Firebird 4.0 swap

[Firebird40]

So my buddys got a 4.0 OHV outta 1994 ford exploder and a M50d tranny to go with it that we wanna put in my firebird any suggestions, tips, or thoughts?

 

[rusty70f100]

Aside from asking why bother...

1. The M5OD is a truck transmission. If you try to speed shift it, you'll ruin it.
2. I'd put a bigger cam in the 4.0L. The Comp Cams 422 works well. I'm pretty sure you'll need to make some valvetrain modifications to get it to work though.

I am curious as to the reasoning and thought process behind this though.

 

[Firebird40]

haha y not. i want it for the torque. an its better than the blown 2,8 that was in it

 

[James86]

haha y not. i want it for the torque. an its better than the blown 2,8 that was in it

So, if you want the torque, why not go 3.4? Thats what they put in firebirds after the 2.8, and theyre the same block, sorta like going (ford) 2.9 to (ford) 4.0. Swapping 3.4s in place of 3.1's is common as hell because theyre essentially the same motor, so I would think going to a GM 3.4 would be a lot easier, plus its almost identical in figures to a 4.0 ohv from an exploder. So depending on your year....


From Wikipedia:

L32
The power rating of the 3.4 L L32 ("S-code") used in the Camaro and Firebird was 160 hp (119 kW) at 4,600 rpm and 200 lb·ft (271 N·m) torque at 3600 rpm. However, unlike the LA1 "3400" engine, the F-body cars used the Generation I architecture, with iron heads, and without splayed valves.

Applications:
1993–1995 Chevrolet Camaro
1993–1995 Pontiac Firebird

3.4 in a early 90's F-Body:

----------------
Cologne 4.0
The 4.0 L pushrod (245 CID; 4009 cc) version, although produced in Cologne, Germany, was only fitted to American vehicles.[1] The OHV engine was produced until 2000 and was used in the Ford Explorer, Ford Aerostar, Mazda B4000 and Ford Ranger. Output was 160 hp (119 kW) and 225 ft·lbf (305 N·m). Though there is some variation, typically 155 hp (116 kW) is quoted as horsepower for 1990-92 applications.[citation needed]

Applications:
Ford Ranger/Mazda B-Series
Ford Explorer/Mazda Navajo
Cross Lander 244X
Ford Aerostar (1990–1997)

Can you do it? Anything is possible, and they're both pushrod 60 degree V6's, so dimensionally they may be similar, but I honestly thing the intake on the 4.0 is too tall to fit under the cowling. Someone I knew swapped a 2.8 from his skylark with a 3.4 and kept the same computer, and it ran like a scalded dog, but his CEL was always on.

 

[stegomon]

i say do it.....show gm fools! they are always putting there 350s in our cars. time to show them!

 

[Funnyman141]

i say do it.....show gm fools! they are always putting there 350s in our cars. time to show them!

This, and that the explorer motor is already here

 

[rusty70f100]

Hey, if that's what you want to do, go for it.

I don't think the 4.0L motor is actually a bad place to start. You've got large and small chamber heads to play with, and three different stock piston selections (large dish, small dish, and flat top).

There are 2 different selections from Competition Cams for it.

49-422-8

49-410-8

Silvolite makes some nice pistons for it too.

I think you'd have a nice running motor if you used a set of ported heads, with a Comp 422 cam, compression raised a bit, and headers.

 

[Firebird40]

i just think itd be kinda cool since i havent heard of anyone with a 4.0 in a firebird/camaro plus were a lil short on funds but we got most of the tools we need to do the swap an all the parts.

 

[cammeddrz]

Sigh........