Motor Swap

Patrick00LS

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I was wondering if it's worth the hassle to swap a 2006 LS motor into my 2000 LS. Has anyone ever done this swap? Any problems I would run into? And costs? Any info would be great. Thanks
 
You might as well try swapping in a Mustang 4.6 Cobra motor, would probably cost the same. The new 3.9 in the LS runs off a totally different system than the 00-02's did. Not worth the money. Better off trading in your pre 03 for a 03+, thats what I did.
 
02V8Sport said:
You might as well try swapping in a Mustang 4.6 Cobra motor, would probably cost the same. The new 3.9 in the LS runs off a totally different system than the 00-02's did. Not worth the money. Better off trading in your pre 03 for a 03+, thats what I did.

has the 4.6 swap been done before on the LS?
 
A holes

Just answer the Questions! someone needs help and you are treating them like sh8. If you dont have an answer then keep your Dumbass comments to yourself!
 
I looked into putting an 06 motor into my 03. in theory a much easier exchange since both pcm's are can and "should" be the same. however after a fair amount of research I didn't have the guts.

As for an 00 you are REALLY looking at a lot of work. computers will need replaced...your tranny I'm pretty sure will need replaced (won't mate to the motor and the 06 pcm is looking for the 5r55s).

then you have the whole throttle by wire. you'r gas pedal will need replaced and sensors installed. Then the whole cooling system is different. Tranny cooler, electric cooling fan, P/S cooler.

You are looking at a TON (I mean TON) of work. all for 30 horsepower. I agree with the advice on trading in.
 
Are not the '03 and '06 s the same? HP and all why would you want to do a swap besides getting one w/ less mileage.
 
they were. I was replacing my tranny and found a "combo" w/next to no miles for a steal. was just going to do it for the hell of it.
 
Alright, I see now. As for the 4.6L I would think that would equal the PITA as it would doing an '06 into into a '00 cause of everything that would have to be done aswell as possible space shortage, being a 4.6 I would assume is rather bigger than the 3.9 and we all know the lack of space in the LS compartment.
 
Patrick00LS said:
has the 4.6 swap been done before on the LS?
Yes and no. A group of Lincoln engineers did it to build a car to run in th eOne Lap of America. If you'll search for it, you'll find a few threads on the topic, but essentially, they had to use two different PCMs--the EEC-V (IIRC) that normally runs the 4.6l to, well, run the drivetrain, and the LS's PCM to control everything else. And even they couldn't make everything work.

The '00-'02 and '03-'06 LSes use different, incompatible computer systems. The '03-'06 LSes use the CAN network-based control system, wherein the PCM is just one "computer" in a network with the FEM, REM, DDM, and other modules. You could transplant the powertrain from an '03-'06 into an '00-'02, but you'd have to pull over a lot more than just the drivetrain; you'd need the modules mentioned above, plus the instrument panel, and who knows what else...
 
Ok, it definitely seems like this would be way to much of a PITA...It was just an idea I had. If it was something that could be done with relatively no sweat, then it was an option. Thanks for the info everyone! Looks like I may have to research the supercharger a little more :D
 
It is too bad that it is such an ordeal. I swapped an 02 police interceptor engine/tranny/driveshaft/rearend/etc. into my wife's 98 vic. It was a really cool prodject, but most items were compatible.
 
You should be able to put the new motor in your car. However, you are going to have to switch all the accessories, intake, throttle body, sensors, etc from your old engine to the new engine. Basically, just like installing a long block.
 
no that's not accurate. there's much more to it than that. Including the pcm, probably the other computers and even the gauge cluster. not to mention the gas pedal.
 
SoonerLS said:
The '00-'02 and '03-'06 LSes use different, incompatible computer systems. The '03-'06 LSes use the CAN network-based control system, wherein the PCM is just one "computer" in a network with the FEM, REM, DDM, and other modules. You could transplant the powertrain from an '03-'06 into an '00-'02, but you'd have to pull over a lot more than just the drivetrain; you'd need the modules mentioned above, plus the instrument panel, and who knows what else...

seems like people later in this thread missed this - this is why it is a non-starter.
 
Quik LS said:
seems like people later in this thread missed this - this is why it is a non-starter.

quik one thing I still question though is the CAN bit. Either the service manual or Ford (or somewhere) stated that the PCM in the 03+ LS implemented CAN but it's communication to the other computers was based on the legacy protocol (don't remember what that is). I got the impression that the only CAN protocol used outside the PCM is the diagnostic port (obviously plugged into the pcm). Anyhow not sure exactly what that means but I did get the impression that the LS CAN was only a half-implementation. I'll try to dig up where I found that info.
 
beaups said:
no that's not accurate. there's much more to it than that. Including the pcm, probably the other computers and even the gauge cluster. not to mention the gas pedal.

YES...it IS accurate as long as it's the same long block...and I'm betting it is! Check with a local salvage yard and have them check their Hollander exchange for short or long blocks...not complete engine assemblies.

Your ECM has no idea...nor does it care...what year the hard parts are under the valve covers. All it cares about is the controls. Just put all YOUR controls on the newer engine! This can include your complete intake manifold assy, your throttle body, your valve covers and front cover, etc etc. As long as it's the same short or long block as yours (and I believe those are the same between the years) this WILL work. Just make sure you strip off all the new stuff on the replacement engine and use the components off your engine instead.

Sheesh guys...I've done this sort of thing several times on other Ford and GM products! As long as the long block is physically the same as the old one...just bolt on your stuff and go!

The only way this swap would be an issue is some of the bolt patterns were different on the block or heads of if there were a significant design change such as the way the camshafts are controlled or a big difference in compression ratios. If the new engine has variable camshaft timing and yours doesn't, that could be an issue...but could be overcome by locking the cams into position. (not that easy) Or using your cylinder heads.
 
What?

I believe the thread started by asking if he could put an 06 motor in an 00 LS. it is not swapping blocks....

The LS went through a MAJOR change in 03 - including VVT (new heads, intake, ...etc), throttle by wire, CAN network, different exhaust (and manifolds) - all adding up to the additional 30-ish hp improvement.

Even little things like hydraulic to electric fan, moving from the 5R55N to 5R55S trannie.....
 
ahhh, you know what...I searched the other day and found that the 2000 Lincoln LS only produces 210hp...little did I know, my dumb @$$ was looking at the V8...I was thinking with the swap I could produce 70hp more. Being that it's a mere 30ish hp, it's not worth it either way. :)
 
Quik LS said:
What?

I believe the thread started by asking if he could put an 06 motor in an 00 LS. it is not swapping blocks....

The LS went through a MAJOR change in 03 - including VVT (new heads, intake, ...etc), throttle by wire, CAN network, different exhaust (and manifolds) - all adding up to the additional 30-ish hp improvement.

Even little things like hydraulic to electric fan, moving from the 5R55N to 5R55S trannie.....

True Quik...he may have had to use his heads to make this work...but the short block doesn't care about CAN, exhaust, throttle by wire, even the hydraulic fan. He would be using all those off his car and they would stay the same. The short block doesn't care one bit what is controlling it.

Let's look at something simpler. You have an 85 Mustang GT with the 5.0 H.O. engine. That engine was carbureated. You find a pristine engine out of a 93 GT you want to put in your 85. It is an EASY swap....even though the 93 is fuel injected. You simply use the 85 accessories and mounts, intake, and front cover (for the fuel pump). The long block itself doesn't care what you have bolted to it or controlling it.

You guys are missing the point...we would NOT be swapping all the accessories and controls...you would be using what came with the original car. All you're swapping is the short block...or maybe the long block. It is the same thing as taking the 2000 engine and having it rebuilt...but let's say you have to use a crank and rods out of an 06. As long as they are the same, it will work just fine and the car won't know what's inside the engine.
 
I think the problem is that some people don't understand short block, long block, and crate engine terms. Short block is the bottom end and no heads, long block is the same as the short only it includes the heads, crate engine includes same as the long block plus most of the acc's depending on the manufacturing. I believe 2001LS8SPORT is talking about long or short blocks and others are thinking about crate engines. I'm with 2001LS because I think the engine block itself is essentially the same for all the 3.9s, but once you go beyond the bottom end it is a different story.
 
2001LS8Sport - I believe Patrick00LS was talking about an entire engine swap - putting in a 06 V8 into his 00, to both refresh the engine and pick up the additional hp of the newer design.

No one is talking about just swapping blocks.
 
Ya, I was talking about swapping the entire motor. If there is a way to gain the same HP gains by swapping blocks, then that could be an option. Just need to know how much i'd be looking at and what all is involved.
 

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