EF I6 vs Rebuild for EA - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

brjamo · 01-20-2004, 06:08

My EA has done 340 000 kms, its using a bit of oil and is due for a rebuild.

I am not sure whether to rebuild the MPFI engine or put in an EF engine. The EF engine has done 120 000 kms and is out of an auto. I can get the whole engine with everything needed to run for $800. If I rebuild my current engine i should be able to get away with it for less than $1500 as my dad is a mechanic and my cousin is an engine rebuilder so parts and labour will be cheap.

I am not sure what is involved in switching to an EF motor though. I think the smartlock will be a problem. Whichever option i choose i want to put a cam etc. in but that is a different story.

Any opinions would be appreciated

Thanks BJ

TaraHymen · 01-20-2004, 08:41

smartlock isnt an issue if u still use the ea ecu although u'll have to fit a rpm switch is u want to full utilise the bbm. the harness's dont vary greatly and with a wiring diagragm it wont take much to change over.

it's not a difficult job especially if u'r dad helps

danege · 01-20-2004, 16:28

You'll have to put an EL or similar distributor in it, if your using the EA ECU, because the EF's had coilpacks and it wont work with the EA ECU.

mongrelEB · 01-20-2004, 22:59

Quote:

You'll have to put an EL or similar distributor in it, if your using the EA ECU, because the EF's had coilpacks and it wont work with the EA ECU.

Sorry but that isn't correct, the EL uses a dizzy like the EA does and either ECU will work with either dizzy.

Dude, where the hell did you get $1500 from?!?!?!
Costs me $400 including oil and coolant if the bores don't need doing, and if they do it'll still be under $900 if you do the bores, crank, facing the block/head, etc.....

Walkinshaw · 01-20-2004, 23:18

$900!? thats cheap

Rebuild kit was $650 (ACL Race series kit)
boring/honing/balancing was all $500ish

adds up to do it properly.

brjamo · 01-21-2004, 03:35

$1500 was a rough estimate but using decent parts and with balancing and porting it wont be much less than that.

I think i will go with the EF engine because the coversion doesnt seem too hard and there is more power potential from this engine.

Is it possible to use the EF ecu so i dont have to worry about setting up the bbm and changing the coil pack?

Walkinshaw · 01-21-2004, 19:13

EF ecu will require EF bem and both dash looms, etc. Lots of work

change the coil packs + cam angle sensor to dizzy + coil (ITS EASY AS!) and run your stock EA MPFI loom.

danege · 01-21-2004, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongrelEB

Sorry but that isn't correct, the EL uses a dizzy like the EA does and either ECU will work with either dizzy.

ahhh true, well i learnt something today!

So is it the exact same dizzy from EA - EL?

mongrelEB · 01-22-2004, 02:57

Yep, well I dunno about the part number but it works OK

Also the CFI dizzy is slightly different as all the vanes are the same width - MPFI dizzies have one thinner one to signal no.1 to the computer. But it doesn't seem to matter.....heh.

Walky - ACL Race Series, well I was just using a stock part, nothing too fancy :)
Would have to dig out the prices again but it's like $75 for h/g+bolts (good ACL gasket), $12 for the intake and $15 for the exhaust gaskets, roughly, and I think $20 for the sump. That's $125 or so for gaskets. Then $70 for bigends and I *think* $80 for mains, $280, and pistons/rings at I think $300 the set but I really don't remember the piston prices that well, it's been a while since I had to do more than hone a block

Total $580 in parts.
Boring is $40/cyl, equals $240, and a grind/balance is $150, so about $400.
OK thats $1k smarty pants :s6:
Oh plus block and head facing, if required, at $50/pop.
Maybe $1100 then. Damn you for making me eat my words!

XR6_ cortina · 01-22-2004, 20:33

hey brjamo.... just ask if you've got any Q's... I've done the conversion.. it was alot easier than I thought.... with a little tuning( timing) I got 120rwkw with a 2.25 mandrel bent exhaust..... much nicer motor than the 3.9. It felt like it has more torque down low even on the short runners. The max torque in my motor was made at 3500 that's a little higher than when the changeover works...