Duratec / Mazda L-Series MZR I4 2.0 / 2.3 / 2.5 Swap

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Increasingly I'm hearing more chatter about Duratec I4 2.5 swaps. Esslinger seems to be fully bought into the idea and is supplying more parts to make the swaps feasible, both N/A and turbocharged. Millions of Fords and Mazdas have been equipped with this engine and they are showing up in junkyards in huge numbers. As a result, they are going for short money - Chip Givens has been picking up low-mileage examples for around $300. The most common donor seems to be the 2013-2016 Ford Fusion, but other years/applications use pretty much the same motor. Coincidentally, the N/A 2.5 makes 175HP; exactly the same as the Lima 2.3T with 15 lbs of boost! Here's a quick summary page on the motor:
https://fordauthority.com/fmc/ford-moto ... ec-engine/

While lots of the chatter is about turbo-charging one of these engines, I'd be fine, at least initially, with running one in "native" N/A mode. As such I think it would be a great candidate to go in a Scorpio. You'd drop about 150 lbs off the nose, increase fuel mileage by 50%, and increase HP by about 20% despite going from a V6 to an I4. In my case a nice bonus would be that I could retain the T-9 that is already in the car since this reasonably priced bell-housing exists from Retroford in the UK:
https://www.retroford.co.uk/product/dur ... sing-d010/
AND, they also have a spacer/adapter for use with "V6 spec" T-9 I have in the Scorpio. The T-9 behind the Cologne 2.9 has an input shaft 8.1" long vs. the more common 4-cyl spec gearbox which is 6.9". The Retroford 20mm spacer is thick enough, as there's ample free-play between the crank and snout of the input shaft.
https://www.rwdmotorsport.com/product/a ... d-gearbox/

Perhaps better yet, Titan Motorsport makes a bell specifically for the Duratec to longer (V6 spec) T-9 bell. It's sold direct but it's actually priced less through distributors such as Burton Power or Spedeworth Fabrications. It's a hydraulic bell using common AP hardware.
https://www.burtonpower.com/bellhousing ... -bh5a.html
https://www.spedeworthfabrications.com/ ... 6443-p.asp


Crazy, it seems there's even a third option for a T-9 hydraulic bell from Raceline in the UK.
https://www.raceline.co.uk/products/par ... iantID=430

XR4Ti owners would likely be more interested in "better" transmission options. The most common option would be the "native" 5 and 6-speed transmissions that were used behind the Duratec I4 in the Miata/MX-5.

The biggest thing needed for this to pick up some steam is someone selling off-the-shelf mounting brackets to install the engine. XR4 and Scorpio would work the same.

Discuss....

[DPDISXR4Ti]

This thread - especially the first post - has some good info on the 2.5. It's more oriented toward FWD applications, but still very relevant to RWD...

https://massivespeedforums.com/so-you-w ... 30144.html

[andyofcolumbusmerkur]

Sounds like you have your junk yard shopping list ready for spring 2023.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Sounds like you have your junk yard shopping list ready for spring 2023.

And just like that, the 4L OHV engine in the garage is for sale!

Here's a Facebook group dedicated to RWD Duratec swaps. Currently 6300 members, so it's pretty active....
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1108458 ... &ref=notif

[my8950]

This is interesting!
I have been considering a 2.0Ecoboost swap for quite some time now.
My issue is the RWD config and bellhousing.
My opinon of the huge mass/spacer that Esslinger uses, and other reviews I've seen of their adapter is not a good one.
I'd be interested in others, that would allow the T5 trans as I already have that.
Thanks for the info!

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I have been considering a 2.0Ecoboost swap for quite some time now.
My issue is the RWD config and bellhousing.
My opinon of the huge mass/spacer that Esslinger uses, and other reviews I've seen of their adapter is not a good one.

You're speaking of this adapter, yes? https://esslingeracing.com/accessories- ... -adapter-1

There was a company called Quad4rods that made a T-5 bell for the Duratec. They seem to no longer exist.

If you're starting from a clean sheet of paper, the best bet is to use a 5 or 6 speed from a Miata/MX-5 which used the Duratec natively.

Here's another option for putting a T-9 behind the Duratec. https://www.rwdmotorsport.com/product-c ... lhousings/
They actually offer one for a hydraulic clutch and another one if you want to continue using a cable clutch. Oh, and they "fix" the thing I hate the most about the stock T-9 bell - they allow you to mount the gearbox to the bell from the outside rather than inside.

[my8950]

In pictures it looks good and mounts right on, however from what I have seen with others using it, there is also a lot of block modification, trial and error to fit. Search for House of Dula, and watch the short videos of their 79 Mustang 2.3 build. They’re using the new 2.3T with this adapter.
You also need to purchase this part along with that adapter. https://esslingeracing.com/accessories- ... nk-adapter
And then the starter at $550, or figure out something to make it work yourself.
What I am not 100% sure about is how it lists as a Duratec/EcoBoost to SBF adapter. I am not sure if the Lima 2.3T has the exact same pattern as the SBF, I believe so, but not sure just yet.

I did see Quad4Rods, but they also disappeared before all of this really got started, which is a huge bummer if they had something that would actually work well.
My personal opinion about the Miata trans behind this engine is, it won’t last very long. The Miata is about 5oo lbs less that an XR. Plus the power of a turbo 2.5Duratec, I think it would be short lived. By me, they aren’t all that easy to locate either. I don’t think I would waste the time trying to use the T9 behind it either, since that is on the list of dream changes for many XR owners. First thing that a lot of people learn is to swap the T9 for a T5. While I have had pretty good luck with the T9, I would not go this route if I were going through the trouble of doing the Duratec swap. Although as you stated, it would be nice to be able to remove the trans from the bell while it is still mounted in the car.

