5.0 mustang

I have a friend that is taking out his 5.0 L engine from his late 80s mustang. It is still a good engine but he is putting in a new crate engine. The only problem is I have a 1988 2.5 L Lebaron. If anyone knows where i can find a cheap mustang in good condition that just needs an engine please let me know. Unless there is anyway I can drop the engine in my Lebaron which i doubt.

A 5.0 in a lebaron? Please tell me your kidding. Anythings possible I guess, I wouldn't spend my money on it besides that motor would turn that car into a pretzel. For a body I would check out Ebay or stangparts.com they tend to be a little expensive but they have good deals every one in a while.

Go find a local 4-banger car, and swap away.

pleeeeeease put a 5.0 in your lebaron...

"WHERES YOUR LEBARON FREDDY" <<LMFAO.

No need for a 5.0 in the lebaron, just build the 2.5 (see my sig, similar platform between lebaron/Daytona)! There's a lot of 'em out there!

anyway, get a cheap engine stand and pull the motor, then save'er for later!

best bet is to find a crappy 4 cyl. mustang.
you can get them for like 1-2,000. depending on condition.

You can drop the engine into a 4-banger, but for practical purposes (and reliability), you pretty much need a whole 5.0 donor car to do it right.

I don't see why.
the 4 cyl weighs less (faster) and unless you get stupid with it, the frame should be fine.
the suspension is also used in v8's for drag racing, so that shouldn't be a problem.

The 4-banger has a 7.5" rear-end, the V8 has an 8.8" rear-end. The 4-banger has a weaker tranny. The 4-banger has single exhaust, so there's some extra work there. You can use the 4-banger tranny in a pinch, but I'm pretty sure the bell-housing won't bolt up to the V8. If you want to use the quad-shocks, you'll need the brackets that bolt to the frame, and the brackets that are welded to the rear-end. It can be done for sure- I'm doing it myself. But I have a complete donor car now and life is going to be alot simpler!

As far as the 4-banger being lighter, once the engines are removed, the weight difference is mainly due to a larger front sway bar on the 5.0, the rear sway bar (4-banger doesn't have one), I think the 5.0 has larger disc brakes, and the 8.8" traction-lock rear-end is about 30-40 lbs. heavier than the 7.5". But it's better. Notches are lighter than hatch-backs.

I would much rather drop the engine in a Mustang and I have been looking but I havn't found anything. If anyone is selling theirs in Michigan please repy as long as the body is still in good shape.

hey, i just happen to have a mustang i'm getting rid of... and i'm in michigan. the car is a 1990 LX hatch, 4-banger, 5-speed. it's a fixer-upper to be sure. it took a hit on the front end. one fender has a very large dent (fixable) but the other is rusted out and needs replacing. the hatch needs to be replaced. the dashboard and center console are mine (going into my '86 notch =D). i have all of the major engine components however, and the tranny. you can have the driveshaft from my notch as well (they're all the same in foxes). other stuff that's coming off is the quarterpanels and driver's side a-pillar (sold to a friend) and the doors (for my notch). other than that, the car is in fair shape, a great restoration project. and i'm letting it go for CHEAP. lemme know with a PM if anybody is interested!

What other parts am I going to need for a 4 cyl. in order to put a V8 in a 4-banger.

upgraded suspension
stiffened chassis
new rear end
probably new transmission.
upgraded brakes
etc.

What other parts am I going to need for a 4 cyl. in order to put a V8 in a 4-banger.

You can start out with the 7.5 axle and the stock brakes. I have a '83 Capri which used the same brakes and axle on the 4 cyl as the V-8. I have run 120mph in the 1/4, and just give myself a little more room to slow down.
You have to relocate the brake line in back on an early Mustang for dual exhaust, or it interferes with the pipes.
All Fox boddied Mustang/Capris use the same length driveshaft, so you are set there.
All you will need is a Mustang oil pan and a set of V-8 Mustang motor mounts to bolt the engine in. You will need a V-8 transmission with a floor shifter or have to modify the linkage/buy a new shifter. You can use the late model brackets or use an early belt set up.
Don't bother with a rust bucket or a damaged car. There are too many clean bodies avaiable out there.