advice needed for 350 swap

glorkar · Aug 14, 2007

Now, before all of the un-educated flames start flying, I just want to say a few things.

We all love Mustangs, we wouldn't be here if we didn't. Mustangs are cars. Cars break. Not everybody can afford or has the resources to fix them with the 'appropriate' parts. So instead of letting these amazing pieces of automotive creativity rot away in some field, we do what we can with what we have to get them back on the road for everyone to enjoy. After all, it's not what drives it, it's what's being driven that matters.

And with that said. I'm going to be swapping a sbc 350 into my '88 vert. I can find very little information from others that have done it before. There are about 3 sites with vague information on them. I'm just wondering if anyone on here has had any experience with this swap.

Red_LX · Aug 14, 2007

Why the **** are you asking us?

It's bad enough that we get 302 conversion questions all the time, but this takes the cake.

glorkar · Aug 14, 2007

Honestly, because the 4 cylinder guys on here are usually the most open minded. And just because they currently own and work on the 2.3L doesn't mean it's all they've ever played with. I figured I give this a shot (however far fetched) and then try the other boards and sort through all the flames next.

sleeper_inc · Aug 14, 2007

Ok, I'm not going to hate you because this was a plan of my mustang at one point.

All I know is you'll need to re-wire pretty much everything if you want to stay EFI. If you go carbed life becomes easier.

You'll need a rear sump oil pan (not sure if the 350 was or was not) custom motor mounts (you might find something to work) might need a new cross member (idk for sure again)

Ahh forget it. Heres a thread on AFM that explains it http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/drag-racing/46163-engine-swap-need-info.html

85_SS_302_Coupe · Aug 14, 2007

For starters i think i can speak for the moderators by saying it's not necessary to post this topic multiple times.

Second, as for your "uneducated" comment and notion that your reason for doing it is because it's cheap....well you're asking US so who's uneducated? And if money were the issue then you wouldn't be swapping a Chevy engine into a Ford. You'll spend more on swap headers and motor mounts than you will to buy a used 302 from a junkyard.

It's not about being open minded....it's about asking a bunch of Ford guys how to swap the competition's engine into your car. You can't really expect much of a warm welcome on a topic like this.

However, there are some other like minded people as you on here who have done it so maybe you'll luck out.

65ShelbyClone · Aug 14, 2007

Seriously......going from a 2.3T to an SBC to save money? Isn't that reasoning completely backward?

Besides, putting a V8 engine in there is only about half of the swap. You'll need a transmission and/or adapter plate, engine/trans mounts, something stronger than your 7.5" rear, and preferably the 5.0 front K member, suspension, and brakes. Unless you can get 90% of that stuff for free, you'll end up spending more than another complete TC engine costs.

However, you gave us zero details about what remnants of your 2.3T setup you still have. The only reason I know you had/have a 2.3T and not a 5.0 is because I had to look through your old posts. Last time you posted a thread 9 months ago was something about selling your turbo stuff.

4bangen · Aug 14, 2007

Also starting youre post off with an insult, not the path I would have taken when trying to get free help.
("yes, first off I hate you and think you are stupid. second will you give me some free advice?") same thng in my book.

sleeper_inc · Aug 14, 2007

blacksheep-1 · Aug 14, 2007

Do an LS-1 swap, you'll be much happier with th HP to weight ratio, it's also much smaller dimensionally. I would suggest starting off with one of the aftermarket crossmembers to free up some room.
I've put SBC's into everything from Mopars to Studebakers, it will take some fabrication skills and I wouldn't do it to save money. Crossbreeding is usually an expensive proposition.
The 350 SBC has been done before, I've seen a few, it's not a great fit.
As far as posting this on a Ford site, well, I guess you have to ask somebody.
If it makes you guys feel any better I did put a 302 Ford into an Opel Manta once (that's a GM product)

glorkar · Aug 15, 2007

Thank you to all of you who have helped.

As for my first comments, that was meant merely as a disclaimer against unproductive comments. There were a few other posts like this and 95 percent of the replies were: you're stupid, you're retarded, why would you do that. Nothing productive or backed by reason.

The money portion is simple. My grandfather had an old chevy truck. He maintained the drivetrain very well. The body didn't fare as well. He gave it to me. Free engine, free tranny.

Third, about posting on multiple boards. Not everyone on here looks at post in every board. I'm sure a lot of the 5.0 don't ever scroll past the top section. Why look in group that you have nothing to do with.

Again, thanks for the links and helpful comments. We'll just have to see how this turns out. Who knows, maybe I'll come up with some other crazy idea before this one gets off the ground. I'm kind of like that sometimes!

88mouse · Aug 23, 2007

blacksheep-1 said:
Do an LS-1 swap, you'll be much happier with th HP to weight ratio, it's also much smaller dimensionally. I would suggest starting off with one of the aftermarket crossmembers to free up some room.
I've put SBC's into everything from Mopars to Studebakers, it will take some fabrication skills and I wouldn't do it to save money. Crossbreeding is usually an expensive proposition.
The 350 SBC has been done before, I've seen a few, it's not a great fit.
As far as posting this on a Ford site, well, I guess you have to ask somebody.
If it makes you guys feel any better I did put a 302 Ford into an Opel Manta once (that's a GM product)

Don't go over to moparchat and tell them that they will kill you.
I don't understand how people think its cheaper to build a SBC anymore. You can build a 5.0 for the same if not less.

sleeper_inc · Aug 23, 2007

88mouse said:
Don't go over to moparchat and tell them that they will kill you.
I don't understand how people think its cheaper to build a SBC anymore. You can build a 5.0 for the same if not less.

All the 4 bolt main SBC's can hold more power than a stock 5.0, have more options, and they can also make more power with the same thing done. The 5.0's stock block like to crack (break if you will) in half at around 500hp (maybe less) because they are almost 2 4 cylinders welded together

85_SS_302_Coupe · Aug 23, 2007

Uhh yeah, it's a beefier block, and it's about 50ci bigger so if it didn't make more power with the same mods, something would be wrong right?

I will say it's cool that the 350's are so common with 4 bolt mains....i wish the 351W came that way. But, comparing a 350 to a 302 is apples to oranges. Compare the 350 to the 351W or better yet the 351C and see how the results go. Also i'm not talking about the LS motors either...i'm talking about old school plain jane 350s that you see in every rusty Camaro out there.

advice needed for 350 swap

glorkar

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Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

glorkar

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sleeper_inc

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85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end

65ShelbyClone

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glorkar

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88mouse

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sleeper_inc

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