Braineack

iTrader: (62)

it's like you know me.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

+1 because that is what I am doing
As you probably know, the 5.0 liter swap is the cheapest due to the cheaper cost of the 5.0L/T-5 combo versus the LS1/T-56 combo. I think that T-Bird diff has the same internals as a solid axle 8.8, so there are gobs of cheap parts available for it. It can be used for either engine/trans combo, Ford or Chevy.

Mine is a LS1/T-56/Explorer diff combo; the Explorer diff is an 8.8 IRS, 31 spline, with an all aluminum housing.

gospeed81

iTrader: (51)

lmao in Chic-Fil-A

I thought about doing the same damn thing...but knew he'd beat me to it...and that his folder was bigger...just like his cat **** folder is bigger than my panty fetish one.

Stein

iTrader: (46)

Might be destiny. Just checked into the hotel. They booked me into room......302. No ****. We will see if the guy calls me back.

EDIT:

Bah, it still has the solid axle. I misread the ad and thought it was a 93 bird but it is a 93 motor in an 83 bird so no IRS. The spare 8.8 is solid axle as well. It has an 8.0 solid in it now.

Low miles on the engine/trans is legit. Guy worked for a Ford dealership in 94. New Mustang was stolen with low miles. It was recovered wrecked so the swap has been in the bird for 10 years and about 25K miles.

Toddcod

iTrader: (8)

Well the LS1 out of the z28 and corvett are expensive.

BUT THE 5.3L LSx motors out of the trucks, are cheap $400+. They have 290hp. and the z28 only came with 305.
But the kicker is. Just bolt on headers, used ls6 manifold, and a cam. BAM like 370-390's.

You do need a good tune. But they are awsome.

Stein

iTrader: (46)

Are the truck motors still aluminum block? I was wondering about weight.

Gotpsi?

iTrader: (5)

I vote for LS swap, better engine and less weight, also the kits seem to be more oriented toward a car that can still be useful on the street and track and not just some little car with a big engine in it.

Stein

iTrader: (46)

If I do it, no kit for me. I can fab my own stuff and refuse to pay like $12K for a kit. I like the LS1, but the 5.0 is cheaper and easier to DIY fab. That said, I'm still not sold on the 5.0.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

The 5.0 is a great motor. I had a '86 GT and even though the brakes and suspension sucked (more of a muscle car than a sports car) it otherwise was a great vehicle, mostly because of the engine and the transmission (T-5), especially after I had the trans rebuilt (cheap). I still miss that car.

I took a serious look at a 5.0 Miata, almost bought it, meant to, slept through the end of the auction. It ended at like 1 in the morning and I fell asleep

Stein

iTrader: (46)

Well, some progress. I floated the V8 idea past the wife. She is OK with it so it looks like I will be a three Miata owner.

I think that I have decided on the 5.0 for sure. Lower cost of entry, easiest to DIY. I think that I'm going to pick up the T bird that I linked above. There is another 5.0 T bird literally half a mile down the street that has been parked for several years. I stopped and talked to the guy today. It's his son's and the motor is supposedly not too hot. But, if I can pick it up for $100 it will get me my IRS.

While chatting, I noticed (again) what I thought was an MGB in the weeds. He says, "no, it's a Datsun". Curiosity got the better of me, so I asked to take a look.

It's a 1966 Datsun 1600 (Fairlady, I think). It's complete, but rusty. It has a full top and all interior. Maybe I'll follow up on it later.

Toddcod

iTrader: (8)

The LSx motor stock is the best hp for the buck.

But I am a huge fan of 5.0's anyway.

Look on corral.net and DFWstang.net and you can get GT40 heads used for like $250.00.

Sometimes you can get a complete newer Explorer 5.0 motor cheap. Thye came with the gt40 p heads. They still give good power,

If you are streeting the car, I would just go with the Ecam. You will have good sound but still be able to keep the gas in the 20's, or with 327 gears, I got 26mpg in my 87 5.0.

Unless you get a good deal on used stuff. I would not buy new intakes with big name brand. You can get a new Professional products intake reasonable and it is just a knockoff of the Edlebrock.

