USAMuscle

Man it's been a long time since I've posted! Anyway, as you can probably guess by the title, this post is about a 351 swap into a '96 4.6 Mustang. My question is has anybody here done this or does anybody know somebody who has. I have heard that the motor mounts will match up, and I've heard that a new K-member is required. I'm not sure if the T45 will bolt up to the 351 block. Probably not, but I'm not sure. I have the engine itself covered because I can build an engine with my eyes closed. (Not literally!) I plan on getting a fuel-injection setup and I can handle the wiring and all that because I'll just rob it all from a fox chassis, and customize whatever I have to. Any input would be great from anybody who has any idea what's involved with such a swap.

callmecobra

wow, dont know why your doing the swap[&:], but the t45 wont bolt up...they only work on modulars. and the k member should be fine, considering all 79+ (i think 79+) k members are the same...although ide recomend getting a tubular setup. and your gauges arent going to work either, since ide assume you are going to a carbed setup

USAMuscle

I want to do the swap because it's 70 more cubic inches I have to play with. More torque and more power upfront. Also I do plan on EFI, not a carb. I have to pass emissions, and a carb is too much of a pain to have to smog. I like the old school hot rods and old school hot rod engines, and I want to combine the best of both worlds. A newer style Mustang with a fire-breathing 351 under the hood. Nobody would expect it, and I plan to keep the exterior totally stock, except for maybe a Cobra R hood if I have hood clearance issues. It would be a great sleeper. Not to mention upgrades for a 351 are much much cheaper than a 4.6. I hate the modular aftermarket...damn pirates!

nhdungeonracer

I'm kinda new here, so take what I say with a grain of salt
Couldn't you just change the bellhousing to get the T45 to bolt up to the 351? I'm thinking you could use a bell housing from a Fox Stang (maybe the same one you're getting the wires form?) and put it between the 351 and the T45.

Being in the mid-40's, I can COMPLETETLY understand why someone would want to put a 351 in a newer Stang Is the 351 a Windsor or a Cleveland? Cleveland heads are easier to get more power from, but is it harder to mate with modern intakes?

USAMuscle

You could be right about the bellhousing. I'll have to check on that. If I do it, I'll be putting in a Windsor engine because they're easier to get parts for, and a lot of 5.0 stuff will work on a 351W engine. I can get an EFI manifold similar to the one used on the Saleen S351 Mustangs, and because I'll be putting in a roller engine, I can also use the Ford E303 cam and hydraulic roller lifters. I know they're smog legal in a 5.0, so I'll have to check if they're smog legal in a 351. I'd consider overhauling the 4.6 if aftermarket parts weren't so damn expensive, but...

2000GT4.6

My father was looking into a 5 speed for his 69 mach 1, until he was basically told it wouldnt hold the HP (the T5). The only thing they said we would have to do is get a different bellhousing.

If you are going to be running a fairly built 351 (and if you arnt, why bother) I wouldnt go with a T45. For that matter, if you really are going to set the car up to run, build yourself an automatic. A built automatic in a high HP car is scary.

callmecobra

you cant use a t45, its not like the t5....when you remove the bellhousing on the t45, you will expose all the gears...if you dont understand what im saying, it opens up the transmission

USAMuscle

I agree about using an auto transmission. I have a '65 Pontiac with a rebuilt 400 and I wouldn't dream of using anything but an auto because that engine will destroy a manual transmission. Way too much torque and HP. Anyway if anything I would swap in a TKO transmission, just because it would have to pass emissions so the engine wouldn't be all that much of a monster. At least not around smog time...I just want something beefier that doesn't cost as much as a 4.6 to play with. I don't like the idea of spending $3,000 on a stroker kit to get a meesly 21 more cubes when I could get 42 more cubes out of a 351 for less than a third of that. Granted that probably wouldn't pass smog if my life depended on it, but it's the point of the matter...