Engine swap questions...

I had a question regarding the mid 80's to early 90's mustang engine. I have an '88 Mercury Grand Marquis sitting around with the 5.0 engine and was wondering what the difference was between its engine and the HO Mustang engine. If I were planning on rebuilding the Grand Marquis' engine anyway, what would it take to make that engine an HO? Is it worth doing or would I be better off just buying the HO Mustang and rebuilding its engine? Also, what is involved in making a 4 cyl. Mustang accept the 5.0 motor? What transmission is in there with the 4 cyl versus the 8 cyl.? I'm guessing the Mercury Transmission is too long but does anybody know for sure? Thanks.

Use the search button I'm pretty sure if you spend a little time with it you will find answers to your questions.

4 cylinder to 8 cylinder is pretty common, there are several things to do. You would need a new rear and differential because the 4 cylinder has I believe a 7.5" open differential. I am not one to go back and bring something up to standard my self. Personally I would just find an 87-93 5.0 for as cheap as they are anymore. Than you can just focus on upgrading the existing parts, rather than playing catch up. If you are more mechanically inclined and want to do all the swaps, its common and I am sure plenty of people around here will be able to tell you how to do it.

The only reason I wanted to even bother with the swap is because I wanted to get a 4 cyl. convertible since theyre cheap and I already have that Mercury 5.0 sitting in my yard. If its too much of a hassle though Im just going to junk the Mercury and try and find a convertible with the V8 and start from there.

And to the stang moderator, I could search the internet, but I thought the point of this forum was to get answers to questions like i had. In fact, searches bring up this forum. Im not trying to be a smart ass here It just came off like you assumed I hadn't already looked into this subject. I was having difficulty finding any answers so i thought Id ask here and see what happened.

The only reason I wanted to even bother with the swap is because I wanted to get a 4 cyl. convertible since theyre cheap and I already have that Mercury 5.0 sitting in my yard. If its too much of a hassle though Im just going to junk the Mercury and try and find a convertible with the V8 and start from there.

And to the stang moderator, I could search the internet, but I thought the point of this forum was to get answers to questions like i had. In fact, searches bring up this forum. Im not trying to be a smart ass here It just came off like you assumed I hadn't already looked into this subject. I was having difficulty finding any answers so i thought Id ask here and see what happened.
if a mustang is like a camaro convertibe and T-tops, the frame is weak. they twist with a little extra power put to them. if you do a convertibe, you should upgrade the frame.