I've got a 5.0 parts car .

I know I need to change the rear end , tranny , driveshaft , motor but does the 5.0 engine harness plug straight into the 4cyl's chassis harness or are the seprate or do they involve wiring ?

Any tips to make the transfer easier ?

Thanks

 

search the corral, there are some posts on this that may help.

 

What year is the donor car? What year is the 4 banger? The wiring for the alternator will need to be elongated a bit since it will be moved to the right side of the engine bay.

 

Well my donor car is an 87 GT ... Its going into an 87 LX ... Car is already 5spd So that helps ..

 

The engine harness will swap right into the LX. You will have to swap over the tachometer. I can't remember if the 4 banger tachometer will even work after the V8 swap. Even if it did it won't read correctly. Monster tachs are more accurate, but unless it's a dedicated race car those monster tachs are just beckoning thieves to break in. Plus, they're tacky if the car is mostly stock. They scream out "wannabe." If you're going mass air you can wire in a MAF sensor harness by moving a couple of pins in the EEC main connector. You'll need a MAF sensor bracket, and inlet tubing. You'll also need to unhook the hose going to the MAP sensor at the firewall after a mass air swap. Cap that hose off or the port under the intake for that hose.

 

Something I just remembered. Before or during the swap you will want to replace the transmission mount for a polyurethane one from Energy Suspension. Also, replace the transmission crossmember bushings with Energy Suspension pieces. Put subframe connectors on that car before adding any power to it if you haven't already or else your straight frame will be gone in no time. Motor mounts. Do NOT re-use the old ones if they are the factory stock rubber ones. Use the new Energy Suspension motor mounts, Moroso solid mounts, or convertible motor mounts. People will tell you not to use solids on the street because they vibrate. Yes, they will vibrate if you have a problem somewhere in the powertrain. If no problems are present then vibration is minimal. I have Moroso solids on mine since 1997 and it's daily driven. Another benefit from any of these is the elimination of flex from the powertrain which can cause the unibody to buckle. Another reason for subframe connectors and/or cage. Get the rear torque boxes welded up. If you do this before the V8 swap then you'll save yourself a lot of unneeded work later on.

 

Thanks man I apprecaite all the help

 

buy a v-8 its a pain in the ass!

 

Only if you're not in it for the hobby. Otherwise, it's very well worth it and one by one these cars are having a powertrain removed that should never have gone into it in the first place.

 

it is fun for a hobby. but man it's a pain in the ass! and you can get a v-8 car for less than it costs to convert one sure you get the insurance benefit but you never get to everything. you can almost always tell it was a 4-cyl. my opinion is you get a better car and less head ache just buying what you want. i have been on both sides of the fence.