How hard is it to swap out a 3.8 to a 5.0 in a 96 model? Motor & tranny. What all does it involve? Thanks

 

It takes motor, tranny, rear, k-member, ECU, and more time than its worth.

 

do I have to move motor mounts? I got a lot of time on my hands. Its an extra vehicle so im in no big rush.

 

You basically need a 94-95 GT donor car.

 

If you have money to waste, figure out how to put the good 5.0 in a SN-95

 

you can get a 4.2 out of an F150 which makes all most identical numbers for $500 vs a couple grand and headachs for the 5.0

 

I dont have $$ to burn by any means. I thought it might be fairly easy to do. My v-6 is blown up & tranny needs rebuilt. So I figured if i was going to spend the money on a motor & tranny might as well get what i want. I knew i was gonna need motor tranny rear end ecu & radiator. Dont know what the K- member is. Have looked it up yet.

 

K member is only different for the 4.6 IIRC, but you can find a low milage 4.2 v6 out of an f150 for $500 and it will drop and plug right in, you could also put a supercoupe drive train in it which is a little bit harder then the 4.2 but still easier and less headaches then a 5.0 which trans do you have. also your car will not pass emissions with an older motor in it

 

I know i sound like a idiot but i want it for the sound. I dont think Ga has any emmissions laws. I have a auto tranny that is stock. It shimmys real bad shifting from 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th & to OD. The motor has over 200k when it blew a head gasket. I figured why just replace head gaskets w/o rebuilding the whole thing with that many miles. Something else i though of is putting a different motor & tranny in it & sell it & buy a 5.0. I know that will be a lot easier

 

Nothing wrong with wanting it for the sound, I have womped on several awesome sounding GT's but mine doesnt sound very good doing it. :P

So sound good losing or sound bad winning! lol

Your best bet is to find yourself a wrecked GT or Cobra or Mach 1 or Bullitt.
Being that your a 96' you should check with your local laws to see if its ok to put an older engine into your car. Usually they want you to put the same year engine or newer, meaning your options at 4.6L and 5.4L for the modular V8's.

You can find wrecked GT's and Cobra's for low prices, you just have to check every day on craigslist and be willing to drive a long ways to pick it up.

A guy I know in KCM bought a wrecked 01' Cobra for $500 that was around 75k on the odo.

The car is of course worth a lot more than that if you parted it out but I am just mentioning the deals that could be had if you look far and wide and act quickly.