Need sum imput on doing a engine swap n my TC
Reply #1 –
You'd be better off selling the 2.3 T5 and buying a V8 T5 from a Mustang 5.0, as the 2.3 T5 has a much lower first gear, coupled with good gearing in the new car, it'll make first gear useless as tits on a boar hog, and the V8 trans will also take more power, but if you do use the 2.3 trans, you'll need a pilot bearing from a Ranger truck...you'll have to google the specifics, I've got it written down somewhere, but all my info is in one of my toolboxes out in the shop.
If you're putting the 5.0 into the TC, there's a writeup of just this exact swap. You'll have a lot easier time since you have the donor car, and both are the same year.
Figure on needing new engine mounts right off, as the stock ones are likely broken or not far from it. If you're just swapping the engine from one to the other, it can be done in a weekend if you have air tools and don't ass around.
Personally, I'd wake the 5.0 up a bit with GT40 heads and an explorer intake, along with an HO cam and a Mustang EEC. If you're going mass air, you'll want an A9L, and if staying speed density, you'll want a DA1.
If you're going to have the engine rebuilt, I'd get a set of Mustang ('87-'92) pistons, as they have valve reliefs, whereas the pistons in your existing Tbird block do NOT. What this means is with the HO slugs, you can run a cam with higher than stock lift. With the pistons you have now, you're at the lift limit with the HO cam and 1.7 rockers, otherwise, you are in the danger zone of piston to valve contact. Some here will say you can run a bigger cam with the janky pistons, but I'd sure putty the engine first before ever firing it up if you go that route.
I'd suggest, if you can afford it, to get a block and heads from a '96, to early '97 Explorer/Mountaineer, or if you want P's, get a late '97 and up engine from the same. The P heads may/may not give a noticeable power increase...I have them for my combo, but am waiting on the machine shop to finish them. My combo is a stock block and rods/pistons from an '89 Stang, P heads, TFS1 cam, BBK headers and x pipe, flow cat back, and am probably going to run 24 pound injectors. For the eec I've got an A9L. Car is a 5 speed, and like you, have had to swap the 2.3 trans out for a V8 version, as my car was a 4 banger as well, though mine is a Mustang, not the Turbobirdy.
There's shiznit-tons of info, this swap has been done so much that a 5 year old could do it while sleeping.