4.0 swap

JohnnyMustang · 08-14-2004, 05:56 PM

Allright folks. I just bought a 88 Mustang LX 2.3L last night for 200 bucks. This thing is in REAL rough shape, it shakes real bad like it's cutting out. THinking it's that TFI thing I keep reading about. But my question is thus, I have a full engine ecu harness, ignition, pulleys, Everything hell basically a full 91 ford explorer EB with a 4.0 V6. How hard would this be to swap into my stang? Stang is a 5 speed. Transmission feels nice and stiff. No play in the clutch or shifter, but the vehicle isn't performing very well due to the jerkiness, It needs alot of work, but anyway that's my question. Any answers for me?

JohnnyMustang · 08-15-2004, 12:48 AM

Nobody??? Wow..

84LX89GT · 08-16-2004, 08:01 PM

Well the transmission won't bolt up, you'd need to convert it to an automatic, but both stangs and explorers have A4LD's as autos so you should be able to make that work with a swap, or get an adapter for the T5, or find a M50D from a manual ranger or explorer and convert it. You'll probably have to do some rewiring, probably not all that major but still they have different wiring harnesses. You will have to use the processor out of the explorer. You'll also want to get a 2 core or larger radiator from a mustang. There will be about 100 small things you'll have to bend or fabricate as well as i don't know
if the oil pan from the 4.0L will clear the crossmember of the mustang. It'll be a different swap, but it'll probably be more money than it's worth, especially for an engine that is notorious for having cracked heads (4.0L OHV). Good luck, that's all that i can think of.

JohnnyMustang · 08-17-2004, 12:26 AM

so your saying it'd be easier 2.8T or 5.0 then

GodStang · 08-17-2004, 07:52 AM

Switching just about anything over to a 5.0 is not too hard and not too expensive. There are many magizane article on a 2.3L to 5.0L swap.

JohnnyMustang · 08-18-2004, 11:01 PM

i don't want a 5.0 tho. everyone has them. i'd rather be a bit different.

BLOCKER · 09-05-2004, 04:46 AM

I say go for it! good luck

BLACK85GT · 09-05-2004, 11:00 PM

There is a reason everyone has them. If you are gonna go thru the trouble of a motor swap, why not have some power to show for it.

08-14-2004, 05:56 PM	#1
JohnnyMustang Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 6	4.0 swap Allright folks. I just bought a 88 Mustang LX 2.3L last night for 200 bucks. This thing is in REAL rough shape, it shakes real bad like it's cutting out. THinking it's that TFI thing I keep reading about. But my question is thus, I have a full engine ecu harness, ignition, pulleys, Everything hell basically a full 91 ford explorer EB with a 4.0 V6. How hard would this be to swap into my stang? Stang is a 5 speed. Transmission feels nice and stiff. No play in the clutch or shifter, but the vehicle isn't performing very well due to the jerkiness, It needs alot of work, but anyway that's my question. Any answers for me?

08-16-2004, 08:01 PM	#3
84LX89GT Mustangs Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 1,938	Well the transmission won't bolt up, you'd need to convert it to an automatic, but both stangs and explorers have A4LD's as autos so you should be able to make that work with a swap, or get an adapter for the T5, or find a M50D from a manual ranger or explorer and convert it. You'll probably have to do some rewiring, probably not all that major but still they have different wiring harnesses. You will have to use the processor out of the explorer. You'll also want to get a 2 core or larger radiator from a mustang. There will be about 100 small things you'll have to bend or fabricate as well as i don't know if the oil pan from the 4.0L will clear the crossmember of the mustang. It'll be a different swap, but it'll probably be more money than it's worth, especially for an engine that is notorious for having cracked heads (4.0L OHV). Good luck, that's all that i can think of. __________________ 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300-R 1980 Ford Thunderbird - 255 V8 ported heads, 5.0L ported stock headers, O.R. H-pipe and Flowmaster 2-chambers, dual roller timing chain hi-po Mack Truck hood emblem 1985 Mustang GT 5.0L T5, F-303, GT40p, headers, off-road h, flowmasters, MSD stuff, etc. Sold 02/06/04 1989 Mustang GT ET: 13.304@102.29 mph (5-24-03) Sold - 1998 Mustang Cobra coupe, 1/4 mile - street tires: 13.843@103.41 (bone stock)

08-17-2004, 07:52 AM	#5
GodStang College Stanger Join Date: May 1999 Location: Aiken,south carolina, usa Posts: 1,097	Switching just about anything over to a 5.0 is not too hard and not too expensive. There are many magizane article on a 2.3L to 5.0L swap. __________________ 2003 Sonic Blue Cobra

09-05-2004, 04:46 AM	#7
BLOCKER Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada Posts: 232	I say go for it! good luck __________________ -1988 MUSTANG COBRA GT (Canadian...eh!) -1987 Mustang LX coupe (2.3L) -1978 Harley Davidson FLH -2008 Harley Davidson Nightster 1200 -2008 Harley Davidson Night Rod Special -1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertable

09-05-2004, 11:00 PM	#8
BLACK85GT Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tampa,FLORIDA Posts: 340	There is a reason everyone has them. If you are gonna go thru the trouble of a motor swap, why not have some power to show for it. __________________ 5.0, Holley heads, 1.7 Scorp Rockers, Stealth intake, Holley 600 carb, Holley Mech. Fuel pump, MSD 6Digital, MSD distributor, Hotchkis upper/lower rear control arms, FMS B Springs, 3:73 (8.8) rear. Production # 9,377

08-15-2004, 12:48 AM	#2
JohnnyMustang Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 6	Nobody??? Wow..

08-17-2004, 12:26 AM	#4
JohnnyMustang Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 6	so your saying it'd be easier 2.8T or 5.0 then

08-18-2004, 11:01 PM	#6
JohnnyMustang Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 6	i don't want a 5.0 tho. everyone has them. i'd rather be a bit different.

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