Was I not thinking when I didn't buy this?
 

I work at a junkyard on the weekends and when I got to work on Saturday, there is this big table where they stash engines on. The engine all the way in front was a 5.0 V8 and I asked where it came out of. The guy that pulled it said it came out of a '95 mustang GT that was rear ended and someone bought the trans. The engine was complete intake to pan, had all the accessories and pulleys, everything. It turned over freely, but i didn't hear it run. I was told it could be mine for $90. I thought about buyin it to do a conversion, or even to sell, but I turned it down. Was I a dumbass not to buy this?

yes

no

$90?!

Yeah, and it most likely would run. I decided against a 5.0 swap because I'm cheap and I kinda like the way my car is setup now.

The cheapest part of a swap is the engine. $90 or $900, it's a drop in the bucket when it comes to the total cost. That said, There's a reason that Martin suggests 93 and earlier 5.0's. Spend the $60 and get the manual and you will save yourself some headaches.

I was offered a very nicely built 5.0 to cover a $200 debt last week...and I said no.

1. Money is better to have now. Lots of people's toys are on sale, and it's a buyer's playground...everywhere.

2. I don't need another project...especially an incredibly expensive one. That $200 motor will end up costing me about 25 times that much by the time it could even tool the Miata around the block.

3. You're thinking resale at the least right....but I don't like to resale expensive things that a buyer could find out are non-functional that I haven't verified. Been there...done that...no thanks.

Yes it's cheap...for that single component...but when you consider the FULL cost of a swap like that it's a very small percentage...and you're only saving it now by handing over the money, storing it until then, and risking a motor you've never heard before. (EDIT: Stein beat me to that)

On the other hand it's only $90 gone if it doesn't work...but you will have to be prepared to replace it.

A drop in the bucket for the engine...true that! I would like the sound and torque of a V8, but I just don't see spending the dime or the time. I'm perfectly satisfied with 240whp which I feel is way fast for a daily driven miata. The first time I hit the 200whp mark I was all beside myself. It's like every time you go up 20 horses in a turbo'd miata, you get that "just boosted" feeling all over again.

LS1 > 5.slow

Yeah...I know, but ls1>$$$+5.0
I actually did have an LS engine about 3 weeks ago till I got tired of it sitting around, so I traded it for an SM465 (Muncie) 4 speed and an NP205 transfer case from a '72 chevy pickup.