Need your opinion on an engine swap

[nolan62]

Guys, I need your opinions on this since I'm having trouble deciding. I have a 95 with a 3.8 that has a rod knocking, loudly. I was thinking of doing a 5.0 swap since I have one. But after reading here and other sites the 5.0 swap is a lot of work and money. More money than I really care to spend. Now I have found a 2004 V6 with 43K miles on it. Seems like this engine would kill 2 birds with 1 shot. Replace my busted engine AND a split port swap at once. Since I'm getting the whole engine do you guys think this would be a good choice? Being a 2004 what do I need to know/watch out for about the swap? Or should I just swap out my short block? I appreciate your thoughts.

 

[Nightmare]

Well since a sr20 pulls a premium this close to race wars it could work. Plus with a 2jz you will have to get parts from Japan.......

 

[nolan62]

Well since a sr20 pulls a premium this close to race wars it could work. Plus with a 2jz you will have to get parts from Japan.......

I'm sorry, I don't understand....

 

[mcglsr2]

That guy is too fast, and certainly too furious.

I could be wrong but I think he's just playing with you

And by 5.0 being too expensive, I assume you are talking about the Coyote and not Windsor?

Edit: just did some quick research - you are talking about a Windsor. I had no idea it was so involved. Makes sense though.

 

[nolan62]

No the Windsor. I would need wiring harnesses, Computer, transmission, rearend. Basically I would have to buy a wrecked GT and swap parts. I really don't want to go Carb. I do know carbs since I've been restoring cars a long time now. But I want EFI for this one. I would like to use this 5.0L but I don't see an easy way. I already have my son's 2000 V6 and with the add-ons and 3:73 rearend it moves very nice. So I could live with a V6 in this 95.

Do you have any ideas on the 5.0? I'm completely open on this 95.

 

[mcglsr2]

Swapping to the 5.0 seems very involved - and to be honest, the stock 95 5.0 isn't all that fast. So once you did swap, you'd have to do more to actually get any serious movement out the car. That type of effort only seems worthwhile to me if what you are putting in will make a significant difference. I'm not convinced it will (without making a bunch of additional modifications - is the 5.0L you have stock?). Now, if you want to do it for the sake of doing a project, that's a different story. IMO, I'd go with the V6, and if you want more from it put a blower or turbo on it. At that point, you'll have to start replacing things like the rear end, etc etc but you'll be enjoying it long before you finished your V8 swap. Another other option of course is to get GT roller, and put your 5.0L and V6 interior parts into that.

If you are happy with the V6 and some gears, then go that route.

 

[Orange 94]

IMO, if you're going to do the swap go with a 4.2 out of a f150.

Its the same 3.8 block, but its split port and has more HP and trq. There are a few changes between the mustang and the 4.2 but its not that bad of a swap.

This is if you're looking for a bit of a challenge and a bit handy. But if you think the 5.0 is too much then maybe you just want to go with a direct swap.

 

[nolan62]

You did the 4.2, did you write it up or document it? Any articles on that swap that you know about?

 

[Nightmare]

yes I was messing with you a little bit, but the jist of it is, you have a free engine that you can use. Use it. It sure beats having to get all the stuff you need to swap a windsor over. After you get the "new v6" in there, you can buld up a windsor right, and take your time , slowly sourcing parts for your dream build.

 

[nolan62]

Oh good, I thought my meds weren't working......

 

[330CubeGt]

Carbed 302 w/MSD Ignition setup is cheaper and makes more power then a junk split port.Don't waist your time thinking you will be happy with a "newer" v6.

 

[nolan62]

I do have everything to go Carbed.......I could always add EFI later if I want......

 

[330CubeGt]

Carbed cars are basic, make more power and are easier to tune but your trade off will be shit mpg as a daily driver

 

[nolan62]

This is a weekend fun car so mpg isn't an issue. My DD is an 86 F150 I restored. Plus I'm old sckool...I use to build classics. More comfortable with the 60's 70's but they are getting too expensive to restore. These later models I'm kind of still learning. That's why I ask for opinions. You young guys have "been there, done that". So I do value everyone's feedback.
I think I'm leaning toward dropping in my carbed 5.0. I talked to a guy at Bama Tunes and he recommended not using the 2004 3.8L I had found. Plus reading the split port swap articles I found, not sure if I want to do all that for a V6. No I'm not diss'n V6's. I have a 2000 V6 that is quite fun to drive. But I'm not comfortable with the EFI and all the wires and hoses. And since that 2000 runs so good I have little experience working on the engine.

 

[punched281]

I did the split port motor swap, and it was pretty straight forward. Had to extend a few wires but not too bad.

Make sure everything is good to go between the obd 1 and obd 2. If I am not mistaken obd 2 started in 96.