EFI Q's?...V6 to V8

[Magic]

So I have a 351W swap planned for my 95 (currently v6 powered) in the coming months...

My question comes down to wiring and EFI....

What would be the most straightforward way (Im sure there will be some electrical work to be done, but nothing Im too afraid of)... to EFI the 351W?
While keeping everything working the way it is, using the stock V6 instrument cluster...

1.) Megasquirt or other aftermarket EFI? Accel? Fast? along with a Crane HI-6 box (which I have already)
2.) Foxbody A9L with foxbody harness
3.) Get an engine harness and computer out of a wrecked 94-95?


Car will be driven everyday in the spring/summer/fall months to and from work, cruises and planning on long trips, IE. Toronto to FLorida or Texas...
I will get myself a wideband meter regardless...Innovate or WMS etc...

What are your thoughts on the matter folks? Educated responses are highly appreciated.

 

[Magic]

Anybody?

 

[96sohc]

Any particular reason why you're wanting to go EFI over carb?

 

[Paul]

I guess I can partially answer this:

According to the criteria you provided, I think the stock 94-95 V8 harness and T4M0 ECU is your best bet; however, I don't know if that will work with a V6 cluster. If you wanted standalone capability with plug n play technology, then an AEM would be your best bet with a stock V8 harness. However, I have one and I think that the FAST XFI is leagues better/easier to work with. The problem with that is I don't know how to control the air conditioning with the FAST.

Basically, the undertaking you've proposed will cost big bucks and be problematic no matter what you do. I wouldn't even consider it unless you've got at least $10K for the project.

You would need:
- 351W or stroker ($$$)
- V8 tranny and driveline that won't snap like a twig behind the Windsor
- V8 suspension
- V8 engine harnesses or standalone
- More fuel stuff (pump, injectors, etc...)
- New exhaust
- and on and on and on....

From a purely financial standpoint you'd be better off selling the V6 and starting with a V8 car. Windsors are kind of a pointless swap unless you're "going big" to make serious power. If you're just planning on sticking a stock-ish Windsor in there, might as well go with a 302 as it will make your life much easier.

I've done it. It's a PIA.

Paul.

 

[Magic]

Any particular reason why you're wanting to go EFI over carb?

I dont mind carbs, grew up with carbs, had a few carbed cars....Id rather go EFI....

Plus I need to keep the stock hood...

 

[tommybunz]

i've done this swap. ok here we go 94-95 harness ECU, Injector. thats it for harnesses. v6 cluster might not work (dunno i got a gt cluster plugs right up) have to run a wire from the ignition switch to the (-) on the starter ( dunno what wire but can find out). some v6 sensors should reuse. gt ECU will work DONT NEED A TUNER. i had a pms system on mine and it sucked. my stock ECU runs great with my pretty heavily modded 351w. could run much better with a tune but no real complaints.

 

[Paul]

Tommybunz, what is your 351W combination? My 418W would barely run with the stock ECU. Got more details/pics on your setup?

 

[Magic]

I guess I can partially answer this:

According to the criteria you provided, I think the stock 94-95 V8 harness and T4M0 ECU is your best bet; however, I don't know if that will work with a V6 cluster. If you wanted standalone capability with plug n play technology, then an AEM would be your best bet with a stock V8 harness. However, I have one and I think that the FAST XFI is leagues better/easier to work with. The problem with that is I don't know how to control the air conditioning with the FAST.

Basically, the undertaking you've proposed will cost big bucks and be problematic no matter what you do. I wouldn't even consider it unless you've got at least $10K for the project.

You would need:
- 351W or stroker ($$$)
- V8 tranny and driveline that won't snap like a twig behind the Windsor
- V8 suspension
- V8 engine harnesses or standalone
- More fuel stuff (pump, injectors, etc...)
- New exhaust
- and on and on and on....

From a purely financial standpoint you'd be better off selling the V6 and starting with a V8 car. Windsors are kind of a pointless swap unless you're "going big" to make serious power. If you're just planning on sticking a stock-ish Windsor in there, might as well go with a 302 as it will make your life much easier.

I've done it. It's a PIA.

Paul.

The car I have was bought for a really good deal...The car is in great shape and was bought with the intents of being a project car...If you read my sig I have all that stuff installed on the car already....basically, Including what I paid for the car and whats already done to it (mods in the sig), I dont think I have anymore than $2500 into it....

The suspension has already been addressed, Ive basically thrown the Eibach catalouge at it (mix of used and new parts)... An 8.8 axle is already in the car out of a 97 Cobra which was freshened up (new bearings, rebuilt trac-lok, 3.27s), which I scored for a song and dance....fuel system is not a problem either...

 

[Magic]

i've done this swap. ok here we go 94-95 harness ECU, Injector. thats it for harnesses. v6 cluster might not work (dunno i got a gt cluster plugs right up) have to run a wire from the ignition switch to the (-) on the starter ( dunno what wire but can find out). some v6 sensors should reuse. gt ECU will work DONT NEED A TUNER. i had a pms system on mine and it sucked. my stock ECU runs great with my pretty heavily modded 351w. could run much better with a tune but no real complaints.

If I do the 94-95 GT harness and ECU, I dont mind to swap to a GT cluster if thats what its going to take to have things work in unison....

Thanks for your input! Any pics of your car? engine bay?? Post em up!

 

[Paul]

I can get some pics up later for you. It's just a '94 convertible with a shiny motor.

 

[Magic]

Thanks Paul

 

[Paul]

As promised...

 

[Magic]

Holy Bling engine bay! Love the car Paul!

Those are the same style Saleen wheels that I want to get for my car....chrome or silver....

 

[Paul]

Apparently they're a bit tough to find nowadays. There's a set of black ones for sale in the classifieds.

 

[tommybunz]

My 351w has sad bore speed pro slugs stock football rods done over stock crank zcam windsor sr. Shaved to 60 cc crane energizer performer rpm upper and lower 30lbers etc...

 

[Magic]

nice simple setup tommy...


however, my choice in a V8 has changed....will be doing a "basic H/C/I" 5.0L...I picked up a complete takeout engine from a 95 GT (intake to pan with accessories) for a good deal...so I'll be fartin around with this instead...

Also, still trying to figure out which way to go about EFI as my initial post was about....

EDIT: If anyone ever reads this thread via a search result.

What I ended up doing was using a complete engine side wiring harness and t4m0 (94-95 5 speed computer) from a 94 GT and a GT instrument cluster. A true plug and play. The only wiring I had to do was for the TPS sensor since I went with a foxbody intake and throttle body set up. Thats it.
SO if anyone has a 94-95 V6 car that they want to swap to a 5.0L V8, use the 94-95 V8 harnesses and computer and make your life easy.

A tune/chip was ordered from Willie @ Dirty Dirty Racing.

However, this particular car was stripped and sent off to the glue factory (where old horses go to die). The engine from this car that I installed (a heads/cam/intake 306) is now in my new (to me) 95 Cobra.