[andyofcolumbusmerkur]

I think for brad it makes sense to keep the t9. As long as it's the NA duratec in a scorpio with an open rear diff. Burton says the NA 2.5 needs upgraded internals past 200hp. I have seen the manual trans Fusion/Milan cars at pull a part but those are fwd. I don't ever remember seeing a manual trans Escape 4x4 but they must exist. I just don't look at those very much. Tons and tons of dohc 4 banger rangers however, plenty with a manual. I have never seen the newer MZR L8-DE or MZR LF-VE (3rd generation) Miatas at any pull apart. They are heavier than old Miatas and actually pretty close in weight to my stripped down XR4ti. Then there's the MZR powered mazdaspeed 3 or 6. One time I saw a mazdaspeed3 at pull a part. Someone already stripped it down pretty good and it was pretty thrashed. Engine was likely blown. I would like to see a budget build. Not a 5 grand best of the best dream setup. The throttle by wire and the engine management cost and complexity make me feel a little sick to my stomach. And the thought of an Escape power train in an XR4ti makes me want to barf but whatever floats your boats I say go for it.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

What I am not 100% sure about is how it lists as a Duratec/EcoBoost to SBF adapter. I am not sure if the Lima 2.3T has the exact same pattern as the SBF, I believe so, but not sure just yet.

Most definitely NOT the same bell pattern. The SBF pattern is much larger than the 4-cyl Lima. So I'm mostly with you in thinking that the Esslinger SBF bell adapter is not a great solution, especially because of all the costly parts required to go along with that solution.

So indeed what would make more sense is a Duratec I4 bell to T-5. I've been in touch with Retrofords and they are considering making one.

[my8950]

What I am not 100% sure about is how it lists as a Duratec/EcoBoost to SBF adapter. I am not sure if the Lima 2.3T has the exact same pattern as the SBF, I believe so, but not sure just yet.

Most definitely NOT the same bell pattern. The SBF pattern is much larger than the 4-cyl Lima. So I'm mostly with you in thinking that the Esslinger SBF bell adapter is not a great solution, especially because of all the costly parts required to go along with that solution.

So indeed what would make more sense is a Duratec I4 bell to T-5. I've been in touch with Retrofords and they are considering making one.

So that basically rules the Esslinger out, at least for me, beside all the other things to purchase as you mentioned.
Duratech to 4 cylinder T5/T9 bellhousing would be best case. I mean, iff they make all of those others? what's one more which would be current in comparison to the ZTEC?

[andyofcolumbusmerkur]

Is the ranger manual transmission not a good option for some reason? Seems like it would be narrow and geared somewhat short since it came in the little truck. It is still the same truck as the older Lima powered ranger with just a new grill and front end correct? You could probably find a wrecked truck with acceptable mileage for a decent price. You wouldn't need any special bellhousing adapter or special hydraulic clutch setup. A driveshaft shop could make one shaft out of the two donors to the length you'd need. What about those Volvos? I'm not sure if there was a manual awd version or if there's any reason to look at those for donor parts.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Is the ranger manual transmission not a good option for some reason?

The biggest issue with the Ranger M5R1 MT is the location of the shifter. The Ranger wants the shifter about 4" more forward than where we want it. (i.e. the Ranger gearbox would locate your shifter under the dash)

[DPDISXR4Ti]

The biggest thing needed for this to pick up some steam is someone selling off-the-shelf mounting brackets to install the engine. XR4 and Scorpio

Here's another vendor (danSTengineering.co.uk) with some various parts for the Duratec 2.0/2.3/2.5. For those making their own motor mounts, they sell engine mount plates to get you started...
https://danstengineering.co.uk/Ford-18- ... Plate-Pair

Or perhaps these complete motor mount assemblies for kit cars might be a possibility...
https://danstengineering.co.uk/index.ph ... ct_id=1392

Lastly, here's an older thread where someone had purchased an Ecoboost 2.0 with plans to put it in a XR. In the thread he mentions how it might be possible to use the stock motor mounts/brackets...
http://forum.merkurclub.net/forum/viewt ... 23#p265023
Unfortunately, the original poster didn't supply many details and hasn't been on the forum since May 2015, but it does seem that perhaps the project was completed and sold.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I'd be interested in others, that would allow the T5 trans as I already have that.

A guy on the RWD duratec FB page indicates that he has an adapter plate to fit a T5 using a Retroford T9 bell. It's a 8mm thick adapter sandwich plate which you bolt on the t9 bellhousing and then to the T5 gearbox. Only problem, it's not really a "production" piece - more of a one-off.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I added this to the thread for the guy who swapped an Ecoboost 2.0 into a XR, but figured it was worth adding to this thread as well.

Here's a video where he has a parts list showing what parts were used:
https://youtu.be/3jeAkWazdCw

One of the notable things used from the 2.3 Ecoboost Mustang is the motor mount brackets, p/n FR3Z6028A and FR3Z6031A, along with 2002-08 Ford Falcon 4.0 engine mounts. No mention of modifications required, if any.

From the 2001-11 Duratec 2.3 Ranger, the following is used:
Oil pan
Dipstick
Dipstick tube
Oil pickup

Lastly, the brutally expensive ($1300) Quicktime RM8090 bell was used to mate up the T-5.