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Author
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Topic: 1989 Mustang 4 Cylinder to a v8
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Yames
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Member # 5291
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posted
 
 
So yeah I have actually been checking this site out for a long time now and I have had another name on here but I forgot the password. Any ways, I just purchased a 1989 Mustang Convertible LX and I want to convert it to a v8 in the near future. Also where can I purchase a new convertible top from in the East Bay Area?
Also what do I need in order to change it to a v8, I tried searching but came up dry. Any ways, do I need to change out the crossmember with a gt 5.0 crossmember?
Change out the rear end to a 8.8 rear end? Bellhousings etc... Let me know, I won't be purchasing a motor or getting the swap under way until next month. Have to cover some bills unfortunately, I want this project started asap. Anything helps you guys, I appreciate everything if you guys can help me out and give me ideas.
1989 LX 2.2EFI 4Cyl Convertible Mustang
james
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2003 Mach 1 (Good Bye For Now)
1993 Cadillac STS 4.6L V8 (Sold)
1994 Toyota Tercel
Posts: 489 | From: Alameda | Registered: Feb 2005
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Blind
2.3L
CAFords OG
Member # 3052
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posted
checkout my swap diary:
http://members.sounddomain.com/rustystang
you dont need to change the K member, the chassis are identical.
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89 LX Notchback ex 4cyl, 14psi
02 Harley F150, 15psi
Posts: 8521 | From: Fairfield | Registered: Jul 2003
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Blind
2.3L
CAFords OG
Member # 3052
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posted
I suggest buying a donor car if you've never done anything like this before, there's a lot of little shit that would drive you crazy trying to source from the junkyard.
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89 LX Notchback ex 4cyl, 14psi
02 Harley F150, 15psi
Posts: 8521 | From: Fairfield | Registered: Jul 2003
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Yames
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Member # 5291
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posted
Ok my first question is this? How much did this all cost if you if you don't mind me asking, and damn what a awesome job. Second of all how much would you charge to do something like that again? I personally am going to have the motor taken out in a couple of weeks because I believe there is a small rod knock in mine as well. I'm going to have the whole car repainted white or metallic blue. Not sure yet.
However I would be very appreciative if you'd be willing to help me out, I would pay you of course depending on what you'd be doing, for example if I want the motor pulled from the car how much would you charge?
I don't plan on painting in a couple of weeks and also I need a new convertible vinyl top. If you can help me out let me know pm me or something we can work something out. I'll be keeping my eyes out for a 5.0 donar car for sure though, I picked up my lx 4 banger for 400 bucks last night. Clean title 140k miles, it won't pass smog though because of the rod knock. I won't be able to purchase a 5.0L motor and tranny for a couple of weeks till I get my funds together. I know there is a lot more involved then just doing the swap and I'll be getting the parts all together and doing everything at once. Let me know though, I check often.
james
[ February 11, 2005, 10:52 AM: Message edited by: Yames ]
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2003 Mach 1 (Good Bye For Now)
1993 Cadillac STS 4.6L V8 (Sold)
1994 Toyota Tercel
Posts: 489 | From: Alameda | Registered: Feb 2005
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blue88lx
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Member # 2970
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posted
Member# 541 HaulinAssMaro 408-420-3003
He has just about everything you'll need.
The Late Great Reggie White once saw him take a Timex watch and turn it into a Cobra!
Posts: 36 | From: Tracy | Registered: Jun 2003
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JohnB
Tech Moderator
Member # 969
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posted
Don't waste your time with the swap. There are PLENTY of 5.0s out there still.
Unless, of course...you want to spend a shitload of time doing a conversion. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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1965 Shelby Cobra
1993 Cobra
2012 F150 Raptor
2020 GT500
Posts: 6523 | From: Orlando FL/Redding CA | Registered: Mar 2002
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BlackDrop50
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Member # 1715
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quote:
Originally posted by JohnB:
Don't waste your time with the swap. There are PLENTY of 5.0s out there still.
