For those that don't read build threads, especially year-long ones that never seem to end, a milestone first real drive tonight. I say real as in not driving it onto the trailer for paint while sitting on a bucket and holding the steering column up. Only went five miles but it was dark and I had no dash lights, gauges or turn signals, let alone plates or insurance so I didn't want to push it. Oh, and probably 5* positive camber on the RF tire. Everything just got bolted on and eyeballed. Going for an alignment next.

Nothing fell off, and I made it uneventfully. Some pics of the big day. The car is a mess. Been sitting in the shop for months since paint, let alone all of the new dust on the rear from my gravel road so it is very dirty.

After alignment I want to get a few drives on the clutch and then off to the dyno for tuning. It has a rough canned tune but it is pig rich.

Anyway, I'm happy.

 

Looks good! Congrats! What a sleeper, you would never know a 5.0 sits in that car.

 

Nice! Wasn't this "just" a rebuild? I thought you tracked a v8 and decided to tear it apart and fix everything you didn't like.

 

I can't wait to read dyno numbers!!
Glad to hear it hit the street!

 

Nope. Scratch build. Fabbed my own front and rear subframes by heavily modifying the stock ones to work, modified the rear control arms to clear the CV joints, new trans mount, TIG welded 2 1/2" primaries dumping into 3" exhaust, everything. There was zero kit parts used in this build.

 

Congrats Stein. Epic moment for an epic build.

 

Nice 02SE!!!....Oh wait....

Looks great man!

 

If it was my lip would fit.

 

built like an adult. very clean.

 

Whoohoo! It is a car at last!

 

I don't see a turbo or two installed. I think you forgot something.

 

If its a stock 5.0 block I'd be pretty careful w/ the turbos, they're known to split in half (yes, the block itself) at as little as 450 crank hp.

 

I think the block splitting only happens with certain generations of the 5.0 blocks that had high nickel levels but I'm not sure... Anyone have any info on that? I've seen a few that have much higher output than 450 hp and run reliably but I have seen a few of them that separate too.

Not that this is a 5.0 forum, just curious.

 

Nice build!
Why did you choose a 5.0 over a SBC? If I ever build a V8 Miara I'd want under 350hp for sure.

 

I was under the impression that any of them post mid 70s do it, and the only significantly better stock blocks are the 'mexican' ones, but even that only gets you to 550-600. The 351w blocks are quite a bit better. There's also the aftermarket block solution, but that's quit pricy.

 

Ease of fit mainly. Heck, my headers drop in from the top, lol. That, and because I was going to fab everything myself and there were others out there to look at for hints. The front distributor makes the fit easier as well.

 

I know this is a weird question, but once you get to driving it on a regular biases can you post MPG's? Did you use a T5?

 

I love this build for so many reasons...
1) It's an NB. Most don't know this, but there is a lot of differences between an NA and an NB as far as a V8 swap.
2) So many things are custom fabbed, it really brings to reality the term "if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish great things".
3) I always said "If I did a V8 swap, it would only be a GM LS engine." This build makes me think twice about that.
Fantastic Job!

 

car looks good, bro.

out of sheer curiosity, what'd you do for exhaust?

 

I am so jealous.