7.3 to 6.4 swap - Diesel Forum

powerlifter405 · 10-18-2009, 10:14 PM

I'm not seeing it so i'm guessing it hasn't been done yet.
I have a 2002 and i took in some water a while back and my compression is going down hill. I"ve been think about a swap and wonder how difficult it would be.
I'd love to grab the AT while i'm at it and put it in as well. I figure HP# wise, this might be the easiest way to do it.
any thoughts??

browningbuck225 · 10-18-2009, 10:23 PM

i wanna know this too, and i also want to know if we still have to play by the emission rules because we have earlier model trucks

Stymie · 10-19-2009, 02:31 AM

the shear amount of work to get the electronics to work are prohibitive, let alone the fact i am not sure it would even fit.
you'd be better off either buying a 6.4 equipped truck, or building a new 7.3

butchcassidy1 · 10-19-2009, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerlifter405

I'm not seeing it so i'm guessing it hasn't been done yet.
I have a 2002 and i took in some water a while back and my compression is going down hill. I"ve been think about a swap and wonder how difficult it would be.
I'd love to grab the AT while i'm at it and put it in as well. I figure HP# wise, this might be the easiest way to do it.
any thoughts??

Why not cost out getting another 7.3? Even if you can't grab an AT, it would probably be the most cost effective and easiest (least painful) approach to take.

As mentioned in the above post, going to the 6.4 would require a lot of time, $$$, labor to retrofit / rebuild your current truck.

Hopes this helps,

Butch Cassidy1

**SmokeyWren** · 10-19-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stymie

the shear amount of work to get the electronics to work are prohibitive, ...

The only logical way to do it would be to transplant both the engine and tranny, along with the PCM. But you may be right if the anti-lock brake system (ABS) module and the injection driver module (IDM) and other computers in the '02 won't plug-n-play with the PCM for the 6.4L engine.

I suspect it would be less expensive to do a complete overhaul of the 7.3L, along with a bulletproof BTS or equivalent tranny and tunes by a smart guy with a goal of around 350 reliable horses. Plan on a budget of $15,000 for that jobbie. That's a lot less than $45,000 for a new 6.4L truck.

Todes · 10-19-2009, 11:20 AM

Can't do it. I've already looked at it and nothing hooks up.

honeydew · 10-19-2009, 12:18 PM

People have installed 5.9L Cummins in these to make a nice truck. Seems like a no brainer to stick with the 7.3L, though.

**Mark Kovalsky** · 10-19-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

But you may be right if the anti-lock brake system (ABS) module and the injection driver module (IDM) and other computers in the '02 won't plug-n-play with the PCM for the 6.4L engine.

I know that they are not plug and play. Someone would have to create a software interface to make this work.

blandproud · 10-19-2009, 03:13 PM

i got an auto you got a 6spd....wanna trade?

powerlifter405 · 10-20-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by browningbuck225

i wanna know this too, and i also want to know if we still have to play by the emission rules because we have earlier model trucks

it should be like in gassers, the emission test is based upon the year vehicle not the motor itself. That is the hope.

as far as electronics, it would be no different than swapping a 5.9 into this truck or a ls1 into a mazda miata. yes, the pcm, idm etc.. would have to be sourced but big deal. to get 500+ out of a 7.3 will run me up wards of 7k+. mini-me's plus a gtp38r already are close to 4k. That doesn't include head studs, plus the time to put it together. Even w/ my situation, i still have to get a pcm out of an auto if i want to put in a 4r100, or i can spend some $ on a controller and put in a newer 5spd auto.
As far as a newer 6.4 is concerned I can buy a local rolled 6.4 for 5K even if i have to spend extra on electronics, Painless wiring always has something up their sleeve. Unless i can find a pre 02 w/ forged rods, i'm looking at another 5K-10K for a rebuilt not including speed parts. everyone said you couldn't put an allison 1000 behind anything but a GM but lo-and-behold how many controllers are out there now to put it behind the 7.3, 6.0 and 5.9.

Additionally now that i think about it, the 1st time i called BTS, they told me that i couldn't swap a auto in place of my 6spd.

I won't be the 1st but if i do it, i definately won't be the last. Why rebuild an antiquated motor assembly when I can get what was once thought unattainable out of a new stock + tuner 6.4?

Stymie · 10-20-2009, 11:52 PM

i'd be curious to see if it fits first.

browningbuck225 · 10-21-2009, 04:10 PM

that would be awesome to have the speed of the 6.4 in an early 99' like I have. Or just to be able to pull up beside one and pop the hood and see a newish 6.4 resting between the frame rails would be sweet too!

powerlifter405 · 10-21-2009, 10:50 PM

i know a mechanic at the stealership who claims that he does side jobs w/ a few of the commerical mechanics. i'll inquire what the dimension differences are.
I just think it would be pretty neat and about the same $ wise to shoot for 500hp. My motor is heading out and I would like to have the pieces so i can start by summer of 2010. I have the $$ i just want to confirm which way i'm gonna go. unless i can find someone who pampered an 00-01 (want the forged rods) i'm gonna have to possibly rebuild it and no one around here wants to mess w/ it. ***??
We'll see, if i do go 6.4 i'll definately post info here.

Now i have to find a 12v and a 1 ton drive train for my 94 bronco, a whole other project i don't need to spend money on

rockets10510 · 10-22-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerlifter405

....Why rebuild an antiquated motor assembly...

how can the 7.3 be antiquated? int still produces the engines as far as i know. and plus the parts avaiable for the 7.3 will probably be around longer than the 6.4. just my .02

anthony

MilitiaAir · 10-22-2009, 08:58 PM

The 08/09 trucks are still the same chasis. So many parts can be changed over. If you had a rolled donor truck and had ALOT of energy you could make the swap I think. Ive seen front clip changes, dash changes, everything but engine. Youd have to do a complete swap tho. Engine/ tranny harness from 08/09 truck. All the computers ( PCM, IDM, ect). You might even have to swap more. I think all the trucks have the anti roll stuff on them that the PCM would control? But the engine mounts and tranny mounts should bolt in or come close enough to modify to fit. It would be alot of work tho cause it would require installing the new harnesses. Definatly not a weekend job tho. Sounds like alot of hidden obsticles would go with it. Just depends on how much you get your donor parts for... A stock 7.3 without PMR's will make over 300 fairly easy with just bolt ons. Stage 2 injectors will get you 400. I would carefully weigh the options.