mitchnandy

A 1996-98 Mustang Cobra intake will work (pretty sure) but they are pricey on Ebay. If you can find one.

I am working on a similar project. It looks like you have an engine from a mercury maurader? I know the early 4v mustangs had an intake that looks like a dome. As for it being a tight fit...actually when I pulled my engine from a Lincoln mark 8 at the junk yard the space between the strut/suspension towers and valve covers is the same as it is in my 260z ( which is tight)...maybe an inch and a half. I'm not trying to put in turbos. I will start a project post when I've made more progress. Would love to hear how you solve some of the issues.

Great project! Wow what an undertaking, but there are some nice examples to learn from. I definitely thought about the VH45 for my project but went with the Ford 4.6 dohc which is at about the same stage. I will be watching yours to see how it goes.

The fit is close less then 2 inches on each side when centered and is very tall with about 1/2" between the hood and the front top metal water tube with the engine resting on the cross member (that should be better when the oil filter adapter is in place) . The 5.4 will be obviously even tighter.

I got the engine out of the u pull it yard for $165 plus tax, out of a mark 1993 viii lincoln with 128k miles on it. I have a t45 from craigslist for $50 (the guy had it rebuilt but the shop forgot to put oil back in it). It should be just fine for fitment purposes. The 260z I got off craigslist for $80, no engine, no transmision, no title, rusty but most of it is superficial. It took me a while to get the title reinstated. There are other issues holding me back... like my shop is an old corral that is falling apart. But I have managed to get an initial fit. The main problems are the exhaust vs steering shaft and the oil filter and pressure sending unit vs the steering rack. It looks like the remote oil change kits will solve that. The hood latch will have to be relocated. etc etc etc. Here are some pics of the first fesiblity fit.

i also thought it would be a great engine for swap but what i found was that it was available in front wheel drive. maybe some one makes an adaptor for a manual trans/ rwd.