I need Tech.Info. on 5.8 L EFI Roller Motor & 4R70W Tans.Wiring and Computer

[KYBlueOval]

I have acquired a 1995, 5.8 L EFI Roller Motor and a 1995 4R70W, Wide Ratio, Electronically controlled Transmission from a 1995 E150 Van. I got some, but not all of the wiring harness from the engine donor vehicle. Some of the wiring had been cobbled up removing instruments and such. I have obtained a ECM from a '94-'95 Ford, with a 302  Motor with a 4R70W  that can be reprogrammed for the 5.8. I know there are several things I must change on the engine......oil pan etc. to install this combo in my Ranchero.
I'm looking into the computer side of this swap and it is there that I'm looking for advice. Who can you guys point me to that can help with the engine /trans., computer hookup? Anyone here on the Forum done such a swap?
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
John

[Ford Blue blood]

John first we need to know where the 302 computer came from.  I believe the 351 you have is a Speed Density system.  If so you will need to find a computer from a donor vehicle that is outfitted the same.  If it is a Mass air flow system (like 302 HO) there will be problems with getting it to run correctly.

Speed density systems are hard data based systems, that is cam profile, cu-in, firring order etc.  The computer knows what and how much gas to deliver with those parameters.  Change any of them and it gets confused.  They work very well but are very limited in tuning.

Mass air flow systems are the most flexable and are very easy to tune to as many modifications as you want or can even imagine.  To make the 351 work with the mass air system the cam would need to be changed to a 302 HO firing order.

Best place to look is any of the Fox bodied web sites.  Those guys over there eat, breath,and sleep this stuff.

[KYBlueOval]

John first we need to know where the 302 computer came from.  I believe the 351 you have is a Speed Density system.  If so you will need to find a computer from a donor vehicle that is outfitted the same.  If it is a Mass air flow system (like 302 HO) there will be problems with getting it to run correctly.

Speed density systems are hard data based systems, that is cam profile, cu-in, firring order etc.  The computer knows what and how much gas to deliver with those parameters.  Change any of them and it gets confused.  They work very well but are very limited in tuning.

Mass air flow systems are the most flexable and are very easy to tune to as many modifications as you want or can even imagine.  To make the 351 work with the mass air system the cam would need to be changed to a 302 HO firing order.

Best place to look is any of the Fox bodied web sites.  Those guys over there eat, breath,and sleep this stuff.

Thanks for the reply. First I need to admit that my knowledge of these motors, transmissions and computers is limited.......make that very limited, but I'm learning and moving up the learning curve. Your advice to look into the Fox Bodied  forums is very helpful. I will do that.
These 5.8/351 Roller Motors are Mass Air Flow motors, only produced in '94 -'95 maybe early '96 so I'm told. Before I purchased the computer, I checked with a local high performance Ford tuner as he has the skill set to burn a new chip. He advised that the computer that I needed would be from a '94-'95 F150 Mass Air Flow 5.0 with a 4R70W Transmission, and with that computer he could burn a new chip to make the engine and transmission "like one another".  He was emphatic that it must come from a vehicle with the 4R70W transmission.I bought just such a computer. I've not taken it to him yet as I want to have all the necessary
parts, wiring harness etc., in hand before I spend that "chip" money. I'm going to assume ( dangerous word ) that he is correct, as he is highly regarded in this area. Admittedly his business is dyno tuning factory Ford cars, and not building, rewiring etc. hybred cars like I'm constructing.So until I determine he is not capable of making this combination work, I have to have faith he does. 
What I believe I need at this point, is some direction on the wiring harnesses required to make this work.  I have what I could salvage from the engine donor vehicle, and in time I guess I can sort out the multitude of wires going in and out of the computer, or look for a aftermarket harness. Which is where I am right now. If there is a simple after market harness that will work, I'd like to know about it.
I welcome any and all here on the Forum to weigh in and tell me what you think and point me in the right direction.
John

[57 imposter]

You can get a stand alone harness from the Detail Zone div of Ron Francis for about 600.00. I have used two of them and
they are fool proof. Used a modified stock harness on my first go and it would have been quicker and cheaper to step up for the new harness in the first place.

[canadian_ranchero]

was the 351 mass air or speed density?if it was mass air the engine harness will work,if not you need a 302/351 mass air harness

[KYBlueOval]

was the 351 mass air or speed density?if it was mass air the engine harness will work,if not you need a 302/351 mass air harness

It is a mass air.
John

[KYBlueOval]

You can get a stand alone harness from the Detail Zone div of Ron Francis for about 600.00. I have used two of them and
they are fool proof. Used a modified stock harness on my first go and it would have been quicker and cheaper to step up for the new harness in the first place.

Thanks for that information. Did you have this same combination............5.8 and 4R70W? I'd sure like to be able to talk to someone that has done this, and learn the Do's and Don'ts
Thanks
John

[canadian_ranchero]

if you are not good at reading wiring diagrams i would buy the after market harness.if you look at my engine swap post,look at some of the wiring pictures,it will give you a idea of what needs to be done to use a factory harness   

[KYBlueOval]

When I was in the Navy, some 50 years ago,I was an Aviation Electronics Technician. So yes sir, I can read a schematic and can do that style of work. On your recommendation I shopped the aftermarket for a stand alone harness. I like your price on the Ron Francis harness $600.........it is now just shy of $900. All things considered, I guess it is not that bad............if it works.
I'll look up your engine swap post. Thanks. Might have a question after I look through it.
Thanks for the reply. I do appreciate it.

[Ford Blue blood]

Go to Helm Inc. and purchase the wiring diagram for the donor vehicle.  With out it you'll be looking for long white worms in a plate full of spaghetti!

The computer is really kinda simple.  It has inputs that are easy to identify and you can figure out which outputs you can discard and those you have to keep.  The computer (for those years) puts a ground on the output lines, inputs are a variation of 5 volts from each of the devices, those devices are fed from the reference voltage output from the computer.

Fundamentally the harness should break down to the various connectors to sensors and devices and to four wires plus the fuel pump signal.  +12v keep alive, +12v run, +12v start and ground.  The fuel pump signal is to the coil side of the pump relay.

[KYBlueOval]

Go to Helm Inc. and purchase the wiring diagram for the donor vehicle.  With out it you'll be looking for long white worms in a plate full of spaghetti!

The computer is really kinda simple.  It has inputs that are easy to identify and you can figure out which outputs you can discard and those you have to keep.  The computer (for those years) puts a ground on the output lines, inputs are a variation of 5 volts from each of the devices, those devices are fed from the reference voltage output from the computer.

Fundamentally the harness should break down to the various connectors to sensors and devices and to four wires plus the fuel pump signal.  +12v keep alive, +12v run, +12v start and ground.  The fuel pump signal is to the coil side of the pump relay.

Thank you very much.
John