Will a 2007 1500 EFI Engine fit in a 2001 1500 Drifter??

[OR Seedman]

thanks Marco.....I have always tried to learn new things....never had any formal training in automotive mechanics, but I have rebuilt v-8 engines and tinkered a lot....kind of learned as I went.  I don't do auto transmissions, though....they confuse the hell out me. LOL.  This has been a fairly easy project, but it is taking a long time because I have to be home to take care of my wife....she fell a few of weeks ago while walking our dog and shattered her right kneecap into 7 pieces...she had surgery and has to keep her right leg completely immobile for the next few weeks.  that means I am playing house husband now (cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, etc.) plus going out to my office for a couple of hours a day....doesn't leave me any time to work on the bike...I am hoping to have it put completely back together by the end of next week and see how (if) it runs....fingers crossed!

[mittico68]

Wow, it looks good!
I wish I had your skills...

[OR Seedman]

took about two hours, but engine is in and all connections are done.  Now, oil, water, fuel tank and side panels to go (and right footrest with brake pedal)

[OR Seedman]

Engine ready to go back in Thursday....had to lift the old one by hand off of the jack and onto a pallet..then move the jack over to the other one and pick it up by hand and set it on...those engines are kinda heavy! LOL

[Old Drifter]

Yes, I saw that. Good call on just taping it, no need to open it up.

[OR Seedman]

If you look closely you can see the second alternator connection coming out of the left casing.  I am just going to leave it inside the cover with some electrical tape over the end....my electrician buddy said it would be just like an wall outlet...AC electricity will be there if you need it, but no harm to anything if you don't plug into it....everything else looks like all the same plug connections...

I could probably pull the left side casing for the alternator and remove the inner magneto, but I would rather not have to pull it all apart, so I am just going to leave it...

[Old Drifter]

Looks great OR Seedman, can't wait to see the finished project together and running! This is awesome!

[OR Seedman]

quick update on 1500/1600 engine swap...

the engine arrived in good shape....definitely is like brand new.  I had to swap the fuel intake lines and injector mount with the 1500, due to different fuel line plug tank plug in locations (different fuel pumps).  No big deal..three screws and your done.  Also, there are additional vacuum lines and a valve line on the 1500 that are not on the 1500.  So that's all done (and I get to use the new throttle body) and the new engine is ready to go in....hoping to get that done in the next couple of weeks.

Pic 1 - 1500 engine with stock fuel intake/injector mount
Pic 2 - swapped out fuel intake and injectors from 1600
Pic 3 - new engine ready to go in

[OR Seedman]

one thing I have discovered is that the 1600 has an inner and outer stator....using two rectifiers.  However, the setup is the same as on the 1500, except there is an inner stator on the back side of the rotor.....thus the system puts out double the power...probably due to higher electrical requirements on the 1600 classic (there are a lot more stock lights and other electrical demands)  I spoke to a buddy of mine who is a certified mechanic and he said I can just leave the inner one disconnected (or pull the entire alternator, remove the stator and put it back in)  All the part numbers are the same, so either way will work.  All the other electrical connections look identical between the two engines....I might just switch throttle bodies because mine is already set up for the aftermarket air cleaner....I'll decide after I get a look at the new one....more updates as things develop.  If this does work, I'll have more hp and quite a bit more torque over the stock 1500...plus the engine is suppose to be very smooth running with very little vibration...

[Bucko]

Good stuff 

[OR Seedman]

in response to the basic question of Why?....because I've always liked to tinker and swap engines in cars and trucks....so I thought I would give it a shot on my Drifter...plus I got the complete motor with throttle body for $1300.  With only 1 mile on the bike/engine.

the 1600 is designed for more low end torque...the standard fuel mapping on the 1600 Classic is set that way...from what I understand, that's similar to the mapping for the Drifter.  If I need to, I'll get the 1600 ecu, but I need to get the new motor installed and test with the current ecu first.  My 1500 is out and I am now waiting for the 1600 to arrive.  any issues that come up with the install and connections will be noted.  When I am finished and everything is back up and running, I will do a full write up on the pros and any cons or issues.

Also, this gives me a chance to go through several minor issues, perform detailed maintenance and check the driveshaft status....

[chief]

Will a 2007 1500 EFI Engine fit  a 2001 1500 Drifter???
If so I will buy the 2007 and put it in!

If you decide to do this, please document as much as you can so we can build a mod sheet to add to the mod section. Thanks.

[chief]

just bought a 2003 1600 EFI that I'm going to drop into my 1500 Drifter.  I have read that others have done this as well with no issues, so we'll see.  the new engine has only 1 mile on it...nothing wrong with my current motor at 40K, but I like to try different winter projects and I got the motor for a good price, with the injectors, throttle body and starter all included....

Please document the mod and send me the pics/info so I can add it to the mod section! Cheers.

[mittico68]

Ok, I'm not a 1500 guy. I've got a 800...
BUT I'm just curious to know why you're ready to face all the problems (if any) a swap in of a different engine should give.
Is it because of a better condition of the new engine, or a cheap price you payed for, or is it just for the pride to say "I made it!"?

[Bucko]

If the connectors fit, it should work with stock ecu - makers don't tend to reinvent the same part for the same engine -

The challenge is the ECU contains the ignition and fuel injection maps to optimize performance for the particular motor.  Even models within the 1500 family used different ECU's - pretty sure the 1500 and 1600 motors would have different mappings - certainly for the FI. In practice, it may not make much of a difference but suspect it would make some difference.

[Lucky]

If the connectors fit, it should work with stock ecu - makers don't tend to reinvent the same part for the same engine -

[OR Seedman]

I'll keep everyone up to date as things progress....about ready to pull the motor (tomorrow).  Lot's of little things to disconnect and keep track of, but still a lot easier than pulling the motor from my 2016 F150 (which I had to do this summer)

[Bucko]

just bought a 2003 1600 EFI that I'm going to drop into my 1500 Drifter.  I have read that others have done this as well with no issues, so we'll see.  the new engine has only 1 mile on it...nothing wrong with my current motor at 40K, but I like to try different winter projects and I got the motor for a good price, with the injectors, throttle body and starter all included....

Can't wait to hear how this turns out and how you dealt with any challenges (if there are any).

[OR Seedman]

just bought a 2003 1600 EFI that I'm going to drop into my 1500 Drifter.  I have read that others have done this as well with no issues, so we'll see.  the new engine has only 1 mile on it...nothing wrong with my current motor at 40K, but I like to try different winter projects and I got the motor for a good price, with the injectors, throttle body and starter all included....

[Bucko]

Been wondering the same thing for years.  There are definitely differences inside the motor but, from what I read, a newer motor will drop right in to an older frame.  The thing I wonder about is: how compatible is a newer model engine with an older model ecu?  I've read people on the internet claim they've done the swap and the old ECU works just fine - seems a bit weird to me.

[Big Foot]

Will a 2007 1500 EFI Engine fit  a 2001 1500 Drifter???
If so I will buy the 2007 and put it in!