76' cobra II

[jnobles06]

im thinking about buying a 1976 mustang cobra 2. i think it came with a 302. i dont know much about classic cars so i was just wondering. i was also wondering how hard it would be to drop a 351w in it. any comments are greatly appreciated.

 

[dmoody]

Dropping a 351W in isn't a bolt in operation. It requires a lot of finesse. ;-) Anyhow 76 Cobra II's are regarded by many as the best year for the Cobra II due to the stripes. Sounds like a cool car.

 

[Gael]

i don't recommend the 351w swap, from my experience, it's not a very enjoyable swap. you can make plenty of power with the 302. you can stroke it out some, get some good heads on it, etc etc.

 

[jnobles06]

im pulling the old motor out and putting a newer 302 in it but to you recomend keeping it carb or efi? its a long block that still needs alot of stuff.i dont really know much about engine swaps so i dont want to be doing anything to difficult and from what i have heard yall say the 351 will be kinda hard. oh and if i was going to drop a 351 in it would be the modified version. just curious what makes it so difficult?

 

[cobraii351]

just curious what makes it so difficult?

For the plain fact that the 302 and 351 are not derived from the same size block like the brand X motors. The 351 is 2 inches wider and about an inch taller. look at the room you have for a 302 and subtract an inch on each side. Don't get me wrong, it will fit. But knowing what I do now I probably would have stayed with the 302. The swap isn't just one little pain but a series of litle pains that get downright anoying: Headers (good luck or custom built or 450$ + extras), making the oil pan fit, the height of the intake/carb, the extra weight, brackets, cooling, dealing with the extra torque.

Do what you want, but you'll get to drive your new found fun much quicker with the 302.

Tim

 

[jnobles06]

think ill stick w/ the 5.0

 

[1badII]

dealing with the extra torque.

Oh, the horror!

 

[dmoody]

As for fit the 351W, the bottom end (starter and oil pan), the sides (headers) and the top (new hood or gigantic scoop) all have to be heavily modified.

d

 

[cobraii351]

Oh, the horror!

Not that it's not fun!


But I was really refering to the body flex issues.


Tim