LX 4cyl into V8

[delspleen]

I was wondering what i would be gettin myself into if i bought a foxbody LX 4cyl and got Ford Racings 5.0L Engine Assembly, (the 320 HP, with GT-40 Aluminum Heads). I know i would be looking at a new rearend, trans, but what more and what kind. Or would i be better off with a 5.0 GT with a boatload of miles and just swapping. Thanks

[351wStang]

Do a search, there have been tons of threads on here about the swap.

[motor_head_429]

If you want to go carburated it might be a little easier, if you want fuel injection, then you'll have to get a computer and wiring harness to start. You'll also need to change the front suspension in order to handle the extra weight of the 4 extra cylinders. Oh yeah, and think about upgrading the radiator, maybe also get a fan with the shroud out of a Thunderbird, I believe, (but don't quote me on it) that the fan from the Mark VIII will also fit. The rear end is a must if you want to have any traction. My friend did a V-8 swap into an 89 LX, and had the 7.5 rear end for a little while......With 650 hp.... Needless to say he had some traction problems.

[big1]

I'm currently doing that swap on my daughter's 89LX.
I'm going with carburation and a C4 transmission.I had thought of having after market injection because Holley make's a system that you can use the existing computer for the 4cyl. It a simple plug up unit, but a laptop is required to adjust it.
I thought it simplier for me to use a carburator because I'm not very computer literate.

[big1]

[color=darkred]Here is my daughter's 89LX.

it too is the little 2.3.

After removing the 2.3 and cleaning up the engine bay, and removing a bunch of un-needed wiring, here is what it look's like.

Here is to be the new engine. For now it doesn't look like much, but that will be changed. Believe it or not this engine only has 9,000 mile's on it, and everything is included for only $400.00. It's nice to have friend's.

[HiFlow5 0]

Whats that motor out of? It looks like it has cast iron manifolds?

[StangNut86]

if i were you, i'd ditch all that vacuum bullshit and the stock carburetor, get a nice aftermarket intake manifold, and have a much more manageable and CLEANER engine. a little more power for your daughter to play with, too. just my opinions tho.

god, that engine bay looks familiar. just like the one in my 86 notchback, with the bullshit wiring removed. hope mine comes out clean after i get the stock wires out.

[big1]

At the time the photo's were taken they were cast iron, but I now have a set of "SHORTY HEADER'S"