Fox I Just Bought A 88 4 Cyl.

Chris Farley

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Jul 29, 2014
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So today I had just bought an 88 4 cylinder mustang, first fox and previous was a 68 with a 302.
Since it is a 4 cylinder car I am wanting to in the future put a 5.0 into it, I know I can just buy a 5.0 shell, but right now the car runs and is good enough and I like to actually build my ride. Anyways, I am sure there is something on here but I can not seem to find what I am looking for,

Looking for a chart or list of what is interchangeable between all fox bodies and what 5.0 I can put into the car, I will be building it from block up and wanting to know what years I can get, 80-89? I already know I will need to upgrade full suspension to 5 lug and everything else?

thanks everyone!
 
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I did this swap over the winter. Its a pita. Any 302 will bolt in. You really need a complete running wrecked or rusted 5.0 to pull about 70,000 parts off and swap over. Pretty much everything will swap between mustang fox bodies, but interior and rear axles are the biggest problem from newer fox platform (sn 95 and new edge fox) and tbird cougar fox body, etc. Most other axles are a bit wider than 79-93 mustang.
 
Here's an Idea. Why don't you buck the system, pull your shirt back down over your belly button, and keep/modify the four banger instead of mindlessly getting in line and jumping over the 5.0 swap cliff.

You already have the banger in place, the engine only needs a turbo to make in excess of 200 rwhp, and will still get in excess of 25MPG while doing that.

If I see another 4cyl to 5.0 swap thread, I'm gonna puke.

Dude....... think 85-86 SVO,....... Not one more of a bazillion LX/GT 5.0 already been there, done that's.
 
Here's an Idea. Why don't you buck the system, pull your shirt back down over your belly button, and keep/modify the four banger instead of mindlessly getting in line and jumping over the 5.0 swap cliff.

You already have the banger in place, the engine only needs a turbo to make in excess of 200 rwhp, and will still get in excess of 25MPG while doing that.

If I see another 4cyl to 5.0 swap thread, I'm gonna puke.

Dude....... think 85-86 SVO,....... Not one more of a bazillion LX/GT 5.0 already been there, done that's.

It's still a fun and challenging swap for those that prefer to stick it to the people that say they're biting off more than they can chew. The fact is that the 4 bangers are just about all that's left of unmodified, unmolested and not beaten to death mustangs over the last 25 years. People only used them as commuters for the most part so they make an excellent starting point for those that want to get down and dirty.
 
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Here's an Idea. Why don't you buck the system, pull your shirt back down over your belly button, and keep/modify the four banger instead of mindlessly getting in line and jumping over the 5.0 swap cliff.

You already have the banger in place, the engine only needs a turbo to make in excess of 200 rwhp, and will still get in excess of 25MPG while doing that.

If I see another 4cyl to 5.0 swap thread, I'm gonna puke.

Dude....... think 85-86 SVO,....... Not one more of a bazillion LX/GT 5.0 already been there, done that's.
little harsh dont ya think?...lol
 
Here's an Idea. Why don't you buck the system, pull your shirt back down over your belly button, and keep/modify the four banger instead of mindlessly getting in line and jumping over the 5.0 swap cliff.

You already have the banger in place, the engine only needs a turbo to make in excess of 200 rwhp, and will still get in excess of 25MPG while doing that.

If I see another 4cyl to 5.0 swap thread, I'm gonna puke.

Dude....... think 85-86 SVO,....... Not one more of a bazillion LX/GT 5.0 already been there, done that's.
I know, what's up with all the 5.0 chatter in the 79-95 zone!? C'mon fellas
*Edit*
image.jpg
ps: 200 whp sucks
 
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Look, obviously my frustration w/ the topic uhh,.............showed through?

A chinese turbo, waste gate, and BOV cost just north of dirt. The header, piping and all of the other related stuff are also available to make it a fairly easy mod to an EXISTING powerplant.

As far as the comment that 200 WHP sucks, there are more than a few on this board content w/ the 225 FWHP (or less, depending on milage) the stock 5.0 makes as it came in the car.
And,.......
The last time I checked, this forum was labeled 5.0 and 2.3L talk not 5.0, 5.0, 5.0 blah, blah, blah.
zombie-at-work.jpg

upload_2014-7-30_7-14-34.jpeg
 
Look, obviously my frustration w/ the topic uhh,.............showed through?

A chinese turbo, waste gate, and BOV cost just north of dirt. The header, piping and all of the other related stuff are also available to make it a fairly easy mod to an EXISTING powerplant.

As far as the comment that 200 WHP sucks, there are more than a few on this board content w/ the 225 FWHP (or less, depending on milage) the stock 5.0 makes as it came in the car.
And,.......
The last time I checked, this forum was labeled 5.0 and 2.3L talk not 5.0, 5.0, 5.0 blah, blah, blah.
zombie-at-work.jpg

upload_2014-7-30_7-14-34.jpeg
Try relating it to the number of msd's vs msd failures.
I'd venture out and say a select few are content with 215 crank horse. I'd be willing to bet my favorite fairmont that the majority of enthusiasts would state that their power level is a direct reflection of income.
 
Look, obviously my frustration w/ the topic uhh,.............showed through?

A chinese turbo, waste gate, and BOV cost just north of dirt. The header, piping and all of the other related stuff are also available to make it a fairly easy mod to an EXISTING powerplant.

