That kind kills the idea of being anything close to cost effective, even with the Gen 2 drivers side back order at Ford. I would try and scrounge a used set, use the funds to get them ported/polished and refurbished. A lot less headache, similar if not better results and likely similar cost. Unless your going full drag car, you will likely regret losing VCT down the road. With a turbo it would make a noticeable difference in spool and driveability.From what I’ve learned the base circle is totally different and the cams won’t swap.
Also the cam sensor location kinda kills that idea also. It was my first idea lol.
As the title states, I’m looking at putting 2018 heads on my sleeved gen 2 shortblock.
Yes, I understand what I’m getting into. But I am still curious so I wanted to open the discussion.
So from what I’ve figured out the coolant and oil ports line up and will work. There are actually people running gen3 shortblocks with gen1/2 heads. Then figure out blocking off the direct injection ports. Either leave the injectors in or have a plug tig welded into place.
The only thing I don’t think will work is on the gen3 engines the cam shaft sensors were moved from the back of the head into the valve covers. And the exhaust phaser sensor was relocated onto a tone ring on the camshaft as well. Not in the original place, So that leaves a couple options.
1. Bolt 2018 heads onto my block and time it plug all the sensors in and hope and pray the sensors and tone ring differences don’t mean anything at the ecu. Very unlikely.
2 . Run the 2018 cams locked out. It’s a boosted setup. This would require me making some block off and gutting the hpfp.
But this is the option with the best odds of working.
3. Buy the 2018 harness and ecu and just try to run the direct injection. Also unlikely it will work.
Its just a discussion because I’m looking into head options for my setup and ford has no eta on gen 2 driver side heads. This is all just theory but I’d like to see if anyone has any information.