I found a cheap, rolled 96 f150 with the 5.8 and E40D. It has under 100,000 on the truck, so im probably going to swap the motor into my truck. Heres the question:

Anyone ever seen a 95-96 5.8 with a stick behind it? I have the 5 speed out of my truck i could throw in it, but id need a computer. Ive never seen one, but it doesnt mean they arent out there...

anyway, if i just slap the 5 speed behind it with the oem computer it would throw codes, correct?

Or, should i just rail the E40D until it throws chunks and rebuild it? Id rather have a stick in the end, (ZF) but im going to have to build it on a limited income. (Thus the reason for not wanting the E40D, expensive to rebuild...)


Anyone have some ideas on options? Either way ill end up with a good setup, i just want to make sure later rebuilds are cheap...

it will throw tranny codes, but will run fine. I did it.

since mine is california emissions, ill have to eventually resolve the engine light... but its good to know i can do it. thanks for the response.

Anybody have an idea on the 5spd behind the 5.8 from ford?

I'm pretty sure, 95%, that they offered the ZF behind the 351W in the F-250 & F350's. If I were you I would run the ZF with the 5.8/5speed computer.

I'm pretty sure, 95%, that they offered the ZF behind the 351W in the F-250 & F350's. If I were you I would run the ZF with the 5.8/5speed computer.

good deal. it just struck me that because im running a 9" (now) and later a 14 bolt, i wouldnt have a speed sensor either way...

You can make a tone ring work on a 9".......not sure on the 14bolt. What are you running for a t-case? Some of the speed sensors were in the t-case. To make things easy run the 10.25 with a speed sensor.

EDIT: Just read that you are NOT worried about the speed sensor anyway.

You can make a tone ring work on a 9".......not sure on the 14bolt. What are you running for a t-case? Some of the speed sensors were in the t-case. To make things easy run the 10.25 with a speed sensor.

EDIT: Just read that you are NOT worried about the speed sensor anyway.

no, i am worried aobut the speed sensor if i end up going A/T.


I have a 1356 t-case. are the speed sensors in the t-case the same signal to the ecu as the rear axle ones?

I could run a 10.25, i have one out of a late 90s f-350. But, im not sure if it has a tone ring or not...

I looked around, and so far i have not found a 5.8 california/mass air/computer for a m/t. Can i have the factory computer tuned for a m/t?

On my 95 powerstroke that I swapped in a zf 5-speed into I just took the wires that went to the auto transmission shift selector, found out which ones had continuity when the transmission was in neutral, traced the wires back to the ecm, and then put a couple jumpers in the right spots.

Tricks the computer into thinking the transmission is in neutral and throws no codes.

:grinpimp:

I spoke with a local automatic transmission guy and he informed me that the the sensor in the t-case is the same signal but merely a shorter plug when it is used on the t-case..........Im not 100% since I have not actually tried to switch from the rearend to the t-case style sensor.

Locating or changing you computer seems possible but will take some effort. The 351 5speed was not a popular combo. I would try some local wrecking yards on local auto parts stores. Good luck.

Thanks for the replys guys. The other option i have would be to have to computer reprogrammed/flashed. Anyone have any companys i should call off hand?

off the top of my head, this crap pops in as a problem:

tranny not shifting without a VSS or engine light if i go with a stick.

Airbag light? My 89 doesnt have airbags, and i do not want them. :barf: all that in the ecu?

ABS. I no longer have ABS either.



All i freakin want is the ecu to control the engine. I can do the rest. :smokin: Couldnt i have the computer fawked with to shut half the crap off? :confused:

Well I know I am no help to you. But I would like to know what for zf model you are gonna use. I have a 1988 F150 with a 351 and 4 wheel drive. Reg cab,dual tanks and all that fun stuff. I was looking to swap the c6 out for a 5 spd tranny. Wondered if i needed to have custom drive shafts if the new tranny was gonna be longer shorter. and also about the ecu. Sorry for not helping but i would like to know a little bit more about converting the stuff.

Well I know I am no help to you. But I would like to know what for zf model you are gonna use. I have a 1988 F150 with a 351 and 4 wheel drive. Reg cab,dual tanks and all that fun stuff. I was looking to swap the c6 out for a 5 spd tranny. Wondered if i needed to have custom drive shafts if the new tranny was gonna be longer shorter. and also about the ecu. Sorry for not helping but i would like to know a little bit more about converting the stuff.

as of now, i would be using my factory 5 speed tranny from my truck. i do not have the cash for a zf yet, but there are only a couple diffrent modles. early, and late. small block, big block, psd. we would need the sbf, and yes, new shafts.

You get run a m/t mustang 5.0 ho ecm that had maf. Same firing order as the 351w and if from the right year the stang wouldn't have the airbag light either.

OK, let me say this one more time for the slow crowd. THE E40D computer will work fine. ground the neutral safety switch wire like was mentioned above, and you will be fine. I would think the bigger issue you will have is making sure that the stock wiring harness in your truck (if you plan to keep it) has all the correct plugs/harnesses.

oh, and I live in Ca too, so I know it works.

I have a E4OD computer in mine, running a 351/435 combo.. I don't recall if it was a 302 or 351 computer.. either way, it runs fine..

so basically, the computer is just tricked into thinking its in p-or-n? not a bad deal.

Well, after having engine problems with my truck again, i may just change it up a little.

I may just throw my cab/front clip on the 96 frame. That way ill run all the factory 96 crap. The only problem id have then would be the VSS in the rear axle, which i have a 90s sterling i could throw in it. Granted, i would be starting over, but i think its for the best.

Plus, id be avoiding the california "engine swap" b/s. Ive done a cab swap on my current truck, it was quick, and only took CHP about 20 minutes to print a vin. A motor swap would consist of a crapload more...


So, alldata says the VSS is in the rear axle for the 96. If i use my early 90s 10.25, will the tone ring send out the correct signal? or should i be looking for a later 90s?



After its all done, i should end up with:
96 F150, 5.8L Mass air, california legal, E40D (or a stick), 1356, 10.25 and a HP 60 front. Plus, my frame is cracked, its already been hacked for the TTB lift, and i would be starting over with a new truck. It was a "baby", owned by a older fellow. Under 100,000 on it too...:grinpimp:

well no,
the engine light will be on for 96 with the e40d. and in 95 and 96 it is possible to have the new version or the aod, the 4w70 ( i think ) the 96 and up use a rear output speed sensor to diagnose tranny slipage. so the sensor in the t case is used for tranny diagnostics - aka converter slipage, clutch slippage. the rear speed sensor is used for the abs and the speedo and shift pattern / timing.

it is true the early trannys and computers did not need anything but a jumper to be tricked into N - as it is not measuring line pressure, or shift timing in N -

my buddy didnt have any issues when he swapped his 95 E4 to a zf with mass air. I konw his color codes were different on wires, but its essentially the same. Cant comment to the check engine light for him tho