5.0 Engine Swap into Turbo Coupe

[Below Reality]

I am just trying to get a little information about a project I am considering. Basically, if all goes well, I will shortly have an 88 TC- less motor and tranny. I currently have a 83 Cougar that I have been building on for the last year or so. The Cougar has a completely new Drivetrain fresh with a GT40 EFI 302 CID V8. I am considering abandoning my Cougar Project and Installing its drivetrain into the TC. Now, the barrage of questions.......
Since we are utilizing EFI- (mine is still the old TBI type- but is new and has been slightly modified.) What type of wiring changes am I going to be in for, should I do this swap? I have consulted a few resources, and the wiring daigrams for the 2.3L and 5.0 Cars look almost identical. Will this be only a matter of swapping the ECU? I have done several engine swaps, but would just like to know what is involved in this case. Any help or advice would be appreciated. If anyone has done this before, I would really like your input on this matter.

Thanks!

-BR

[gtbird]

I'm in the middle of swapping a 5.0 from my totalled Mustang into an '88 T/C. I bought my brainless harness from http://www.windsor-fox.com. Ed Marsh makes his living swapping 5.0's into just about anything. It's a little expensive, but if you want everything to work....
Rick

[ 08-06-2002: Message edited by: gtbird ]

[g_lower]

heres my question I also have an 88-TC and I have been thinking about the v-8 swap will the 302 bolt inwithout any major modifications?

[4-5-6-birdman]

so it should make it a natural swap. The problem with late model EFI swaps is the ECU and wiring harness. If you could locate a V8 donor car that was perhaps totaled or parted out and could get the remains.

It can be very costly and difficult without the donor car, you would have to buy or find every item piece by piece, guys do it all the time though, just depends on your desire and perseverance and having another car to drive helps!!

The other option is to bag out on all the ECU, harness, etc and drop in a carbureted V8, I have heard it is a Federal law against such actions and if you have emissions testing or visual inspection you might be screwed.

Keep poking and lurking around at sites like this and others for ideas.

Good Luck!

[fivepoint-0]

you might need a custom length drive shaft. I did. also, the trans cross member will need modifying. grind the spot welds that hold the end tubes so they can slide to align the trans mount holes. a double hump x-member from a gt stang is what you need.

[g_lower]

well I have also been thinking about dropping in a 400 in my 88-TC is that possible? thanks

[fivepoint-0]

a 400 what ? not a 400 M I hope. they are boat anchors. find a 351w, a scat 3.85" stroker crank,dished 302 pistons,351w rods+ 393cid of tire killing windsor. parts are available(oil pan,BBK swap headers) you can use a 351w oil pan from an Econoline van(rear sump) they cost around 65-70 buck new.

[4-5-6-birdman]

Originally Posted by fivepoint-0

a 400 what ? not a 400 M I hope. they are boat anchors. find a 351w, a scat 3.85" stroker crank,dished 302 pistons,351w rods+ 393cid of tire killing windsor. parts are available(oil pan,BBK swap headers) you can use a 351w oil pan from an Econoline van(rear sump) they cost around 65-70 buck new.

The 400 Ford engine is far from a boat anchor. It can be a serious 475ft # / 365 hp combo for less than $2500.00 - dollars per horse power that can challenge most any engine. All it takes is some compression and the correct cam and a little pocket porting. If need additional info let me know, I followed a Hot Rod build up from late 90's and it has been a great engine. Lots of bang for the buck.

[g_lower]

will a 400 fit in an 88-TC? would it even be worth pulling the 2.3 to find out? there is no 400M... the 400 is a 400 and the 351M is a 351M same engine family...

[fivepoint-0]

if you going to add weight, put a 429/460 in it. the part are out there already. the 400 shares the cleveland's poor oil design. I'm shore you seen the oil re-routing in that build up.

[g_lower]

ok I have asked two times this will be the third will a 400 bolt into an 88-TC with out changing anything?

[fivepoint-0]

you'd have to get the cleveland swap parts(mounts,headers, oil pan) custom exhaust. the 400 uses a larger trans bolt pattern. you might have to use a C6 trans. then you're gonna have to make a trans cross member, cause a c6 never came in a fox body. if you're handy with a welder, no problem. you might have clearence(big hammer) the trans tunnel a little as the c6 is a BIG MOTHA. if I were going to do all that, I'd go with a 460, more performance parts available. swap kits are already out there for it. just my two cents. good luck