Ford Engines Factory w/Engine Control Module Only

all american boy

all american boy

Well-known member
Anybody know a rule of thumb for this?

Looking for a junkyard engine where the ECM doesn't tie into

chassis computer modules.

Want to be able to use engine with module as is.

Word is if you use late wants they throw all kinds of errors

without complete chassis inputs.

I'm thinking up to 1998.
 
Thank you Willowbilly!

Idea is to 'cast a bigger net'.

Looking for a clean carbureted engine is kind of running against the wind.

Plus they are just giving away these later engines and trannies.

I'll see if computer only drivetrains cover what you're talking about.

We're paying attention to chassis mostly.

Should get pretty decent performance with pretty much any engine.

Because of lightness of race cars.
 
all american boy said:
Anybody know a rule of thumb for this?

Looking for a junkyard engine where the ECM doesn't tie into

chassis computer modules.

Want to be able to use engine with module as is.

Word is if you use late wants they throw all kinds of errors

without complete chassis inputs.

I'm thinking up to 1998.
Click to expand...

Don't think that there is a hard and fast rule on this, as different models added these modules at different times.
First, what type of engine are you looking for? 302/5.0? 351W/5.8? 460? 4.6? 5.4? V10? V6? From a car or a pickup?
Next, see what cars/pickups used this engine. Go to your library or online and look up the wiring diagrams for the ECM for that model and look at the inputs and outputs. If you see connections to the transmission, or the A/C, or the lights, or the ABS, etc. it's too new.
Ford Motorsports or the aftermarket may offer stand alone computers for some models. Or check marine applications. There might be fuel injected Ford marine engines out there.
 
Thank you 40Deluxe!

That makes sense.

I was just going by Crown Vic's for the 98 idea.

I know the 'boxes'. Those 80's models.

You take the air cleaner off and the computer 'drips' metered fuel in.

It's some kind of throttle body injection. Not individual for each cylinder.

I'm wide open as far as engines.

First car is getting a 4 or straight 6.

Easy to build chassis for those.

Like the old midget and Indy cars.

Lots of room with a straight engine 'under the hood',
 
I assume that you're building some type of 'fun' car, a street rod type, race car replica? Or an amateur track day car? Or a local track weekend racer? Do you have to follow any kind of racing rule book?
How much power are you looking for? How heavy can the engine be? Front engine, mid-engine, or rear engine? Transmission? Ford only? (Good for you, if it is!)
The last straight 6 (300 C.I.) in Ford pickups had multi-port fuel injection and the computer only controlled the engine.
 
Thank you 40 Deluxe! I like the way you think!

'some type of 'fun' car' Yep. Mostly a building warm up.

Layout all the necessaries. Then 'revise' for next car. 'Revisions' like a lot of

projects work. Kind of a 'Mule' or visual reference model.

'Do you have to follow any kind of racing rule book?' No.

' Front engine' Front Mid Engine. That means engine behind front axle.

Seating bulkhead against rear end travel 'cubby'

'How much power are you looking for?'

Stock 4 cylinder or 6 will be fine. It's mostly a building exercise. To repeat.

'Weight?' Cast iron will be okay. Not 'going for the gold' this time.

'Ford only?' Well they are plentiful.

'The last straight 6 (300 C.I.) in Ford pickups'

Good one to use for a 'baseline' to compare other options.
 
Found this Ford engine on Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_HSC_engine

Looks like the first straight 4 from Ford since the Model A.

I am throwing out the 2.3 Pinto engine.

I will not get one of those. Well maybe but probably not.

Problem is it is from front wheel drive cars.

Might have to move up in years to get a straight 4 with rear wheel drive

transmission. It would be a manual trans.
 
What's a good Ford performance forum?

Which later 4 cylinders with RWD ****** can you just remove intake

manifold and put on aftermarket one or fabricate your own and they will run

decently?
 
Do some research on Merkur. It was German Ford imported in the late '80's, I believe. It was sold by Mercury dealers. It had a turbocharged 2.3 4 cylinder and rear drive. 5 speed manual. Multi-port injection. I'm sure the ECM only controlled the engine.
Also check out Ford Ranger pickups. A lot of them had 4 cylinders with 5 speed manual trannies and multi-port injection.
The 2.3 Pinto engine was popular in circle track racing and a company called Esslinger Engineering made a bunch of speed equipment including manifolds, if I remember right.
Go to some self serve junkyards and look around. It only costs a dollar or two to get in. Take a tape measure and a camera.
 
Mustangs and T-birds in the 80's also came with the turbo 2.3L plus there were the SVO's which were had a hotter version of the 2.3L.
 
One time, long-long ago, late at night, out behind the assembly plant, in a land we won't talk about, there was a drag race between an F150 with a 302, and the then new 300 EFI equipped the same. The 300 beat the 302 every single time to 60. With the factory split header exhaust, the six would sound wonderful without is cat converter, just two pipes all the way back.
 
The 2.3L Ford 4 cyl. OHC engine was never used in a front wheel drive car. Only rear wheel drive. Also it is a very good engine.

Sal
 
I know it's not a Ford but one of those late 90s twin cam Saturns look an awful like an old offy when you clean them up and there are rear wheel drive transmissions that will bolt to them.
On another note, a lot of those sensors on the newer engines can be tricked by just putting the right resistance across the wires.
 
Ford has a ecoboost 2.0 as a crate engine and electronic support package. Guess a Mazda Miata transmission of some sort works for RWD. 250 HP and torque 270 lbs? All for only 8000$
 
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