4 cylinder to 5.0 can I use stock 5 speed manual tranny

ARidge · 10-24-2009, 07:43 PM

I spotted a run down 1992 coupe at a local car dealer. It has the 2.3 liter 4 cylinder with 5 speed transmission. I test drove it and it drives and runs great has 150,000 on it. It needs a lot of cosmetic work done. It needs new carpet as it is a nasty bown color, new seats has cigarette burn marks and a few stains in back seat, new window rubber, the trim on the door and left side door handle, new front left fender its dented and cracked, and probably a new paint job, has minor rust on the underside of the car, but no rust otherwise and the engine compartment looks descent. He's asking 900$ for it on the tag in the lot, but I went in to ask about it and he said 750$ for it including tax. So I think I might be able to talk him down farther to maybe 650$.

I like working on cars so these are no problem for me. I have never done an engine swap though, so what I was wondering is if I wanted to switch it out for the 5.0 liter V8 would I be able just to drop the v8 in and hook it up to the 5 speed tranny or would I need to modify or put a different transmission in.

This ad is not displayed to registered or logged-in members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Mustang Forums!

fordboy5.0 · 10-25-2009, 08:17 PM

yeah im pretty sure you have to get a t5 out of a v8 mustang because the gears in the 4cyl trans are smaller and it cant handle the extra torque. but the mount and wiring will work with the bigger trans so its pretty easy to swap out.

oh and the bell housings are different so you could use it but dont expect it to last long!

ARidge · 10-25-2009, 09:47 PM

Thanks, after looking around this forum some, I think I have decided to try the 2.3 turbo swap it looks a little easier and sounds fun, I've never had a turbo car, it doesn't sound like there as many around and will smoke stock 302 v8's. It looks like I can use my soon to be t5 or the tranny off of the 2.3t engine and then I dont have to do any rewiring just change pins for the ecu i think.

dreamer1uk · 10-26-2009, 11:52 AM

Hi,

You will need to change the bell housing too for the trans to mate correctly if your going the 302 route i believe.

There is alot of members around here have done the swap also and theres plenty of write ups.

Good luck with the swap and get some pics!

ARidge · 10-26-2009, 08:34 PM

Well, sadly the dealer sold it this morning before I could get in there after work to get it, first come first serve I guess. So No Mustang, dang it. Anyone have a 2.3L n/a 5 speed, a foxbody frame with no engine, or even a 2.3t, I would prefer the fun of swapping it myself though, in northeast indiana or northwest ohio for cheap under 500$ or so?

FoxGT · 10-26-2009, 11:08 PM

The 4 cylinder t5 holds up to a v8 perfectly fine. Quite a few people have ran them on their h/c/i 5.0 with zero problems. I ran one with mine for a few years with h/c/i/exhaust & it never grinded nor did I have any issues. Powershifting is what generally causes the durability issues. You need a 5.0 bellhousing/clutch/pressure plate. The 4 cylinder t5's input shaft is a slightly smaller diameter on the very tip where it slides in the pilot bearing. The right pilot bearing to use is one from an 85 diesel 4 cylinder ranger. It has the correct outside diameter for the 5.0 flywheel & proper inside diameter of the 4 cylinder t5 input shaft.