Bilster

iTrader: (21)

I've been driving around my 1998 Ford F150/5.3/T56 swap daily for about 4 months now and my ECM is still sitting on the passenger floor. I have to address a permanent location but I need some guidance. How robust is the factory ECM? Can it live a long life in the engine compartment where it's subject to more heat/cool cycles than it would in the interior of the car. There just isn't a good spot in the interior of the vehicle that the harness length will allow. My idea is to move my battery to the bed and use that vacated spot for the ECM. I built a nice insulated metal box to put the ECM but it will be totally sealed from any outside air. Does the ECM rely on any external cooling to live?

Sorry if this has been addressed before. Searched but couldn't find much.

bczee

iTrader: (12)

The ECM was designed to live in the engine bay.. so it will take any heat and cold cycles without any issues that you can throw at it.

No need for any cooling fans. but like any Computer or Chip.. the cooler the better.

I mounted my ECM on my Chevelle on top of the Trans Tunnel and made a small console to cover it with some Gauges and warning lights.

BC

Bilster

iTrader: (21)

Thanks, bc

gofastwclass

iTrader: (2)

The PCM for Gen III / IV engines lives under the hood in every vehicle I'm aware of and they have 200K+ mile reliability. I've only heard of a handful of GM PCM's that went bad that didn't get physically damaged in a crash or fried due to incorrect programming.

Mine in my daily driven Thunderbird is mounted outside behind the bumper and hasn't missed a beat the entire time the car has been built (4+years). You don't need any special covers or boxes, just mount and go. The bracket for some year S-10's works well and doesn't have any protection from the factory.

Bilster

iTrader: (21)

Great points, gofast.

spacemanspif

iTrader: (5)

Pretty sure the GTOs have the computer mounted right next to the exhaust manifold so even heat wasn't much of a concern for GM...

aknovaman

iTrader: (7)

Forget all that.

Where are the pics of this swap truck?

Used ford trucks are cheap and I am interested in any interference issues with the chassis and suspension.

gofastwclass

iTrader: (2)

Hahahaha, good point!

Bilster

iTrader: (21)

Ok....I'll take some pics and post. I'm not totally finished. gofastwclass has posted some good stuff to help me get over my last hurdle which is the gauges.

aknovaman

iTrader: (7)

Thx.

Those trucks are getting cheap but used engines are way overpriced and underpowered.

71ANTICARB

iTrader: (23)

I mounted mine on top of my glove box.

Bilster

iTrader: (21)

The '97s and '98s had the 4.2 with bad intake manifold gaskets that allowed water to trickle in the intake while the truck sat creating an instant hydrolock condition. If you do a nationwide Craigslist search, they are all over the place with dead motors. The swap is truly not that difficult. It was my first LS swap....and I had no kit...or garage to work in.