4.6 3 valve with 5R55S transmission- ECU reprogramming

I am currently installing an 2006 mustang driveline into my 53 f100. I have been waiting for Ford to release an ECU and harness for this conversion but as yet they only have it for the manual trans. I see you have the same driveline in your 68 mustang project car, how will you be controlling the engine and trans? reprograming the original ECU? I've waited for over a year and now that the new 5.0 is out I don't think Ford racing will bother with the 4.6 3 valve. It would be greatly apreciated if someone could help me with my problem. Thank you!
here are some pictures.



















 

Doorman, the Ford Racing kit is indeed for manual trans applications. I also find it kind of funny the harness will control an A/C compressor, yet the FRPP modular crate engines do not have one installed.

Anyway, we're using the Powertrain Control Solutions (PCS) module and harness for the 5R55S, which we got through Performance Automatic. They have the kit on their site now and you can simply buy the electronics on their own, you don't have to own one of their transmissions. They do have some nice 5R55S parts like an oil pan with a REAL dipstick, SFI flexplate, and more.


BTW, the FRPP Control Pack wiring kit is designed to be used with an '07 and up engine. I too have a '06 engine and you'll have to change the engine harness (injector harness to some) to match the connections on the FRPP kit if you are using it.

HTH...
Mark  
Mark Houlahan
Technical Editor for:
-Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine
-Mustang Monthly Magazine

1965 FFR Roadster 427W/TKO-600 5-speed
1966 Mustang 289-4V/C4 Auto
1968 Mustang 4.6L Three-Valve/5R55S Auto
1990 Mustang 306/AOD
2002 Explorer Sport Trac 4.0L V-6/5R55 Auto

Mark, Thanks for the quick response. That's going to make the job easier. I started reading your mag when I started my project just over a year ago. I wanted some upgrade ideas for my driveline and its worked out great. I've also enjoyed all the projects. Keep up the great job. Charlie  

Hi Mark, i've been hearing rumors of the alternator needing modification for it to charge the battery. Have you heard this too?  

I've not heard of any issues with charging, provided the engine harness is correct like I stated above. I do know that certain years the PCM controlled the alternator and some years it didn't (not sure 100 percent, but I want to say '08 and up?)...

Anyway, I didn't have an alternator with our engine becuase it came to us sans intake and upper hardware (it had a blower on it) so I got a new alternator from PA Performance (www.paperformance.com). They have all new alternators (and starters) with lifetime guarantees and you can even get them in powder coated colors. I suggest calling them, ask for Rick, and tell him what you've got. He'll know if that alternator will work with the control pack or if you need a different alternator. I'm using their alt and starter (no starter with our engine either) and when we start wiring I'm going to use their killer battery cables and clamps too...

HTH...
Mark  
Mark Houlahan
Technical Editor for:
-Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine
-Mustang Monthly Magazine

1965 FFR Roadster 427W/TKO-600 5-speed
1966 Mustang 289-4V/C4 Auto
1968 Mustang 4.6L Three-Valve/5R55S Auto
1990 Mustang 306/AOD
2002 Explorer Sport Trac 4.0L V-6/5R55 Auto

How's the generation gap project going? I ask because i'm waiting to see how you control your transmission. P A transmissions hasn't come out with the controller yet. Have you heard of any news yet? thanks for your time.  

Are they telling you it isn't ready yet, or that they won't sell you one? I have one, and admittedly it is an early production unit used for our project build, but I just spoke with them at the Columbus Goodguys show and it sounded like they were the only ones selling the 5R55 stuff. They say the new six-speed is a less complicated transmission and are looking at controller/wiring options for that trans too.

Generation Gap is a bit stalled at the moment. About eight months ago I got split between this magazine and Mustang Monthly magazine. So I now have two production schedules with a lot of pages to write and little time to work on the car. I've gotten the hydroboost unit in and the steering done, but need to get on the wiring and interior to make that last big hurdle. Then it's stuff like glass, fabbing exhaust, etc.

Any progress pics of your build?

Mark  
Mark Houlahan
Technical Editor for:
-Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine
-Mustang Monthly Magazine

1965 FFR Roadster 427W/TKO-600 5-speed
1966 Mustang 289-4V/C4 Auto
1968 Mustang 4.6L Three-Valve/5R55S Auto
1990 Mustang 306/AOD
2002 Explorer Sport Trac 4.0L V-6/5R55 Auto

doorman.. this is beyond my knowledge base.. without a bunch of research...   i do repair much earlier fuel injected cars..  never got into tuning of the EEC4 or reprogramming..

but.. will the stock 2006 mustang computer work until you can get a custom programmed unit..

do is it going to look for the rest of the car to communicate with ..  mostly with the CAN system.

i know you have been waiting for a LONG time to get the truck running..

this is just a question.. i don't really need much of an answer if any..  

I have not contacted them but have been checking their website often.
They do not list any controller for the 5r55. I have not ordered my drive shaft yet
because I'm afraid I might have to change the trans out if they do not come out with an updated controller. I am going to call them directly and find out for sure. I had my cab and doors acid dipped and just finishing the metal work on the cab. I finished the chassis mock up and will be fitting the cab and fenders for final fit before paint. I'll post some updated photos soon. It's been an uphill battle but work just keeps getting in the way. It's therapeutic when I'm working on the truck. Thanks!  

Hi There, I think it would be more difficult to rewire the original computer to run the engine and the trans. I purchased a new computer from ford racing to run the engine but it will not communicate with the auto trans. The original computer requires too many inputs from other sources - fuel system - emissions. Thanks!  

hmm...

too many speed sensors.  i still not not found a 5r55 non S or W manual to compare the wiring to the solenoids..

uses pulse width modulated signals to control shifting quality...

i talked to a friend with another automatic transmission rebuilder who specializes in high performance transmissions...

said it takes a huge amount of programming to properly shift those...

its still a grandchild of the C3 capri/pinto 1.6L 2.3L transmission..  do you recall the ever so failure prone A4LD in millions of explorers in the 90s.. the one that would pitch the front seal out at the drop of the gas pedal do to the bell housing flexing off center do to the torque from hard acceleration...  A4ld's so bad that rebuilders send their bellhousings out to a company that  has a jig to bore the converter bushing off the block alignment instead of the case alignment..

i would imagine that the 5R55s has increased strength in the bell housing..

one was assembled that was so far off center. that the drive shaft could NOT be installed... as the tail shaft bushing was hard against the splines.. i would not have believed that if i had not seen it first hand..

the 4R70W is a much stronger transmission..  the gear sets can be dropped into a A4oD as i recall so you get the lower first gear ratio and the wider changes between gears.. so you can avoid with the A4oD except for the throttle valve cable... need that.. so the 4R70W is electronic shifted.. and they do show a controller.

this is my personal opinion...  not the magazines..   as i don't work for them..  i am just trying to help you get the power to the rear wheels..