Swapping a Duratec or EcoBoost 4-cylinder into a rear-wheel-drive car

The engines are small and powerful. Getting them to bolt up to a common transmission is the hard part, and these two adapters are how we do it.

Ford Duratec and EcoBoost 4-cylinder engines make big power in a light package, which is why they are popular swaps into rear-wheel-drive cars and trucks. The problem is the back of the engine: it does not line up with the transmissions you actually want to run.

The bellhousing adapter

Our Ecoboost / Duratec to SBF bellhousing adapter fits both EcoBoost and Duratec 2L, 2.3L and 2.5L engines. It lets you bolt a Small Block Ford bellhousing to the 4-cylinder. It is made from 3/4" thick 6061 aluminum and uses ARP studs for the transmission and Grade 12.9 bolts to hold the adapter to the block.

The crank adapter

The crank adapter is a hub-centric billet piece that bolts to the Ecoboost or Duratec crankshaft and lets you use any neutral balance small block Ford flywheel or flexplate. That means you can run common 10" or 10.5" clutches made for the V-8 engines, so you do not need a heavy pedal to hold the power of a turbo 4-cylinder. It locates the flywheel in the right place for use with the bellhousing adapter and comes with the bolts to attach it to the crankshaft. The 7/16"-20 flywheel or flexplate bolts are not included.

A standard SBF starter needs clearance machined into the block. The alternative is the IMI Hi-Torque mini-starter, which bolts right up with no grinding on most applications.

Set the timing right

While you are in there, the Duratec / MZR cam and crank timing tool set makes cam and crank alignment easy on port injected 4-cylinder Duratec (2.0L, 2.3L, 2.5L) and Mazda MZR engines. For direct injected engines a different tool set is needed.