Hi, I just had some questions about setting an engine back in a 1969 mustang. First of all, the main reason for doing this would be to help balance the weight of the car over the rear wheels. Other beneficial things would be that the shifter for the t5 transmission I plan on installing would be at a much more comfortable length for me to reach. Now, if possible how far back can you go before you start running into firewall or transmission tunnel problems? Would gas/brake pedal modifications be necessary? Any information would be great thanks!

 

I am not sure how far back you can go without firewall mods, but there are other things you will have to think about. You would need to:
Shorten your driveshaft
move or mod your trans crossmember
may have to extend speedo cable
move or mod your engine mounts
mod your throttle linkage
ensure you have access to trans to engine bolts, (optional, you could just plan to pull them as a pair next time you need one of them out)
There are more, but this is a few off the top of my head.

Keep in mind also that relocating the battery to the trunk, switching to an aluminum intake and switching to lighter front wheels/skinnier front tires are all relatively easy ways of transferring weight towards the rear.

(p.s. - can you just lengthen the shifter arm?)

Good Luck!
John

 

Yes, you can get stock style shifters for a T5. You can also pick up a CNC'd remote shifter from Mustangs Plus that will mount to the floor closer to you.

 

is this a street car or a race car, you will probably have to modify the firewall a bit, and if its a street car it probably wont be worth it, ig your gonna be racing, then go for it, but be ready for the fabrication

 

The driveshaft wouldn't be a problem because I would like to buy a custom aluminum one anyway. How difficult is it to relocate motor mounts? Is it as easy as cutting them off and rewelding them? Or are there super-complex measurements and angles to be considered? I wouldn't worry too much about the engine to transmission bolts, but the tranny crossmember could be a problem? Again, would it be easy to relocated (the answer is probably no)? I've seen those shifter relocaters that they sell, but I think they look kinda funky. Does anyone know how well they work from experience or heard from others? From the looks of the design it seems that 1-2 shifts and 3-4 shifts would be okay, but the sideways movement needed for 2-3, 4-5, and finding reverse looks like it might be disrupted. Also, could you use one of the shifter relocaters with an aftermarket shifter like Pro 5.0? Thanks again guys!

 

a great thing to do, just simply buy an aluminum engine...the wieght difference is UNBELEIVABLE between iron and aluminum. but then again, you would have to lose your old engine, but you would save several hundred pounds and you car would REALLY fly, both in lines, and around corners

 

You could make your own shifter arm or get a tko which has a few different spots on it you can put the shifter.

 

I thought about getting a tko, they are freaking nice. I did the math though and if I find a good deal on a t5 its cheaper to upgrade it than to just buy a brand new tko-500 or 600. Also, I think the shifter location might still be a problem. Even the furthest backward position would not be much further than a t5. Im not sure but I believe Tremec bought the castings used to make the t5, from Borg Warner, and used them as a base for the tko. Bye the way, I would absolutely LOVE an aluminum 393 windsor! What is the cost of an aluminum block though? I would guess its a bundle.

 

Yea I think its like $3700, more than I paid for the entire car!