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Hey guys,
I have a 2010 s281 supercharged Saleen that got wrecked, I just picked up a 2003 new edge mustang. I wanna know if I can take the motor from the saleen and put it in the new edge? Can this work and if it can please share any tips on this swap please
I have a 2010 s281 supercharged Saleen that got wrecked, I just picked up a 2003 new edge mustang. I wanna know if I can take the motor from the saleen and put it in the new edge? Can this work and if it can please share any tips on this swap please
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Joined: February 2, 2004
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From: Insane
Welcome to the forums! 
The answer is yes. Yes you can. I believe in you. Anything is possible. Anything at all, especially at Zombocom.
BUUUUT.....
You can't, so don't try. I have no idea why you'd do such a thing, c'mon. I mean... Surely you're not serious?
---
Now, why would I do that to you? Because both are true, from a certain point of view, level of expertise, amount of desire, and most important, goal in mind.
Technically speaking from a very broad base of operations, the 2010 engine will go in that 2003. Physically. Should bolt pretty much right on in, not a problem. But that's not enough. You need to also have it run, I assume, and that's where the 'can't' part gets in here. Oh, you can, but it's... complicated. The computer would have to go with that engine, and whatever else that computer's expecting to go with it... harness, sensors, body control module, possibly the instrument cluster... all kinds of considerations are to be made regarding moving the computer. It's not a plug and play by any means whatsoever.
The other alternative is an aftermarket computer that's set up to run in any car, which is fine. Ford makes 'em, as does Holley and Haltech and others to look into. Those would not need computer, harness, etc from the donor, but they will need wiring harness creation nonetheless. Those won't necessarily work with the throttle by wire system the 2010 uses, so you may also wind up having to swap out to make the cable driven pedal work on a cable driven throttle instead.
In all cases, tuning is likely unavoidable as there will be changes the stock tune won't be able to compensate for, so bear in mind that if you can't properly tune a car, but can tune a fish, then you'll need to get a tuner involved, and probably a dyno to be sure.
And then on top of it the 2003 key and body won't necessarily talk with the 2010, so you'd have to figure that out too in how to start the thing.
Other mechanicals to consider is the suspension (if V6 body, V8 engine will require brakes and/or springs and/or ?), axle, and the driveshaft. One might also consider using the transmission from the donor as well, but the shifter might be an issue. Then there might also be a trans mount situation. The engine mounts are the same, but the transmission swap will likely mean a transmission mount fabrication.
One final consideration is the legality of things. In Texas, for example, any car pre-1998 can be whatever it wants as long as it passes safety (lights, brakes, etc.), emissions not required, if the area does emissions testing in the first place... it's gotten a little silly 'round here. Where I am, they do, so that applies. So in my case, anything newer, like your '03, is required to have emissions. So if the state you're in says so, you gotta have emissions if you're gonna have it on the road. Oh, there's states what don't give a darn, sure, and in those, hey, ignore this. However, titling/registering a car that doesn't have it's original bits may also be cause for illegality. In this case, newer engine may not let the car be titled/registered.
If the car's for off road use (drag or road racing only) then hey, do what you want. But if you're looking for a driver, you might want to consider the easier route of just sticking a 2003 compatible long block in the 2003 and be done with it. If it needs that at all, which you did not specify.
And there's certainly more, I'm sure. That's enough from me, you will probably get a few other posts regarding, and lots of things to consider before you do this. But make NO mistake, this is a fairly large and slightly to definitely painful procedure, even if physically it 'works'. Heck, it might be the better part of valor to see if the 2010 can be reworked and retitled under salvage and just drive that thing instead.
Might be worth it to do that than do the other.
Hope some of that's helpful. You can do it, I believe! Just... don't be thinkin' it's a weekend swap, it's a *process*, and they're all different.. yet not.. yet absolutely so. Good luck either way!
The answer is yes. Yes you can. I believe in you. Anything is possible. Anything at all, especially at Zombocom.
BUUUUT.....
You can't, so don't try. I have no idea why you'd do such a thing, c'mon. I mean... Surely you're not serious?
---
Now, why would I do that to you? Because both are true, from a certain point of view, level of expertise, amount of desire, and most important, goal in mind.
Technically speaking from a very broad base of operations, the 2010 engine will go in that 2003. Physically. Should bolt pretty much right on in, not a problem. But that's not enough. You need to also have it run, I assume, and that's where the 'can't' part gets in here. Oh, you can, but it's... complicated. The computer would have to go with that engine, and whatever else that computer's expecting to go with it... harness, sensors, body control module, possibly the instrument cluster... all kinds of considerations are to be made regarding moving the computer. It's not a plug and play by any means whatsoever.
The other alternative is an aftermarket computer that's set up to run in any car, which is fine. Ford makes 'em, as does Holley and Haltech and others to look into. Those would not need computer, harness, etc from the donor, but they will need wiring harness creation nonetheless. Those won't necessarily work with the throttle by wire system the 2010 uses, so you may also wind up having to swap out to make the cable driven pedal work on a cable driven throttle instead.
In all cases, tuning is likely unavoidable as there will be changes the stock tune won't be able to compensate for, so bear in mind that if you can't properly tune a car, but can tune a fish, then you'll need to get a tuner involved, and probably a dyno to be sure.
And then on top of it the 2003 key and body won't necessarily talk with the 2010, so you'd have to figure that out too in how to start the thing.
Other mechanicals to consider is the suspension (if V6 body, V8 engine will require brakes and/or springs and/or ?), axle, and the driveshaft. One might also consider using the transmission from the donor as well, but the shifter might be an issue. Then there might also be a trans mount situation. The engine mounts are the same, but the transmission swap will likely mean a transmission mount fabrication.
One final consideration is the legality of things. In Texas, for example, any car pre-1998 can be whatever it wants as long as it passes safety (lights, brakes, etc.), emissions not required, if the area does emissions testing in the first place... it's gotten a little silly 'round here. Where I am, they do, so that applies. So in my case, anything newer, like your '03, is required to have emissions. So if the state you're in says so, you gotta have emissions if you're gonna have it on the road. Oh, there's states what don't give a darn, sure, and in those, hey, ignore this. However, titling/registering a car that doesn't have it's original bits may also be cause for illegality. In this case, newer engine may not let the car be titled/registered.
If the car's for off road use (drag or road racing only) then hey, do what you want. But if you're looking for a driver, you might want to consider the easier route of just sticking a 2003 compatible long block in the 2003 and be done with it. If it needs that at all, which you did not specify.
And there's certainly more, I'm sure. That's enough from me, you will probably get a few other posts regarding, and lots of things to consider before you do this. But make NO mistake, this is a fairly large and slightly to definitely painful procedure, even if physically it 'works'. Heck, it might be the better part of valor to see if the 2010 can be reworked and retitled under salvage and just drive that thing instead.
Might be worth it to do that than do the other.Hope some of that's helpful. You can do it, I believe! Just... don't be thinkin' it's a weekend swap, it's a *process*, and they're all different.. yet not.. yet absolutely so. Good luck either way!
Last edited by houtex; Mar 18, 2022 at 01:41 PM.
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