V8 swap on 2.3l 4cyl

[Alex.2341564]

Is it possible to V8 swap my 09 2.3L 4cyl? If so what all would I need and what engine/trans would you recommend. Also if possible could you list all the parts and tools you could think I would need to complete this build?

 

[franklin2]

Make sure you can legally tag it before you start this project. In other words, no one is going to look at it after you do the swap.

 

[Alex.2341564]

Make sure you can legally tag it before you start this project. In other words, no one is going to look at it after you do the swap.

Sorry but what do you mean tag it? Do you mean like register it and insure it first?

 

[AHenry014]

I think he means make it emissions/inspection legal. I dont know the rules/laws in Florida, but here in CT, vehicles are emissions compliant till they are 25 years old, so your '08 would still need to be emissions tested every two years. THAT SAID, I 5.3 swapped a TJ wrangler that was less than 25 years old. I brought it in for emissions and they were able to pass it by changing the engine size with the state. So it can be done, just know your state laws.

 

[franklin2]

I think he means make it emissions/inspection legal. I dont know the rules/laws in Florida, but here in CT, vehicles are emissions compliant till they are 25 years old, so your '08 would still need to be emissions tested every two years. THAT SAID, I 5.3 swapped a TJ wrangler that was less than 25 years old. I brought it in for emissions and they were able to pass it by changing the engine size with the state. So it can be done, just know your state laws.

Yes. And the guy doing the inspecting has a lot to do with it also. Some of them do not want to fool with it. And some states do not have any type of inspections. I was just bringing that up to get it out of the way first. You know the government always sticks their nose in everything.

 

[Alex.2341564]

I think he means make it emissions/inspection legal. I dont know the rules/laws in Florida, but here in CT, vehicles are emissions compliant till they are 25 years old, so your '08 would still need to be emissions tested every two years. THAT SAID, I 5.3 swapped a TJ wrangler that was less than 25 years old. I brought it in for emissions and they were able to pass it by changing the engine size with the state. So it can be done, just know your state laws.

OK thanks, I think Florida doesn't require that your car has to be emission tested at all. At least me and my parents have never had to before.

 

[pentode]

Is it possible to V8 swap my 09 2.3L 4cyl? If so what all would I need and what engine/trans would you recommend. Also if possible could you list all the parts and tools you could think I would need to complete this build?

Definitely possible - there are some great build threads in the forums and in the Ranger Tech, Engine section. Poke around there and I think you'll find most of your answers. And I'd say think carefully and make sure you're ready to pay double for gas... (I might rather have the 2.3 than my 3.0, but I'm cheap)... and then have at it!

 

[Alex.2341564]

Definitely possible - there are some great build threads in the forums and in the Ranger Tech, Engine section. Poke around there and I think you'll find most of your answers. And I'd say think carefully and make sure you're ready to pay double for gas... (I might rather have the 2.3 than my 3.0, but I'm cheap)... and then have at it!

Do you think swapping it for the V6 the ranger can come with would be a better idea gas/milage wise? And also would it be any easier swapping in the v6 vs the v8?

 

[don4331]

If you have read the swap section, you would have noted that swapping a V-8 into anything after '00, gets...complicated.

Where as if you get a '09 V-6 truck e.g. one with accident damage. You are just transferring parts from vehicle a to vehicle b.

This is very much the swap I recommend to neophytes. (My 1st swap was out with 360 2bbl, in with 428 4bbl. Same FE engine just more cubes/power)​

Everything just goes together as Ford engineers planned.​

Once you've done a 'factory' swap, you know what you're up against doing more complicated swaps/upgrades. (My next was 302 in Bobcat wagon...my best sleeper).​

I hate to see projects fail because the individual didn't know what they were getting into.​

And a 210hp 5.0 V-8 from an Explorer will a. already be >25years old; b. have basically same hp as a 207hp 4.0 V-6 from an '09. And with 2 fewer cylinders to warm up will get better fuel economy.

 

[pentode]

If you have read the swap section, you would have noted that swapping a V-8 into anything after '00, gets...complicated.

Where as if you get a '09 V-6 truck e.g. one with accident damage. You are just transferring parts from vehicle a to vehicle b.

This is very much the swap I recommend to neophytes. (My 1st swap was out with 360 2bbl, in with 428 4bbl. Same FE engine just more cubes/power)​

Everything just goes together as Ford engineers planned.​

Once you've done a 'factory' swap, you know what you're up against doing more complicated swaps/upgrades. (My next was 302 in Bobcat wagon...my best sleeper).​

I hate to see projects fail because the individual didn't know what they were getting into.​

And a 210hp 5.0 V-8 from an Explorer will a. already be >25years old; b. have basically same hp as a 207hp 4.0 V-6 from an '09. And with 2 fewer cylinders to warm up will get better fuel economy.

Double thumbs up on all this advice. Spot on.

 

[Alex.2341564]

If you have read the swap section, you would have noted that swapping a V-8 into anything after '00, gets...complicated.

Where as if you get a '09 V-6 truck e.g. one with accident damage. You are just transferring parts from vehicle a to vehicle b.

This is very much the swap I recommend to neophytes. (My 1st swap was out with 360 2bbl, in with 428 4bbl. Same FE engine just more cubes/power)​

Everything just goes together as Ford engineers planned.​

Once you've done a 'factory' swap, you know what you're up against doing more complicated swaps/upgrades. (My next was 302 in Bobcat wagon...my best sleeper).​

I hate to see projects fail because the individual didn't know what they were getting into.​

And a 210hp 5.0 V-8 from an Explorer will a. already be >25years old; b. have basically same hp as a 207hp 4.0 V-6 from an '09. And with 2 fewer cylinders to warm up will get better fuel economy.

Probably just going to do the v6 from a 09 ranger because it sounds easier(this will b e my first engine swap).

 

[SenorNoob]

On something that new, unless you have reason to keep the truck you have now, (family bought it new, etc.) I'd probably just try to sell and buy the truck I wanted.

Mine is special in that Ford never put a 4.0 in a 1st gen. With all the other work I've done to it, I should've swapped the front clip and dash into a 91-92 truck. That said I was particular about what I wanted and bought it as a project truck, even though it's been my daily driver most of the last 12 years.