AndrewM6097

So my dad has had an 87 mustang for a while now, hes been doing body work and just recently got done painting it. It has the 2.3 motor and he just picked up a 5.0 out of a 83 mustang. He also got the tranny and rear end. We're in the process of replacing valve seals, main and rod bearings and all the gaskets. Everything is looking pretty good so far. Cyclinder walls look nice and smooth. We found one bent valve but we'll be replacing that. So what are we in for with this swap?? Nothing will be rushed as this is going to be a winter project and most likely into the spring. Anything major i should be looking out for?? Thanks in advance for responses.

stang8689

83 rear is a 7.5, 85or86 and up have 8.8. Conversion is alot easier going the carb route like you are

AndrewM6097

Now i have read that the 87 2.3 tranny will bolt up also. Is this true? Or am i better using the 4 spd anyway. And thank you for the info on the rear end, i'll keep my eye out for the 8.8

86 5.0L

just so you know you should swap to the 86+ 5.0 8.8in rear end, you got a 7.5inwhich is alot easier to implod under harsh driving conditions

also try to upgrade the intake manifold and the exhaust make a true dual, those will net you the most HP

for the tranny, its a T5 then it will fit, but some people say they arent as strong as a 5.0 T5, also the 2.3 uses a different/shorter gear set

AndrewM6097

He has no plans to race it or anything, just wants to make it a summer car. So i may just stick with the tranny and rear end thats in there

mjr46

look for a t-5 out of a 5.0 the 4 cyl trannies have a lower ratio gear which will make it wind out quicker and pull more Rpm's while cruising and the input shaft where the pilot bearing rides is smaller so you'll need to use a special size bushing for the 4 cyl tranny......if your mustang didn't have a double hump cross member I'd get one...if your dad want's to just cruise in it the the rear that's in there will be fine...when I did my swap I used a 85 gt as a donor car and the 4 cyl already had a 7.5 rear as they all did in the 4 cyl so I took the guts out of the 85 gt cause the housing was bent after a roll over and I used the trac -loc unit out of the 85 gt and the 4 cyl ring and pinion as it had a 3.45 gear ratio........and it get's up a goes and has run a best of 13.69 @ 99mph...it's the green stang in my sig