Hi everyone I'm a new ranger owner, mostly a mustang guy (94 cobra). I've got a 2005 3.0 (non-ffv) with auto that needs an engine (compression test didn't turn out good). I thought about just going with another 3.0, but of course wanting more power led me to looking at the 3.8 and 4.2 from the windstar and freestar since they have the same bellhousing pattern as the 3.0. Do you know if anyone has done this swap? I'm not worried about the engine mounts, they're easy enough to do and exhaust manifolds and intake from an f150 4.2 (if needed), but my biggest concern is the computer. Would the computer need to be changed to accommodate the 90 degree vs 60 degree? The injector sizes are basically the same, the firing order is the same, the cam position sensor is the same, and I believe the the crank reluctor wheel has 10 teeth spaced every 35 degrees on both engines. I'm not looking to modify the 4.2 for more power than what it has stock, just more than the 3.0. Thanks for any help!

 

Width of the 90deg V6s will be the hard part to overcome, I think the 3.0l is about 16" wide.
3.8l will be minimum 25", doesn't sound like much til you get back by the heater box and steering column, and then there is the exhaust pipes you have to fit in there as well.

302(5.0l) is only 19" wide.


Computer using MAF should be OK to use, your '05 is running 65psi of fuel pressure with no return line, your new(old) engine may need 45psi with return line

 

Ron,
Thanks for the reply. I had no idea the 3.8/4.2 was that wide, guess that's why nobody is really putting them in. Is the 3.0 computer mass air? If so, and it is capable of supporting the 4.2, the worst part really is the physical dimensions. If I stick with the 3.0, could I put a small turbo on it (less than 5 psi) without having to do major mode like computer upgrade, larger injectors, etc.?
Thanks

 

Turbo or Cam upgrades simply pull more air into the engine which allows more fuel to be burned per minute, so you get more power.

MAF system reads the "mass" of the air coming in, so would read the extra air being used, it would work fine.

One point that can come up is that a stock MAF has a diameter just above that needed by the stock engine at full throttle, that will only allow XX amount of air in per minute.
You can use a bigger diameter MAF, but only if you think that is an issue after engine is up and running, too large a MAF can cause idle issues.
Same with stock injectors, they should be fine, if you are talking about a 10-20% increase in power.
Fuel injectors are not like jets were on a carb.
Jets were fixed fuel meters so had to be changed if you increased the air flow rate, injectors are adjustable, on the fly, fuel meters.

 

I think 8 psi is what the whipple kits used to run on the 3.0's and they churned out 245hp which doesn't sound like much but when you start with ~145hp at the crank thats pretty impressive with otherwise stock motors so 5psi should be safe.