Just going over the approximate cost projections for the eventual T-5/EFI swap in the future, and wondering if I might be able to make baby steps toward the final goal. 
Here’s the basis for the idea: The greatest expense involved in the swap is the fuel injection parts and wiring. Considering the real priorities (the imprortant stuff is the T-5 (overdrive) and a nice, new, long block) having EFI is the icing on the cake. So what if I saved the EFI for later, and swapped only the long block and tranny? I could always retrofit the EFI later, right?
Using round numbers, the EFI swap would cost approximately $1,500 for parts and wiring (I know when I’m beat, and I NEED the custom set up wiring harness). The T-5 swap itself is only +/- $600.
I’m thinking that I can get a 5.0 roller long block including stock (ported) E7 heads for a very reasonable price and use the vintage timing chain cover and oil pan. This would also eliminate the need for any specialty T-5 swap adapters for mating to a vintage 289 block, and it would already be set up for 50 oz. balance flywheel and latemodel clutch.
And now for the questions:
• Would I have to have a custom gear setup (brass) on an old school distributor to work with the 5.0 roller cam until I switch to the stock 5.0 roller distributor when I get the computer in there later?
• Serpentine pulleys. I’d really like to go ahead with that setup while I’m at it. Are there any stumbling blocks to look out for in this combo? I would prefer to mess with the electric fuel pump later, so I’d need the vintange timing chain cover that retains the fuel pump boss. Am I missing any other factors in this area?
• Exhaust issues with E7 heads? I’d like to avoid having big problems with header selection.
• Have I missed anything?
Thanks y’all for reading this novel. I know I’ve seen answers to many, if not all of these questions here, but over the years, I just don’t remember conclusively what the right answers are and the search function isn’t yielding too much.
Here’s the basis for the idea: The greatest expense involved in the swap is the fuel injection parts and wiring. Considering the real priorities (the imprortant stuff is the T-5 (overdrive) and a nice, new, long block) having EFI is the icing on the cake. So what if I saved the EFI for later, and swapped only the long block and tranny? I could always retrofit the EFI later, right?
Using round numbers, the EFI swap would cost approximately $1,500 for parts and wiring (I know when I’m beat, and I NEED the custom set up wiring harness). The T-5 swap itself is only +/- $600.
I’m thinking that I can get a 5.0 roller long block including stock (ported) E7 heads for a very reasonable price and use the vintage timing chain cover and oil pan. This would also eliminate the need for any specialty T-5 swap adapters for mating to a vintage 289 block, and it would already be set up for 50 oz. balance flywheel and latemodel clutch.
And now for the questions:
• Would I have to have a custom gear setup (brass) on an old school distributor to work with the 5.0 roller cam until I switch to the stock 5.0 roller distributor when I get the computer in there later?
• Serpentine pulleys. I’d really like to go ahead with that setup while I’m at it. Are there any stumbling blocks to look out for in this combo? I would prefer to mess with the electric fuel pump later, so I’d need the vintange timing chain cover that retains the fuel pump boss. Am I missing any other factors in this area?
• Exhaust issues with E7 heads? I’d like to avoid having big problems with header selection.
• Have I missed anything?
Thanks y’all for reading this novel. I know I’ve seen answers to many, if not all of these questions here, but over the years, I just don’t remember conclusively what the right answers are and the search function isn’t yielding too much.
I figure the compressor clutch shouldn't be too big a deal. Thanks for the heads up on the dizzy gear too.
