97 V8 swap to 97 V6

[Axial32]

OK... need some good info on what I'll need to do to transfer my 97 2dr Sohc V6 to a friends 97 4dr V8 and her V8 to my exploder. Will this work?

 

[section525]

Sure. Start swapping parts. The fuel lines will be the only thing that might not swap because of the length differences between the two vehicles. Maybe driveshafts too.

 

[Axial32]

Like electronically will the only thing that need to to stay with the engine be the computer and the coilpack.? With the transmissions would I be able to keep my transmission with the v8? And lastly... the transfercases... the 4dr have all-time 4wd.. mines controltrac 4wd.. would I be able to keep my transfer case and bolt right up to the v8 transmission??

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Like electronically will the only thing that need to to stay with the engine be the computer and the coilpack.? With the transmissions would I be able to keep my transmission with the v8? And lastly... the transfercases... the 4dr have all-time 4wd.. mines controltrac 4wd.. would I be able to keep my transfer case and bolt right up to the v8 transmission??

No.

 

[Axial32]

Wow just the word "no" doesn't tell me what question it answers. but I kinda figured that the V6 transmission wouldn't work with the V8.. it's the transfercase and electronics that i don't know about.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Wow just the word "no" doesn't tell me what question it answers. but I kinda figured that the V6 transmission wouldn't work with the V8.. it's the transfercase and electronics that i don't know about.

No the ECM is not the only thing that would need to stay with the engines.

No the transmissions will not fit between the two.

No the transfer cases will not swap between transmissions.

Therefor no answered all of your questions.

 

[91n93ex]

It would be easier to just trade explorers

 

[410Fortune]

you need to remove everything drivetrain related from radiator to driveshaft, power distribution, everything and swap it over

transfer cases, transmissions, exhaust, wiring, it all goes

 

[Axial32]

Since mine is a Sport and her's is a 4dr. I can keep my driveshafts and my dual exhaust right? What about motor mounts? are those going to have to be switched also? Alot of engine capartment stuff should be interchangable like the radiator.. her's doesnt look any different than mine.

 

[410Fortune]

alot of engine compartment stuff might be the same, but that all goes back in afterwards.

the engine mounts are nowhere near the same 5.0L to SOHC, so yes they go too

The exhausts are completely different, you can keep your dual exhaust sure... but its not going to just bolt up to the 5.0L downpipes

have you ever pulled an engine before? transmission?

the driveshafts will not likely bolt up, the transfer cases are two totally different animals

 

[Axial32]

Yes we've pulled an engines b4 as well as transmissions.

Can you atleast point me in the direction to a step by step thread one for swaping the V6 into the 4dr. And another for swaping the V8 into my sport. Pictures will help the most right now..

 

[410Fortune]

such a thread doesnt exist, but the search button does!

basically the only difference between your trucks begins after the front seats, so it does not get any easier then this! remove drivetrain and wiring, accessories from both vehicles... start installing parts there is no step by step how to for what you are wanting to do

Does your friend happen to know what she is getting into? You are getting the V8 witht he stronger transmission and she is getting the first year of the crappy SOHC problem prone V6 and weakish V6 auto?
my guess is she does not understand what she is getting into....also both trucks re-sale value (I know I know a 97 explorer is worth about nothing) is going to suffer, and its going to cost $$$$ on both ends for filters, fluids, EXHAUST WORK, alignment, etc.....

 

[Axial32]

here's the catch and why it is actually better for her... the V8 has like 250,000 mi. and my v6 only 150,000.. and I've not had any problems with my SOHC.. I've ran the crap out of it and nothing has ever come up... and trans. is very strong in mine where hers has a leak somewhere. See she gave the option of fixing it for her or just swapping out everything.

I've already have done alot of research but I wanted to see someone else do a swap from V8 to V6... and vise versa...

 

[techieman33]

If you didn't even know that your transfer cases and drive shafts weren't compatible then you still have a lot more research to do. And honestly I would rather have a 250k 302 over a 150k sohc.

