Any inputs on putting a 32v in 87-93 stang

n20neenee · 01-27-2001, 07:50 PM

Im starting on the new project, and im lookin for indeas and help for putting a 32v into the liter fox body. How durable are the lincoln 32v as compared to the cobra

tommy726 · 01-27-2001, 10:39 PM

In January of 1999 I swapped out the 5.0L in my 87 Mustang GT for a 32v DOHC 4.6L out of a 96 Mustang Cobra. What a task it was, but well worth the agg. Many attempts to gain information regarding this swap were made but nobody could give me definitive answers to the questions I was up against. I made calls to many people, even modular specialist Sean Hyland in Canada after a very brief article I read that he had wrote in an issue of MM/FF about performing this swap. Just to summarize some of the more important aspects from my own experience that I dealt with, the engine fits well if your using a k-member from a 94-present v8 and it bolts right into the fox body. If not used, the cars existing k-member will need to be modified. The T-5 wont work with the 32v 4.6L so your going to either need the T-45 or something along the lines of a tremec. Using the DOHC 4.6L the vacuum brake booster also will not work since its in the way of the massive cylinder head. I plumbed in the Cobra's hydra-boost system with my original master cylinder with some custom modifications done to that as well in order for it to properly operate. And the hardest part of the conversion for me was just getting the engine to fire and stay running. Everyday for 3 months, after the engine was physically in the car, I would have my nose in the 87 and 96 electrical books figuring out which wires needed to go where. I wound up needing the Cobra's steering column for its key, ignition cylinder and PATS module. Also, I took the wiring from under the dash for the OBD-II connector and wired that into my car so I can scan the engine controller and check for codes if I ever encountered a driveability problem. I inquired about Auburns "Speedbrain" computer system to replace the factory's but one was not yet available for the DOHC 4.6L.
As far as durability of the Mustang 4.6L as compared to the Lincoln....I'm not sure but I figured if I was going to go through all this trouble to do the swap, I'll be damned if I'd put in anything less then the balls to the wall 305hp stock Cobra. And just to complicate my life a little more, only 600 miles after the swap I fitted the car with Vortech's S-trim Supercharger. Pictures and description of the car can be seen at the address below. It is also for sale
http://hometown.aol.com/gottij1033/

n20neenee · 01-28-2001, 01:23 AM

were you able to incorperate the cruise control, when you swapped the steering column, did you use the newer steering wheel, how is the t-45 holding up to 450 hp?

tommy726 · 01-29-2001, 08:04 PM

I did not replace my original steering column with that of the '96. I only used the ignition cylinder, key and PATS (Passive Anti-Theft System) module from it and incorporated into my car. As far as the cruise control is concerned. That is one thing that I have not yet completed. I still have my original cruise set up in the car, what I believe I need to do to get it operating is to get a '96 cable that goes from the soleniod to the throttle linkage. The T-45 seems to be holding up very well, I have not encountered any problems at all

97snakedriver · 01-29-2001, 09:43 PM

Actually you may want to call Griggs Racing. They were one of the first to do this swap and make a tubular K-member for that purpose. Also check out (if you haven't all ready

) Stangparts. Its a good place to look for those hard to find little, but needed, parts for cheap. Like master cylinders, lines, hoses, wires, ect.

As far as the Cobra vs. Mark VIII DOHC: Go with a Cobra block and crank if possible. The Cobra has a stronger 6 bolt block (although I have seen some hi-po Mark VIII blocked cars) and the Cobra crank is much better. Its made of forged steel, while the Mark VIII is made of iron, all be it a higher grade then the GTs. The Cobra rods are also bigger/stronger then the Mark VIII, although they are both made out of powdered, cracked, steel. The Cobra short block can sustain 450 rwhp for extended periods, but you have to be very careful with the tuning.

Oh yeah. The Mark VIII heads are the same as the 96-98 Cobras, but with less agressive cams. The Mark VIII varies, but is a similiar design to the Cobra, but not as free flowing.

Buying a wrecked Cobra would be good idea.

Links: http://www.griggsracing.com/
http://www.stangparts.com/

BTW: Stangparts has a couple complete Cobra engines as well as a couple Cobra cranks which will fit in a Mark VIII block.

Keep us updated. My brother and law is considering doing a similar swap for his 85 GT.

