351C Swap Questions

[Shadow 1]

I'm thinking about putting a 351 cleveland into a 84 mustang with a blown 6 cyl and a auto trans. What exactly would it take to do the swap(computerwise and mechanicalwise)? I'm also thinking about swapping out the tranny for a 5-speed. Will a T-5 work or do I have to go with something else.

On a seperate note is it possible to make a section of the roof removable like a targa?

 

[ddonaca351]

You should be able to find the parts from Summit, or someone like Coast High Performance in Cali.

Youll need the pan, headers, etc... the usual items, but it should be pretty basic.

As for the computer/injection, (imho) you will be waaaayyy ahead in the long run if you junk the factory computer and wiring, and go with an aftermarket system. They are spendy up front, but with ease of tuning, and performance by design, youll save many, many headaches over time.

On a related note, why swap in a C? Do you already have one?

Dave-

 

[stock50LX]

Just go carburation. If that is an inline 6, the k member will have to go too. Why go with the C?

 

[Shadow 1]

You should be able to find the parts from Summit, or someone like Coast High Performance in Cali.

Youll need the pan, headers, etc... the usual items, but it should be pretty basic.

As for the computer/injection, (imho) you will be waaaayyy ahead in the long run if you junk the factory computer and wiring, and go with an aftermarket system. They are spendy up front, but with ease of tuning, and performance by design, youll save many, many headaches over time.

On a related note, why swap in a C? Do you already have one?

Dave-

Yeah, I've got one sitting in a 73 ranchero that was rebuilt about 8000 miles ago. The body is in descent shape exept for the rust on the drivers side floor pan so I thought about putting the engine into a mustang. I'm a mustang guy anyway. Will a modern puter work with an older engine?

 

[Shadow 1]

Just go carburation. If that is an inline 6, the k member will have to go too. Why go with the C?

Actually I would like to keep it carburated but I don't know enough to know how it would affect a car that was meant for a puter. That sucks about the k member though. Is it just worth finding a mustang that had a v-8 in it? I haven't bought the one with the 6 cyl yet, I was waiting until this weekend and till I got sme advice back. The only reason I was going with this 6 cyl car is it's in decent shape, interior looks good and it's only $200. So should I wait?

 

[stock50LX]

Yeah, I've got one sitting in a 73 ranchero that was rebuilt about 8000 miles ago. The body is in descent shape exept for the rust on the drivers side floor pan so I thought about putting the engine into a mustang. I'm a mustang guy anyway. Will a modern puter work with an older engine?

You'd need to get an EFI intake for a Cleveland and I have never heard of one. You'd also need an external fuel pump and a larger fuel line from the tank.

If the car came with a 4 or 8 cyl, you will not need to change the front subframe. An inline 6 will necessitate the change. You could just buy a tube subframe (K member) for about $400. or so.

Think it through before you buy. It may not be worth the expense or bother involved.

ddoneca is right about the oil pan too. You'd need a fox body oil pan for a Cleveland

 

[WaterPog]

You may want to look into a 4x4 F-150 oil pan, I know that works for the 460 swaps so it may for a C swap as well.

If you're set on EFI and want to keep the cost down you could look into Megasquirt, it can be done for about $250 if you want to assemble the ECU yourself and don't need wideband correction or you can get a pre-built unit and a wideband for about $550. It's not quite as user friendly as the big name systems but I have seen some pretty impressive stuff from it lately.

www.diyautotune.com

 

[Shadow 1]

Man, it's starting to look like it's more than it's worth. What I really want is a t-top anyway. Maybe I'm better off just waiting. Thank you to everyone that gave advice, I really appreciate it.

 

[Shadow 1]

You'd need to get an EFI intake for a Cleveland and I have never heard of one. You'd also need an external fuel pump and a larger fuel line from the tank.

If the car came with a 4 or 8 cyl, you will not need to change the front subframe. An inline 6 will necessitate the change. You could just buy a tube subframe (K member) for about $400. or so.

Think it through before you buy. It may not be worth the expense or bother involved.

ddoneca is right about the oil pan too. You'd need a fox body oil pan for a Cleveland

I got to thinking about it, why does only the models with a 6 cyl have to be changed and not the 4 cyl(k member)? Also, does that mean all mustangs between 83-93? I found a different one, this one is a 93 with a 4 cyl and a busted tranny, so in theory the 351 should fit in it without changing the k member, right?

 

[WaterPog]

The inline 6 cyl K-member is unique, the motor mount pads are in a different location.

A 4-cyl or V8 car, or even a 3.8L V6 I believe should be fine.

 

[Shadow 1]

The inline 6 cyl K-member is unique, the motor mount pads are in a different location.

A 4-cyl or V8 car, or even a 3.8L V6 I believe should be fine.

Oh cool, thank you very much for clarifying that.

 

[ddonaca351]

The latest one sounds like a better bet in the long run...

If emissions arent a problem, then staying with a carb would be much easier.

As far as injection on the C, you will have to build your own manifold (or pay to have the bungs put on), but its not thaaaaat hard. Then youll need all the extras, pump, lines to and FROM the engine, regulator, injectors, MAF, tb, and a computer to run it all.

You could run a EEC4 (because the computer doesnt know what type of motor its on), but imho it would be much easier in the long run to go aftermarket. AEM, Accell, Holley, etc... and theres a new one that uses a shaved down GM maf inside the aircleaner element, but I forgot the guys name that makes em. (other than the fuel rails and injectors, it looks just like a regular carb set-up.
Some of the aftermarket ones are even easier, cuz they are speed density and dont need a maf.

NOTE: now before all you guys jump on the "speed density sucks" wagon, these are aftermarket systems, built with performance in mind, and they work quite well.

Carb is probably 25% the cost of injection, but emissions is the headache... even if your outside it now, you might not be a few years from now, or you may move. Just a thought.

DD