351w Swap into a 76 CobraII

[CobraDuce]

Hello my name is Rob and this is my first post here so I figure ill start from the top I’m sixteen years old and have a 76 cobra II with a 2.8 sixer in it. Now 108 horses just isn’t cutting it for me. My plans call for a 351 swap. I’ve been working on cars for a few years now and consider myself fairly knowledgeable though not exactly a master mechanic (not yet at least). I’m enrolled in an automotive program through my school where I leave school half way through the day and go to a vocational school to work on cars. I plan on doing the swap at school incase I run into any problems, my teacher is no stranger to high-performance cars and trucks (he was clocked going 140 in a 40 mile zone and has the ticket to prove it). So this is my question, what parts do I need to collect to get a 351w into my Cobra. I know I’m going to have to grind down the exhaust manifolds but other then that I’m not sure what all I’m going to need. Will I have to convert to manual steering? What trany will fit? And what should I do for frame reinforcement? I’ve been looking but have been unsuccessful in finding sub frame connecters I already planed for a 4-point cage from jegs but will I have to fabricate the sub frame connecters and if so how difficult is that? What would you recommend as of rear suspension, I was considering just an airbag over the passenger side wheel does this work?

Thank you for all your help

Rob Davidson

 

[Addicted_2_II]

Haaa you sound just like me, but I was in your situation back in 1989. I had purchased a 1976 Mustang Cobra II and was also working on it in Automotive Vocational School. I pondered putting in a 351 but the increase in cost between that and a 302 was too high for my budget.

So I ended up building a 346 HP 302 for around $1,300. Remember that was 15 years ago so today the same engine would probably be around $1,650 today, with you doing just about everything but machining the block (I got a local Machine shop to do that for cost as I told them it was for a school project!).

Everyone says the stock 4 speed is weak, well I had my II for 2 years and never had a problem. I will admit that it never went to the track and was treated like it was my pride and joy though!

http://forums.stangnet.com/archive/index.php/t-393321 <-- Here is swap info!

I know there are tons of 302/351 swapping pages out there for the MII. If you have trouble finding them feel free to email me @ [email protected] with any questions that I may be able to help with!

Chad

 

[JonDawg]

Be glad your not doin it in a '74. (the nose is 2"shorter)

You'll need the stock exhaust manifolds, but so far, I havent had to grind anything. the Passenger side one just sets right on the subframe.
A MII 302 oilpan (unless you want to bash a front sump one in to work)
I already had manual steering in mine, so No idea what the PS guys use. But I can say its not bad driving. Even with semi-wide tires.
The stock MII 302 motor mounts, and the frame mounts to match.


As far as trannys, Anything will fit, but exhaust gets pretty tight. (I have an AOD in mine right now)

Good luck, Its a LOT of work, but I think its worth it.

Oh, and be prepared to take the sawzall to your hood. But some people have done the swap without that step.