 

[Carguy3J]

There is nothing wrong with the SOHC V6. I'm kinda tired of guys "ragging" on it all the time. Sure, its got one "design flaw". The timing chain issue. So what? Nearly every motor has some "achilles heal" or factory "oops". As long as you properly maintain your vehicle, it's not a big deal. Especially after you repair the first time with the updated parts. Pound for pound (or should I say, Liter for Liter), it's IS stronger than the 302. You can make good power with it, with well thought out mods, and still get decent (for the Explorer's size/weight) mileage. Also, with the V6, your not stuck with the AWD. I'll decide when I want 4x4, thank you very much. (ok, yes the Auto 4wd is still auto, but it very rarely "intrudes" unless you're really doing something stupid.)

As for your swap, really, you're ruining 2 perfectly good, running vehicles. Even if you manage to properly complete both swaps,(properly means everything looks/feels/runs/works like factory on bohth vehicles. No wires hanging out, no "extra" switches or "redneck" procedures everytime you drive it,etc... A clean, indistinguishable install)) which I doubt will happen, what have you really accomplished for all the time and money?

As someone else said, the best way to accomplish this swap is to swap titles and keys. Or, one or both of you sell what you have and go buy what you want. Your "friend" would also be much better off just having whatever minor problems hers has fixed, then getting into all this swapping. I'm not opposed to motor swaps/modding in general, but it needs to make sense; and this doesn't.

 

[99SportX]

One other thing that has not been mentioned is driveshaft compatibility. Yes, lengths are different. That is obvious. The V6 front driveshaft is a slightly different length than the V8 front driveshaft. They are a direct swap.

For the rear, it gets more complicated. The flange on the t-case is different between V8 and V6. When I swapped the V8 into my sport, I measured the shafts and was all excited because my rear sport shaft was the correct length to fit with the V8 trans/t-case. When I went to bolt it up, I realized that it did not fit up to the AWD t-case. I had to have the 4 door V8 driveshaft cut down/welded/rebalanced at a shop for $40. Not to mention, the V8 driveshaft was a little more beefy and had a higher spline count at the slip joint.

This is one problem that would not allow for direct swapping of parts between the vehicles. The other problems come down to exhaust. Modifications would need to be made to join the downpipes with the rest of the cat back parts.

Other than that, you just have to swap tons of parts and it would take a while. You would have to have the AC systems drained prior to swapping since the AC lines will have to be disconnected. (unless you somehow take the whole engine bay side of the hvac box out with the compressor and evaporator connected to it).

There are a lot of hidden costs in order to do things properly.

 

[Axial32]

Yea I already told her that we would just fix her's for her and I'll just wait for a bigger better opportunity...

My original idea before the V8 swap was wait and find a 12V Cummins Turbo Diesel.. so I think I'll just wait until I find a heck of a deal on a diesel.

My Exploder is already kinda redneck.. I have the brown wire mod, I have it lifted, custom roof rack with lights, dual exhaust(loud) so I'm not too worried about the redneckish part... thanks for all the advice guys.. so the swap is a NO-GO.

Also I can use the saved money to finish my foxbody project car.

 

[410Fortune]

There is nothing wrong with the SOHC V6. I'm kinda tired of guys "ragging" on it all the time. Sure, its got one "design flaw". The timing chain issue. So what? Nearly every motor has some "achilles heal" or factory "oops".

I understand your thinking, like for example I believe the A4LD is a good transmission, from the factory or with a PROPER rebuild, but still motivating a 4500# explorer is not something the A4LD should have ever been asked to do. for every nightmare A4LD story there are 50 running around problem free

I understand you like the SOHC, it is a good engine, especially after 2000 or so, the 97 model I would stay away from...butwhen it does have tensioner issues, these are BIG issues that cant be fixed without pulling the engine

The gt-40 5.0L only has one weak spot from teh factory, the crappy exhaust manifolds.... those can be fixed MUCH easier then chain tensioners.... I too would take a 250K 5.0L over a 150K SOHC all damn day...its the tranny I really worry about with this comparison...

 

[Axial32]

My SOHC is running like a champ.. I've never had any problems with it, it has plenty of power.. it's just lacking with the 35" tires on it. When I've had the stock tires back on... I beat my friends 3.8 V6 mustang in a race, and other numerous people driving civics, mitsubishis, nissans, and just the other day a VW Jetta... The Transmission is amazing too... I've seriously have beaten the crap out of both and it still gets me everywhere I need to go since it's my DD... I've got it through a 3.5 ft deep water hole, and through atleast 2.5 ft of mud. I just make sure that I keep up on all the maintence and I run Royal Purple in everything.