Swapping out 96' 2.3 to a 00' 2.5?

[stl1219]

My 2.3L in my 96' has seen better days with 286k miles and its almost time to replace it. I have a good friend of mine that has his 2.5L out of his 00' and is willing to part with it for me. I know the motors are the same only being they have a different stroke. But will it just be a direct bolt in to my 96? or will i have to change out wiring harness/computer? My cheapest route so im hoping someone can help!

 

[RangerSVT]

Your best bet is to see if the intakes are the same (same sensors/plugs) if they are, bolt it up (same bolt pattern), it they are not the same and you can't just swap out the sensors, then swap the intakes and your good to go, but you won't need to swap harnesses/ecu's

EDIT: I think the 00 has returnless fuel system, and if it does, you will need to swap intakes anyways
SVT

 

[stl1219]

I've got the motor at my house now and after looking it over all of it, it looks like all of the harness plugs are exactly the same on the intake. Do you think I still need to swap the intake from the 2.3 to the 2.5???

 

[RangerSVT]

You need to check and see if the new engine has the return fuel lines, if it doesn't you will need to swap fuel rails, the 96 uses a return style fuel system, the 00 I believe uses a returnless system, other than that it should be the same...but double check everything side by side and make sure
SVT

 

[4b316]

Yes,all you need to do is change the fuel injector rail.While you are at it,just leave your 96 tube header in and that will help with getting some weight off.

 

[stl1219]

Thank you for all the help. One more question, after taking off the fuel rail i noticed acouple of the injectors that were in the new motor(the 2.5) were damaged. I went to purchase new ones and noticed they were different than my old 2.3's motor injectors are. Do i need to stay with the 2.3's motors injectors in the new 2.5 motor since im not switching out the computer or anything?

 

[4b316]

You need to make sure they are all the same color,same poundage

 

[RangerSVT]

If you are interested, I have a set of 6 injectors that are good for turbocharging a motor if you decide to go with that route later, its in the FS forum under 4.0l parts FS
SVT

 

[stl1219]

The two engines had two different color injectors. Which would I need to use. The 2.5 liter injectors, or the 2.3 liter injectors?? I wasn't sure being I swapped the engine and nothing else, not sure if it affects the computer or not.

 

[RangerSVT]

It will not effect the computer at all, its just one injector is rated at a different psi then the other, what color are the injectors??
SVT

 

[stl1219]

Well I got the new motor in the truck, only had to switch the fuel rails and throttle cable. After starting the truck I'm dumping alot of antifreeze out of the header. Anything you can think of that I hooked up wrong that would cause this?? The engine had no problems before hand(i personally rode in it acouple times a week) so I'm at a loss right now.

 

[RangerSVT]

did you take the intake loose for any reason?? Do a cylinder compression test and see what the results are
SVT

 

[4b316]

Make sure you hooked up the small coolant line that goes around the back of the motor to the water port under the intake not a vacuum line port thats right close by.