[93ponylol]

so i just picked up an 87 coupe i have a 93 vert that is in piss poor condition and i have always wanted a coupe so im swaping my stuff to the 87 now i understand that the fuel pump releay location is diff on the two cars. so far my idea is too move the dash with harness comp with harness and engine harness over to the 87 but what should i do about the body harness should i find a 93 body harness or should i just rewire the fuel pump relay this is assuming that the harness will plug into my dash harness cause all we are really looking for is brake lights back up lights turn signals and fuel pump operation right im so lost lol oh well if anyone can interperet what im trying to say let me know what you have seen or done thanks

[91stock=91drag]

hey i want to change the engine in my mustang its a 91' 4 cyl and i want to put a 302 or 351 in it i just wanted to know what i would have to do to get that engine in the car... and why would i have to change the wiring harness..?

[MSC58]

After reading this entire thread, from my understanding you have to replace the entire main wiring harness and the wiring harness in the dash also(if you want your gauges to work). I also have read that useing the same year car as a donor is the easiest way to transfer everything over.

[05Musclestang]

Exactly what msc58 said, the most easy way to do a 5.0 swap: get a parts car! Swap everything over, suspension, brakes, wiring, drivetrain, etc. That's how I'm going with my '89 lx 5.0 parts car that I got for a great deal.

[fordamerican]

I have a 1987 lx mustang that i converted from a 2.3 to a 5.0. Can i use the five speed that came in the car and if so what improvements do i need to make so it can handle the tork and horse of the v8? The v8 is stock out of a 1988 lx.

[msjsas]

Originally Posted by fordamerican

I have a 1987 lx mustang that i converted from a 2.3 to a 5.0. Can i use the five speed that came in the car and if so what improvements do i need to make so it can handle the tork and horse of the v8? The v8 is stock out of a 1988 lx.

Honestly you'd be better off to find a T-5 that was paired with a v-8. From what I understand the input shaft on the 4 cyl t-5 is smaller. A friend of mine used his and he had to do some mods to the pilot bearing. That's about the extent of my knowledge. I'm kinda new at this and right now attempting my first 2.3L to 5.0L swap and to be honest, kinda lost lol.

[duke1992lx]

You can use the 4cyl. T5(also has different ratios) if you want, as long as your not running slicks or thinking about speed shifting it will be okay. you dont have to baby it but you must remember that a v8 T5 wasn't the best out there either--(something about 3rd. gear)--anyway you need a pilot bearing from a mid 80's deisel ranger, i have used mine this way for awhile now, no problems. also you don't really need to change out the susp. the 4cyl cars have a different spring rate, which means the car might lift a little more on take off. I have an 8.8(w/ discs) rear that i plan on putting in which means i am still using the 7.5 rear now. Everyone has their own ideas on how to do this swap, just remember there still is more than one way to do it. i can run all day long with my carbed stang right next to my pops old highway patrol stang. I did it on the REAL cheap. So can you

[stinger2020]

I am currently working on a 1986 2.3L and putting in a 5.0 from an 1984 GT. Im staying with the carbed setup, and i have the complete 1984 car to do the swap. I was wondering if the 4cyl springs would hold up fine to the v8. I've both sides but I'm still unsure about it. and I've also heard that if you go with a long-tube setup you'll have to bang up the fire wall to get a bit more clearance. Im open to all advice. Thank you

[msjsas]

Ok guys. I'm attempting my first 4 cyl to v-8 swap and I have a lot of questions. First, I'm stealing the 5.0 from an 88 GT and putting it in a 93 LX. I already have a computer and engine wiring harness for a 93 5.0 so that's taken care of. Also, I own both cars so I have everything available. Here's my questions-

1. All the junk under the hood attached to the firewall and strut towers, will I need to transfer them too?

2. Which items from the 4 cyl car can I use with the v-8?

3. Will the stock k-member from the 4 cyl car support the weight of the v-8?

4. Will I need to swap out the brake booster from the GT into the LX since they are different? (the master cylinders are identical)

5. I'm swapping the doors from the GT to the LX since they have power windows, does the LX with non power windows still have the connections for power?

6. Which items from the GT are absolute must have's for the swap? I know the main components such as brakes, springs, etc., I'm talking more about the small stuff.

I'm doing this on my own so any advice y'all have for me is really appreciated.

[flakm]

I am currently doing this in a 92lx notch, but i am going old school with a carb. have any of you read the stickie at corral.net? I am alittle confused myself about the wiring. I don't have a donor car but got a 302 from a 79 stang. it has to go to the shop yet. bought it for $66. any how um as far as I know the stock K member is good. a V8 T-5 is needed. A dual hump transmission mount is required, since the 4cyl is single. No mods need for the tranny. unless you go to a t-56. I got the brake booster from a 95Gt since we are going to 4 wheel disc.

[chevy55ac]

I have read every post and only became more confused. I have a donor 1990 GT built 10/89 and a 4cyl car 1992 built 01/92. I am converting the 4cyl to a V8. I have read many articles that say the dash harness is the same in these cars. Both have air bags. Other articles say that you need to change the pins in some ??? harness to get the swap to work. I have the computer and the engine wiring from the v8 car. What will need to be changed?

The car that I have was running and F4ZZ computer with a code C3W. Any reason for this? There is a A9L in the car, but I don't know if it is good. How could I test this.

Thanks for any help.

[RLG34750]

hopefully this will help you....

5.0 Wiring Harness --- 87-95 Wiring Changes

87-95 Wiring Changes - There are several different harnesses Ford used on the 5 liter Mustangs. If you are doing a conversion or need a replacement harness, here are the differences in the harnesses by model year.

