The Great 5.8 Swap
04-04-2008, 12:10 PM
#1
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The Great 5.8 Swap
For those of you that haven't seen this thread:
https://mustangforums.com/m_4447832/...tm.htm#4452811
I'm looking to swap a 5.8 Windsor engine into a S197.
The engine is completed (pics!):
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...g?t=1205877428
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...g?t=1205877428
But I have yet to find a suitable chassis for the swap (I've got a few leads though, so it won't be long, and ripping the 4.0 out of my '05 is out of the question
). I'm quite serious about this swap, and hope to have it completed within a month or two. I was hoping I could get some help from you guys about some of the fine details, as well as a few opinions on the direction I should take this car.
A couple of questions I have:
The guages in the dash: how deep do they extend? Since I'm switching to a carburated engine, the computer has to go, and therefore I'll have to put in new guages. I want the car to look good in the end, so I was planning on removing the original guages and throwing in some Cobalts in the stock positions.
However, the center dash guages are going to be a nightmare, so when I redo it I'll have to delete them and relocate the replacements.
Next question is about the radio: does it require the computer to work, or am I going to have to go with an aftermarket setup. I was toying with the idea of an in-dash DVD/Navigation system, but I'd hardly use those features.
Now about the radiator: How does the radiator differ between the V6, GT, and GT500. I figure a radiator that can handle the GT500's 5.4 should stand up pretty well to a 5.8, but I could be mistaken.
Finally, styling: I'm conflicted about what direction to go in with the show ascpect. I like the idea of a GT500 clone, but V6 bodied sleeper would be fun to kill 'vettes in.
I really appreciate all your help so far, you guys are all very knowledgeable, and your I'm confident your input will help my project turn out great!
https://mustangforums.com/m_4447832/...tm.htm#4452811
I'm looking to swap a 5.8 Windsor engine into a S197.
The engine is completed (pics!):
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...g?t=1205877428
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...g?t=1205877428
But I have yet to find a suitable chassis for the swap (I've got a few leads though, so it won't be long, and ripping the 4.0 out of my '05 is out of the question
). I'm quite serious about this swap, and hope to have it completed within a month or two. I was hoping I could get some help from you guys about some of the fine details, as well as a few opinions on the direction I should take this car.A couple of questions I have:
The guages in the dash: how deep do they extend? Since I'm switching to a carburated engine, the computer has to go, and therefore I'll have to put in new guages. I want the car to look good in the end, so I was planning on removing the original guages and throwing in some Cobalts in the stock positions.
However, the center dash guages are going to be a nightmare, so when I redo it I'll have to delete them and relocate the replacements.
Next question is about the radio: does it require the computer to work, or am I going to have to go with an aftermarket setup. I was toying with the idea of an in-dash DVD/Navigation system, but I'd hardly use those features.
Now about the radiator: How does the radiator differ between the V6, GT, and GT500. I figure a radiator that can handle the GT500's 5.4 should stand up pretty well to a 5.8, but I could be mistaken.
Finally, styling: I'm conflicted about what direction to go in with the show ascpect. I like the idea of a GT500 clone, but V6 bodied sleeper would be fun to kill 'vettes in.
I really appreciate all your help so far, you guys are all very knowledgeable, and your I'm confident your input will help my project turn out great!
04-04-2008, 06:30 PM
#3
S197 Section Modder-ator
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Orlando FL
Posts: 13,373
RE: The Great 5.8 Swap
You have to chose your radiator in function of where the hoses will be located.
Typically, the Windsor have the upper hose on the passenger side and the lower on the driver side with the modern serpentine belt reverse water pump.
That's what I'm running in my old cougar.
I must say that I completly approve of this transplant
.
I have this in my book of things to do within a couple of years
.
As far as gauges, I'm sure a wiring Guru can make them working, if not, I'd be looking at AutoMeter white faces.
Good luck on the project...
Typically, the Windsor have the upper hose on the passenger side and the lower on the driver side with the modern serpentine belt reverse water pump.
That's what I'm running in my old cougar.
I must say that I completly approve of this transplant
.I have this in my book of things to do within a couple of years
.As far as gauges, I'm sure a wiring Guru can make them working, if not, I'd be looking at AutoMeter white faces.
Good luck on the project...
04-04-2008, 10:22 PM
#4
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Join Date: Jan 2006
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Posts: 118
RE: The Great 5.8 Swap
Noted! I'm almost dreading the fabrication involved....
Either way, thanks for the approval!! I want to document this whole process as best as I can so maybe one day, others can follow in my footsteps.
Either way, thanks for the approval!! I want to document this whole process as best as I can so maybe one day, others can follow in my footsteps.
04-06-2008, 12:07 AM
#7
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Join Date: Jan 2006
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Posts: 118
RE: The Great 5.8 Swap
As for the title, in Illinois this vehicle would be considered a "Specially Constructed Vehicle". This means that it can be driven on the street as occasional transportation, or to shows, it just can't be your daily driver. It can be insured too, so this is no problem.
As for the transmission and tunnel, I figured I'd cross that bridge when I got there. Luckily I have a 2005 V6 to take measurements, and the C6 tranny I have right now looks like it should fit fine (And fabricating a linkage is relatively simple). However, if I go manual and get a different transmission, or even upgrade from the C6, then modify the tunnel I must.
Edited for spelling
As for the transmission and tunnel, I figured I'd cross that bridge when I got there. Luckily I have a 2005 V6 to take measurements, and the C6 tranny I have right now looks like it should fit fine (And fabricating a linkage is relatively simple). However, if I go manual and get a different transmission, or even upgrade from the C6, then modify the tunnel I must.
Edited for spelling
04-06-2008, 01:29 AM
#8
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Near Wash. DC Posts: 13,541
Posts: 2,497
RE: The Great 5.8 Swap
You might be in for a sore disapointment, while the windsor espetially with a light stroke is a great engine, and had in any trim more power than a GT500 engine at the time, that was number to number and not power to power... and BEFORE Ford switched to the new HP rating system. Instead of being faster than a GT500 (which is actually slower than a corvette thanks to it's gearing), you be about as fast as a GT to be honest, unless that engine is something special.
04-06-2008, 10:43 AM
#10
S197 Section Modder-ator
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Orlando FL
Posts: 13,373
RE: The Great 5.8 Swap
ORIGINAL: Legion5
You might be in for a sore disapointment, while the windsor espetially with a light stroke is a great engine, and had in any trim more power than a GT500 engine at the time, that was number to number and not power to power... and BEFORE Ford switched to the new HP rating system. Instead of being faster than a GT500 (which is actually slower than a corvette thanks to it's gearing), you be about as fast as a GT to be honest, unless that engine is something special.
You might be in for a sore disapointment, while the windsor espetially with a light stroke is a great engine, and had in any trim more power than a GT500 engine at the time, that was number to number and not power to power... and BEFORE Ford switched to the new HP rating system. Instead of being faster than a GT500 (which is actually slower than a corvette thanks to it's gearing), you be about as fast as a GT to be honest, unless that engine is something special.
Where have you been?
Take a 351 stroked to 427 or 460 and you get 650hp and same amount of torque.
It's of course N/A.
Good luck getting those numbers with the 4.63V without selling the house.
As far as mild stroke, a 392/408 will still woop a GT @ss all day long.