I'm contemplating the "Darkside" need help Please!

[Z-Dreamer]

Well I don't know what to say, but after much research, I think I'm being drawn to the "Darkside" as my brother-in-law (a dyed in the wool Ford man) would say. This is difficult having been a GM man all my life. Is this a place I can find help? With that said what type of 302 and year mustang should I be looking for? GT-40? Cobra? GT? I do want EFI! Any and all comments will be deeply appreicated.

 

Z-Dreamer aka "Turncoat"

 

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" Now where did I set my beer? "

[Dp351zcar]

I think a 302 is a better choice than a sbc as they lighter and a better package for a z.

What you would look for is one with a rear sump oil pan. I think they came in the trucks and newer mustangs.

What I am stumped on is how do I want to bolt the engine in? I want the rear most weight I can get. Do I extend the motor mounts forward to the stock mounts on the cross member or do I build up mounts where the ones on the block are. Then there is a front motor plate, but wouldn't it attach to the mount towers on the cross member and there by being the same as the extended motor mount? I don't know. Also I would like to have room for the headers I plan to make for it.

Don

[Guest Anonymous]

ZDreamer,

 

I agree with you, I think the SBF is a better candidate for the swap for the reasons you stated as well as for having the distributor on the front of the engine.

 

Check out Terry's car in "Member's Rides" for ideas on the mounts.

 

Don't forget the 302HO motors also came in some Crown Vics. If you are going to rebuild the motor with some performance mods then I would say just about any year would be fine. As far as the FI is concerned I believe the mass air systems started in 1990, you may want to check with BLKMGC on this as he seems to be the resident Ford FI expert. If you plan on leaving the short block stock I would stay away from the 1986 motors as they have true flat top pistons (no valve reliefs) and this would limit your head/cam choices.

 

Chris

[Guest Anonymous]

Look for the Mass Air mustang motor. It lets you do pretty much anything you want to the motor. I'm not a ford guy either (perhaps you need another beer, or is it scotch you need to switch to) but I have a friend that is going to put a 5.0 LTR mustang mass air on a 540ci FERD. If you really need all the in and outs Let me know and I will get you the formula. As much as it pains me it really is a fantastic setup.

[BLKMGK]

MAF actually started in '88 but only for California cars. The rest got them in '89. Forged pistons were used from 87-sometime in I think 92. If you read the general Ford books they peg a date for the Hypereutectic pistons - subtract about a year from that. My friend's shop pulls motors apart all the time and he's seen the hyper pistons in years prior to when Ford announced the switch (ahem).

 

As for wiring, one of the aftermarket guys just came out with a standalone harness

 

Lastly, yeah the 302 is a good motor but between a 302 and a SBC I'd go SBC - and I'm a Ford guy. My reasoning is simple - it's documented, the mounts are readily available, and it's easier to get the HP I wanted from a SBC than it is from a 302. 302s can make up to about 400HP pretty easily NA, after that it's blower time and you've got bottom end worries. The 351W on the other hand is an even better motor! You can stroke that puppy and make as much as 650HP with a blower before you've got bottom end worries. If you're going to do a Ford, do a 351W. It should still fit and injecting them is as easy as swapping to a different intake and injectors...