Mustang Engine Swap

[WickeDKlowN]

My dad has a friend that trying to push this 85 Mustang on us. We don't perticularly want it, we want a Camaro or Chevelle ro something, but beggers can't be choosers. Anyway, I'm sure it has a little v6 or something in it and that juat ain't gonna cut it. Yea, we could put a 5.0 in it, but I'm looking for something with a little more. I'd love to stick in a 390 or 400 but I don't know if that feasable without tons or work. Basically, I'm wondering what the biggest "drop in" motor. Alo, what would be the best automatic tranny to go with it.

[Bear_Claw]

Probly the best bang for the buck (hp and labour to install) would be a 351 (5.8). BUT DONT underestimate the 5.0L as it truly is an amazing poerplant VERY capable of moveing the TINY mustanges to amazing times.

I have driven a couple 80-90s cameros (my favorite was 1993 pontiac firebird with a 350 mulitiport injection). BUT NONE of em can move (IN A STRAIGHT LINE) like a lightly moded 80's stang like my buddy runs.

[WickeDKlowN]

We have a 5.0 that we're putting in our 49 F1, and my F150 has a 5.0 in it. I don't feel liek having 3 vehicles with 5.0's in them, lol. I could settle for a 351 I suppose. What would be the best automatic tranny though? I'd kinda like a manual but auto is just so much simpler.

[Flow_Tech]

351 Windsor is the biggest drop in i would consider putting in..but then you have to change the suspension around because the block is much more heavier..but i would stick with the 5.0 with a stroker kit..that will get you more HP,Torque,and power then a 351W...all you need to do with a older 5.0 is stroker kit,underdrive pulleys,new carb,and new intake and youll have ALOT of power..
EDIT-
Right now,my brother is runninga holley 650 double pumper,Edelbrock air gap intake,B303 cam,and Shorty headers on Dynamax mufflers and hes pushing 315...so thats just to give you an idea without pulleys,stroker kits,and all that stuff.

[mihanikos]

351 is prob the best way to go, lots of performance parts available. As far as auto trannys, a 4R70W beefed up is the way to go if you want an auto. They can handle up to 750 horses if done right

[ascetic1]

hey not to put you down or anything, but for a first car why do you want something with a V8?
a V6 is fine, but V8 not only eat alot of gas, but that kind of power in a teen's hands may lead to temptation to push the engine a bit...and may get you into some trouble..just voicing some concern

[SCpoloRicker]

351 Windsor. You can likely find one at a pick and pull that will work, or you could go nuts and get a crate.

Although you don't want to run the 5.0, for anyone else interested they are great motors. Head, cam, and gears will likely break 13's.

[WickeDKlowN]

hey not to put you down or anything, but for a first car why do you want something with a V8?
a V6 is fine, but V8 not only eat alot of gas, but that kind of power in a teen's hands may lead to temptation to push the engine a bit...and may get you into some trouble..just voicing some concern

My truck has a V8(5.0) in it and I already push it . So it's not like it's going to be my first car with a V8. I don't really care for V6's, Especially in cars that are meant to be powerful(like Mustangs and Camaros). And just for the record, I refuse to own a 4-Banger.

[ascetic1]

what kind of truck do you have? yes i am a fan of V8's myself, but not for a power hungry teens first car lol....but that only applies to some people

[Adrenaline_Junkie]

My stepdads nephew has a 85 mustang with a 351W and its great. Im not a fan of mustangs, especially 80's, but it runs great. I wonder if a 351C would fit? Anyway, id look around a lil bit and see if ya can find a camaro before ya jump on the mustang but if your goin with the mustand a 351W will work great.

[SCpoloRicker]

My stepdads nephew has a 85 mustang with a 351W and its great. I wonder if a 351C would fit?

Bwah?

He seems to already be a Fix Or Repair Daily guy.

[frop]

Though I've not done it myself, last I checked(a long time ago), big blocks dropped in Fox-bodies pretty easily, mainly being a matter of hood clearance, etc.

[WickeDKlowN]

what kind of truck do you have? yes i am a fan of V8's myself, but not for a power hungry teens first car lol....but that only applies to some people

95 F150. I'm thinking of just dropping a big block in it because I don't perticularly want a Mustang. I guess I could get the Stang and sell it to buy a Camaro or Nova or something.

[9868Classic]

I helped a local tuner shop install a front tube chassis frame, and a completely built 460 Big Block setup for a stage 3 nitrous(valve opens in three stages. Its not FnF style) All the suspension perks, and then change it from an 84 style to a 91 style front end. Nice setup. Not sure on the tranny. They were debating between a 5 spd and an Automatic, so it never got that far.

We were guessing that without the spray the car would run 12 sec. 1/4 miles, and with spray low 11's. But the shop got closed and all the race cars got towed away when the owner failed to come and gett'em.

[Willystyle21]

Yeah with a little work you could easily put a 5.8 in the Stang. But why stop there. Stroke the motor to 392 first. Don't underestimate the 5.0. Very easy to get 400+ horses out of it with out spending too much money. I've got right at 300 out of might with out replaving anything in the block, just the heads, ignition, etc.