Engine Swap Ideas

cjperry81 · Apr 8, 2011

I have a 66 Coupe that i have been considering selling for some time in hopes of upgrading to a late 60's fastback. The search isnt going so well so ive decided to put my resources into my coupe. It currently has the inline 6 200ci in it. Im thinking about upgrading to a v8. What type of engine do most people recommend. I want this car to fly. Obviously there is the 302 but is it worth it to go with something like a 351 windsor or bigger? Im probably going to have a shop do it so I want the most bang for my buck out of this engine. Ive researched the conversion a lot but wondered what peoples opinions were on engines as far as factors on power, weight, maintenance for going in a 66 coupe.

CP

robbz28 · Apr 8, 2011

You can make it fly with any v8....pretty much take your pick....300 horsepower is easy to make with a 302 and will pin you in the seat of that little coupe. 400 horsepower is just rediculous in these cars (Ludacris speed...GO!) Anyway, just know that if you have that light duty 6 cyl rear you will need to put an 8 or 9 inch under the rear, upgrade your cooling, transmission, all that good stuff along with the engine. I personally want to build a stroked 351 (406) whenever I eventually build a new engine. You can "overhosepower" these cars, basically rendering any extra horsepower useless and tougher to drive on the street, need a good balance.

cjperry81 · Apr 8, 2011

I just burst out laughing at Ludacris Speed. Great movie quote. I was thinking that a 351 would be awesome but you do make a good point that I could see that its possible to over power those small coupes. I feel like a hopped up 302 is more reasonable and seem like a a solid balance of power. Thanks for all the tips too. Ive been doing research on all the upgrades necessary to for from the 6 to the 8. So would you recommend going with an old school 302 or something a little more modern from the fox body era with a roller cam possibly?

19stang68 · Apr 8, 2011

Ludacris Speed it is ....

My opinion - go old school. You can make "Ludacris Speed" easily and you don't have to worry about all the electronics of a more modern engine. I would pick a 302 over a 351 as space on the sides can become an issue in those narrower early Mustangs. Want more cubes - get one of those kits to make it into a 331 or 347. Of course all of this gets dumped out the window if someone gives you a turn-key modern 302 .....

Craig

cjperry81 · Apr 8, 2011

Is that how all these people get those 347 strokers? They use 302's and then use a kit to convert them? Is that worth it from a power perspective....financially i mean.

Hwyman · Apr 8, 2011

Since you are pretty much going to be starting from scratch and have a shop do it, it doesn't cost a lot more to have it built as a stroker. You can also use a roller cam and lifters in an older block (I have them in my 68 block). My advice (it worked for me) -- find an engine builder or machine shop that you like or others locally have recommended. Sit down with them and plan what you want to do. If they are any good at all, they know exactly what works together and what doesn't, how much it will cost, and what approx. power you will get. If you are uncomfortable at all with their answers, or just don't know, ask another shop the same questions. Comparison shop. A 302 block fits comfortably in a 66, and can be built mild to very wild.

robbz28 · Apr 8, 2011

hwyman makes a very valid point, since starting from scratch I would have to go with a 347....you can get a roller assembly with the crank, rods, etc from summit or your engine builder can recommend one for you. Make it about 9.5:1 with some flat top pistons, a good set of heads (afr 180's or something similar) A nice 280 / 500 camshaft or something similar. You can make a very streetable 350-400 horsepower engine that way. Put a T5 behind it, run it to an 8 or 9" rear (might as well go 9 if you have to spend the money anyway). Just some suggestions, you are about to have fun, I love building the engine.

2+2GT · Apr 8, 2011

The 351W and variations are a tight but workable fit in the 65-66. If you really wanna get crazy, one of the guys at Scott Drake has fitted his 65 with a Ford Motorsport 427.

rbohm · Apr 10, 2011

cjperry81 said:
I have a 66 Coupe that i have been considering selling for some time in hopes of upgrading to a late 60's fastback. The search isnt going so well so ive decided to put my resources into my coupe. It currently has the inline 6 200ci in it. Im thinking about upgrading to a v8. What type of engine do most people recommend. I want this car to fly. Obviously there is the 302 but is it worth it to go with something like a 351 windsor or bigger? Im probably going to have a shop do it so I want the most bang for my buck out of this engine. Ive researched the conversion a lot but wondered what peoples opinions were on engines as far as factors on power, weight, maintenance for going in a 66 coupe.

CP

when you say you want the car to fly, how fast are you wanting to go? with some good parts selection, you can make the inline six fly pretty good. for instance an aluminum head from classicilines.com will help make some good power, add to that a turbo and you are looking at about 250-300hp. swap in a good T5 and an 8" rear end with something like 3.73 gears, and you can have a six cylinder powered car that will run with many V8's and still get 25 mpg.

if you really want a V8, then i suggest going with a 331 or 347 stroker motor. it is an easier swap than a 351w based engine.

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