Unless, of course...you want to spend a shitload of time doing a conversion.
Personally, I agree. It is a LOT of work and not to be taken lightly...you might be better off buying a slightly messed up 5.0 and repairing it on your own....
Posts: 1379 | From: 510 East Bay | Registered: Aug 2002
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Blind
2.3L
CAFords OG
Member # 3052
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by BlackDrop50:
quote:
Originally posted by JohnB:
Don't waste your time with the swap. There are PLENTY of 5.0s out there still.
Unless, of course...you want to spend a shitload of time doing a conversion.
Personally, I agree. It is a LOT of work and not to be taken lightly...you might be better off buying a slightly messed up 5.0 and repairing it on your own....
I agree, it took me 3 months and I wouldn't do it again. But it was fun because I was bored ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
especially if you are going to be paying people to help you, the motor swap really isn't something I can recommend for you, definately not worth how much money it would cost.
I'd help you out for $50/hour, less than that isn't worth it to me because its all pain in the ass work.
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89 LX Notchback ex 4cyl, 14psi
02 Harley F150, 15psi
Posts: 8521 | From: Fairfield | Registered: Jul 2003
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Yames
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Member # 5291
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posted
I definitely want to do this and I do have sometime in the day to work on this car. I personally would pay you to take out the motor currently in the car that is in now. I'd be willing to pay you for that because I kind of want the motor that's in it out in a couple of weeks because I want the thing repainted. Anyways pm me and let me know how much any of you would pay to take out the motor. I would watch and learn at the same time so I could do myself the next time around unless you think I should just do it and try it myself? I read the article on the whole conversion and it does look extensive but I definitly want to at least make an attempt at this. When it comes to pulling out the motor what should the first things I need to do in order to take it out? Pm me or post here. Thanks for the advice but I have my goals set for this car and I kind of want to stick to it, plus I'm bored as well and this will give me something to do. Can't try till you know right?
How much do you think it would cost me to do this conversion? Or a better question how much did it cost you in all if you don't mind me asking?
[ February 12, 2005, 01:45 AM: Message edited by: Yames ]
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2003 Mach 1 (Good Bye For Now)
1993 Cadillac STS 4.6L V8 (Sold)
1994 Toyota Tercel
Posts: 489 | From: Alameda | Registered: Feb 2005
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Blind
2.3L
CAFords OG
Member # 3052
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posted
I bought my 4cyl notch for $500, bought my donor 5.0 for like $1200 or something.
Do you have a lot of tools? Air tools, a 1/2" impact gun, lots of deep sockets and extensions, engine hoist/cherry picker, chains, at least 4 jackstands, but may want up to 8 to have both cars jacked up, a couple of jacks...
I've managed to sell back like $400 worth of stuff during my little song and dance, like the tranny out of the 4cyl, assorted interior parts, etc.
pulling an engine is really simple actually. Just unbolt the driveshaft from the rearend, unbolt the motor mount bolts at the underside of the front crossmember, unbolt the tranny from its mount, unbolt and remove the shifter, then unplug and remove the wiring harness from the engine, and disconnect the fuel lines. I just cut the 4cyl lines because its a PITA to use the line disconnect tools to get the lines off correctly. Then drain and pull the radiator and fan out, and you can start pulling the engine out. Just go slowly and make sure its not being hung up on anything. Its easiest IMO to just have the front end jacked up, as high as possible, to make getting the engine/tranny out easiest
[ February 12, 2005, 05:10 PM: Message edited by: blind ]
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89 LX Notchback ex 4cyl, 14psi
02 Harley F150, 15psi
Posts: 8521 | From: Fairfield | Registered: Jul 2003
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Yames
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Member # 5291
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by blind:
I bought my 4cyl notch for $500, bought my donor 5.0 for like $1200 or something.
Do you have a lot of tools? Air tools, a 1/2" impact gun, lots of deep sockets and extensions, engine hoist/cherry picker, chains, at least 4 jackstands, but may want up to 8 to have both cars jacked up, a couple of jacks...
