5.0 swap? What do I need?

maxsideburn

New Member
Apr 11, 2005
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Ok here's the deal, my mom bought a 92 Mustang with a 2.3L in it, the motor is now leaking oil from the front and rear main seals and has some other problems as well. I want to know what is involved in swapping a 5.0L into this car? A friend of my girlfriend has a good running (but ragged out) Continental (I think that's what it is) with the 5.0L motor. So what all would I need to do the swap? Thanks in advance.
 
All I REALLY need to know is will the 5.0L mate up with the current auto trans? This thing is not going to be driven hard or anything, it's my mom's car. It's just to put a cheap motor in it because we can't afford anything else and I can get the motor for $200.
 
maxsideburn said:
All I REALLY need to know is will the 5.0L mate up with the current auto trans? This thing is not going to be driven hard or anything, it's my mom's car. It's just to put a cheap motor in it because we can't afford anything else and I can get the motor for $200.

no it will not line up to the 4 cyl tranny. The 4 cyl tranny is a A4OD which has 1-2-D-OD and 5.0's run a AOD which has 1-D-OD. As for doing the motor swap you are looking into a alot of stuff. This includes swapping the fuel pump inside the gas tank. Changing the rear to a 8.8" rear and a different driveshaft along with the AOD tranny. This all along with a different computer,different harness and 5.0 motor. You will also have to modify the harness that runs down the drivers side frame rail to extend the alternator wire to the passenger side (where it is on a 5.0). I would also recommend swapping to the 5.0 brakes setup to get better stopping since the 4 cyl brakes were designed for a lighter motor. Different springs will also help the nose dive in stopping. It becomes expensive... quickly. I did it... no regrets.. But as for being cheap id say its far from it.
 
1)
This includes swapping the fuel pump inside the gas tank.

nope you can get by with whats in the 4 cyl fuel tank!


2)
Changing the rear to a 8.8" rear

nope again.........the 7.5 will bolt up and if not driven hard you can use it forever with any problems...

3)
Different springs will also help the nose dive in stopping

they will help but again not nessary to do the swap.

There are many levels of doing a 2.3 to 5.0 Swap!
some people use the stock 4 cylinder suspension, stock 4 cylinder brakes, stock 7.5 rear end, etc.....in fact I'm using a 4 cylinder T-5 right now. Problem is it will all depend on what you plan on doing with the car. If you plan on mom getting a kewl 5.0 mustang out of it for you to beat on, then your probably not gonna be satisfied. Things will break! Broke parts cost money. But if your just gonna help mom keep things running so both you can share a kewl automobile, then it can defintly be a fun and reliable car.

items you will have to have are listed below:
1) engine with motor mounts = lincoln
2) transmission = a good used T-5 from behind a 4 cylinder car doesnt cost that much if you dig around, probably around $100-$350 depending on what year and condition you find on in. Along with this you will need the pedal assembly, clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing, starter for a manual transmission, shifter, shifter handle, shifter boot, etc..
3) fuel lines will have to be replaced.........I'd find a wrecked 5.0 and take the lines out, or use use what you have with a regulator at the cowl.
4) possibly transmission cross member
5) the 4 cylinder drive shaft can be used.........but I would recommend a V-8 driveshaft (automatic drive shafts have the extra balencer built in, that presents no problems that I can remember........but then again I have never ran the 4 cylinder drive shaft, just thinking of the comparison
6) carb/intake and 1985 dist for non EFI but one with roller cam, as I'm sure the lincoln has
7) 6A MSD ignition........simplest way that I know of!
8) exhaust, H-pipe, manifolds, radiator, fan shroud,
9) possibly a throttle cable for either EFI or carbed which ever you chose to go with
10) wiring harness............if it were me, and I have done this swap before, its not easy, but can be done, I'd go find a wrecked 5.0 and use the EFI harness bumper to bumper off it along with the fuel lines, and anything else in the above part of the post that you can use.............the behind the dash wiring will be your biggest problem area, but it can be done. patience, time and hard work will pay off if you go about it right.


there are so many different factors involved, its hard to remember and describe it all in one post. Just email me at [email protected] and I'll try to help ya best I can to get it all together.........if your still interested in doing the swap!

easyest way would be to go carbed and do the swap. Best thing I can recommend is to join a local MUSTANG CLUB and get in good with one of the guys with lots of spare parts and the know how to help you get it done.
hope this helps!
good luck
Jack
 
why would you bother putting a 5.0 in your car if you plan on driving it like a grandma?... I mean if you just want to cruise around why not save the money on the engine and on gas and put a 4 banger back in. Maybe thats just me though.