Newbie here, 2.3l to 5.0 swap?

[fender92]

Hey everybody I'm new here and have a few questions. There's a 92 lx 2.3 just up the street from me here. It's in good shape, good interior, 102k miles, 5 speed, new starter and some other little things, American Racing wheels. The guy said he'd take 800 for it.
I was just wondering if anyone knew how much different the front end geometry is between a 5.0 and the 2.3. Would there be anything more involved than beefing up the suspension and different motor mounts to put in a V8? Or would it be better to look for a 2.3 turbo, both power and cost wise? I'd like to get into autocross sometime soon so I guess lighter front end would be better. How much different is the handling between the two? Lots of questions, I know. Thanks for your patience guys.

 

[misslightning]

put a turbo in it . i have an 88 turbo lx that runs 7.992 in the 1/8

 

[JamesBaumann]

Turbo is the easier, more effective, cheaper way to go.

The 2.3 Mustang will actually handle better than the 5.0's because the front end is much lighter because of the smaller motor. This means that the weight is more evenly distributed which allows the car to handle better allround.

A good intercooled 2.3 turbo set-up will give you around 200hp stock, where as 5.0 will give you about 225 depending on the year of the motor. That extra 25 horse is easy to come by with a turbo set-up though.

It is much easier and cheaper to swap to a 2.3 turbo. You wont need to make any other major modifications to the vehicle such as suspension and drivetrain parts. All this not to mention that you will see between 25-30 mpg in a 2.3 turbo where as a 5.0 you will see about 17 mpg.

 

[Asha'man]

We're the 2.3 board....if we knew anything about V8 swaps, we'd be on the 5.0 board.

Ash

 

[mr_woodster]

lol I know enough about a 5.0 swap to continue to break my knuckles on my 2.3T

5.0 swap(must's)
-Engine
-Complete wiring harness/computer
-Trans

-Related stuff(needed)
-8.8 rear end
-5.0 brakes
-springs-struts etc


In comparison...2.3Turbo swap
-motor
-computer (plug and play with a few moved wires)

 

[TheNoachSHO]

Don't let them scare you. Go for it. It's not that bad. I'm working on one right now. If your going carb'd it really easy. Only EFI requires a lot more wiring and stuff. K-members are the same. You can use your stock rear end and trans. Although it may not last a hell of a long time but will work.

 

[Stinger]

Just remember that a motor swap will kill you in autocross...check the rules.

 

[1fastfox]

hey mustanggrn. what all do u have done to get u in the 7s.

patrick