Engine???????

[tbird92]

I just got a 92 T-Bird with the plain V6 3.8l....... this car only had 30k on it.....

Should I convert the engine
Turbo
Supercharger
or swap with a 302-351 V8?

Also how much HP will the stock tranny hold?

[thunderbird muscle]

The simplest change in my opinion is to go with the super coupe motor or put in the 302 just my opinion though. The aod can handle the power unless you do some major mods.

[93tbird2006]

If you take out the 3.8 and put in the 302 will everything bolt right up and do you have to do changes to the computer????? i was thinking of doing this myself.....i wondered how much extra work went into an engine change....

[thunderbird muscle]

I would go with a carb(less electronics) and you will have to change a little I'm not sure of what exactly is needed for this conversion. Give me a day and I can find out. ok

[93tbird2006]

ok thx alot....

[tbird92]

the 302 was an option from the factory with the early 90's and yes the computer will need to be changed for the 5.0.

I am leaning more towords the V8, but I hate to toss an engine with 30k.

A buddy of mine was also saying the a 351 will bolt up as well, not sure if the tranny will hold the power and if the mods are readily available for the 351.

Really trying to get about 325+hp...... for the weekends.

I am getting ready to change the rear sway bar, struts and lower the car about 1.5"....... that will tighten the suspension up nicely. And put on 18" rims at some point, depending on available $$$.

Know of any good car covers for the Birds?

[93tbird2006]

Is it the settings in the computer that need to be changed or is it the actual modual.....also i have the digital dash will a engine change interfere with that........and if u toss ur 3.8 u can always toss it my way because my ole bird's got 157K when i bought it 4 months ago....it was a 1000 bucks and i knew it had probs but tahts wut i got it for but the power is bad.......

also, does anyone know if having a bad o2 sensor in the exhaust manifold hurts pick up due to the electronic timing and air fuel ratio etc..... my check engine light is on and i ahvent had it checked yet but he claimed that that was what the light was from......

any suggestions would be appreciated

[thunderbird muscle]

You will have to change the computer completly as far as I know(I don't think pre 95 modules were reprogrammable) thats why I said carb would be easier.

And usually the check engine light comes on for emission problems, but sometimes it is other problems. Just be safe and not sorry.

[The ORIG. Dig. Oxy]

What the Muscle dude said about the computer/carb is right on.

If you go with a FI 302 or 351, you will have to change wiring harnesses, computer(s), etc. It will not be an easy thing to do, it is it doable.

Now, the Carb version would be a lot easier to do.

The tranny may or may not hold the power. Since we don't know whether you have a slushbox or a M2R5....

It is said that the Slushbox will not take as much torque as the M2R5, but I have seen both break.
If you have to ask "how much goes into an engine chage", then you really should not do it, unless you have a bit of mechanical aptitude, and TOOLS. Lots of TOOLS.

Go buy yourself a $20 code scanner. It will tell you why the "Check Engine" light is on. If it is one of your O2 Sensors, you really dont want to drive on it too much. Be proactive about your car's well being, not dumbactive.

[93tbird2006]

well my dads very good at that type of crap....but thanks fer the details....sounds like i am just gonna go find a bird that already has the v8.....it all sounds like a big pain in the @$$....thanks again

[thunderbird muscle]

That would probably be the best and least expensive way to go. Which V8 do you want the 5.0 or the 4.6? what year are you looking for?

[tbird92]

Can you tell what tranny is in the car from the VIN or is it on the tranny?

I found a ford engine that looks nice, a SVT motor with 5 speed tranny for about $7k, its a 4.6 supercharged 320hp......

now I just need 7k+

[Soupnutz]

The stick shift on the mustang engine will be set too far forward, however while browsing tccoa I remember seeing a kit that you bolt onto the transmission and it relocates the shifter and sets it back a couple of inches to work in a thunderbird.

[Soupnutz]

An engine swap is quite an endeavor. I bought a 4.6 to throw into my 3.8, decided to strip it down and rebuild. For the parts I need I'm looking at over $1500 just to get the engine back together, and that's not considering all of the accessories, the suspension upgrade for the heavier engine, the computer and harness change, and the transmission. Thinking about hitting up a junk yard for most of it ,(except engine internals and heads).

[flewthecoupe]

The '92 3.8 came with an AOD trans and will handle a 5.0 no problem but will not bolt to a 4.6 if memory serves. The rearend my be a different story as it is not the 8.8.