It works really well, and you can get a used one for $200 or less.

Heads, intake and cam. That 302 will become close to uncontrollable in the miata.

The LSx is really horsepower and a brute. But the 302 is a torque monster. It has the bore of a 350, with a little short stroke. It rapps real fast and the go fast parts are a dime a dozen.

The kicker is. SUPERCHARGERS ARE CHEAP AND ABUNDANT USED! for the 302.

Not so for the LS1. But then again, you don't need one to get 400 hp on a LS1.

You can't go wronge either way.

Toddcod

iTrader: (8)

I don't know much about the rearend swap, but the Mark VIII's came with that rearend too.

gospeed81

iTrader: (51)

Put the 5.0 in the Datsun...and an LS1 in the Miata. hehe


I really really like the idea of a stock ECU that is easily reflashed for a superfun DD. If I were going to do a DIY swap I would do something out of the ordinary...or a body I love with an engine to match. This could be the Miata to you...but I think SBC Volvo P1800 when I think about welding. The Miata kits cost some coin...but they're there...and they're proven greatness that makes it an easy (well documented and supported) swap.

I have attempted two DIY V8 swaps before...an XJ6 and a 280Z. The Jaguar ran...but had problems. The Z car never got finished. Decent kits are available for both..and I regret not taking that route. Had I done so they would have been complete and likely more reliable cars, and one might still be in the garage.

I won't ever try a complete homebrew swap again without it being a one-off or maybe a LoCost. To me the time and effort involved should be spent on a path few have travelled.

Tough pickle you're in...but don't expect any sympathy.

Toddcod

iTrader: (8)

How much is the kit for the Datsun Z?

Hmmm, I think If I do a swap, I'll just call up one of the local 4wd shops in Texarkana Ar. They are swapping v8's into mini trucks, and building Monster trucks out of anything you drive up. ONE even has a monster 70 Duster. It was built years before the duster was worth anything. But the point is, they could build anything.

But their labor cost would be, way better than Dallas $$$$. And I bet the whole swap with labor included, would be cheaper than buying the total prefabbed kit.

Ad it wouldn't set in the garage forever.

Stein

iTrader: (46)

Well, I'm committed. Just bought this. 1983 Thunderbird 5.0 V-8 Plus Extra Parts. 30K Mustang drivetrain, will take the motor/trans/ECU/wiring, etc, part out/scrap out the rest. It has an 8" diff/axles in the car and an 8.8 diff/axles that come with the car that will be sold. Paid $850 for the car. Anyone need any turbo coupe parts cheap?

That said, it comes with a set of 3.73 gears for the 8.8 straight axle. Will those same gears fit in an 8.8 IRS diff from a Thunderbird? That's the ratio that I want to go with (if the T bird IRS diff that I still need to buy doesn't come with 3.73's).

r808

iTrader: (7)

You made the right choice. Transgendered Miatas are so hot!

gospeed81

iTrader: (51)

Not unless it's got a rebuildable turbo in the trunk. Tbird compressor is the upgrade path for this tiny IHI I'm runnin'.


Glad you committed to a path. Project will kick *** any way you go about it...and the best path is the one you start today.

Sounds like you were set on a 5.0 anyhow. I remember when that was a rockin' motor....and the motor hasn't changed...just some of our perceptions.

Good luck on this one.

Stein

iTrader: (46)

Not that I was set on it. Would have loved to do an LS1 but cost, not just of the motor/trans but the whole conversion was much higher. The 5.0 supposedly lends itself more to a DIY thing.

That's the way I am. I love to build things, do fab work. Every winter I do a new project. Winters are COLD and long here. We don't have kids, so once it get cold, especially after daylight savings ends, I get a lot of time in the shop. Generally, after dinner I get to spend 7-11 in the shop during the week and at least half days and then the nights on the weekends. I can get a lot done when I can get literally almost 40 hours a week in the shop. I really do plan to have this done by spring.

Some projects from the last couple of years. All were completely scratch built from plans.


Loader normally wears a 48" bucket, but I made grapples to handle firewood.

Buggy is a plans built Sabertooth with a KZ750 motor.