]

In addition to that the transfer case you have two options on the nv271 31 spline and 34 spline. The 4r75E most likely have the 31 spline..

Good Call!

 

[Jpoissa]

There is no universe where it is cost-effective to swap a V10 into a 4.6 van. Either live with the 4.6 or sell the vehicle outright and buy what you want. Even if there is a $10k delta between the two, it doesnt take much struggle to make it a net gain to just pay the man and buy the right thing.

If you are dead-set on doing this swap, best advice is buy a complete V10 van that is the exact same year and close trim level (power windows, power locks, cruise, etc) as your current vehicle. That way you at least have all the right parts to make it work. There are so many different parts between the V10s and the 4.6 this is the only remotely close to cost effective way to make it work, otherwise you will be nickel and dimed to death on the smalls.

Once you get it all swapped and running, then you get the fun of dealing with a vehicle where the registration VIN on the dash and door jam don't match the ECU VIN, so this rig won't pass emissions or an inspection without some hanky-panky, severely limiting the resale market.

So yeah, don't do it. Not worth it when the vehicle you want already exists and it only takes money to get it.

You are right, this swap doesnt make sense finacially but this is what I am looking to do nonetheless. I am quite invested on the interior of the 4.6, it has a high top on it and a 4x4 conversion.

I can get a working E350 donor with a V10 for 10K$ CAD (~7K$ USD), engine got 160k miles on it.

5.4l is another easier option that I am also considering.

 

[86Scotty]

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/f...-with-aluminess-bumpers-33136.html#post337318

 

[Big_ern_101]

If you are gonna do all the effort of a swap, at least do something that doesnt exist from the factory - either a 7.3 gas or a Cummins.

4x4 vans regardless of powertrain are desirable. Sell it, take the L, buy what you want.