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Topic: 351 Swap into 88TC (Read 3475 times) previous topic - next topic

351 Swap into 88TC

I have a 83 tbird with a 351w in it now i bought a 88 turbo coupe with a bad motor. I want to put the 351 into the 88.what about the cross member and motor mounts. Tne 83 had a 302 in it so the 351 went right in.what will i have to change

351 Swap into 88TC

Reply #1 –
We would need alot more information to help you properly. First, will it be EFI or carbed?

Basically, if all you want is a carbed 351, you need 302 mounts, you can get old ones that may break easy or get some from chuck. The rest of the wiring is up to you.
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.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

351 Swap into 88TC

Reply #2 –
One word: search. this topic has been beaten to death.

With that said...
You can use your k, but as mentioned, you'll need mounts AND the rare, '86-'88 only brackets, OR you can use Chuck's mounts, which I'd recommend, as the 4 sets of mount brackets I've now came across have all been cracked on one or the other (and in one case, both.)

I'd guess the W in the '83 is probably carbed, right?

What about transmission? Manual? Auto?
If the TC is a stick,  I'd suggest using a V8 spec T5, instead of the 2.3 T5, if you want to use first gear...

If going with efi, you'll need to locate an '88 ONLY harness, for the easiest work, as it will directly interface with existing car wiring/connectors. Mustang engine harnesses will NOT work w/o some repinning and otherwise.

Sorry if I come off as an ass about this, but I've had a goal for an efi Windsor Tbird, and if you think it's cheap or easy, well....let me tell ya, it's neither ;)

Good luck!:D
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

351 Swap into 88TC

Reply #3 –
Well he has emailed me about my mounts (before he made this post).
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

351 Swap into 88TC

Reply #4 –
Quote from: FordTruckFreeek;284019

If going with efi, you'll need to locate an '88 ONLY harness, for the easiest work, as it will directly interface with existing car wiring/connectors. Mustang engine harnesses will NOT work w/o some repinning and otherwise.



No harness from any year Bird, Stang or '36 Hudson is a direct swap into a '87 or '88 TC... Anything you get will require repinning the connectors...

351 Swap into 88TC

Reply #5 –
I thought there was a company that did that harness repinning to work with the ride control and abs? Ed Marsh I think?

Got it. Windsor fox. Are they still arround?
1988 Thunderbird Sport. Work in Progress
5.8L swap w/fitech efi, 4R70W swap w/quick 4 controller, 2003 GT rear diff, 5 Lug swap

Bought this car back as an old project car.

:burnout:

351 Swap into 88TC

Reply #6 –
Its a carbed motor and both cars are automatic putting the 351 into the 83 was easy but the more that i look at the 88 there are alot of wires.my buddy wants me to rebuild the 4 cly. I realy have to set back and take a long look and think about this before i pull the motor and trans out of the 83

351 Swap into 88TC

Reply #7 –
The 83 was a 302 car. I used the aod the motor bolted right in.i did have to get the headers and oil pan from summit and i wired in a elec dist.and got a locar kickdown cable. I want to use the trans out of the 83 and the cross member because it has double humps for my dual exhaust.i put $3000 into that motor when i put it in in 06  my wife is mad that i bought the 88 and money is tight so i have to watch my money this time thanks for all your help

351 Swap into 88TC

Reply #8 –
Quote from: 86caprirs;284108
I thought there was a company that did that harness repinning to work with the ride control and abs? Ed Marsh I think?

Got it. Windsor fox. Are they still arround?


Yes they had one but were about $700 when I last checked...

All my wiring and necessary parts to install the 5.0 came from a $100 '87 Sport parts car... That car had almost everything new, including batt, radiator, starter, alt etc... Even had new tires on 10 hole Stang wheels... For $700, I'd have had a pound of wiring... That came close to buying my Trick Flow heads(OK within $250)...

351 Swap into 88TC

Reply #9 –
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;284133
Yes they had one but were about $700 when I last checked...

All my wiring and necessary parts to install the 5.0 came from a $100 '87 Sport parts car... That car had almost everything new, including batt, radiator, starter, alt etc... Even had new tires on 10 hole Stang wheels... For $700, I'd have had a pound of wiring... That came close to buying my Trick Flow heads(OK within $250)...



Ouch. Thats a spicy meatball. I guess if you are bad at wiring, that is not a bad price.

So you have a turbocoupe with a swapped 302 or a sport with Turbocoupe clothing? If it was a turbocoupe, how was the wiring on that. Does everything but the fuel selector work?
1988 Thunderbird Sport. Work in Progress
5.8L swap w/fitech efi, 4R70W swap w/quick 4 controller, 2003 GT rear diff, 5 Lug swap

Bought this car back as an old project car.

:burnout:

351 Swap into 88TC

Reply #10 –
My car is a TC and yes everything is functional, cepting the fuel switch(I have used it for a throttle control) and the WOT function to switch the suspension to firm if in auto... Both were controlled by the 2.3 EEC and of course the 5.0 puter doesn't have these functions... Possibly could use the A/C cutout relay to operate the suspension, but it stays in firm unless I'm at the race track, so isn't of value to me...

Wiring wasn't a issue for me, as I repaired electronics(TV)for a living, at least when the stuff was repairable... Figure at the least on having a '87-'88 EVTM available if you plan such a swap...

I was scanning the newly installed 5.0 system for codes one evening and impressed the Hell out of one of my buddies that wandered by...

Was yet to install the engine...

351 Swap into 88TC

Reply #11 –
Interseting. I do have a EVTM for a 87 I think . Are the years the same or do I need a 88 EVTM?
1988 Thunderbird Sport. Work in Progress
5.8L swap w/fitech efi, 4R70W swap w/quick 4 controller, 2003 GT rear diff, 5 Lug swap

Bought this car back as an old project car.

:burnout:

351 Swap into 88TC

Reply #12 –
If there is any difference in the '87 & '88 TC other than the alternator, I don't know what it would be... The harnesses are slightly different between years on the 5.0 and several differences on the 3.8 as it changed from CFI to EFI...

I have a '87 harness in mine...
 

351 Swap into 88TC

Reply #13 –
Chuck tell me more about your motor mounts i got the motor out off the 88 today i put the 83 next to it the motor is still in it i am going to start pulling it out soon do you make them yourself and what all comes with them

351 Swap into 88TC

Reply #14 –
Quote from: MAYLONE01;284867
Chuck tell me more about your motor mounts i got the motor out off the 88 today i put the 83 next to it the motor is still in it i am going to start pulling it out soon do you make them yourself and what all comes with them


I guess it's a good thing that I moseyed into this thread...

Yes, I make them myself.

You can see a pic HERE

They come ready to bolt-in.  No extra parts needed.

They run $175/shipped.

Email me for more info (cwarren@indy.net)
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon