5.0 PCM?

[NakedDucks]

What PCM is everyone using who have done the Explorer 5.0 swap and then backed it with a manual trans?

96 Exp 5.0.... and I’m gonna back it with an ZF trans.

Or do I use the 96 PCM and ignore the trans codes?

 

[RonD]

If you have the wiring harness for the 1996 5.0l and PCM(EEC-V 104-wire) then use it, it will work fine with a manual trans, and you can, at some point in the future, have the PCM's auto trans software deleted, that would turn off the CEL

Local Speed Shops or Dyno test shops will know Locals who can delete that software, also do tunes you may want to add, usually the minimum charge is $200, or was, lol


The 5.0l(302) in other Ford models was discontinued with the older EEC-IV 60-wire PCM in 1995
So older PCM would need the older wiring harness
Explorer/Mountaineer 5.0l was the only EEC-V after 1995, and ALL V8 Explorer/Mountaineer were automatics

There are many older 5.0l manual trans PCMs, the A9L was the most popular, but you need the wiring harness

As a reference
EEC-IV PCM 60-wire was OBD1
EEC-V PCM 104-wire is OBD2, still used today

EEC-IV use external spark system, so you had a separate spark "module" and the PCM
EEC-V had spark system in the PCM, all-in-one
So the wiring harness's were quite different, not just the number of wires

 

[NakedDucks]

Thank you Ron!! Very much appreciated!

I actually have 2 harnesses for explorers w/ the 5.0.

A 96 that doesn’t have PATS, and a 99 that has/had PATS.... but I have everything needed EXCEPT the key.

 

[RonD]

The 1999 would have a separate PATS module as well, was above the glove box

You can add PATS keys using Forscan software, using a laptop connected to the OBD2 port, not expensive software and good for many uses not the least of which is reading and clearing OBD2 codes
But no, as far as I know it can't delete Automatic trans software, lol

 

[NakedDucks]

I have the PATS module and receiver from the same truck as the 5.0 and harness came from....

I just don’t have the key.

 

[Elutheros]

Or you can spend another thousand $ on the Mega Squirt Plug and Play ECM (MSPNP2) and spend the rest of your life tuning. It does work really well, but it ain't cheap and the learning curve is steep.

 

[NakedDucks]

Nah. I can deal with a check engine light, that’s why I prefer a manual trans over an auto...

Cause they clank when I walk instead of smooshing together like 2 wet sponges.

 

[Danger_Ranger.308]

Does anyone know what software the speed shops are running for EEC-V tuning? Been digging into it some and it seems most of the DIY type of tuners swap the explorer PCM to the EEC-IV with the engine harness and distributor from mustang's. There's plenty of plug and play software that way but I kinda dig the refinements of modern technology and those really ugly coil packs sitting up front.

Speaking of which, why does all the alphabet cams say they're not compatible with explorer PCM's? Is it the EEC-IV vs V thing or is there really a lack of DIY programming support?

Used some google fu in anticipation of my next 5.0 moves for the ranger and all I can find software wise is tweecer.

The TwEECer -- Ford EEC user programmable module

The TwEECer is an adapter which connects to the J3 service port of the 1984-2004 Ford EEC PCM, giving you the ability to modify parameters in the calibration data with parameters that match the modifications which you have made to your engine combo. So as you add performance to your car, you...

www.tweecer.com

They show support for my 97 pcm anyone else used them?

 

[Guanfy]

I am preparing to send my 2000 Explorer ECU to Drag Radial Performance of Ocala, Florida to have a PATS delete and Auto Trans delete as I am using a M5R2 for my swap. I can let you know how much I'm charged for those services.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Shhhhhhhhh.

Megasquirt.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Or you can spend another thousand $ on the Mega Squirt Plug and Play ECM (MSPNP2) and spend the rest of your life tuning. It does work really well, but it ain't cheap and the learning curve is steep.

Easy as hell. I adapted it to a 2.9 in three days.

Being stick in your driveway was great motivation for me.

 

[Danger_Ranger.308]

Megasquirt is nice and all but you really dont need it for mild tuning. If your making serious HP especially on boost then yea!

But the factory ford modules can be tweaked to accommodate mild builds, they just make it more difficult and they keep changing how you do it lol

 

[NakedDucks]

I am preparing to send my 2000 Explorer ECU to Drag Radial Performance of Ocala, Florida to have a PATS delete and Auto Trans delete as I am using a M5R2 for my swap. I can let you know how much I'm charged for those services.

Pls let me know. Mostly looking to just get the Auto trans deleted.

PATS isn’t an issue as I’m using a 96 PCM

 

[Danger_Ranger.308]

I would be interested in the cost analysis too

Sending the headache out to someone else would only be worth it if it was cheap lol

Megasquirt = 1200 something
A Chip that plugs into service port= 400 something
Mail order tune= ?!?

FWIW, I talked to some ford techs and googled till my eyes turned blue all to conclude ford computers suck ! lol the explorer pcm is limited in its rpm range (4,000rpm) that's why the Alphabet cams are not very compatible I'd imagine(that and the F'd off exhaust valve design of the gt40p explorer heads) imo they're too big for streetable power anyway except maybe the b303.

A mustang's harness/distributor etc will get up to 6,500 rpm stock tuned so may be worth it if one had all the stuff laying around. The explorer pcm is tunable but not by conventional obd2 programing, the j3 service port is used with a chip piggybacked onto the pcm. For my application I think the explorer set up will work. I'm running the 4r70w auto with no need to flash something away but it would be nice to to toy with shift times. I actually kinda like the lower governed rpm range since I'm building a junkyard dog with salvaged components. Maybe it'll help keep the internals.... internal

 

[fastpakr]

The explorer computer is tunable by OBD2 port just like any Mustang computer. An SCT plus an appropriate calibration file would get you going.