Swap and Build

[Kirko]

I don't believe I know anyone on here that has done this swap before but in case someone has that would be great. I figured I give it a try any how on here though because on all the other forums I have put this on no one will help because they are too busy being a-holes.



I have a 94 Mustang 5spd 3.8L. I can't find a 94-04 v8 for a cheap price anywhere near me in my price range. Thus, it looks like I am going to have to do a swap.
I don't want any BS. I just want to know everything I am going to need for this swap and what all I am going to have to do in a few days to a week rather than figure everything out as I go and having it take a month or two getting parts. This is my DD so I can't have it in the garage for a month while I do it.
I need a 5.0L of course. I need the computer. Would I need another tranny? I will need an 8.8 rear later. Will I have to mess with the motor mounts? Anything else I am forgetting about?
I was also wanting to build the engine some before I drop it in. I want to do as much as I can while the engine is out of the car before I put it in to make it easier on me later and not have to do too much work. I was thinking I should do the upper/lower gt40 intake , heads, cam, LTs, H-Pipe w/ cats(i have to pass echeck), some kind of cat back exhaust, and I was going to get a rebuild kit too while it is out of the car. Anything else that I should be doing while it is out? All the bolt ons and stuff I can do later.
My expectations for this car is to keep it NA and I want to be able to get this thing running at least 12s. I want to get in the 300+hp range NA.

All help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Boombastic86]

I haven't done it, but I'm fairly sure you'd want the 5.0 out of an older junker Mustang (probably 89 and up) although you have to be careful, the accessories are located in different spots from the 89-93 and 94-95 5.0s I believe. You'll need to change your motormounts for the V8, and you'll more than likely want to swap the transmission when you swap the engine as I'm not sure if yours will even mesh up correctly.

The 8.8 rear ends can be found for around 300-400 dollars, but if you get a fox body rear end prepare to use some spacers because they are narrower otherwise your car will look very awkward with the wheels tucked in on the back.



Actually, BetterDays, GT350R, and ClevelandMustang are all great guys to contact for this as all three of them have parts for late model V8 Mustangs that you could more than likely use for your swap, including engines, rear ends, motor mounts, gauges, and maybe a tranny or two. I'm betting you're looking at around 1000-1400 bucks for a decent V8 drivetrain, another couple hundred for wiring and a computer, and if you're having this installed it's a whole other story.



Now of course I've never done the swap, so I can't offer much assistance on it, but hopefully I helped you with a couple of the fundamentals on it. Seriously, PM Lew (GT350R) or Kevin (BetterDays), both of those guys are awesome with 5.0 tech, although both of them specialize more in fox bodies, but a lot of the parts have similarities.

[Kirko]

I do believe for just the engine swap I will need
5.0 K-member
engine harness
computer harness
fuel pump return system if mine isn't already
the complete motor

and i dont know if I will need a tranny or not. that is the only thing I am worried about the swap for is if I will need a tranny or not.

[BetterDays]

It is almost always cheaper to buy instead of build, especially when you are looking at starting from scratch.

What is your price range for car that you are looking at?
What is your price range (read: Budget) for the swap?
Is a Fox out of the question?

My friend may be selling his car and it has already run 13.3x...

[95nomoreV6]

You don't need a k member, or a transmission. You do need a 94/5 V8 bellhousing (or fox with a spacer, and I forget who makes the spacer), V8 mounts, 94/5 timing cover, 94/5 accessories, and brackets. 94/5 headers, 94/5 harness and computer. o2 sensor harness, and theres some emmisions stuff under the pass fenderwell you will need too. You will also need a throttle cable, and AC lines, CAI, 94/5 adapter elbow if you plan to use a fox intake.

You best bet is to keep your eyes open for a complete engine from a 94/5. They are out there. The swap itself is not that big of a job. If I had to do it again I could probably do it in 8 hours or so. There's a guy (he may be registered here too) on Stangnet I think that goes by SorsCode, that has done tons of them, and he can probably give you a better rundown than I have. Trust me though, its not hard at all if you have the parts. and it IS cheaper than buying a GT, especially if your car is in nice shape.

Good luck

[Kirko]

It is almost always cheaper to buy instead of build, especially when you are looking at starting from scratch.

What is your price range for car that you are looking at?
What is your price range (read: Budget) for the swap?
Is a Fox out of the question?

My friend may be selling his car and it has already run 13.3x...

I wanted a 94-04 v8 5spd under like $6or7k tops so I can afford it. I was thinking if I sell mine. I would get like maybe 3 or 4k for it and the extra thousand or two I can pay. I am not 18 so I can't get a loan or anything to get something more expensive. It is hard to find a car for that anymore with the body and interior in good shape.

I would say just trying to find the cheapest stuff for the swap is my budget for that.

Fox body is pretty much out of the question. I am not a big fan of them. The 4eye ones aren't bad looking I have seen some decent looking ones like DarkHorse's and I saw a Black one that looked good. Just like something a little more appealing to the eye. I am young. I would still like to get laid every once in awhile. haha :tongueout:

[buckeye]

Ether buy one done or drive your v-6 otherwise you will end up with nothing to drive for a good bit of time and most likely it will be unreliablr in the end too. Seen it happen

And Also Why whould you want a 2 valve car over a pushrod motor? As a >18 year old kid a 5.0 based card will make more power with less mods and is easier to work on. A 94-95 car can be found for 5k if you look

[KBOYZ95]

i got my 95 for half of 5k,and its in decent shape!

[GT350R]

This one would have been perfect for you.
I ended up selling the motor seperate and the car as a roller , just to get it sold.
http://www.buckeyestangs.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9419

Obviously 95nomorev6 is going to have all the info you will ever need. Look up Tim (Cleveland Mustang) I think he just got one in with everything you would need for the swap.

[Clevelandmustang]

I have a complete 95 here, I will keep the interior and sell the rest of the car for cheap, call me 440 476 4114 asap, it will be on ebay in a day or so.
Thanks, Tim

[Kirko]

yeah. i cant get anything right now. spent the money i had saved for the swap on some other things that i needed more. now i gotta save it all back up. :(

[NUTTSGT]

Is Sorscode a member here? Danny has made the swap.