ntx_gearhead

hey guys i just snagged a 66 mustang not a fastback but a regular pony car... its got a straight 6 engine and im looking to drop in something bigger.... what would u guys have in mind? im looking for 400hp to the wheels... and ive heard that the shock towers would become an issue if i put in anything bigger then a 289c.i.d... also for transmisions, i wanna stay with an automatic so help there would be great too.... this is my first ford so it seems like im startin all over again...this is what i get for playin with chevy's my whole life....lol.. so help a guy out..whatddya think?

ky

its a lotta work to swap to a v8. the rear end needs to be replaced with a built 8 inch or 9inch. 5 lug conversion all the way around. you need a new tranny, like a c4 with a shift kit, the brakes would need to be at least disks up front and drum out back, but prefferrably disks all the way around. any ford small block will fit in the car with new motor mounts. the only way youd need to alter the shock towers is if you going with a big block, but you dont need a BB for 400hp. all you need is a bare 302 block, stroke it to a 347 with forged internals, afr 185cc heads, a nice cam, hi rise intake, a holly double pump 650 carb, and headers. depending on who tunes the car, you could have about 450hp at the crank. it should come out to be around 13-15k for a complete swap.

someone correct me if im wrong in any places.

MonsterB

i am in the process of doing the sam thing. however i am starting with a 66 289 car. i found a complete turnkey engine, less the water pump and pulley set up for $4600. i has trick flow aluminum heads, stealth intake, holley 650 Dble pmper, msd dist. this included the the whole deal delivered to my place. they will take pictures and send a dyno chart with it. the gaurentee 430hp.
i am going with a t5 standard which i picked up used for $400.
i am also seeking advice on the remainder of the car. i stripped it to bare metal via media blasting and i pick the car up from the paint/body guy tomorrow.
i am replacing everything with new. including wireing. i here painless is the way to go.
i am going to start a forum asking advice as i go. it is my first time.

Thanks to all

SoCal66Stang

Just for starters...

Entire drivetrain; Engine, Tranny and rear end will need replaced. Full suspension swap as well as the 5 lug conversion. Anything associated with those parts should be reworked / replaced to handle the amount of power that you're planning on.

I too have a '66 notchback, but it was also a 289 originally. I still have many plans to redo this car (after getting a house). Mostly new everything as well as MonsterB has said. I think it'll just be easier and hopefully smoother that way.

green_blurr

MY NAME IS GLEN!---- LOL NICE PIC TRUE66GT

ntx_gearhead

wow i didnt know a 302 could crank out those kinda ponies... is it possible to reach 500 from a 302? and will a rebuilt C-5 handle all that?

ntx_gearhead

again plz excuse the ignorance of ford's as normally im a huge chevy guy.... would a 351W or 351C fit in the car without changing the shock towers? and if i do need to change them will the ones that year one sells work? sorry i know noobs are a pain in the butt....and thx for the help!

67t5ponycoupe

Windsor will fit right in. The Cleaveland will require special headers. You don't really want to change the shock towers. If you want to go with a bigger engine you might want to do the Mustang II front end.

ntx_gearhead

whats so special about the headers? will they restrict flow?

mustanglover66

My 66 Fastback also started life as an I6 but has been converted to V8 before I tore to the shell it is now I had a 302 in it but when I am done I will get a new 347 from the place I work you can get 500hp out of a 302 block but it won't be cheap. A 351 is a tight fit you just about have to lift the engine to change spark plugs and need special headers to get around the shock towers. Here is the website to where I work.
http://tandlengines.com/