Engine Swap Project: 2025 Bronco Sport

[kpetrush]

Hello everyone,


I bought a 1.5L 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine from a 2021–2024 Bronco Sport, but it has a different wiring and tubing layout compared to my 2025 model. Mechanically, it looks like it could fit, but I’m not sure if the electronics, sensors, and ECU will be compatible.

Has anyone tried swapping a 2021–2024 engine into a 2025 Bronco Sport? Will the ECU accept it, or are there issues with wiring/harness differences?

Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated!

Sponsored

 

[Frenchy906]

But… why? They’re more known for issues.

And… pardon my asking… but a 2025 should still be under warranty, right?

 

[kpetrush]

No, there’s no warranty. The car was totaled, and I bought it from an auction as a project. It only has about 5000 miles I didn’t expect the engine to be damaged, but it turned out the oil pan was punctured and the engine had been run without oil. After replacing the oil pan and adding oil, it started knocking — likely because someone tried to start it without oil.

I could install a 2025 engine, but it costs about four times more than a 2021–2024 engine, so I’d be losing money on this project.

 

[TheX]

Great project...lots of work.

 

[Frenchy906]

No, there’s no warranty. The car was totaled, and I bought it from an auction as a project. It only has about 5000 miles I didn’t expect the engine to be damaged, but it turned out the oil pan was punctured and the engine had been run without oil. After replacing the oil pan and adding oil, it started knocking — likely because someone tried to start it without oil.

I could install a 2025 engine, but it costs about four times more than a 2021–2024 engine, so I’d be losing money on this project.

Gotcha. Ya, they made revisions in 2025 to both the 1.5L and 2.0L engines. So, it’s not going to be a plug and play project.

Is the price at that point justifiable? Possibly. I like projects like this, so I’d probably be doing the same thing.

But I would have done my research before to verify what you bought is the same thing, or will work. Because the layout is completely different in 2025, as I’m sure you’re noticing.

Should be doable though. Could be wrong. I’m going to guess you’re going to have a lot of time, and additional parts needed to make it work.

I’ll be curious to see what kind of programming is required to get the older engine to mesh with the computers. That’s where it’s going to cost an arm and a leg.

I’m hopeful for ya, just don’t be surprised if all the programming required and new parts makes this engine swap more expensive than getting the right one from the start.

 

[logant]

Update us as the project moves along
Tom

 

[Whpony96]

The 21-24 1.5L Dragon engines are completely different from the 2025 1.5L MPC ( Modular Power Cylinder ) engines. The only thing that is the same is the motor mounts and the displacement. The 2 engines aren't even built in the same plant or country for that matter.

I would highly advise against using the 21-24 Dragon engine. All the engine bay wiring harnesses, fuel lines, hoses, and ECU will be completely different. I doubt the 25 cabin area harness will be plug and play. The gauge clusters and SYNC systems are not even the same.

 

[kpetrush]

I just found out that 2023-2024 Ford Escape might have the same engine as 2025 Ford Bronco Sport and it’s cheaper.

 

[Frenchy906]

I just found out that 2023-2024 Ford Escape might have the same engine as 2025 Ford Bronco Sport and it’s cheaper.

Yes. That would be the perfect engine.

 

[Stircrazy]

you should have gottenall the electronics and such you need with the engine, if they didn't include that stuff you go a useless motor, unless you go out and buy it seperatly.

 

[Garth]

Like other than physical internal dimensions all the same systems should be similar if not the same I would think. What could be different, emissions sensors settings? Do the plugins match.

 

[Robins21]

INHO being an old fart that grew up in the 60's & 70's working on those cars/trucks it was way easier to do engine swaps before the time of computers. I would not attempt something like that on a post computer car. I wish you luck.

 

[Garth]

Yes us old farts are not in the computer game but these young farts seem to get it lol. I bet they could figure it out.

 

[Dude]

Some old farts realize computers are just machines and the mystery dissolves

 

[Garth]

I guess I should have said some of us lol

Sponsored