engine swap

[mike8232]

I have seached various forums trying to get a strait answer on what has to be done to swap my 3.8 to a carbed 5.0 all ive seen is sell the car and buy a v8 but selling my car is not happening, i want to know stuff like do you have to change the k member and stuff like that any help would be greatly appreciated.

[84LX89GT]

I believe the 3.8 and 5.0L in stangs had the same crossmember but different mounts (of course), also you would need the fuel sending unit out of the carbed car (IF it would fit), you could also have an external fuel pressure regulator before the carburetor that uses the stock fuel pump/line system (my '85 GT has a HUGE electric pump and an external regulator for it to drop fuel pressure down for the carb).
You'll need probably a stand-alone MSD ignition system (distributor, controller) I have a MSD system on mine and the distributor has only mechanical advance.....cool because you can tune it for total timing and advance curve very easily and there's hardly any wires.....real simple.
Exhaust system should be easy - 5.0 system for whatever model year vehicle you have (you didn't mention), you may have to relocate brake lines in back or just have dumps before the rear axle.

You'll need a radiator for it as well, an 8.8" rear axle if you plan on using any kind of power.

If you're going to put a windsor engine in, i'd recommend just putting in a 351W since you're going to have to buy all sorts of stuff anyway. If you're doing the junkyard/budget way, a 5.0L an be put in real cheap....or buying a 5.0L junker and swapping is also a good idea.

[mike8232]

i have a 97. i have a 306 and trans. that is ready to go in and i wasn't sure if i could just buy v8 mounts and fuel pressure, and stand alone ignition and make it run, i will have to buy a v8 radiator and rearend but i didn't want to start gathering parts for a project that was unfeasable. i appreciate your input. thanks

[goodyear1984]

yea they make a fuel sending units to get rid of the in tank pumpand you can just put an inline pump if ur goin to carb it. i would go injected if it was me.you shouldn't have any prolbem geting the motor bolted up..just make sure u do a nice job on the wiring part of it sould be a pretty easy swap as long as you get all the parts first

[mike8232]

my major concern was if the k member would work or not i am still sitting around not acomplishing anything. i am still riding the fence, debating if i want to tear my mustang apart to try it. i have seen several people around here that hae done it but they act like its some big trade secret or something.

[goodyear1984]

i wouldnt worrie about the k member ... idk if the engine mounts are the same as a 5.0 but u can always fab something up...mabey even call summit they always have conversion kits