Possible Ecoboost Mustang Transmission Swap

[TonkaMan]

As far as I understand it, the 2.3L Ecoboost in the Mustang uses the same bellhousing bolt pattern in the 2.3L Duratec Rangers. The Rangers are all 5 speed manuals, and the Mustang has a 6 speed. More gears usually means better gas mileage.

How hard would it be to bolt one of the Mustang transmissions to a '97 Ranger with a 2.3L? The only electrical connections to the manual in the 97 is the reverse gear indicator switch, and the VSS speed sensor. The speed could be corrected from the ABS sensor in rear diff, and it's been done before by others with the $80 box from Dakota Digital. The reverse indicator is similarly easy. That just leaves an adapter plate between the Lima engine and the Duratec bolt pattern, and possibly a custom driveshaft length. Does anyone have any more information about the Ecoboost transmissions in the Mustang? I can't seem to find much information about it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ford_bellhousing_patterns#Lima_pattern

I'm planning an eventual Ecoboost engine swap, but those engines are very expensive and I haven't decided between the 2.0L or the 2.3L yet. I'm thinking a transmission swap may be a good first step to get my feet wet until I get the $5K or so for a used Ecoboost and the Ford Racing Control Pack.

 

[don4331]

Tonkaman:

The Mustang 2.3 EB is the same Getrag MT-82 found behind the 3.7 V-6 (Same gear ratios, just different bellhousing). The MT-82 behind the 5.0 has slighter lower (numerical) ratios).

Now, they don't have a great reputation in Mustangs among enthusiasts due to the remove shifter (the same bushings that prevent NVH, also prevent fast accurate shifts.

I was thinking I was going to go the other way: Replace the Lima & its transmission with a Duratech and it's transmission on my latest project. Then move to Ecoboost...

'course what I would really like is the Aussie Ranger MT-82 with 5.44 1st (EB has 4.24, 5.0 has 3.66)

 

[adsm08]

The bell is wrong for your 97's Lima engine. Also, the Mustang shifters are very very different, both in design and location. The shifter on that trans is going to come up under your seat.

The M5OD you have now has the shifter come straight down into the top of the trans about at the mid point. The Getrag 6-speed is about the same length, but the shift lever controls rods that enter the trans from the rear.