I've managed to sell back like $400 worth of stuff during my little song and dance, like the tranny out of the 4cyl, assorted interior parts, etc.
pulling an engine is really simple actually. Just unbolt the driveshaft from the rearend, unbolt the motor mount bolts at the underside of the front crossmember, unbolt the tranny from its mount, unbolt and remove the shifter, then unplug and remove the wiring harness from the engine, and disconnect the fuel lines. I just cut the 4cyl lines because its a PITA to use the line disconnect tools to get the lines off correctly. Then drain and pull the radiator and fan out, and you can start pulling the engine out. Just go slowly and make sure its not being hung up on anything. Its easiest IMO to just have the front end jacked up, as high as possible, to make getting the engine/tranny out easiest
I have access to air guns but I may just have to buy one or something and jack stands I can go purchase as well. I have plenty of sockets and what not. Cherry picker I can go rent one, I'm thinking of actually going to go pull out the motor this week or weekend. Whenever I have time, I may actually just start unplugging stuff right now and see how far I get. I don't know how much I'll be able to get the motor for that I have in it now because it has a slight rod knock. But it starts up every time.
I was about to go pick up a donar car today but I think the guy already sold it. So yeah any who I'm going to just start taking it apart, so I need to unbold the drive shaft from the rear end? How many bolts are there so I know what to look for? Thanks for the help. I appreciatie it.
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2003 Mach 1 (Good Bye For Now)
1993 Cadillac STS 4.6L V8 (Sold)
1994 Toyota Tercel
Posts: 489 | From: Alameda | Registered: Feb 2005
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Yames
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Member # 5291
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posted
So if time allows I'll be pulling the motor this week. I'll update my progress.
As for one of the first steps I want to do is I want to convert this into a manual transmission, I heard that I'm going to need to do some drilling, I want to make it look clean while doing so. Has anyone done this yet convert a automatic to a manual?
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2003 Mach 1 (Good Bye For Now)
1993 Cadillac STS 4.6L V8 (Sold)
1994 Toyota Tercel
Posts: 489 | From: Alameda | Registered: Feb 2005
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Blind
2.3L
CAFords OG
Member # 3052
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posted
I made mine a 5spd during my swap, no drilling.
the biggest pain in the ass was swapping the brake pedal quadrent for the 5-sped pedals, have to take the entire steering column out and unbolt the brake pedal box from the brake booster on the firewall, its hard to get to.
only part of the 5spd swap that isn't just boltin is making the shifter fit in the hole in the trans tunnel, I had to use my sawzall to make the hole a little bigger ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
there's 4 bolts on the driveshaft, they'll be tight so just stick a 12pt wrench on it and have the rear tires on the ground and the parking brake set, then kick the wrench as hard as you can to break it loose. I couldn't get any of them by hand until I broke them loose with my foot.
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89 LX Notchback ex 4cyl, 14psi
02 Harley F150, 15psi
Posts: 8521 | From: Fairfield | Registered: Jul 2003
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Yames
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Member # 5291
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by blind:
I made mine a 5spd during my swap, no drilling.
the biggest pain in the ass was swapping the brake pedal quadrent for the 5-sped pedals, have to take the entire steering column out and unbolt the brake pedal box from the brake booster on the firewall, its hard to get to.
only part of the 5spd swap that isn't just boltin is making the shifter fit in the hole in the trans tunnel, I had to use my sawzall to make the hole a little bigger
there's 4 bolts on the driveshaft, they'll be tight so just stick a 12pt wrench on it and have the rear tires on the ground and the parking brake set, then kick the wrench as hard as you can to break it loose. I couldn't get any of them by hand until I broke them loose with my foot.
oh yeah this is going to be fun, hey I might have to hit you up or something, would you be willing to help me out with this when time is allowed?
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2003 Mach 1 (Good Bye For Now)
1993 Cadillac STS 4.6L V8 (Sold)
1994 Toyota Tercel
Posts: 489 | From: Alameda | Registered: Feb 2005
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