97snakedriver · 01-29-2001, 09:44 PM

Links to the engine and engine parts:
http://www.stangparts.com/products/list.cfm?TypeID=5

01-27-2001, 07:50 PM	#1
n20neenee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: san angelo tx Posts: 32	Any inputs on putting a 32v in 87-93 stang Im starting on the new project, and im lookin for indeas and help for putting a 32v into the liter fox body. How durable are the lincoln 32v as compared to the cobra

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01-27-2001, 10:39 PM	#2
tommy726 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Philadelphia, PA USA Posts: 2	In January of 1999 I swapped out the 5.0L in my 87 Mustang GT for a 32v DOHC 4.6L out of a 96 Mustang Cobra. What a task it was, but well worth the agg. Many attempts to gain information regarding this swap were made but nobody could give me definitive answers to the questions I was up against. I made calls to many people, even modular specialist Sean Hyland in Canada after a very brief article I read that he had wrote in an issue of MM/FF about performing this swap. Just to summarize some of the more important aspects from my own experience that I dealt with, the engine fits well if your using a k-member from a 94-present v8 and it bolts right into the fox body. If not used, the cars existing k-member will need to be modified. The T-5 wont work with the 32v 4.6L so your going to either need the T-45 or something along the lines of a tremec. Using the DOHC 4.6L the vacuum brake booster also will not work since its in the way of the massive cylinder head. I plumbed in the Cobra's hydra-boost system with my original master cylinder with some custom modifications done to that as well in order for it to properly operate. And the hardest part of the conversion for me was just getting the engine to fire and stay running. Everyday for 3 months, after the engine was physically in the car, I would have my nose in the 87 and 96 electrical books figuring out which wires needed to go where. I wound up needing the Cobra's steering column for its key, ignition cylinder and PATS module. Also, I took the wiring from under the dash for the OBD-II connector and wired that into my car so I can scan the engine controller and check for codes if I ever encountered a driveability problem. I inquired about Auburns "Speedbrain" computer system to replace the factory's but one was not yet available for the DOHC 4.6L. As far as durability of the Mustang 4.6L as compared to the Lincoln....I'm not sure but I figured if I was going to go through all this trouble to do the swap, I'll be damned if I'd put in anything less then the balls to the wall 305hp stock Cobra. And just to complicate my life a little more, only 600 miles after the swap I fitted the car with Vortech's S-trim Supercharger. Pictures and description of the car can be seen at the address below. It is also for sale http://hometown.aol.com/gottij1033/

01-28-2001, 01:23 AM	#3
n20neenee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: san angelo tx Posts: 32	were you able to incorperate the cruise control, when you swapped the steering column, did you use the newer steering wheel, how is the t-45 holding up to 450 hp?

01-29-2001, 08:04 PM	#4
tommy726 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Philadelphia, PA USA Posts: 2	I did not replace my original steering column with that of the '96. I only used the ignition cylinder, key and PATS (Passive Anti-Theft System) module from it and incorporated into my car. As far as the cruise control is concerned. That is one thing that I have not yet completed. I still have my original cruise set up in the car, what I believe I need to do to get it operating is to get a '96 cable that goes from the soleniod to the throttle linkage. The T-45 seems to be holding up very well, I have not encountered any problems at all

01-29-2001, 09:43 PM	#5
97snakedriver Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 1,526	Actually you may want to call Griggs Racing. They were one of the first to do this swap and make a tubular K-member for that purpose. Also check out (if you haven't all ready ) Stangparts. Its a good place to look for those hard to find little, but needed, parts for cheap. Like master cylinders, lines, hoses, wires, ect. As far as the Cobra vs. Mark VIII DOHC: Go with a Cobra block and crank if possible. The Cobra has a stronger 6 bolt block (although I have seen some hi-po Mark VIII blocked cars) and the Cobra crank is much better. Its made of forged steel, while the Mark VIII is made of iron, all be it a higher grade then the GTs. The Cobra rods are also bigger/stronger then the Mark VIII, although they are both made out of powdered, cracked, steel. The Cobra short block can sustain 450 rwhp for extended periods, but you have to be very careful with the tuning. Oh yeah. The Mark VIII heads are the same as the 96-98 Cobras, but with less agressive cams. The Mark VIII varies, but is a similiar design to the Cobra, but not as free flowing. Buying a wrecked Cobra would be good idea. Links: http://www.griggsracing.com/ http://www.stangparts.com/ BTW: Stangparts has a couple complete Cobra engines as well as a couple Cobra cranks which will fit in a Mark VIII block. Keep us updated. My brother and law is considering doing a similar swap for his 85 GT.

01-29-2001, 09:44 PM	#6
97snakedriver Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 1,526	Links to the engine and engine parts: http://www.stangparts.com/products/list.cfm?TypeID=5