Hello all, new member but a long time Pinto owner. I currently am driving my 71 with a highly modified 2.0, but with parts getting harder to find and the engine being a little radical for street driving, I am looking into a v8 swap. 5.0 parts are cheap and easy to find. I would like to use an AOD but I'm not sure if it will fit the trans tunnel. I don't want to do any cutting on this car because it is a cherry 71. I am the second owner, I bought it from a little old lady (really!) with 53k. It has been garaged since new and I don't drive it in the rain or snow and it is rust free. Years and years ago my brother and I put a 302 and a c4 in a 76, I don't remember much about the build other than he bought a motor mount kit. Are there any difficulties involved with the small frame 71's as opposed to the 74 & up? I really hate to ditch the old 2.0 because people are amazed to see that a little four-banger just spanked a v-8 mustang or LT-1 Camaro! However, I love to drive the car so I am looking at the options of a 5.0. Thanks to all you Pinto lovers!!
KEEP the 2.0!!!
There is NO WAY to put a 5/0 in an early Pinto W/O cutting!~
From Pintony
I've got a 2.3 turbo in my 80 model and I recently got a 73 that is going to stay 2.0 with a turbo. The 2.0 is actually stronger for it's size than the 2.3. It's a PITA to put the V8 in and you have a lot more WOW factor when you outrun people with a 4 banger.
its just a little trim if you use headers...I put a 260 in a 71 with out chopping it...
I did weld in the motor mount pads.
I have a V8 in my 72 no problem....
FrankBoss
Quote from: FCANON on March 20, 2008, 08:32:53 PM
its just a little trim if you use headers...I put a 260 in a 71 with out chopping it...
I did weld in the motor mount pads.
I have a V8 in my 72 no problem....
FrankBoss
No core support either!!!!
That is my PET PEEVE people who cut the core support!!!!
I have to agree with the WOW factor of the little 2.0. However, the driveability suffers greatly, it is hard to drive and enjoy a race engine on the street. I can put together a 5.0 with a mild cam, aluminum heads and a shot of juice and still put-put around town like a stock Pinto. Maybe I'm getting old but all of the whopity-whop and bucking and jerking below 2000 rpm's gets old. Not to mention mixing $7.00 a gallon (and climbing) racing fuel just so I can cruise. At this point I am just doing my homework to see what is involved and what kind of parts I need (motor mounts ect.) and where to get everything. What about using shorty headers? I will not cut this car up to do this swap.
I had a friend with a 351W in an early Pinto, no cutting. He put the Rad. on the outside of the core support. It was a PIG on the street though. You can't argue with 10.5 off the happy gas, and 9.6 on it!