5.0 swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 26, 2007 | 05:19 PM
  #1  
DarksideFC's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Park View, Iowa
Question 5.0 swap

so a friend of mine is doing an LS1 swap, and i've seen countless other LS/350/305 swaps, does anyone know of any for 5.0 (mustang) swaps?? it makes a little more sense since Mazda is a product of ford, and 5.0's sound so bad ***...AND their a hell of alot cheaper then an LS1. if it's possible (which i'm sure it has to be) then i think this is the route i'm going to take in my 91.

does anyone have any information on this? has anyone done this? are there any kits for this swap? where can i find mounts and other misc parts? any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks alot.
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2007 | 05:23 PM
  #2  
SLOASFK's Avatar
Top's always down
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,841
Likes: 2
From: Spain
https://www.rx7club.com/other-engine-conversions-non-v-8-118/
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2007 | 05:27 PM
  #3  
DarksideFC's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Park View, Iowa
yeah, thanks, i was going to search for it, but just got home from a 16 hour shift am ready for bed and didnt feel like looking around for an hour...thanks for simplifying it for me.
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2007 | 05:52 PM
  #4  
Rob XX 7's Avatar
FC guy
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,713
Likes: 17
From: Long Island, New York
check into v8rx7forum.com

I hear its not as good a swap, not as much support from others, and I believe clearance problems
with the hood.
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2007 | 09:34 PM
  #5  
88IntegraLS's Avatar
Displacement > Boost
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
Doing a 5.0 swap that does not require a stock intake manifold or hood mods is not as easy as an LS1 swap. It does make a unique (and badass) FC though.

-one 306 ford powered 7 owner's opinion
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2007 | 12:14 PM
  #6  
rotary911porsche's Avatar
Full Member
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I bought the kit from Granny's. It was a very easy swap. I even passed smog and safety. The hood will have to be modified.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2007 | 07:15 PM
  #7  
306CI83LE's Avatar
dragdrifter
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: grand rapids,MI
The 5.0 is a perfect match for the car.with aluminum heads and intake manifold its not that heavy up front and parts are so damn cheap. Traction is another story, I launch in second at 1500 rpm and the tires still break free. whatever you do have fun and dont give up.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2007 | 02:14 PM
  #8  
DarksideFC's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Park View, Iowa
sweet, thanks alot for the help and support, i'm redoing my miata over the winter and this spring the 5.0 madness will commence. i was looking into the granny's kit, which specific kit do u recommend from them? will the basic kit get the motor into the car and running or will a need a better kit?
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2007 | 02:19 PM
  #9  
Merc63's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: People's Republic of Maryland
http://www.freewebs.com/adesso/mounts.htm

This will get you mounts for the 5.0 for a grand total of $20 to fabricate. With a Fox mustang oil pan it clears the steering rack so there is no modification to the crossmember or rack mounts, thus no geometry changes.

This is how the engine mounted in my car...







Reply
Old Jan 1, 2008 | 03:01 AM
  #10  
stilettoman's Avatar
No, it is not stock!
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 600
Likes: 1
From: Carnation, Washington
I have said this here before - modifying the hood is a very, very minor part of the whole project. I spent many weeks doing my conversion, and about one day on the hood modification, which is welded steel. Some people have just used a fiberglass scoop fastened with pop rivets and it looked acceptable to me.

If you are going to run a carb, the Wieand Stealth intake manifold is pretty low.
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2008 | 08:51 AM
  #11  
Ctrl's Avatar
My other car is a TVR
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
I'd go with a 5.0 from a Griffith.(rover v8) It's aluminum block and heads for weight considerations, 60deg V for lots of room in the engine bay, it makes the power, but mosty importantly for me, the sound is par excellence among V8's.

To each their own tho...
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 06:40 AM
  #12  
Merc63's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: People's Republic of Maryland
Originally Posted by Ctrl
I'd go with a 5.0 from a Griffith.(rover v8) It's aluminum block and heads for weight considerations, 60deg V for lots of room in the engine bay, it makes the power, but mosty importantly for me, the sound is par excellence among V8's.

To each their own tho...
Finding the 5.0 version of the Rover engine here in the US is very hard and very expensive. The 3.5 and 4.2 liter variants are easier to come by, but they don't make as much power. Still, that 315 lb weight is a real plus... IIRC, they are a 90 degree v8 just like the Ford, and as you can see by my engine bay pic, there is a TON of room around the engine with the Ford (which weighs more than the Rover lump by about 100 lbs, but is dimensionally smaller)
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 07:10 AM
  #13  
Ctrl's Avatar
My other car is a TVR
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
A company in the UK called tower view racing makes crate engines incl the griff 500 lump. I've already got the block so for me it's only head work, pistons, cam and a crank I might need.

To me it's well worth it... I'd trade 30hp just for the growl and especially the snap crackle pop. The clips below are my rv8 lump.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9QuZKwCF74
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AD3tKgenvk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=679Qq63QOEs

[edit] I guess it is a 90deg? I figured 60deg since the valve covers are level and not angled like a ford or chev lump.

