5.8 Engine swap

[Turdle]

I am with cobraguy

You will be money ahead selling the 351 combo and starting over fresh with a 302 based engine. The fab costs are going to eat into the 351 install hard and heavy.

Oh, headers. Will they fit?

 

[eXcali]

A quality 5.0 can be had from junkyards for under $250. I'll have to do some digging but there was a magazine years ago that took the 5.0, put it into a crown vic and had it cranking out 500 RWHP for under $1,500 total cost. If you have the vehicle already your halfway there.

Edit: not sure if it was a crown vic body they put it in, but it was definately a 5.0.

 

[Axial32]

Well maybe I want go buy my friends 351W... it COMES with tranny and transfercase for 1400. It already has a cam installed, shorty headers, all the front accessories, and a few others which I can't remember... but if I wanted to I could make that a 418W for $800 more.... so thats what 2200, when if I go to the junkyard and get an engine.. with who knows how many miles, then buying a trans for it then a transfercase... I know forsure his stuff has less than 140xxx miles. He might even throw in his detroit locker to swap into my rear axle, because he's got the 8.8 also. but he upgraded and SAS with a 9in.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

don't get me wrong, i would love to see someone do this swap, and post up some pictures. i have always liked a 351w over a 302 (no replacement for displacement). but the work involved, i would have to say i 302 is a more economical swap in the end.

 

[Axial32]

Yea.. the 302 would be great for someone else to put in for me... I like the challenge, my brother and I will do all the work. We have had training in welding and fabrication, and access to a large barn full of tools including a car lift. When I have the money to buy the engine I'll take pics and post... then whenever we get a chance to start the project since both my brother and I are still in Highschool.

 

[IZwack]

I'm going to do it myself. I might do a 347 if i had a 302 but i have a 4.0l sohc i'm going to get rid of it and swap in a 351w, trans, and transfer case from a 1993 bronco. Most likely i will use a bronco wire harness that has everything with it. that or i'll make the dang thing carburated and solve the efi BS

If you plan on keeping it on the street, you might want to look at the rules/regulations first. Cauz besides the big red flag that the EFI to Carburated conversion throws, in Maryland, the engine being swapped in has to be from the same year or newer. So if this applies to Michigan, then a Bronco engine wont work since the Bronco terminated at the end of 1996 and you have a 1997.

 

[Axial32]

That's the best part... they don't care in michigan... no regulations... not even on emmissions... if it's got a cat. and a muffler it's legal. And even if they did I would do it anyways... how are they going to randomly check mine. We don't have to go get emission checks or w.e. they make you guys do.

 

[jordan87]

You will loose the ability to use a 4r70w transmission due to the fact no 351 windsor had a Cam position sensor--coil packs, nor-obd2 diagnostics--

96 and 97 3/4 ton and one tone vans and truck were IIRC

 

[Redlight43]

I remember a few years back, there was a generation 1 running around up in Allendale with a 400 in it. He had a C6 tranny and a NP transfercase. He also added a Dana 60 front with a Sterling rear running 38.5's. It was defineatly a TIGHT fit. Lots of custom made parts, but it was an awesome truck. His was an older engine though, it had a carb on it.

 

[David89]

That's the best part... they don't care in michigan... no regulations... not even on emmissions... if it's got a cat. and a muffler it's legal. And even if they did I would do it anyways... how are they going to randomly check mine. We don't have to go get emission checks or w.e. they make you guys do.

Cops don't care much about that! I have gotten pulled over 7 times with my truck...never gotten a ticket for the lift( 11 inches with 40s), tires sticking out 8 inches on each side, and exhaust(no muffler and cats! there are about 5 things i gotta do before its street legal! A state trooper mite look into it a bit more thou. I would say don't even worry!

 

[CrashRMZ450]

I have a '93 X that i just swapped a carbed 351W into and it was quite easy actually... fabbed motor mounts, oil filter relocation kit, and a M5OD trans from a '99 f-150. the stock manifolds fit but you have to almost make a 90 off of the passenger side manifold to clear the frame. the heater box had to be trimmed to fit and the steering shaft is about an inch from hitting the driverside manifold. put a 2" or 3" body lift in it and it will fit quite easily! mustand 5.0 shorty headers will make the exhaust work MUCH easier! Get a rad from a 5.0 explorer also, the 4.0 stocker isnt nearly enough! good luck man!

 

[BonesDT]

Axial, how's your progress?