Tech Tips: RWD Orienting Your FWD Engine!

This blog applies to 1st-gen 2.3s & 1-2 gen 2.0s!

(see FAQ here for generations: List of Ecoboost-equipped vehicles.)

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Typically, when it comes to purchasing an Ecoboost engine, junkyards consider a Focus ST engine to be more valuable than an Escape engine. That's just because they don't know they're the same... BUT you do, and that's why you're here!

Since we won't know everyone's setup, this will be a bare "how-to". Once you have achieved everything we list, you will be able to use the images below to plumb any other systems you may need.

Let's dive into the details...

Above is an FWD-oriented engine. (Focus ST) Image:1      Above is an RWD-oriented engine. (Mustang) Image:2

We will continue to use these images to help you better understand what is needed to convert image 1's coolant hose routing into image 2's hose routing for your Ecoboost swap. Luckily, the bolt patterns are the same, so this is a direct swap. Converting the FWD engine with the Mustang components is as simple as changing 2 major components. 

Part number: FR3Z-8K556-B (Water outlet) Part:1                   Part number: RH-254 (Engine coolant pipe) Part:2

This essentially allows you to run a proper upper radiator hose. If you left the water outlet in the FWD orientation, you would need to run the hose from the back of the engine around the head, 90 degrees under the intake manifold, and up to the radiator (there's almost no room for this).

                          

To summarize everything said above. To convert your FWD engine to RWD orientation, you would need to remove the water outlet labeled (1) in the image above from your FWD engine, and after ordering the mentioned RWD parts above, then install them as shown in (2)&(3).

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Now it's time to select an intake manifold!

When it comes to the mentioned generation Ecoboost engines, there are only x2 intake manifolds across all models. What we call the FWD manifold and the RWD manifold. 

                                

Above is an RWD-oriented intake manifold. (note orientation of the throttle body)        Above is an FWD-oriented intake manifold. (throttle body faces down)

                                 Part number:( FR3Z-9424-D)                                                                       Part number:(CJ5Z-9424-E)

Pending your chassis, you may not have a choice of which manifold to run. The RWD intake has a much larger distance from the bolting surface towards the strut tower, making it difficult to clear some brake boosters. This is why in the second engine, the vehicle (E36) has a FWD intake. Luckily, both manifolds and throttle bodies share the same bolt patterns, so you can interchange them however you like. The RWD intake's throttle body comes in with a 2.75 in OD, and the FWD's throttle body comes in at 2.5, so if you're looking to maximize your power output, you could easily run the RWD throttle body.

Throttle body types 

It is important to note this fact when searching for the right throttle body.

Seemingly from 2018+, Ford switched to a digital throttle body. What this means is that unless you have the correct ECU type to match the year range of the throttle body, your throttle actuation will be nonexistent. To simplify, if you have a 2015 ECU type and are trying to use the pictured throttle body type, you will not have throttle actuation.  You'll need the analog style, usually 2017 and older.

The part number we have found to be associated with the digital throttle body type is JT4E-9F991-AA  

These throttle bodies are commonly stamped "digital" as shown above.