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85 4cyl.
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Posted by: MetalSludge

Hi all. I am about to purchase my first mustang. I been in love with them for years and at 29 I have finally decided to get one.

Here is what I am looking at: There is a 85 4cyl LX that is in very good shape and has been well taken care of. (very good friend of owner) And he also told me that he would through in a 302 out of bronco that needs new rings. He said the whole works is mine for 1100. Is this a good deal?

What all would have to do to put the 302 in? Tranny? Suspension? Motor Mounts? ect?

or would I be better off waiting to find one with a 302 in it?

Posted by: 86pushrod

first off if you want to swap you will need a tranny, rear end(7.5 will hold but an 8.8 out of an 86 and later 5.0 will hold most whateveryou throw at it).. yes you will need motor mounts, im assuming this would be a carbed engine because swaping efi motors can be quite troublesome with all the harness'es and what not. if the motor needs rings its going to need a rebuild. that means pulling the motor back out.. is this somthing you want to do? you can find high milage 5.0's 85-93 usually in the 2000-5000 price range,.. most people i know get pretty descent stockers for 2500-3500 range. i ts really up to you and how much work you want to do. imo id say look for a fuelie 5.0 86 and later if its your first mustang... that way you can experience the feel of a stock mustang and go from there.a rebuild on that bronco motor (if your not doing it) could take a while depending on what needs replacement..don't be afraid of high miles in a mustang.. things run forever,good luck finding one with under 70k anyhow.
good luck
86

Posted by: Grape Ape

I'd look for a 5.0 for several reasons. Not the least of which is, I've done swaps before and they require work and a working knowledge of the systems you're using as well as the car you're using. Finally, the Bronco 302 wasn't the same as the Mustang 302 and all you'll have if you use that, is a slow 5.0 Mustang. You need an HO engine(at least) if you're going to do a swap, carbureted, efi, whichever, get an HO engine before you start. Sounds like a reasonable offer for the car though, if it's as good as you say.

Posted by: MetalSludge

Well thanks for the info guys i think i might just wait and try and find exactly what I want before I go and do this. I would love to have 87 - 93 stang with the lx package and 302. I made a few calls and i think this isnt what I want to tackle right now. One reason why I liked the 4cyl. package was the softer springs. I want to primarily use it for drags so the softer springs in the front would help but I think I am gonna wait because with some of the calls I made today I would probably wind up with about 2500 in it total when complete and not have a HO 302.

My next question is what gears are good? 3.73? 4.10?

Posted by: ChaditoTx

I would personally look for a 5.0. The engine swap isn't for the faint of heart.... as doing it requires the tranny etc. You are already looking at pulling a 4 cylinder, rebuilding a 302, buying a tranny and a rear end, you will need new springs up front, and possibly in the rear, motor mounts, and not to mention a brake update as well. My buddy had a 1979 ? 4 cylinder he did a swap on.... it was a cherry car, but it wasn't worth it in the end. Buy a GT for $2000, and rebuild the engine and hop it up. You will spend the same amound, just have a whole lot less trouble mixing and matching.

Posted by: Jr88TC

put 4cly back in! It will be cheaper. Look around for a wreaked 83-88 T-bird, 84-86 SVO, 85-89 merkur with the Turbo 2.3 setup. The easiest would be a 87-88 Tbird, it would have a disc brake posi 8.8. You could keep your springs up front and would have a lighter car for racing. Further more if your cars 5 speed now you could keep that tranny and find a automatic 87-88 tbird to take the rear(autos had 3.73 stock, manual 3.55) If you interested try here for a ton of info www.turboford.com

Posted by: 86pushrod

jr88tc where is milford in ct.... do you ever go to any of the ford races @ lvd or e-town?

Posted by: Jr88TC

Milford in NewHaven County

LBV is solid 2-2,1/2 hour drive. Never been to e-town, the best i can do is the pike about 20mins away.

I love to get some times on the Tbird, but travelling is a issue.

On July 7th they had a SuperCoupe vs. TurboCoupe shootout at E-town(MM&FF mag this Sept.) I wanna try to finish up the bird and try to get invited next year.

Posted by: 86pushrod

you have to be invited?... i was down @ etown a few weeks ago with a freind for the camaro&firebird vs. mustang shootout presented by MM&FF... no invitation,... there was a solid100 cars out for it,.. then they had a supercharged vette shoot out at the same time...some were fast but $$$$$$$$$$$

ya 100k in a 9 sec vette nah i think i'll spend 10 on a stang.

last time i was up at the pike i got pulled as soon as they saw the car... damn newington cops..

there is a dyno shoot out at cody mac's pro mod shop this sunday you should drop by.. all fords. in wallingford ct.

86~

Posted by: Jr88TC

Well the event on the 7th was MM&FF sponsered event for an article in the magizine. It was invitation for that reason, everyone there must keep quite untill the article comes out. Or MM&FF has said if any info leads out there will be no more attemps to involve the TC +SC crowd. I can't wait for the article, i hope the TC's did well.

I'd love to show up on Sun. but i'm still having some pressure problems with the IC couplers, I can't build boost it just blows the couplers apart. I rear is still noisy too, i lost my job in june and just started work again this week so im still in the fence as far as money goes. Would you know if CODY MACS PRO MOD SHOP has anything that would help me with with routing my intercooler. I need two 90* metal elbows( see the FMIC installed in this forum) to finish the job.
~Jr.

Posted by: Grape Ape

With a 5.0 powered Mustang, 3.73's are probably a better choice than 4.10's. If it's a daily driver,3.73's for sure.

I think the 2.3T is a good choice, but the only way to make this swap relatively "easy" is by having a complete donor car, with a working everything, but maybe crashed or whatever. The harness requires a whole buncha work, just as 11secRanger about that. Doable? Certainly. Time consuming. Yep. Easy? No, not a chance. Even with all the parts from the T-bird, it's a lot like work.

Otherwise, I'd just look for a 5.0HO Mustang and go from there.

Posted by: 86pushrod

you'd have to give them a call 203 - 265 - 8012 or just check www.codymac.com,... im sure they can help you do what every you want to the car,... they have some of the best equit. money can buy.first trip to the shop and you'll see what im talkin about..

Randy

Posted by: An11SecRanger

Quote:


	Originally posted by Grape Ape I think the 2.3T is a good choice, but the only way to make this swap relatively "easy" is by having a complete donor car, with a working everything, but maybe crashed or whatever. The harness requires a whole buncha work, just as 11secRanger about that. Doable? Certainly. Time consuming. Yep. Easy? No, not a chance. Even with all the parts from the T-bird, it's a lot like work.

Mekur XR4Ti = MUCH less wiring trouble, from what I've seen. The TC is a wiring nightmare.
If you want to stay with a 2.3, that's a good way to go. It'll need an intercooler. That can be simple. Intercoolers can be found on Ebay.
As far a drag racing, I'd put my Mustang against any similar (stock) 5.0 Mustang and I haven't even had it to the track, yet ... Not to mention, a warn out turbo.

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