Engine Swap
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 7
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From: North Idaho
Engine Swap
Hello good people,
It is time to put some work into my 4.6l sohc. I would rather purchase a lower mile engine from a junk yard though. Anyone know what the newest engine that will mate to the MR5R2 transmission? I have a 1997 and some have said that 2004 was the last MT. Not sure if that is right or not. You know the internet……..
Thank you for the help.
It is time to put some work into my 4.6l sohc. I would rather purchase a lower mile engine from a junk yard though. Anyone know what the newest engine that will mate to the MR5R2 transmission? I have a 1997 and some have said that 2004 was the last MT. Not sure if that is right or not. You know the internet……..
Thank you for the help.
5 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 820
The best engine possible is possibly the tip of the iceberg as far as swap complexity.
If push comes to shove, you can swap a crank that accepts a pilot bearing in any 4.6. My employer had two E-250 delivery vans that had 4.6s (yes, 4.6 engines) in them. I believe they were 2011 and 2013 models, if you really want to get “newer”, so don’t count vans out.
The real fun will be getting a compatible intake (later 4.6s used electronic throttle, yours a cable throttle) or whole engine and wiring it in. Things won’t work well slapping your 97 non-PI intake on to a PI headed engine without work. I know some wiring changes happened as well.
A 99-03 Mustang GT 4.6 engine kicked out 260 horsies and obviously took a manual trans to it. You’d lose some pop swapping truck manifolds and computer, but it might be a bit simpler...although just freshening up what you have is simplest of all.
If push comes to shove, you can swap a crank that accepts a pilot bearing in any 4.6. My employer had two E-250 delivery vans that had 4.6s (yes, 4.6 engines) in them. I believe they were 2011 and 2013 models, if you really want to get “newer”, so don’t count vans out.
The real fun will be getting a compatible intake (later 4.6s used electronic throttle, yours a cable throttle) or whole engine and wiring it in. Things won’t work well slapping your 97 non-PI intake on to a PI headed engine without work. I know some wiring changes happened as well.
A 99-03 Mustang GT 4.6 engine kicked out 260 horsies and obviously took a manual trans to it. You’d lose some pop swapping truck manifolds and computer, but it might be a bit simpler...although just freshening up what you have is simplest of all.
98 F150 5.4L E40D/4R100
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 28,519
Likes: 7,630
From: MI
The newer the better, lots of options. Last year for the 4.6 2V was 2014. Those were E series power plants.
You'll have to source a 2001-2003 4.6L PI intake, elbow and TB from salvage or purchase new..... - IF the new motor is "drive by wire" (2004 non heritage - 2014 E series).
You'll also have to plumb a ECT sensor into the coolant hose as the 97 PCM will require one.
The factory original tune will handle the additional flow from stepping up to a PI motor. However, some Ford dealers may still flash it for you...if updating the tune is preferred. Unfortunately, some dealerships are turning away these trucks now....they won't even work on them.
Good Luck!
You'll have to source a 2001-2003 4.6L PI intake, elbow and TB from salvage or purchase new..... - IF the new motor is "drive by wire" (2004 non heritage - 2014 E series).
You'll also have to plumb a ECT sensor into the coolant hose as the 97 PCM will require one.
The factory original tune will handle the additional flow from stepping up to a PI motor. However, some Ford dealers may still flash it for you...if updating the tune is preferred. Unfortunately, some dealerships are turning away these trucks now....they won't even work on them.
Good Luck!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: North Idaho
Thanks a lot you guys. I appreciate the info. I'd love to swap in something newer but don't like the sound of wiring in the new DBW. I'll stick with the same generation of motor to make it easy. A Mustang engine would work? Are the motor mounts the same?
98 F150 5.4L E40D/4R100
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 28,519
Likes: 7,630
From: MI
Good Luck.
98 F150 5.4L E40D/4R100
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 28,519
Likes: 7,630
From: MI
Try this, might be easier to understand. Purchase a 2014 4.6L 2V motor. Remove DBW and intake.....get rid of it. Replace with correct gen 10 intake....good to go.
You'll still have to install a ECT sensor for any motor newer than 2000 regardless. It is not a big deal. 97,98,99 and 2000 model years used ECT sensors. The rest did not.
You'll still have to install a ECT sensor for any motor newer than 2000 regardless. It is not a big deal. 97,98,99 and 2000 model years used ECT sensors. The rest did not.