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2011/12 DOHC modular 5.0 suitable for swap?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Weatherby
  • Start date Start date Jul 17, 2011
W

Weatherby

New Member
May 8, 2006
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1
Jul 17, 2011
#1
  • Jul 17, 2011
  • #1
Hi all,

I've been looking at the options for replacing my '66's 289 and I was just curious if anyone has tried one of the 5.0 DOHC modular v8s in the new GT yet? I was thinking that would make a nice alternative as the Ford site claims out of the box that engine makes over 400HP (crank of course) and I'm sure my vintage 289 doesn't make anything close to that atm. Sure I could build up my 289 and have a vintage power plant still, but I was thinking it might be a good idea to just store the original engine and preserve it rather than try and build it and have something happen to the block.

Another thought was that I might turbo or twin turbo the DOHC 5.0 at some point down the road to make even more than 400.... Though 400hp in a 1966 notch back is going to be pretty feisty already....

That brings me to another question: I'd need to source a MT etc as well from a modular car, correct? That is, a fox MT won't work with the modular engine?


If anyone who's seen this done already could let me know... I'm looking into it but have no idea what I'm looking at $ wise as I've only been able to find out MSRP for the parts thus far not true cost...

Thanks!
 

golf4283

Active Member
May 30, 2003
1,253
1
39
Orland Park, Illinois
Jul 17, 2011
#2
  • Jul 17, 2011
  • #2
That engine will never fit int he engine bay of your '66 without some major surgery. Look into a Mustang II front end. Honestly you're gonna spend a crap load of money and all you'll get is the wow factor at car shows.

If you plan on having a driver just get a 351W and stroke it out to 427 if you want something huge. You'll still end up saving thousands.
 
W

Weatherby

New Member
May 8, 2006
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1
Jul 17, 2011
#3
  • Jul 17, 2011
  • #3
golf4283 said:
That engine will never fit int he engine bay of your '66 without some major surgery. Look into a Mustang II front end. Honestly you're gonna spend a crap load of money and all you'll get is the wow factor at car shows.

If you plan on having a driver just get a 351W and stroke it out to 427 if you want something huge. You'll still end up saving thousands.
Click to expand...

The Mod 5.0 is larger than a 390 bigblock? Or is it because of other issues other than the size of the engine bay? Just curious because I haven't seen one of the new engines yet...

If I'm going to swap an engine it'd probably be for a Fox 302 and MT 5spd rather than a Windsor, but I was just curious about the new gen of DOHC 5.0s ....
 

golf4283

Active Member
May 30, 2003
1,253
1
39
Orland Park, Illinois
Jul 17, 2011
#4
  • Jul 17, 2011
  • #4
Even the 390 won't fit in your '66 so regardless of that fact it won't fit. The modular engines are huge. I would stick with a 302(5.0) or the 351 but like you said you wanted the 302. It will definitely save you time and money and headaches just going with a pushrod motor unless you have the time/money/resources for the mod motor.
 
W

Weatherby

New Member
May 8, 2006
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Jul 17, 2011
#5
  • Jul 17, 2011
  • #5
A 390 won't fit either? Hmm, ok, I don't know with any first hand experience on that subject, but I swear I'd read that the 390 CID would fit in the 64.5-67 cars... but that was just hearsay I guess.

I was hoping to do a modern power plant into the vintage car thing, but I had been operating on the assumption that the 5.0 Mod 8 was physically simmilar in dimensions to the same displacement vintage 302CID 5.0s.... My bad. Thanks for setting me straight!
 

EP429

Member
Jun 30, 2007
125
5
18
Central Texas
Jul 17, 2011
#6
  • Jul 17, 2011
  • #6
The new Mod motor's physical dimensions are in the same ballpark as the Boss 429
 

CarMichael Angelo

my rearend will smell so minty fresh,
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
10,641
8,909
234
Birmingham, al
Jul 17, 2011
#7
  • Jul 17, 2011
  • #7
Weatherby said:
A 390 won't fit either? Hmm, ok, I don't know with any first hand experience on that subject, but I swear I'd read that the 390 CID would fit in the 64.5-67 cars... but that was just hearsay I guess.
Click to expand...

a 390 will fit a 67/68, but that is a different engine bay that the one you have.

I was hoping to do a modern power plant into the vintage car thing, but I had been operating on the assumption that the 5.0 Mod 8 was physically simmilar in dimensions to the same displacement vintage 302CID 5.0s.... My bad. Thanks for setting me straight!
Click to expand...

fox engine bays are significantly larger than even the 67-70 compartments
The reason I point this out is I have a fox w/ the smaller 2v mod motor in it.








and this engine is SMALL compared to the new 5.0.

There has been several of the new 5.0's transplanted into the larger fox engine compartment but, it requires even a great deal of work to make that fit.

In your car, as it sits.........not in a million years.

If you are interested in doing this swap, the shock towers can be cut away and the front suspension upgraded to accommodate.

You will pick up significant handling performance, will have an engine that is definitely "Modern", will be out about 12-18 k by the time you buy it, the controller, the fuel system, and the suspension kit to get that "modern powerplant"
 

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coolblue65

Founding Member
Jul 26, 1999
1,224
2
39
Algonquin, IL
Jul 17, 2011
#8
  • Jul 17, 2011
  • #8
There is shop in the Chicagoland area called Speed Inc. that built and documented a '65 with a Coyote motor, as stated there is a lot of work to do on the front suspension before ever taking on the motor. The build was documented on another forum.



 

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robbz28

Member
Sep 23, 2009
775
5
19
Epps, LA
Jul 17, 2011
#9
  • Jul 17, 2011
  • #9
Just to repeat some of above...you would have to change out the entire front suspension, do away with the shock towers....and from the looks of those pics up there, i dont think that a brake booster would fit. Anything can be done if you throw enough money at it though. I like the idea of a stroked 351, or a hot 302. Love me a hot small block....very fast, very cost effective.
 
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