The 2.8 engine was not a bad engine , (if you keep the valves adjusted it was quite) have one in mne , redone mine years ago with a 2.9 crank and TBI fuel injection , if I had to do it all over again I would have used the 2.9 or even the 4.0 , but I wanted to keep it stock looking and keep the power stearing and must have aircond , still happy with it even though every 15K I have to adjust the valves , I still have a V-6 pinto cruse wagon that I am still trying to figure out what to stuff in it , got a 4.0 which I did a fitment and would work with no body cutting ,only they have not made that engine in almost twenty years , along with the 2.3 . 2.0 , 2.9 and over 25 for the 2.8 , next one I am going to see if it will fit is the 3.7 V-6 out of a 2015 mustang , it was 300 HP and gave 30MPG in the car , fount they make a belhousing to fit the C4 trans to it , looking to that one , last if I could find a wrecked P100D Tesla and swap the drivetrain I would have a high 9 second 4WD Pinto Wagon with fake tailpipes sticking out the back to confuse everyone , but I only have one thing to say , please do not cut on the car and waste it ,seen many that were and later forgotten , hope this give you some ideas , good luck in your engine choice