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Topic: 89 mustang 5.0 motor into a 86 t-bird 3.8 body?? (Read 1460 times) previous topic - next topic

89 mustang 5.0 motor into a 86 t-bird 3.8 body??

Im trying to put a 5.0 HO motor out of a 89 mustang into my 86 3.8 thunderbird. I have 5.0, trans, computer and engine harness from the mustang, what im trying to find out will the mustang comupter and wiring work in the t-bird, or will i need to find a V8 t-bird harness and computer?? Also the mustang harness works the two headlight system and the t-bird has four headlights, so idk if this will work.

 

89 mustang 5.0 motor into a 86 t-bird 3.8 body??

Reply #1
The headlight and body wiring is seperate from the engine wiring. You will want a evmt for both cars. If you can find a v-8 harness for the same year car, it should be plug n play.

The v-6 uses a different fuel system. You will want to swap this. You should do dual exhaust too. Check out coolcats.net, and read though the imformation there. Do some searches here. Our search engine is not working very well for some reason. Any questions, come right back here and ask. There are many people that have done this swap.

Your entire engine bay will be configured differently. You will need motor mounts, battery tray, starter solinoid, and I am sure many things I have forgotten, or do not know about.

Welcome to the forum. Please post pictures. If you would be willing to do a write up of everything you end up doing, I think it would help everyone out gratly.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
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