4-cyl, or v8?
 

Ok, this might get a little long....

My dad an I are looking for an 87-93 stang with which to put a 'big' engine in (351, 400hp+) and build up for me as a daily driver, but for use as a road racer too. I was wondering, which would be cheaper/easier: to get a v8 mustang or a 4-cylinder. I know that I can get a 2.3L for much cheaper, but will it be much harder to change it over for more power/bigger engine and tranny? If I go with a v8 car to begin with, the plan would be to slap a 351 in there, and a new tranny (to handle the power), suspension, brakes and wheels. If I were to go the 2.3 route, I'd have to also get a new rear (2.3s came w/ 7.5 rears methinks), probably driveshaft?, what else? Thanks in advance!

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ABit KT7, T-Bird 900@1100, PAL6035-2, 256M pc133, 20gb@7200rpm, MP7040A, PC-DVD 6x, Viper V770, SB Live

If you are not running fuel injection then that should be about all. IF you are doing suspension then you won't have to worry about the issue of springs, and if you are doing brake upgrades for road racing then you wouldn't have to worry about the brakes either. You will probably be using an aftermarket tach too, so that wouldn't be a problem either. Ingition would be different, and again an MSD would remedy that problem.
I thought about that exact same idea before, but never have tried to follow through yet. I think it would be a good chance to get in pretty cheap and still have all good components.

Thats what I though, cause I'm already gonna be replacing a lot of stuff on whatever car I get. Anyone got any input on how hard this will be? I know it'll be a big thing to do without a lift, but I'm not on any sort of schedule (maybe before I go to college in 1.5 years, I'd like to have it before then....), are there any major things that I should just get done if I decide to do this?

If you are going to be swapping out the engine anyway, then get the 4 banger. A new rear end won't set you back anywhere near the premium on a 5.0. Plus you shouldn't really be using the old 5.0's tranny in a 351. The extra torque load will be too much for it more than likely. Sounds like you plan on making it pretty powerful, and the T-5 won't be around long on a 400hp 351.

i just finsished a 4cy to EFI 5.0 swap..email me on any questions you may have

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1987 black notch(ex 4 banger)
DSS 306 w/ main support...Elderbrock 6028 heads..gt-40 intake..24# injectors...70 mm tb..77 pro-m...accel 300+..mac full legnth..tremec w/ pro5oh...full MAC exhaust,off road h-pipe,long tubes, catback...ron davis radiator..subframes, control arms...CFDF II..o yea holley FPR sucks..dont buy one..
AIM=onesillynotch

Lets not forget one other issue: The interior in the average 4-banger is uglier than your average rice rocket...

I agree to go with the 4-banger and work up from there, but don't forget to calculate an interior swap into your budget....well at least the seats.

I see somebody already commented on the tach issue, but what about the speedo? I realize that a lot of 5.0's had the 85 speedo in them too, but it may just be easier to change the cluster to a 140 out of a 5.0 to kill two birds with one stone...I personally can't stand the 85

If you're planning on a 400+ HP motor, the car might not see under 85 very often...

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1992 5.0 LX, V-1 S-Trim @8LBS,Edelbrock 6037 Heads,Cobra Intake,E-303,1.6 Roller Rockers,65MM Holley TB, 75 MM Pro M Mass Air, 190 LPH FP,24 lb injectors,MSD 6A and BTM,BBK equal length shorties,offroad h-pipe,Mac Flowpath Mufflers,Pro 5.0, 3.73's,Motorsport "C" springs,welded subframe connectors,Ponies w/ 225/50 Nitto NT 450's on front,255/50 BFG Drags out back,93 Cobra Spoiler
Daily driver: 89 Coupe with 208K plus, BBK shorties,offroad h-pipe,2-chamber flowmasters with dumps,

Ya, I'll start looking for a good 2.3. I'll just go to the junk yard then and get the dash from a 5.0.

Just the cluster not the whole dash....and the seats

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1992 5.0 LX, V-1 S-Trim @8LBS,Edelbrock 6037 Heads,Cobra Intake,E-303,1.6 Roller Rockers,65MM Holley TB, 75 MM Pro M Mass Air, 190 LPH FP,24 lb injectors,MSD 6A and BTM,BBK equal length shorties,offroad h-pipe,Mac Flowpath Mufflers,Pro 5.0, 3.73's,Motorsport "C" springs,welded subframe connectors,Ponies w/ 225/50 Nitto NT 450's on front,255/50 BFG Drags out back,93 Cobra Spoiler
Daily driver: 89 Coupe with 208K plus, BBK shorties,offroad h-pipe,2-chamber flowmasters with dumps,

Ya, I know, just the cluster. I'm gonna be getting some aftermarket seats anyway.

tach still works with swap..it just reads double http://www.mustangworks.com/msgboard/smile.gif..speedo should work normal.. i kept my 4 banger springs and front brakes with 4cy brake booster..

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1987 black notch(ex 4 banger)
DSS 306 w/ main support...Elderbrock 6028 heads..gt-40 intake..24# injectors...70 mm tb..77 pro-m...accel 300+..mac full legnth..tremec w/ pro5oh...full MAC exhaust,off road h-pipe,long tubes, catback...ron davis radiator..subframes, control arms...CFDF II..o yea holley FPR sucks..dont buy one..
AIM=onesillynotch