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Difference between 4 Cylinder Body and 8 Cylinder Body?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ynhrgt
  • Start date Start date Nov 18, 2005
Y

ynhrgt

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Nov 18, 2005
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#1
  • Nov 18, 2005
  • #1
Was thinking of maybe just doin a 5.0l v8 swap into a 4 cylinder stang. Is there anything mechanically different between the two body types?

If there is too much of a difference, I'll just start with a car with originally a v8.
 

notchback

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Nov 18, 2005
#2
  • Nov 18, 2005
  • #2
no, 4 banger cars don't have the studs for quads, but thats about it.

the suspension is softer, but from above the ground...it's the same
 

RacEoHolic330

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#3
  • Nov 18, 2005
  • #3
4 cyls have itty bitty brakes
 
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ynhrgt

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#4
  • Nov 18, 2005
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What would I have to change to make it on-par with a 8 cylinder body?
 

Mavrick

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#5
  • Nov 18, 2005
  • #5
You'd need some exhaust hangers, double hump tranny crossmember, 8.8 rear end, bigger brakes, springs, tranny to match it, 8cyl tach... that's basically it but there is other small stuff.
 

RacEoHolic330

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#6
  • Nov 18, 2005
  • #6
well, besides from the obvious (engine, trans, rear end) there are a good amount of other little differences. It's quite a big project to undertake. Run a search, you'll find some good info

edit: mavrick beat me to my reply..you're just too quick for me
 
Y

ynhrgt

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  • Nov 18, 2005
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Well, I meant PHYSICALLY different.. I understand springs/trans/etc.. all that is different.. but is the actual structure itself any different.

I plan on doing everything over again anyways, I was just wondering if a 4 cylinder body can handle an 8.
 

Mavrick

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#8
  • Nov 18, 2005
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The shell is physically identical.
 
M

mustangman33

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Nov 19, 2005
#9
  • Nov 19, 2005
  • #9
I tried that swap on a 4cyl 90, pulled the motor out and went to put in a v8, and the kmember was different.
 

Shakerhood

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Oct 28, 2004
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#10
  • Nov 19, 2005
  • #10
I think the fuel lines MIGHT be different too.
 
S

superhuaman

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Nov 19, 2005
#11
  • Nov 19, 2005
  • #11
mustangman33 said:
I tried that swap on a 4cyl 90, pulled the motor out and went to put in a v8, and the kmember was different.
Click to expand...
I 've heard that the k-member was the same between the 4-cyl and 8-cyl, and that the only different one was for the 3.3L inline-six (!). Can anyone say for sure, what is true? Sorry for thread-hijacking, but I am interested to know this.
 

Greenracing

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#12
  • Nov 20, 2005
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The k member is the same from a 4banger to a v8 and i know bc i done 2 swaps, 1 w a 70 fairmont and 1 w a 89 lx.
 
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Matts89LX5.0

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Nov 20, 2005
#13
  • Nov 20, 2005
  • #13
mustangman33 said:
I tried that swap on a 4cyl 90, pulled the motor out and went to put in a v8, and the kmember was different.
Click to expand...


k member is the same, crossmember is not the same

body is the same
 

Greenracing

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#14
  • Nov 21, 2005
  • #14
sorry to disagree but the crossmember is the same, at least in a fox body.
unless you have a inline 6 like a fairmont, the 79-93 fox body crossmember is the same no matter if you have a 4 or a 8.

Why i know?? bc i have done the 2 swaps.
 
S

superhuaman

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#15
  • Nov 21, 2005
  • #15
Uhh... let's get something straight, ok?

K-member = where the engine mounts
Crossmember = where the transmission mounts

:Teh-Win:
 

Greenracing

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#16
  • Nov 21, 2005
  • #16


Yes... my bad... the crossmember is 1 hump for the 4 cil... my bad i get them mixed up.
 
S

superhuaman

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#17
  • Nov 21, 2005
  • #17
It's ok. So, what I've heard is:
(for the years 79-93)
I4 K-member = V6 K-member = V8 K-member
I6 K-member = nothing

Single exhaust crossmember = all 4 & 6 cyl's, 79-85 V8's
Dual exhaust crossmember = 86-93 V8

Also, 90-93 tie rod ends are better with bump steer than older ones.
90-93 cars have larger front fender openings, useful for big tires
90-93 cars have a driver's airbag, which may or may not save on insurance
V8 and I4 cars have different ratio racks and different pumps. DO NOT interchange the two.
I4 cars are not equipped with quad shock mounts as mentioned, nor do they have a pinion snubber.
I really don't need to say anything about mass air, do I?

I picked a 4-banger cuz it wasn't all beat to hell
 
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