new engine

I have a 1979 Ford Granada (see sig). The six I have in there is getting a little tired (184k mi), so I decided I would like to upgrade to a V8.

A 302 sounds best right now, but a 351 will work as well. I am looking to get around 300hp out of the engine without using a supercharger. That shouldn't be a problem.

Also, I want to take out the C4 auto and put in a 5spd manual floor stick. I hear tremec makes good trannys.

Mainly, what I want to know is:

How expensive will it be to attain 300hp and what mods are best for that?

Can a n00b like me do an engine/tranny swap without a mechanic?

Is it relatively easy to put a 5spd manual in a Granada?

Thanks for the help!

How bout a 390?

A Granada is very similar to the Fairmont. They used the 255 V-8 in the Fairmont, so a 302 should fit just fine (afterall, the Fairmont is a "Fox" body as well as the Mustang).

The most difficult part of this is assembling all the bits you'll need to fit everything togather, but anyone who can read a servivce manual, and follow directions *can* do this. It will not be a quick or easy project.

Damn. To answer Sk8ter, nobody can fit a 390 under the hood of a Granada, at least not anyone I know.

I'm probably not going to end up doing a swap, because I'm a little short on cash and I don't want my only car to be out of commision for a long time. I'm just trying to get a feel for how much money and work it would require.

Sorry, I never knew the engine bay was so small in them :lol: Ignore what I said in my first post..