Need a little advice on 2000 3.8 to 5.0 swap.

[CHig84]

I'm in the middle of the swap and I got engine in (5.0) and transmission married to engine. However after dropping it in the car my t5 shifter won't go into 1st 3rd or 5th due to clearance. It's about an inch and a half short. Any suggestions? (Besides give up)

 

[General karthief]

What year is the engine/trans from?

 

[wmburns]

Pictures would also help us out here in Internet land to visualize the problem.

Also tell us about some of the "other" parts swapped. For example which K-member is in use?

 

[CHig84]

After searching for pictures in my phone I realized what I did wrong. The shifter was on backwards!!!!.... I have many questions to ask but in order to not bore you guys I'll search the forum for it first. I want to also say thanks to those that allow this forum to operate. So much information who need the performance handbooks???? Lol. I also put a picture up of my current progress as of 11-12-2019. Please n let me know if anything is off. I traded k-members with a 94 gt... 8.8 rear end... 302 bored .030 over.... 303 cam...looks like I'll have a clearence issue with distrubitor and breather..... any suggestions. Will be greatly appreciated.

 

[General karthief]

Looking good!

 

[CHig84]

Thanks. I got another question. I have an explorer engine everyone talls about the GT40P heads and all hp however I also have a xxx 5.0 engine with .030 bored? And new pistons.....which will be the better engine? I of course am going carburated if that matters....

 

[General karthief]

The engine that is in the best condition. The gt40p heads are pretty good but you need to compare the cost of how much work they need and a set of ready to bolt on aluminum heads.

 

[CHig84]

Update: Decided to go EFI, a.k.a. headache.