I was wondering that that was, but a chevy in a ford? I've been around rat motors all my life, that is what my son wanted in the car but no way one of my 522s was going in there. Opted for this one, looks like I'm just a couple of days ahead of you but I don't have heads yet.

 

Haha a 522 in a mustang? I believe that's a bit big! And "one of"? Are you implying you have more than one?!?!?!

Oh and you're more than a few days ahead of me, probably like a month. I'm pretty green when it comes to engines, I've gotta pick up a book on LS engines to help me with it. But since I've had a lot of down time waiting on parts for the coupe, the engine should take up some of my other free time!

 

i didn't read through your entire thread but are you planning on putting that in a mustang? or is this some sort of joke?

i commend your efforts if you're serious. i wonder if this decision could come back to haunt you if you were to ever to sell down the road...

 

Leave them in the garage long enough and they multiply



They're only 625hp but make 611lb-ft of torque at 4800 rpm (on the dyno). The little 3 cylinder sitting there is only 49 cu in but makes 103hp at 8000 rpm.

Our little Mustang project had started with my son wanting something chevy so he could use one of those motors. Going Mustang has been a great decision, I fell in love with these cars.

The motor is on hold, its been balanced and short block assembled. I need to focus on the getting the final coats of clear on then suspension. I have to stop jumping all over the place and get something finished.

So you really putting a chevy into your mustang or you playing with us?

 

Yep, it's for real! And thank you

As for reselling, I'm not gonna do so hot either way. For one, I don't think I'll ever want to resell it, cause it's the first car I've ever owned and paid for myself. Plus it's a year (or longer) restoration of my time and hard earned money. Also, it's an original 6cyl being swapped to V8, which lowers the value a bit. Plus, coupes are cheap anyways. If I wanted a mustang to restore and sell, I would've gotten a convertible or fastback.
All in all, I think resale value got kicked out the window when I first touched this car.


Also, for those who doubt the performance capabilities on these engines:
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...ine/index.html

Of course I'm not going that far, and that article didn't even affect my decision to get the engine (just found the article a few minutes ago) but it's a good read on what the 5.3L can put out.


Damn! You're right, they are multiplying! And that torque is insane!
And what's the 3 cyl for? That's impressive for such a small engine!

And I'm telling you guys! There's no joke here! I'm pretty much set on this choice. Like I said, my budget for this whole project isn't too high at all, so this really fit my budget for performance and price. I know it's gonna be hell getting a computer and all the wiring, but I plan to take this car to college and I think I'll appreciate this engine more than a stock carbed 302.

 

Don't take this the wrong way, but you really need to talk to someone who has restored cars in the past. I think you will find that doing something like this is much more acceptable in a 50's ford truck.

Do what you want, but I would highly encourage you to sell that engine (or keep it for a later project) and pick up a rebuilt 289 or 302. Complete foxbody 5.0 engines can had with all the dressings, including FI if that's what you are after for far less than what you will end up having in trying to put something like this together in a Mustang. It's going to require quite a bit of modification to get a 5.3 to adapt to the Mustang. Remember, this is just my 2 cents. Don't be afraid to ask before taking on something like this. I commend you efforts, but I don't think you are heading in the right direction here.

 

I'm sorry if that sounded too opinionated. It's your car, and I'm not trying to tell you what to do at all.. I just feel bad that no one has spelled out exactly how much work this is actually going to be.

 

I hear ya, no offense taken, I completely understand what you're saying. It's a lot of work. And I'm not going to be one of those stingy bastards that says "I can do anything, this is easy as pie, I don't care what you say... blah blah blah". I know I'm in over my head. I went into this whole restorations with ZERO knowledge of mustangs.
I already know the engine swap is gonna be a b*tch of a project, and heck, I might get halfway through and realize many of my errors. I just would like to do this. If anything, I'm rebuilding this engine. After I rebuild it, I may change my mind and at that point I can sell the engine for good money. But I'm thinking after that whole experience I'll want to keep it.

I know for a fact that I want EFI, and like I said, after all my searching, the GM looked like the best choice.


One thing I'm especially looking forward to is to that my first engine rebuild will be a modern engine and I'm excited to figure it all out.

But again, you are right in your points. There's other ways, easier ways, better ways, etc. There's never a perfect way to do things, and if there was, I would never be smart enough to do it.
But for now, I'm gonna spend some time with this engine. Read up on it, start working on it, get my hands dirty. Maybe I'll change my mind after working on it a lot, time will tell. Just know that your words aren't going in one ear and out the other. Every piece of advice I get here on this forum I respect and take into consideration. I wouldn't have a chance without this awesome community!

 

I think its a cool project, not for me but none the less a cool project. Make sure you keep posting updates!!! Who knows, you may be like me and change your mind another dozen times before the motor goes in. Although its been all Ford, I've gone from 289 back to the original 289 to a 351 back to a 302 finally settling on the '90 302HO short block posted in the pic. Unfortunately, I've had a fair amount of machine work done on all those blocks which I'll just lube up and store away.

All 3 motors go into boats. The 2 big blocks are in my offshore boat and the little motor is on the the 13'er that I posted in my thread. Damn little bugger keeps your ears ringing for days.

 

Haha I started 289, decided I wanted 302, now I'm on the 5.3L 325, it's slowly growing....
Luckily I didn't tinker with the other engines yet, so I'll sell them.

I don't know much about boats, but I'm assuming torque is more effective in them? (seeing how both those engines have heavy torque)
And that's crazy that the little motor powers a boat, but I don't doubt it!