1993 4-cyl. To v8 302 swap! Eye candy ;)

[Mnstr50]

Hey everyone, I purchased a 1993 4-cyl. notch a few months ago with the intension of converting the coupe to a v8. Little did I know the true magnitude of the process that is involved to do the swap right. For those interested in doing this conversion, I encourage you to source a factory v8 coupe, but if you insist on tackling this swap, there is what's involved;

Items that are different;

Front spindles
Front sway bar
Front strut
Front brake rotor
Front brake caliper
Brake booster
Brake master cylinder
Brake lines
Fuel lines
Headlight harness
Engine harness (specific for model year, my 93' needs 93' specific harness)
Engine computer
Gauge panel
Rear axle (of course)
Rear lower control arms (no provisions in the 4-cyl. Lower control arms for a sway bar)
Transmission (in my case converting from auto to auto)
Transmission shifter assembly (AOD has "1, D, OD", A4LD has "1, 2, 3, OD")
Radiator
Radiator fan assembly
AC system
Exhaust system
Intake system (harness will also depend on MAF or Speed Density)
Steering rack (v8 has a quicker steering ratio)


My best advise in this case would be to find a DONOR v8 car to strip. This is exactly what I did! I purchase a 1990 Ford Mustang LX convertible, with an AOD. I later sourced the proper 1993 engine harness to accommodate the conversion.

So, here is my spreadsheet of modifications that will be taking place prior to the swap;

Retaining stock short block
Port GT40 iron heads (by Mustang Mike) * more info later
Port Ford Explorer intake lower manifold (by Mustang Mike) * more info later
Port throttle body opening for 75mm EGR spacer
70mm throttle body
76mm MAC MAF housing with 24# injector sample tube
Ford 24# flow matched fuel injectors
Retaining stock airbox, and intake plumbing
AFE air filter (superior to K&N)
Crane 1.7:1 roller rockers
Ford F303 cam
Titanium retainers
130lb seat pressure springs
Ford Racing Hardened pushrods
Ford Racing oil pump shaft
Ford Racing oil pump
Ford Racing head gaskets
Ford Racing OE lifters
ARP head studs
Double roller timing set
MAC 1 5/8" equal length shorties
SVE 3-row aluminum radiator
Stock cat'ed H-pipe (for now)
Stock AOD and stall (for now)
Donor car has flowmaster cutback which will be retained
Donor car has 3.73's in the 8.8"
Retaining fan clutch and fan blade (for now, all new)
Solid motor mounts
Poly trans mounts
5-lug SN95 conversion w/stock rotors and pads (for now)
Poly front lower control arm bushings
Moog lower ball joints
Eibach Sportline springs
Eibach sway bars
Koni STR.T
Maximum Motorsports caster/camber plates
Lakewood "traction Action" lower control arms
Retaining AC
Retaining power steering
Retaining all emissions provisions


Future plans;

3,000-3,200 non-lock up stall converter
Lenntech, or PA or Art Carr valve body "hold gear". Auto/manual
Trans cooler
Off road x-pipe
Larger plumbing for intake track, retaining stock air box
Electric radiator fans
Subframe connectors
Maximum Motorsports Torque arm
Pan hard bar or watts link


Pictures of Mike starting the port work




Stock vs. ported

Inside radius

Bowl


Contact Mike, he's an extremely friendly guy and very knowledgeable. Great work, great prices.

http://www.mustangmikesbudgetbuilds.com

Check out these lower control arms!!

 

[Mnstr50]

Suspension went in today (for the most part);




Sway bar difference;



Recipient:



Installed hardware, still running four cylinder brakes

 

[87_notchfox]

Nice...I got a 89 auto coupe for my wife I plan on doing the same

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[Mnstr50]

Nice...I got a 89 auto coupe for my wife I plan on doing the same

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I found it interesting that my 4-cyl. Notch was getting about 21-22mpg mixed driving. But my last few v8 cars (including an auto with the stock 2.73's) was also getting about 20-21mpg mixed driving. It can probably do better with a tune or playing with timing and fuel pressure. Basically, it renders the 4-cylinder totally pointless (in my opinion). The darn thing doesn't even have enough power to get out of its own way. No "real" benefit over a v8.

 

[87_notchfox]

Hahaha lol...it right

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[Mnstr50]

Guys, check out Mustang Mikes Budget Builds!

http://www.mustangmikesbudgetbuilds.com

 

[87_notchfox]

Those look good

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[87_notchfox]

how much is that work setting u back...if u dont mind me asking

 

[Mnstr50]

how much is that work setting u back...if u dont mind me asking

Mike has a few "stages" of porting, with a stage 1.5 costing me $400, this does not include the cost of machining, cleaning, assembly. The porting to the lower intake a manifold and opening up the throttle body for a 75mm costs $175.

 

[87_notchfox]

Not to bad

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[Mnstr50]

Not to bad

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Honestly, I called up a few shops in town to get an idea of the cost for porting on iron heads, and most shopped declined to even touch iron heads! The only two shops that would port on these heads wanted well over $900 dollars. Of course, shipping them out for port work was also out of the question due to the cost of shipping, and turn time. I "could" have gone with aluminum heads, but I wanted to see what I could do with some factory castings. Mike has several years of experience and he's currently running low 12's in his notchback with the factory E7 heads, and STOCK intake manifold (ported)! I figure the GT40 heads are a reasonable step up, along with the ported Explorer intake manifold. I also wanted to demonstrate a "budget" minded build. The strip will be the ultimate test, so we'll see when it comes together.

 

[87_notchfox]

Yeah most places say it's a waste of money n time. They told me the same about Gt40x heads...but I am trying to be budget minded n smog friendly.

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[Mnstr50]

Yeah most places say it's a waste of money n time. They told me the same about Gt40x heads...but I am trying to be budget minded n smog friendly.

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Isn't the GT40x an aluminum head? If so, I would reach out to Fox Lakes, Livernois, and even Mike (doing my heads). Shipping alloy heads shouldn't be too bad, far less than iron.

How does the car in your signature run?

 

[87_notchfox]

They are aluminum...but there's a shop like 30 min away from my house that did some mild porting and blending on them. And my car runs good...has a good amount of power for 150k plus mile motor...

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[Mnstr50]

Looks great!

 

[87_notchfox]

Thanks

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[Mnstr50]

Here we go:

 

[Mnstr50]

Motor coming together, trying to stay with grey colors to make it appear stock! lol


Titanium retainers, 10 degree locks, hardened pushrods, 1.6:1 crane roller rockers. The details make the difference!

Equal length 1 5/8" shorties (MAC);



ARP head studs, FRPP gaskets throughout.

 

[87_notchfox]

Damn that looks good...I need to get my heads this week for my coupe since da wife's 4 banger is running now

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[NotchRacer]

Saweet!!! Love me some conversions! Werent all Mustang's supposed to come V8. Just saying! Keep up the good work man it looks like your doing a great job on this.