How mush work is involved in a 289/C4 swap? what extra parts are required? What will I have to make? Any info would be a BIG HELP
As I understand it the 289/302 cid is a "bolt in" swap, meaning the holes are already there. If your car is already an AT, it's a C3, a C4 swap should be no big deal. If it's a 4 speed, you will need to change the pedal assembly. Stock 4 cyl pintos came with a 6.75 inch rear end, you would probably need to upgrade to an 8 inch, The mustang II v-6/v-8 would be appropriate, and I think the v-6 pinto (75-78) rear would also be an 8 inch. The front suspension would need to be "beefed up" a little as the v-8 weighs quite a bit more than the 4 cyl. And you probably need a bigger radiator.
I've seen pinto v-8 conversion books on e-bay, thats probably a good place to start.
I've heard that v-8's are a little "nose heavy" so you may want to keep that in mind if it's going to be a street car. If it's a drag car, anything goes! Power to Pound, you may want to consider a 2.3 turbo swap (other guys here have done that) donor cars include Mustang SVO (84-86) Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, and Merkur XR4Ti. These cars were all available with automatics and 5-speeds. There's a little wiring work to be done, but cost wise it may cost less or about the same as the v-8 swap. If you're interested in the Turbo swap, you may want to talk to Bill (77turbopinto), he and his wife run very nice turbo cars!
sorry, it is not a bolt-in swap. the 71-73 is a small frame design. you have to fabricate most every thing, however, it is a very do-able swap. look at my post in this section called "71 V8 swap-let the fun begin" for a how to from start to finish.
also I have read that you can use the 2.3 frame mounts (74 up) and engine mounts from a 65 mustang 289. I don't know if that is fact or fiction.
As someone who is nearing the end of a 2.3 Turbo into a '73 Pinto wagon project, the turbo conversion is not that easy either. Especially a pre-'74 car. On paper it seems like a # 2 on a 1-10 scale. My experience has been that it is a hard # 7. I own a welder, press and a plethora of auto related tools beyond the average tool box. I enjoy fabricating "one off" items to get this job done (there are many). I work part time. Yet, I'm still 5 months into this and likely a month or two more before it runs.
That said I would still do the Turbo 2.3 over the V-8. Likely the only difficulty beyond the V-8 swap is wiring up the Turbo car. But, in the end you will have a lighter, more nimble car that gets better mileage and likely will be faster too.
Tom
My bad, I didn't snap that you were talking about a 72, I'm more used to cars with 2.3s, I only had one pinto that didn't, and it ran so good that I just drove it. I guess the v-8 swap would be a little easier if it was a 74-80. Sorry!
Either swap will give you a fast and fun to drive Pinto. '71-'73 require more work, but some people prefer the early body style. I considered a turbo swap but I wanted a doner car so I could use the wiring harness, not just the engine. In this part of the country they are hard to find and very expensive. On the other hand, 5.0's are everywhere and cheap.
Make sure you have the tools, patience, know-how and lots of time before you start your swap. Oh, and some buddies to help is nice too! The V8 swap book on e-bay will make you think you can do it with basic hand tools and a hack saw. 'Taint so my friend. Like Wittsend said, figure on months of work and lots of fabricating if you want a good looking dependable swap. I'm very pleased with my V8, I love the power and the roar through the glass packs, but if a turbo doner car pops up, I'll grab it just so I will have another option.
And BTW sleeper, everyone knows that a V8 Pinto is a great sleeper car, right?? Yea, right!! ;D
And the REALLY cool thing about 71pintoracer's car is that it looks even better in person!
Dwayne :smile:
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