Hi everybody, this is my first post as a new member.

I'm planning to buy a 1965 fastback project, have done a few smaller restoration projects before, was wondering which engine and transmission combination some of you would recommend. I hope to find a project car with no engine and tranny, so i'll be able to put in exactly what i want.

I've rebuilt a 302 before, i know thats a possibility, but might be looking for more power...
I dont want a total performance car, but something REALLY fun to drive almost daily.

As for the transmission, manual is a must, i know about several different models, just looking for some recommendations, or models to avoid (known for problems, or poor perfromance...

Cheers
alex

 

Based upon your above stated desires, there's one clear choice for you.

Late model (88-93) EFI 5.0 with T-5 transmission swap from a wrecked fox body Mustang.

Don't let the EFI portionintimidate you. It's not really that hard to do.

Dave

 

A331 or 347 Stroker with some good aluminum heads, a nice cam, good flowing intake, and a 650 Demon or 750 Holley Carb. As far as the transmission... a world class T5 would probably be ok as long as you don't beat on it too hard, but for the ultimate in idestructability, go with a Tremec TKO 600. Of course you could also go with a factory style top loader 4 speed.Get a good 8 inch or 9 inch rearend with a posi and a 3.80 gear for a 5 speed, or 3.25-3.55 for a 4 speed.

 

EFI eh? hmm, hadn't thought about something that new...
What would be the benefits? im assuming fuel economy for one?
I still wanna have something that feels somewhat old-school, and also has a great sound...

I dont have any experience in fuel injection, have only worked on older stuff...

 

a 427FE side oiler. backed by a 3 speed with the bellhousing for a 6cyl. Just weld it together, chances are good itll work.

 

IMO, 331 is a good place to stop. I"m not convinced that there"s enough benefit to the next 16 cubes for anything resembling long-term daily-driver kind of reliability. Carb"ed I'd probably go no more than 600 cfm unless it"s going to be mostly some kind of track toy. A Tremec TKO 500 is more than enough tranny. Even an older 3550 ought to be enough if you don"t do too much drag racing (I've got one of those behind an EFI 355 in another car and it hasheld up just fine including several seasons of autocross running).

Building up a small-block car today, I think I"d look more closely at 3.55"s with any of theoverdrive 5-speed trannies (3.73s with a 5-speed and 25.6" tall tires is shorter than necessary for a DD). Keep in mind that1stgear in most fives is quite a bit shorter than 1st in any four that you"d dare to use, and the five"s 2nd is usually a little shorter as well. So you don"t need as much help from the axle gearing with a five. Might as well make 4th a little more useful at medium speeds around townand save 5th for highway and Interstate cruising. Working up a chart of speeds in gears and rpms for whatever tire size you"re considering might help you decide this. I"ve got at least one buried somewhere on every computer I use if you"d rather start with something that"s already put together.

Regarding EFI, in addition to fuel mileage, EFI motors also drive better when cold and under off-idle conditions, which makes driving in traffic noticeably easier/smoother than driving under the same conditions with most carb"ed motors. Properly tuned, anyway.


Norm

 

That's the exact same thing I was thinking less than a year ago.

I wanted to build a reliable car that would start, idle and perform like a modern vehicle, but still have the "old school" feel to it. I didn't know the difference between a MAF sensor and an IAC, but after a LOT of questions and a LOT of reading, I believe I've got the basics figured out (enough anyway) and accomplished my goal.

Check out the linked video... sound okay?

http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa148/davesanborn/?action=view¤t=002-13.flv

Here's a picture of the motor....



Good Luck!
Dave

 

I have never done a Ford Fuel injection set up. I hear they aren't too bad, but I have an idea...

http://www.professional-products.com/EFI_1.php

This setup is all self contained and looks very similar to a Demon carb. It has everything you need to wire it up, and requires no programming, although it is optional. If you want the benefits offuel injection, with the simplicity and looks of a carb, then this might be the way to go .

 

How about a 408 Windsor with a TKO 600?



It is a fun drive.....

 

thanx for all this advice, the video that dave posted is awesome,
thats pretty damn close to the car i hope to have when this is all done!