It can be made to work, but be prepared to swap more than just an engine, you'll also need some fab work. The driveshaft length depends on several variables, and I doubt your 2011's tailshaft is going to be the same length as the '96's. Motor mounts changed, in fact so did engine cradle, the 2011's is a much different beast as far as front suspension and cradle goes, so some measuring and fabricating will need to be done. Not a biggie though as both were designed to accommodate 4.6s and 5.0s. Firewall and trans tunnel should be fine. There's a lot of changes in the tranny between '96 and '11, see this link: http://www.idmsvcs.com/2vmod/tranny/modelnumbers/crownvic/ . The '11 motor will need its wire harness and modules, how much of that can work with the '96's older instrument cluster you'll have to determine. You'll also likely have to swap over '11's exhaust and EVAP, and I would absolutely upgrade to the '11's radiator and cooling fans and if they won't fit the 96's lower deck height then go third party. The place to be for all things Crown Vic is: Crownvic.net - there are several how-to's on all manner of engine swaps.
1 people found this helpful.