Year: Details:

1987-1988 - Speed Density. All the speed density engine harnesses are interchangeable. Ford used a different computer in 86, but the engine harness is the same. The dash harness in the 86 is specific to that year car and will not work in the 87-93.

1989 - Mass Air and No Air Bag. One year only harness. Only car with mass air and no air bag. The dash harness is the same from 87-89 on all models, but the engine harness is specific to the 89. The 89 harness can be used in place of the stock 87-88 harness for anyone looking to do a mass air conversion.

1990-1992.5 - Mass Air with Air Bag. Fuel pump relay is under the drivers seat. The change here was made sometime in 92. All the dash harnesses for all models from 90-93 are interchangeable.

1992.5-1993 - Mass Air with Air Bag. Fuel pump relay is in the engine compartment. M12071C302 is this style engine harness. All the dash harnesses for all models from 90-93 are interchangeable.

1994-1995 - All the engine harnesses from the 94-95 V8 cars are interchangeable. All the dash harnesses from the 94-95 cars are interchangeable.

[strykerfive]

Howdy All, Those that have done the 4 to 8 swap is this a realistic plan under time and resourcing constraints? Wondering if I should wait till I get back from a business trip next year or if I should go for it now. Bottom line don't want to have to leave and come back to an unfinished project.

Situation: I own 2 mustang convertibles; 1988 5.0 GT and a 1990 LX (4 cyl). Iinitially planned on restoring the GT till I found more rust than you can shake a stick at. Still not sure how the doors are hanging on to the frame, and firewall is gone. Other than rust engine and all works fine. LX is in much better condition with little rust. Time to conduct maintenance is short (3 months) due to Operational Tempo. Lastly parts are in short supply and are expensive where I am at. If it's not here I have to order the parts and that's really expensive.

Mission: Rebuild LX into a Mustang GT.

Execution:
Phase I: Begins now and lasts over the next 2 weeks, strip 88 GT. Prep 5.0 pack; Clean, re-paint, upgrade parts. Pull pack from 90 LX, and clean, and prep engine compartment.

Phase II: Starts Thanksgiving weekend and ends NLT 1 Dec; Change over suspension (front/back), Exhaust, K Member, Brakes, Tranny, Fuel Lines, radiator, wiring harness, computer, Dash, and drive train into LX.

Phase III: Begins 6 Dec ends NLT 9 Dec. install new 5.0 pack into LX.

Phase IV: Begins 10-ends 14 Dec install GT body fenders, bumpers, hood.


Questions:
1. Any reason to not pull the 88 GT steering wheel and replace into the 90 LX when I do the swap? Not keen on the airbag. If I remember correctly inital airbags had their problems.
2. Will I need to order a 1990 5.0 computer and wiring harness or can I use the ones I have in my 88 GT?
3. Will the engine swap degrade the value of the 90 LX or increase it? Sumb question but looking at it from a long term perspective.
4. Is it possible to move the GT body style to the 90 LX?
5. Has anyone purchased parts online from Late Model Restoration, or Fox Body Restoration? Any recommendations on who to get parts online from?
6. Anyone know where I can purchase online a driver and Passenger side door for a 88/90 GT? (Both of mine are rusted through, and no junk yards have any here)
7. Does a vehicle that has the 4-8 swap need to be re-inspected by the state before it is drivable?


Appreciate any thougts, advice, or suggestions on the matter.

Semper Fi,
John

[RLG34750]

Originally Posted by strykerfive

Questions:
1. Any reason to not pull the 88 GT steering wheel and replace into the 90 LX when I do the swap? Not keen on the airbag. If I remember correctly inital airbags had their problems.

Since you do not want the airbag just used the 88 steering column


2. Will I need to order a 1990 5.0 computer and wiring harness or can I use the ones I have in my 88 GT?

If you plan to convert to a MAF (highly recommend) you will need the computer and wiring harness 89 or newer.....if not you can used the stuff from the 88

3. Will the engine swap degrade the value of the 90 LX or increase it? Sumb question but looking at it from a long term perspective.

it probably wont decrease the value there is not a big demand for four cyl. cars....of course in the performance car community it will be more desirable with the 5.0


4. Is it possible to move the GT body style to the 90 LX?

yes you can swap the ground effect to your LX

But why would you add the fat to the new project
(spoken like the true LX owner that i am....)


5. Has anyone purchased parts online from Late Model Restoration, or Fox Body Restoration? Any recommendations on who to get parts online from?

Late model restoration ....Mustangs Unlimited ......CJ pony
Year one and many of our site sponsors are great places to get parts....


6. Anyone know where I can purchase online a driver and Passenger side door for a 88/90 GT? (Both of mine are rusted through, and no junk yards have any here)

you should be able to find doors here

Prestige Mustang Parts - Your #1 source for used antique and late model Mustang parts.

MPS


7. Does a vehicle that has the 4-8 swap need to be re-inspected by the state before it is drivable?

to the best of my knowledge it doesn't need re-inspection
but would check with your local DMV


Appreciate any thougts, advice, or suggestions on the matter.

Semper Fi,
John

I hope this info helps you with your project.....

as the son of a 32 year Marine veteran

Semper Fi

[mikey_mcclain08]

i got an 89 ford mustang lx coupe with the 2.3l i bought an 76 ford 302 for it. im just wandering what kind of ignition and fuel pump i should use since i want to keep it carbureted and what type of bellhousing to go with thats cheap and reliable for my five speed t-5?