is this a good engine swap for my 66 stang?

66snake · 12-28-2009, 08:21 PM

I own a 1966 Mustang which my wife bought before we were married over 36 years ago. I have restored it twice and have already started to restore it the third time. My son and I are doing a "resto-mod" this time. We have totally dismantled it and installed a Mustang II rack and pinion front suspension with disc brakes. The car has been bead blasted down to metal and is in the body shop being preped for painting. We want to buy a Ford racing 5.0 L crate engine to install in it. This 345 HP engine comes with GT40 aluminum heads but no intake manifold. It can be equipped with a 65 mm throtle body intake but I have no idea where to get one or what else I might need to complete the FI set up. We are thinking now that we want to install a Edelbrock intake and 600 cfm carb. We want a 5 speed Tremec trans behind it. We are looking for suggestions as the car was a 6 cylinder automatic. What sort of clutch and bellhousing should be used? Is the carb the way to go or should we go for the FI setup? Will this engine even fit under the hood with a good drive angle? Hope you can help.

dan46 · 12-28-2009, 08:24 PM

how much money are you looking to spend?

cameron55 · 12-28-2009, 08:33 PM

The 5.0 is a good motor and will fit fine. I'm am not sure about the 5 speed Tremec. I got a 5 speed from a 92 Mustang GT. I think that what its for. I like the Edelbrock intake and 600 cfm carb just because I don't know much about the FI set up and you can make it look like a 289.

281boss · 12-29-2009, 11:01 AM

the 5.0 will bolt right in with the proper mounts.if you are looking for good power and very little trouble the 600 is a worry free carb.i went with the 92 gt t/5 and it is perfect in this car.you can get all the parts to hook it up from cjpony.com.a lot of people use long tube headers,but shortys are a lot easier and give tou more room to work.good luck in your swap. make shure you get a bellhouseing with the trans.

65coupe · 01-12-2010, 11:34 AM

I got a lakewood steel bellhousing with my T-5.

66snake · 01-12-2010, 11:43 AM

I am willing to spend a lot of money. I have had this car over 30 years and my kids drove it back and forth to HS and college. It will be a show quality car when it is finished.

I do like the nostalic look that the carb would give it. I have also been looking on line at some billet dress up kits for the A/C comp., Alt. and power steering pump drive wheels.

I am still not sure on the motor mounts but found a place on line (mustangsunlimited) that seems to have stuff for adapting that motor and the Tremec trans. They didn't have anything about the slave cylinder for the clutch or the clutch or flywheel either. I will check out cjpony web site also.

Our goal for this is to have a very very nice old Mustang that drives, handles and runs like a new car and also performs well if we want to take it to the strip.

windsor · 01-17-2010, 03:40 PM

I would get the 92 Mustang GT T-5. It works good and its easy. They have lots of kits out there.

John66 · 01-17-2010, 03:51 PM

i agree the t-5 is a much better swap,you can get all the parts from cjpony.use the clutch and flywheel from a early 302.they sell a swap kit for this trans.

tarafied1 · 02-25-2010, 10:50 PM

I believe the Tremec might need mods to the trans tunnel to clear. I haven't done this swap so I don't know for sure but I have seen guys have to slice and add clearance to fit this trans in a classic. The MII suspension is nice, A friend of mine did the Rod & Custom MII with R&P. The late model 5.0 has a "double" hump type oil pan and will work with most MII conversions. The 5.0 and the original 289 have the same motor mount points so that is not an issue. The late model 5.0 does have a water pump designed for serpintine belt (runs backwards to original 289) and use a cross flow radiator. You will need a cutom radiator with the bottom hose connection on the oposite side. The EFI setup will work but for best hood clearance the upper intake like they used on the T-Bird and last of the 5.0 Mustangs have a curved throttle body casting which clears the shock tower nicely as opposed to the typical straight HO 5.0 upper intake (both will fit however). If you go the EFI route you will need to modify the fuel tank for a return line as the EFI fuel delivery system is designe to circulate. If you decide to go with a carb keep in mind the late model 5.0 does not have a place for a mechanical fuel pump or the eccentric to drive the pump either. You will need to run an electric pump. If you decide to convert to a 289/302 timing cover, pulleys, water pump, etc. it will all bolt on and look like a classic motor but uses V-belts.
I recomend checking out JamesW website, he is a great guy and will answer any questions on this and other Mustang stuff.
EFI 5.0 install