80 Series with a 3.5L Ford EcoBoost

[zonker]

We just purchased a 2018 Ford Transit with the EcoBoost. Holy Moley! That almost 6,000 lb van hauls a**s.. seriously! Pulls like a mid-sized V8. Performance specs of 310 hp and 400 ft lb torque. Not bad for a smallish V6. There have been some problems on the earlier ones. In 2018 they added an intake port injector which helps solve the buildup on the backside of the intake valve. So apparently a pretty solid engine now

SO.. what does this have to do with an 80 series?? As I was driving the van up the highway to Home Depot today I had a brain stumble. Wow.. what a great little engine to swap into an 80. Would leave a lot of room left over in the engine bay. Would get the ‘ol cruiser to scoot right along. Fuel mileage would be pretty darn good. My Ron Davis radiator would handle the added heat. That is perfect!

Then as I almost rear-ended the car in front of.. my dream ended and my real life settled back in. Oh yeah I was on my to get some door hinges.. not a complete engine / trans package along with all the necessary hardware and electronics for swap!

Carry on!!

 

[on the rocks]

I have rented many eco boost 3.5 F-150’s and love the power and torque. 100% think it would be a great fit but... just like your trip to the hardware store, it would likely end in only a dream, good luck making it all work....

 

[1911garand]

Do it!

 

[ATXLX]

Conversation about swapping it into a 60 from about a year ago

 

[zonker]

I think I will leave the 3.5L in the van. Sure was a fun brain fart to have roll around for a few minutes until it “popped” out!

 

[scottryana]

You have a 4.5L under the hood already, just turbo it. A turbo 1FZFE can make to the wheels what the Ecoboost makes at the crank.

 

[thatcabledude]

You have a 4.5L under the hood already, just turbo it. A turbo 1FZFE can make to the wheels what the Ecoboost makes at the crank.

And sound WAY better while doing it.

 

[White Stripe]

I believe the ecoboost has direct injection and dual vvti, so that probably aides fuel economy a bit. You can buy adapters to go from a ecoboost to a 4l60e or 4l80e, then go to a marks tcase adapter for the toyota tcase. There are probably other transmission options but I haven't looked into it that much. Sounds more involved than a LS swap, but probably very doable. A shop would probably have to charge more than they would for a LS swap.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

This probably would be a cool swap. When the turbo's decided to eat shi**** you might be able to replace them in 6hrs instead of 12hrs with all the extra room in the engine bay.

 

[zonker]

Lots of great options for those so inclined. Me.. I am just a simpleton. ‘Er should I say I prefer the simple approach to things. Generally means less cost as well.. upfront and down the road. IF I was truly inclined toward a power increase on the 1FZ.. Wits End is only a phone call away and Joey provides a well thought out solution. Beats the hell out of endless head scratching for days on end and then having a subpar solution bite you in a**s down the road. Joey at Wits End has already gone thru all that grief and expense.

Now what was Joey’s phone number?

 

[nukegoat]

This is like random rambling thread, not tech, not joe rogan. Please move

 

[leonard_nemoy]

This is like random rambling thread, not tech, not joe rogan. Please move

I often wonder if old Joe Rogaine is secretly a Ih8mud member......

 

[Railwelder93]

Ford has a great history with turbos!

Like the 6.0 vgt turbo....wait no not that......the 6.4 compound.....no not that either......when the 6.7 first came out all the trouble was over.......not.

 

[thatcabledude]

Ford has a great history with turbos!

Like the 6.0 vgt turbo....wait no not that......the 6.4 compound.....no not that either......when the 6.7 first came out all the trouble was over.......not.

To be fair, the first two aren’t Ford engines. That said, there’s no way in hell I’d put a Ford engine in a Land Cruiser.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

Look in a tool catalog at ford specialty tools, you will find 20+ pages of special tools for ford engines. Than look in the same catalog at GM specialty tools, maybe 2 or 3 pages worth and most of the tools are for non engine stuff.

Don't even get me started on the triton spark plugs....

 

[Railwelder93]

I’d put a 6 liter in a cruiser. that’s actually one of my favorite engines, even fully aware that it is a hot pile of shyt in every way. That’s the best sounding diesel engine ever.

 

[thatcabledude]

I’d put a 6 liter in a cruiser. that’s actually one of my favorite engines, even fully aware that it is a hot pile of shyt in every way. That’s the best sounding diesel engine ever.

Totally agree. I like the 6.0 a lot. Put a lot of miles on them. It’s great when you don’t pay for fuel or upkeep. Ran hard and put away wet.

 

[Railwelder93]

We already live with the head gasket anxiety, powerstroke is a natural choice.

 

[Heckraiser]

Yes, I've thought about an ecoboost swap as well. There are some folks tinkering with various vehicles out there on the interwebs if you know what hole to crawl into.

I would honestly take the new 2.7 ecoboost over the 3.5 for the improved economy. Hell, even the 2.3 4-banger has adequate power for an 80--and can be bought in crate form.

My buddy did just recently chuck his 3.5 ecoboost exploder sport due to double transmission failure and turbo failure though.... so there's that. The minivan haulled ass when running properly though.