Swapping a 2.3L EcoBoost (classic Mustang)

Have you contacted Ford Racing yet to ask them? Lots of smart people there who will want to see you succeed. That's the first place to go.

If you can't get an answer you like from them, I'd start by buying a donor car that runs then start disconnecting modules you don't want to transfer. See if that affects the function of the car at all, and use the free ForScan tool to see what's triggering any warning lights. Then, once you've determined what the minimum configuration is, transfer that over to your old Mustang. You may end up with weird modules hidden around under fenders, etc, but that doesn't matter. Take it one step at a time and it should be manageable.

You may have some trouble with check engine lights due to emissions components - new cars are frighteningly smart along these lines. You can either transfer them as well or possibly turn them off in HPTuners. I'm not as familiar with the Ford side so I can't give details there.

Alternately - use a transmission that's not tied to the engine management, then you can use the Ford Racing kit.

Ecotec swap into a vintage TVR: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/my-1973-tvr-2500m-renew-and-restomod/137802/page1/  He had a lot of trouble getting the Ford factory control pack for a manual transmission car (that part of the discussion starts on about page 11) so finding one for an automatic will probably be tougher - you'll have to find something in the aftermarket.

Also note that since your car is a 1964 1/2 and if it still has the original engine, the bolt pattern on the back for the bell housing is different.  So, unless you get a newer transmission you'll need an adapter anyway to bolt it to an Ecotec.

The biggest hang up with the EcoBoost and a swap is controlling it. The Direct Injection is something that very very few aftermarket ECMs can control. You can buy the Ford kit, but it's expensive. And it's actually the cheap option for controlling DI. Your desire for an auto trans also complicates things as those need to be controlled as well through the ECM and/or TCM depending on the model. If it's got to be an EcoBoost/auto, the path is basically to buy a donor and wade into the deep end of CAN BUS communication to see which modules are needed or not and how to go about that.

So, here's what I'd consider doing as a potentially more grassroots option. On the surface, it's not exactly what you want, but it gets you to the same basic place. The 2.3 Ecoboost is the same basic architecture as the 2.0L/2.3L/2.5L Duratec engines. These were avilable in pretty much every Ford car/small SUV between 2003-2010. It shared it's architecture with the Mazda MZR engines too so there are millions of available donors. The great thing about these engines, is that they are not direct injection, and many predate the CAN BUS systems that require tons of different modules to communicate with each other in order to work properly. Boosting one is as easy as adding the power adder of your choice, installing larger injectors and MAF, and uploading a $400 ECM tune that most any aftermarket tuner or dyno shop could do for you. You skip expensive controllers, and elaborate CAN BUS systems, and end up with essentially the same thing for less hassle. This also gives you the opportunity to fairly easily upgrade if you decide you want more power down the road. If you want more power from an EcoBoost swap, I'm not sure if the Ford Racing Control Pack can be retuned or not.

For longitudinal transmission options you'd have Ranger/B-Series trucks, and NC Miatas. Most people would go for the manual trans option with a swap like this, but the autos are also available in either chassis. Rangers had the most basic 2.3 with no heavy balance shafts and no Variable Valve Timing. Miatas probably had the nicer trans option, but if it's an auto, I'm not sure the gap is as large as it would be for a manual trans.

So the recipe is basically:
1. Buy donor Ranger/NC Miata

2. Remove engine/trans/ECM/engine wiring harness

3. Install into your Mustang with power adder of your choice

4. Install properly sized fuel injectors/MAF

5. Upload aftermarket ECM tune

6. Drive

7. Sell/scrap/part out powertrain donor

Keith, whatever happened to the guy that was putting an EcoBoost into his notchback Mustang? Project Ugly Horse? I search around and the last update was you guys got him a Miata transmission.

I vote for the Ford controls pack and an older over drive trans or C4 and an OD unit.  Or the best option a manual behind it.

stuart in mn said:

Ecotec swap into a vintage TVR: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/my-1973-tvr-2500m-renew-and-restomod/137802/page1/  He had a lot of trouble getting the Ford factory control pack for a manual transmission car (that part of the discussion starts on about page 11) so finding one for an automatic will probably be tougher - you'll have to find something in the aftermarket.

Of note, the trouble with finding the control pack for the TVR was that he is running a 2.0 instead of the 2.3. The 2.3 control pack is - to the best of my knowledge - widely available. It is definitely not cheap; looks like a street price of about $1700. But it's not as hard to find as the 2.0 control pack.

In reply to Harvey :

He quit his job at a car mag, sold most of his stuff, packed up everything else, and travelled around the country for a year crammed into a small camper with his family. They eventually settled in Virginia, but there hasn't been a mention of Ugly Horse in a long time. Here's his last blog post. I'm bummed about Ugly Horse, but I really enjoyed reading about their search. Zach's a great writer, and hopefully he's happier now than whe they set out on the journey.

dculberson said:

stuart in mn said:

Ecotec swap into a vintage TVR: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/my-1973-tvr-2500m-renew-and-restomod/137802/page1/  He had a lot of trouble getting the Ford factory control pack for a manual transmission car (that part of the discussion starts on about page 11) so finding one for an automatic will probably be tougher - you'll have to find something in the aftermarket.

