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Dropping in a 429/460 in a SN95, got some questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter egonick92562
  • Start date Start date Mar 4, 2009
E

egonick92562

New Member
Mar 4, 2009
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Mar 4, 2009
#1
  • Mar 4, 2009
  • #1
Hey guys,

Figured this would be the best place to post this.

I'm going to start a project here soon where I will hopefully be dropping in a 429 or 460 into a 94-04 mustang. I know the basics of what I will need but am asking you guys what you think and for a bit of help.

List of needs for this beast:
-Engine(I found a site that sells OEM rebuilt engines for a decent price if I can't find anything on craigslist)
-Transmission(I want it to be manual, but I know it is hard to find a tranny that will take the beating of the engine. However, I have heard a ZF transmission will bolt up and it is rated in the close hp/tq range)
-Motor Mounts(I beleive the fox body mounts for a 429/460 can be used here as I think the engine bay since the 60's hasn't changed in size, but correct me if I am wrong)
-Rear End(Going to shoot for a 9" rear)
-Beefier Suspension(mainly for the added weight upfront)
-Hood

Now for some questions that weren't posed up there:
1. After dropping in the motor and tranny combo, will the stock driveshaft work with the either stock rear or 9" rear?
2. I want this to be street legal as well, so passing the legendary CA smog as well as a legal engine swap. Which I believe states the engine must be of the same year or newer to be considered legal. That is the hard part I think. So my question is, it it even possible to conform to all this mumbo jumbo to get it legal?

And last, I don't want any of the "don't go with a BB, go with a turbo SB." That is not what my thread is about, or want to turn into. If you ccan just help me out at all that would be great.

Loooooooong post.


-Nick
 

mransr

Founding Member
Nov 3, 2000
1,188
36
98
Riverside, SoCal
Mar 4, 2009
#2
  • Mar 4, 2009
  • #2
no chance in h#ll of passing the California emission test with a 429/460 in an SN95...



and IMHO, and this IS NOT a put down...if you are asking about things like drive shaft length and thinking about OEM rebuilds, a swap of this magnitude probably isn't a real good idea...something like that is not for someone that isn't already pretty comfortable with the basics of swapping engines
 
B

bdcardinal

tree hugger
Jun 10, 2003
3,612
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santa barbara, CA
Mar 4, 2009
#3
  • Mar 4, 2009
  • #3
decent project idea, however it will never pass emissions in CA. no chance in hell.
 
E

egonick92562

New Member
Mar 4, 2009
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Mar 5, 2009
#4
  • Mar 5, 2009
  • #4
Thanks for the replys guys and yea not gonna take that bad. I know it was a hard task. I know my basics was just a simple question, trying cover every point possible. And I do hate CA so much. What if I find an underground smog shop? I do have a cuple of them around me as my brother has to do that to pass his Z.
Any other input would be great though. Just say if it didn't have to pass CA smog.
 
B

bdcardinal

tree hugger
Jun 10, 2003
3,612
16
69
santa barbara, CA
Mar 5, 2009
#5
  • Mar 5, 2009
  • #5
egonick92562 said:
Thanks for the replys guys and yea not gonna take that bad. I know it was a hard task. I know my basics was just a simple question, trying cover every point possible. And I do hate CA so much. What if I find an underground smog shop? I do have a cuple of them around me as my brother has to do that to pass his Z.
Any other input would be great though. Just say if it didn't have to pass CA smog.
Click to expand...

engine changes must go through a smog ref, not a regular shop. they are employed by the state and cannot be bought off.
 
E

egonick92562

New Member
Mar 4, 2009
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Mar 6, 2009
#6
  • Mar 6, 2009
  • #6
bdcardinal said:
engine changes must go through a smog ref, not a regular shop. they are employed by the state and cannot be bought off.
Click to expand...

Oh, ok. So basicly, it goes to the ref to check if the swap is legal and for the somg test? Not smog it first then get engine swap checked? Or the other way around?

So far the only way I'm guessing this will be possible is to only have it run down a track.
 
B

bdcardinal

tree hugger
Jun 10, 2003
3,612
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69
santa barbara, CA
Mar 6, 2009
#7
  • Mar 6, 2009
  • #7
the smog ref will certify the swap as being legal, and will perform the first smog inspection. (s)he will issue a new emissions label that all subsequent smog inspections will be done under. the swap must have all emissions components for the engine that you are putting in, that being said it must be same model year or newer.

that being said you would have to have all the emissions components for a 429-460 for the same model year or newer that you are putting the engine in. also you cannot put a motor that was only offered in a truck into a car. IE you cannot put a 460 that was only available in a F-series into a mustang.
 
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