need help going from 2.3 to 5.0
 

I need some help, I have an 89 2.3 Mustang. I am working on changing the engine to 5.0. I currently have a 5.0 engine from an 89 truck that was given to me, also have the upper and lower intake and wiring harness for 5.0 mustang. What else do I need to complete the transfer to 5.0(besides transmission). Any help would be great

Re: need help going from 2.3 to 5.0
 

What year wiring harness do you have? Do you have a computer to match it? Its possible that truck motor might have a 28oz imbalance crank. Most stock type replacement Mustang flywheels that you will find are 50oz imbalance.

Andy

Re: need help going from 2.3 to 5.0
 

Have the harnes for an 89 Stang, plus computer. How can I tell if crank is 28oz imbalance are there any markings?

Re: need help going from 2.3 to 5.0
 

Actually now that I think about it, all 81 and up 302's are 50oz regardless of what they came in.

Andy

Re: need help going from 2.3 to 5.0
 

man, you have no idea what you about to get yourself into doing the conversion. Let alone you dont have a true mustang donor car. the conversion consists of A LOT more than just the motor and transmission. you have to switch over the rearend, front suspension and brakes(calipers and rotors), fuel and brake lines, rack and pinion, radiator, master cyl and brake booster(not a must but HIGHLY recommended) and the list goes on. i myself am almost done with the conversion, which has taken me over 2 years thus far. click on the link in my sig to my cardomain to check out the progress of my car if you'd like.

Re: need help going from 2.3 to 5.0
 

I have participated in converting 2 cars from 4 banger to V8. The last one I did took 2 days.

Nothing "has" to be changed but the motor/tranny and rearend. And of coarse the obvious fuel lines/ motor mounts. double hump cross memeber etc...

The 4 banger suspension is actually better than the 5.0 for drag racing. Weaker springs for better weight transfer not to mention smaller bushings in the control arms. The brake system is just fine and really doesnt need to be touched.

Re: need help going from 2.3 to 5.0
 

i'll second that just finished my swap alot of fun some snags but nothing majoir and the help i got here was great a real good web site the only thing i did different was i put a carb motor in my 92

Re: need help going from 2.3 to 5.0
 

The brakes don't HAVE to me changed. My old LX was a V-8 conversion and it still had the 10" front brakes and it stoped fine. The 4 banger stock suspension works better for drag racing too. The rack and pinion, master cyl and brake booster do NOT have to be changed.

It's taken you two YEARS!!!!!! I did my conversion in 2 weeks, working on it after work each night.

Re: need help going from 2.3 to 5.0
 

I have an 89 2.3 iam doing a 5.0 conversion i have the engine, tranny, 5 liter harness, computer, motor mounts and pipes is there any thing else I need please help

Re: need help going from 2.3 to 5.0
 

The 8.8 rearend would help, but not necessary.

Re: need help going from 2.3 to 5.0
 

My '85 gt has the factory 10" brakes, so does my '85 2.3L LX, they both don't stop for Shizzle, but they have brake problems. If you just plan on drag racing/cruising on the street they are fine, but after driving my Cobra every day a quality brake system is what i'll have on every daily driver from now on.
An example.....oh Sh!t, a deer!......my '85's would have hit it, my cobra easily stopped short.
If you don't plan on stopping quickly 10" brakes work fine

Re: need help going from 2.3 to 5.0
 

Is the oil pan on the 302 truck motors the same dual sump pan as on the car/mustang 302? I thought this might be an issue that had not been addressed.

Good luck with the swap!