Looking for a comparison of the different V8 “kits”

[LonesomeSTX]

If this has already been covered I apologize. I searched for could locate nothing on this topic.

Anyhoo, now that I am back into Rangers and planning a detailed V8 swap when I return from Iraq I was hoping to get some feedback on some of the different kits out there. I noticed that there are a whole lot more available now than there was eight years ago. Oh yeah, I am putting a FI 351 out of a 96 F250 into an 88 STX. I plan to use the complete wiring harness and the E4OD out of the same truck. My ultimate goal is to make the final product look at though Ford did the install.

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

before i did mine i also looked at the kits that were out at the time,but the more research i did i found i could do it with over the counter stuff for the biggest part.

saved alot of cheese to!

 

[LonesomeSTX]

What engine over the counter engine mounts worked? I have seen several different versions from the conversion companies. Headers is another one that I am having a hard time deciding on.

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

85 mustang vert mounts.look in the tech section here for the year cause i could be wrong........been about 3+ years ago....

i used 90 something cobra (mustang) headers but had to modify the drivers side.i do know they have made improvements on the swap headers that are out now.



i basically bought a part at a time over a year or more before i started the swap.
ive changed directions more than once to.......

 

[LonesomeSTX]

I plan to have everything waiting for me when I return. That is why I am asking this now. Like I said, my goal is for a clean and factory in appearance install. So if I can use bolt in OEM (or parts store) parts, that would be perfect.

What about Transmission cross members? Is there one that stands out from another vehicle that would damn near bolt in?

 

[wade]

Mid-to-Late 80's Mustang Convertible (vert) Mounts, swapped side-for-side. Do some searching -- much has been posted about these mounts. Search TRS and RPS! You'll eventually find posts out there including pics. Search, then search some more. Read, read, read. Its been posted and reposted.

I used 4.0L(V6) mounts and made my own adapter plates. Its all a matter of opinion and what you want.

When it comes to "kits", my recommendation is - stay away from them. If you use "kits", you'll probably be disappointed. The mounts work, but the headers don't make you happy. The headers work, but the mounts don't position the engine the way you want it. So on, and so forth. You'll only use this or that, and the rest becomes eBay fodder. Order from Jegs, Summit (or the like) and purchase your parts individually. Things to search and read about are:
1 Mounts
2 Headers (and Exhaust System)
3 Oil Filter Relocation
4 Adapting the Heater Plenum to clear the R-side Valve Cover
5 Radiator and Front End Accessory Drive.

That's plenty to get you started. Have you gone to TRS's Technical Library, yet? There's a whole wealth of information there. Then, get real good with the search engine.

If you expect to have everything waiting for you - to just put the pieces of the puzzle together, it may not work out quite that simple. But, that doesn't mean you can't use this as planning time.

I'm retired Navy. Thank you for what you are doing over there. Take care of yourself.

 

[LonesomeSTX]

I like the idea of tackling one part at a time. But that is hard to do over here. I will not know what works with what until I begin to install them. However, I see your point about searching each peice of the puzzle seperately.

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

heres what i did........
get a notebook just for research on this and like wade said read any and all info you can and write part#'s down and start your plan,it will also help as you find said info (parts) to search them out new and used to get a price.lets you know what your in for dollar wise.
i had and still have a pretty tight budget and do as i can when i can.

 

[LonesomeSTX]

That sounds like a good plan. I was already keeping up with some of the aftermarkets. but I never even thought about OEM stuff.

 

[brett]

if you grind the 3 rivets on each side of the cross member you can move it where you want and drill a couple new holes takes an hour max

 

[LonesomeSTX]

I never thought of that. Does the steering box or any other peices pose a problem?

 

[wade]

I remember when I was in Beirut. The only thing we wanted to buy from Alibabah was alcohol. Otherwise, I saved my money and later bought things I'd always wanted. By the time you return from Iraq, you should have enough saved up (disposable income?!), to make most of us jealous. Only purchase things that appear to be universally obvious (i.e. - oil filter relocation). Save your bucks, so that when you return you can put into practice all of the things you've been reading about on various websites. I'd suggest using this time to get educated, plan, and save. Reading and asking questions won't cost you a single red cent. But, you'll never be disappointed with the preparation. If you think about it, its a win-win situation. Even if you change your mind about the V8 conversion once you return, you're prepared for whatever else life puts before you.
The rivet stuff...? ...Here's some pics. I take lotsa' pics, and subscribe to threads that save the info I know I'll want to refer back to someday. I can pass them to you -- Probably be best handled in Private Messaging, if you want to.

Drilling - Grinding - Beating

Does the steering box or any other pieces pose a problem?

Yes, Be prepared for obstacles and be ingenious enough to engineer around them. That's why I'm saying do your planning now and deal with it when you're face-to-face with it. You'll develop ideas that will change once you're hands on. Or, you begin working on one aspect of the conversion, only to see that it affects something else, and you'll modify either your truck or your thought process. That's why its called a conversion.

 

[LonesomeSTX]

That is good advice. That is what I had in mind. Being since I am unable to turn any wrenches right now, I try to make up for it by gaining knowledge. Even though taking time to figure out how to over come obstacles are part of the fun, I still want these builds to go smoothly. I will have a lot of work to get caught up on and some of it will not be fun.

I am very interested in any information pertaining to the builds I have in mind.

 

[wade]

Can you talk about your command? - where you are? - what you do?
Or, is it a secret?

 

[LonesomeSTX]

I can tell you what I do. But the details are considered sensitive in nature. I am no longer in the military. Injuries I sustained while serving saw to that. Now I work for the government in Force Protection. And that is about as far as I can take it.