1964 Ranchero EFI Swap
Back Home Up

 

Overview

This page is where I'm collecting details about how to swap a Ford EFI setup from a late-model Mustang onto my Ranchero. Based on some research via Google and lots of web sites, in particular the fine folks over at http://www.fordfuelinjection.com/, I've settled on a Mustang-style mass airflow system as used in the 1989-1993 Mustang V8's. May the parts scrounging commence!

NOTE: I have also created separate tech pages page for EFI Swap Basics and for Ford EFI Swap details. Much of the information originally contained on this page has been moved onto those two pages. I did this because I am now working on a GM EFI Swap, and rather than duplicate all of the "common to pretty much all EFI swaps" information from this page to the new one and worry about keeping the different pages "in sync", I decided to move it all into a common location and have some tech pages about this subject.

 

Fuel System

I'm opting to use a two-pump system with a surge tank. The notes about the system design are on my EFI Swap Basics page.

The low pressure fuel pump will be mounted in the rear of the vehicle and I will try to use the original fuel line as the feed from the low pressure fuel pump to the surge tank. A return line will be crafted and run down the frame along with the original fuel line. The surge tank will be a custom-built unit (likely from an old fire extinguisher) that will be mounted in the engine compartment. The high pressure fuel pump will also be mounted in the engine compartment to keep the run of high pressure rubber fuel hose as short as possible.

 

Parts List

This is the list of what I need to buy and what I have already bought - it started as my "shopping list" and is slowly turning into my "parts waiting to be installed" and "what I paid for everything" lists.

Careful readers will note that I picked up two intakes - the first one I bought came sans fuel injectors, fuel rails, fuel pressure regulator, and the air charge temp sender, so I was still on the lookout for those parts. The very next day, I found them in another "all in one auction" for less than I paid for the first one. The moral to this little story? Shop around and pay attention before you buy. This stuff is constantly up for auction on eBay and readily available in wrecking yards, so there is zero pressure to "buy today". Which reminds me - anyone want to buy a Mustang EFI upper and lower intake manifold set? :-)

All are Mustang 1989-1993 unless listed otherwise.

Part Status Sugg. Cost Actual Cost Source Details/Notes
Air Filter Needed $?   eBay or new Mount a K&N style filter onto the front of the MAF sensor, or create a custom cold air intake system if desired. Factory air box will not work in retrofit applications.
Low Pressure Fuel Pump Needed $60-$90   New Carter P4070, P4600HP, or similar.
High Pressure Fuel Pump Needed $120   New Carter P74028 or similar.
Fuel Pump Inertia Switch Have $? $10 Local Craigslist seller Turns off fuel pump in case of crash. A "must have" safety feature! I got mine with the wiring connector and a short wiring stub.
Air Intake Tubes Have $? $43.55 (w/ shipping) eBay These are the flexible rubber tubes that go from the from air box to the MAF sensor and from the MAF sensor to the throttle body. Get clamps with hose. Can be replaced with an aftermarket cold air intake kit if desired.
MAF Mounting Bracket Have $? I got tired of hunting for this and just outbid everyone to win this auction. I really could have gotten these for much less if I had more patience.
MAF - Mass Air Flow Sensor Have $? $10.50 (w/ shipping) eBay Get mounting bracket along with the sensor.
Fuel Filter Have $? $6 New  
Lower intake Have $75-$150 $68.01 (w/ shipping) eBay Needs ACT mounting boss already drilled and tapped. Suggested cost is for a package with upper + lower intakes, injectors, fuel rail, and throttle body.
Upper intake Have   1986-1993 Car and 1996-2001 Explorer suggested for clearance issues
Fuel Injectors Have   Orange 19 lb/hr suggested. (Tan = 14 lb/hr, Blue = 24 lb hr)
Fuel Rail Have   Drivers side regulator preferred. Regulator side must match throttle body side. Use return style from before 5/3/1999.
Fuel Pressure Regulator Have    
Springlock Fuel Line Fittings Have $? Get Nylon fuel lines and cut the ends off. Remove the remnants of the nylon lines and you have a Ford springlock fitting that will accept a standard rubber fuel hose.
Coolant Hard Lines Have   Mounts to intake, provides throttle body warm-up lines and sanitary coolant hose routing.
ECT - Engine Coolant Temp Sensor Have   Electrical connector damaged in shipment.
ACT - Air Charge Temp Sensor Have    
Throttle body Have $20-$50 1985-1993 Mustang will work
TPS - Throttle Position Sensor Have    
IAB - Idle Air Bypass Have    
EGR Valve Have    
EGR Vacuum Regulator Have    
EGR Position Sensor Have    
Lower intake Have $75-$150 $75.96 (w/ shipping) eBay Needs ACT mounting boss already drilled and tapped. Suggested cost is for a package with upper + lower intakes, injectors, fuel rail, and throttle body.
Upper intake Have   1986-1993 Car and 1996-2001 Explorer suggested for clearance issues
Throttle body Have $20-$50 1985-1993 Mustang will work
TPS - Throttle Position Sensor Have    
IAB - Idle Air Bypass Have   Electrical connector damaged in shipment.
ECT - Engine Coolant Temp Sensor Have    
EGR Valve Have    
EGR Vacuum Regulator Have    
EGR Position Sensor Have    
Computer and Mounting Bracket Have $75-$125 $130 Local junkyard Codes A9L, A3M, A3M1, D3D1, S0Z, A9S, A9M, A9P, C3W, and C3W1. X3Z is not preferred, but acceptable if cheap.