Of note, the trouble with finding the control pack for the TVR was that he is running a 2.0 instead of the 2.3. The 2.3 control pack is - to the best of my knowledge - widely available. It is definitely not cheap; looks like a street price of about $1700. But it's not as hard to find as the 2.0 control pack.

Yes, but the Ford control pack doesn't have the ability to control an automatic transmission.

STM317 said:

In reply to Harvey :

He quit his job at a car mag, sold most of his stuff, packed up everything else, and travelled around the country for a year crammed into a small camper with his family. They eventually settled in Virginia, but there hasn't been a mention of Ugly Horse in a long time. Here's his last blog post. I'm bummed about Ugly Horse, but I really enjoyed reading about their search. Zach's a great writer, and hopefully he's happier now than whe they set out on the journey.

Then he got his job at a new car mag. He's freelance, writing for a few. Ugly Horse is stashed away at his dad's place (I think) so he still has all the parts. I think he ran into trouble with some custom-made subframes not fitting. IIRC he wasn't doing the job with a welder, and it just stalled out. The year long road trip (accompanied by one of my coworkers for a chunk of the time) made sure it stayed stalled.

At least, that's my understanding.

The suggestion to use the MZR is a good one, I like it. It's too bad our superchargers aren't available at the moment, but there are turbo kits for that engine. It's not as pure Ford or as cool as the EcoBoost swap, but it may be more workable. Personally, I'd go for the donor Ecoboost Mustang route but I'm a little more comfortable with CAN than most.

While some might argue it's sacrilegious, a used Cadillac ATS with the LTG turbo 4 would be less expensive than the Mustang and offer similar performance with a much better tuning support.  Even over the counter new stuff, at least GMPP does sell an automatic for it.

oldopelguy said:

While some might argue it's sacrilegious, a used Cadillac ATS with the LTG turbo 4 would be less expensive than the Mustang and offer similar performance with a much better tuning support.  Even over the counter new stuff, at least GMPP does sell an automatic for it.

At some point those old Mustangs need chassis stiffening and upgraded brakes.   I know.  I went through this several times.   This Cadillac suggestion may be getting to that point.  Just sayin'... 

I tried logging to respond to the kind assistance that was given, but found that my account had been deleted. Weird.

I still like the idea of the 2.3L EcoBoost since it's a 'finished' engine - I really don't have any desire to tune it for more power once it's running. I have no problem keeping it 100% OEM and would be totally happy with stock Mustang power and drivability. As long as it's the 2.3L EB engine, it seems like it's the Ford Racing kit or a stock transplant. I did some digging and found a company that makes a 6R80 controller kit: http://www.performanceautomatic.com/news/319/6R80_Controllers_are_Ready!_.html but it's expensive and there is no mention of the EB. 

Using a wrecked full donor car was the intention from the beginning, but for some reason it never struck me to test things on the donor chassis (duh!). I have no experience with CAN bus systems and can already foresee issues with VSS/speed signals, steering angle sensors, immobilizers, etc, but in practice, the whole thing could be swapped over. As long as it's not a messy job to install and hide all of the components, I don't think it's out of question. 

I'll reach out to Ford Racing and see what the aftermarket software is capable of doing/disabling for systems.

In the meantime, here's some pictures of the car. I bought it on eBay with no pictures for $405 in 2000 - I was 13. I miss the good old days of eBay.

Rusty old 260:

In reply to CanadianCD9A :

My apologies, I think you got caught in the crossfire when I was killing some spammers earlier today. Welcome back!

I can chime in as the guy working thru a 2.0 EcoBoost swap in the TVR.  At least at the moment the 2.0 Control Pack is no longer available.  I begged and pleaded and Ford Racing filled my (and a few other's) outstanding order.

The 2.3 control pack is still available, as far as I know.  I went for the 2.0 because they're crazy common and cheap around here.  And the torque curve with the control pack is pretty compelling for a sub-2000 lb car.  I wish Ford Racing was still doing that control pack, but I guess they're trying to push the Coyote and the 2.3.

I think the 2.3 in a classic Mustang would be so right!  If you are so interested, I've got a Mustang 6 spd manual in my garage that is too big for the TVR.  I'd love to get rid if it.  No control problems with the manual.

Also, I did look at HP Tuners, and it looks like you can crack a Ford EcoBoost ECU with one.  It's a pretty new line for them, so there's not a lot of info there, but they said they can do the PATS delete and all that.  Could be a good option - particularly if you've got the whole donor vehicle.

I went fishing and found out the swap has been done before with the 6R80! I'll get in touch with the shop that did it, they seem to be selling the conversion stuff. It would be nice to keep the 2018+ gauge cluster, but I won't hold my breath. 

I sure do love that body style of the Mustang. Growing up my mom drove a 1966 Mustang, which to me as a kid was a total rocket ship.. In the 80s everyone had little tinny 4-cylinder FWD cars and we rocked up in our 289ci v8 powered beast. I didn't even care that it was south Florida and there was no AC.

One of these with modern driveline and some pro-touring style suspension work would be amazing to me.