Last edited by Ctrl; Jan 2, 2008 at 07:13 AM. Reason: ademdum
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 07:19 AM
  #14  
Ctrl's Avatar
My other car is a TVR
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
BTW merc, how much did the handling change?
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 07:52 AM
  #15  
Merc63's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: People's Republic of Maryland
Originally Posted by Ctrl
BTW merc, how much did the handling change?
In my case, it got better. I had built it as an autocrosser while still in rotary form, and the only thing I had to change for the swap was to go with a different shape front swaybar (to clear the front sump of the oil pan). Since I figured it would tend to want to power oversteer easier, I made the front swaybar slightly larger to balance out that tendency, which worked. It was extremely neutral, and actually more predictable than it had been before the swap, easy to place into any cornering attitude and hold it there, or adjust as you went through the corner.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/adesso/rex3.wmv

And yeah, the Rover's a 90 degree V8. I have the same engine in my Range Rover. I'm also helping my buddy swap the 3.5 liter variant into his MGB right now (where the 3.5 liter V8 weighs less than the stock 4 cyl...). The valve cover tops are flat, but you can see where the heads are angled...
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 08:38 AM
  #16  
Ctrl's Avatar
My other car is a TVR
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
The v8 sounds nice. I'd I hadn't already put in a new motor into my FC I'd consider the swap for sure. You're right too, nice turn-in. I guess the added weight over the steering tires helps more grip than slip.

[edit] P.S. V8 in an mgb... I'd like to see pics or vids of that when it's done.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 09:21 AM
  #17  
Merc63's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: People's Republic of Maryland
Originally Posted by Ctrl
The v8 sounds nice. I'd I hadn't already put in a new motor into my FC I'd consider the swap for sure. You're right too, nice turn-in. I guess the added weight over the steering tires helps more grip than slip.
There was only 150 lbs added overall, most of it going rearward (2720lbs total, 49/51 F/R distribution)

[edit] P.S. V8 in an mgb... I'd like to see pics or vids of that when it's done.
We're using the factory MGB GT V8 mounts, as it's really just duplicating what the factory did in the '70s. Basically duplicating this car:

http://www.britishv8.org/MG/DaveWellings.htm
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 09:36 AM
  #18  
Ctrl's Avatar
My other car is a TVR
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
Nice car if you like british. (which i do)

If you're just making a replica, that's cool, but if mods are in the question, (and price is not) the head and cam from a 4.3BV would be nice with some cosworth pistons and a Mark Adams chip. (if EFI)
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 10:16 AM
  #19  
Merc63's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: People's Republic of Maryland
The MGB is going to be carbed, as the engine is a built up carbed Buick/Rover composite, putting out about 280 hp as sits (more than adequate for this application). I'd love to do the EFI setup, but he doesn't want to spend on it, or on the added wiring. Not my car, so whatever...
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 11:11 AM
  #20  
Ctrl's Avatar
My other car is a TVR
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
That's 5 more HP than my wedge! Maybe I should consider a carb. I'd definately get reliability from dumping all that LUCAS electronic crap.

Q: Why do brits like warm beer?
A: LUCAS makes their refridgerators.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 03:17 PM
  #21  
DarksideFC's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Park View, Iowa
ok...so i was dead-set on a 5.0 swap, but today a friend told me he has a chevy 350 small block crate engine (shortblock, needs trans, accessories, and a carb) and he told me he'd take 150 for it because he wants to get rid of it...so yeah, the new question is mustang 5.0 or chevy 350...i know i could search all day and find tons of stuff, but i want OPINIONS.

this is the 5.0 swap forum, so i'm sure most of you will be biased on the 5.0 swap, but like i said, i want some opinions. thanks in advance.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 03:21 PM
  #22  
Ctrl's Avatar
My other car is a TVR
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
I'd still go rover. You can make 400+ hp ez, save 100+ lbs and put rice krispies out of business.... but I confess, I'm biased.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 04:31 PM
  #23  
aussiesmg's Avatar
Thunder from downunder
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,843
Likes: 1
From: Convoy, Ohio, USA
I have both, it is about weight vs power, SBC has more potential to make big power but SBF is light and still makes solid power with aluminum accessories (heads, rocker, flywheel, hi torque starter etc) it can weigh the same as a 12a with a/c and p/s
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2008 | 02:02 AM
  #24  
88IntegraLS's Avatar
Displacement > Boost
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
The SBC has the distributor in the back, which might make it a bit trickier to get the engine right up against the firewall. Then again, getting the Ford 5.0 right up against the firewall and low enough to use real intakes requires a modified oil pan and some creative hammering on the chassis.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jeff20B
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
73
Sep 16, 2018 07:16 PM
Wehavetocook
New Member RX-7 Technical
2
Sep 23, 2015 11:04 PM
gtcd
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
3
Sep 17, 2015 01:15 PM
scissorhands
New Member RX-7 Technical
0
Sep 16, 2015 01:25 PM
gabescanlon
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
2
Sep 15, 2015 06:57 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:25 AM.