I got an A9P computer which is for a 1989-1993 Mustang with an automatic transmission.
"Body" Wiring Harness Have $? Build from scratch or buy used to start with.
O2 Sensor Wiring Harness Have $? Build from scratch or buy used to start with.
Ignition coil Have $10-$25 Aftermarket replacements available, but not required.
BP - Barometric Pressure Sensor Have $? Similar to MP Sensor used on earlier SD systems, but left open to the atmosphere.
Throttle Cable Have $? EFI uses a different length and hookup style than a carb
Throttle Pedal Have $? My original linkage and pedal use a solid rod, so it all might need replacement. Grab as much as you can at once in case you need it later.
Assorted Vacuum Solenoids and Hoses     Grab everything you can while you're there. You likely won't use all of it, but leaving the thermactor air system solenoids hooked up but not connected to any vacuum lines is a cheap way to fool the computer into thinking the emissions goo is there and working. The vacuum lines are nice plastic pieces with rubber ends meant to last for years, so get them while you're there.
Engine Wiring Harness Have $? $29.99 (w/shipping) eBay Build from scratch or buy used to start with.
Intake Cover Plate Have $? $7.50 (w/shipping) eBay Name plate that goes on upper intake manifold. Purely cosmetic.
HEGO - Heated Exhaust Gas Oxygen Sensor Have $35-$50 each $71.78 New Buy new units. Two needed - one per side.
Distributor Have $20-$100 $39.25 (w/shipping) eBay Need to figure out how to interface with an MSD box. Must have TFI module on distributor.
TFI Ignition Module Have   Needed with MSD ignition setup?
VSS - Vehicle Speed Sensor Have $? $43.52 Local junkyard Must provide speed signal. Retrofit applications must also drive a mechanical speedometer cable.
Speedometer Cable Have $?  
VSS and Transmission Wiring Harness Have $? Build from scratch or buy used to start with.
Cruise Control System Have $? Cable, actuator, brain, vacuum hoses, vacuum manifold on firewall, wiring, and control unit from inside car
Vacuum Canister Have $?  
Assorted Vacuum Devices and Smog Control Pieces Have $?  
Computer Have $75-$125 $100 CraigsList I picked up a separate A3M unit which is for a 1989-1993 Mustang with an manual transmission because 1) it was a really good deal, and 2) My plans have changed to running a late-model manual transmission.
Fuel Rails Have n/a I got a spare set because it was a good deal, and it came with a couple of spare orange 19 lb/hr injectors. That's useful in case a couple of the other ones I got turn out to bad. Also, I can sell the unused pair of fuel rails with one of the other intakes and recoup the cost.
K&N Air Filter Have n/a Used, it came as part of the same deal. Has 3" inlet, may need some kind of adaptor pipe to connect to the MAF.
KS - Knock Sensor Not Needed n/a n/a eBay, store, or junkyard Can't find this mentioned on any of the diagrams or parts lists. It appears to not be used on Mustang EFI systems, even though http://fordfuelinjection.com/?p=10 and http://fordfuelinjection.com/index.php?p=34 show that some Ford EFI systems use them
Thermactor Air System Not Needed n/a n/a eBay or junkyard Smog-only. Not needed.
Total $625.56   NOTE: Includes shipping costs and $75.96 spent on second intake set. Later on this will include deductions for selling off any extra/spare parts.

 

Comments? Kudos? Got some parts you'd like to buy/sell/barter/swap? Nasty comments about my web page so far? You can email Mike or Debbie.

Pretty much everything on this website is copyrighted, if you want to use something, ask first.

Page last updated 01/02/2009 01:51:39 PM