As far as the comment that 200 WHP sucks, there are more than a few on this board content w/ the 225 FWHP (or less, depending on milage) the stock 5.0 makes as it came in the car.
And,.......
The last time I checked, this forum was labeled 5.0 and 2.3L talk not 5.0, 5.0, 5.0 blah, blah, blah.
zombie-at-work.jpg

upload_2014-7-30_7-14-34.jpeg
i see what your saying ,but if all the bla,bla,bla 5.0 talk gets to you,maybe you've been on here to long...lol
 
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People just love the sound of a pushrod V8. I know I do. I don't care for 4cyl mustangs and I don't even care for any Mustangs unless it has 8 cylinders. Sure it'd be more economical to turbo a 4 cyl and end up overall with better gas mileage and more money in your pocket but THAT'S NOT WHY WE OWN A MUSTANG is it?

It's a V8 Mustang or nothing. I loved the iconic 60's era of muscle cars and hot rodding, even though I was born in 76', I got to live those years vicariously through my Dad. It's like an obsession, religion or Faith I carry around, when I see a muscle car or hot rod I get excited and can't help myself. I think about the good times they have driving it and the hard work, time and skill it took to build that vehicle.

I say the OP should tackle this swap. A lot fail but for those that persevere have a feeling of great satisfaction and pride with what they've accomplished.
 
If it were me, and it is not, I would not do it for several reasons.

  • by the time you are done with the time,effort, and expense, you could have bought a decent 5.0 in the first place
  • almost every suspension, drivetrain, engine, braking, cooling, and other components need to be swapped
  • when you go to sell, it will be still branded as a 4cyl to 8cyl swap and not command the same price
  • you are going to run into needed new/replacement parts as some of the ones from the donor car are either rusted/worn/broke/missing

I would either drive the 4 banger and get a decent 5.0 car, or sell the 4 banger altogether.

Again, just me. Good luck with your build.
 
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If it were me, and it is not, I would not do it for several reasons.

  • by the time you are done with the time,effort, and expense, you could have bought a decent 5.0 in the first place
  • almost every suspension, drivetrain, engine, braking, cooling, and other components need to be swapped
  • when you go to sell, it will be still branded as a 4cyl to 8cyl swap and not command the same price
  • you are going to run into needed new/replacement parts as some of the ones from the donor car are either rusted/worn/broke/missing

I would either drive the 4 banger and get a decent 5.0 car, or sell the 4 banger altogether.

Again, just me. Good luck with your build.

With the exception of the branding of 4 to 8 cyl all the other points miss the target.

  • by the time you are done with the time,effort, and expense, you could have bought a decent 5.0 in the first place
  • Even when buying a "decent" 5.0 there are still lots that need to be replaced, modified or customized since that's what we like to do with our cars, we buy projects.
  • almost every suspension, drivetrain, engine, braking, cooling, and other components need to be swapped
  • Same as my response above, most 22-25 year old cars need lots of TLC and restoration.
  • when you go to sell, it will be still branded as a 4cyl to 8cyl swap and not command the same price
  • Very true, good point. We all will lose when we sell after doing a restoration but the loss is greater when there's a 4 cyl to 8 cyl swap.
  • you are going to run into needed new/replacement parts as some of the ones from the donor car are either rusted/worn/broke/missing
  • getting redundant with points so see response #1 again.
He already owns this 4 banger. He wants to do the 5 lug swap so even if he had a 5.0 he'd be redoing to suspension and brakes anyway it seems so there's no loss there. Some of us like projects and if he found a good clean 4 cyl and is willing to finish this project he won't come out behind too many of us that started out with a V8 and tore it all apart and threw new parts at it. My 88' Coupe 5.0 is getting almost new everything which is needed when a car is 25 years old.

I say build the car, it's not a good starting point but it's not a bad one either so long as it's a clean 4 banger and not beaten up like a 5.0.
 
Stingerperformance.com has everything you need to build a turbo four cylinder that will destroy our keep up with your basic bolt on 302. I agree that the rumble of a v8 sounds better, but I've seen several 2.3t cars pull a wheel off the ground.
 
People just love the sound of a pushrod V8. I know I do. I don't care for 4cyl mustangs and I don't even care for any Mustangs unless it has 8 cylinders.
It's a V8 Mustang or nothing.

I am the same way. The idea of a mustang in my mind is synonymous with a v8. If the foxbody never came with a v8 it don't think I would feel the same way about them, and I am willing to bet this part of the the forum would be pretty empty.
 
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Either drive it as is, or roll it off a cliff and buy a factory 5.0 - you'll thank me later.
:lol: That's funny because I remember back in the day when I'd take a trip down to Ensanada Mexico and you'd see a lot of cars at the bottoms of cliffs (no they weren't 4 cyl Mustangs) along with lots of abandoned hotels on the beach.

I am the same way. The idea of a mustang in my mind is synonymous with a v8. If the foxbody never came with a v8 it don't think I would feel the same way about them, and I am willing to bet this part of the the forum would be pretty empty.

This forum would not exist. The Fox 5.0 brought the Mustang back into relevance as an affordable hot rod. I wonder what would have happened with the mustang if they never made the 87-93 Mustang 5.0?
 
If this is a life long project that you intend to heavily modify, spend a ton of money on and not expect to get a reasonable return if you do part with it, then do it. If you are just looking for a V8 cruiser with mild power level and not looking to sink a lot of money into it, then I agree, sell it and buy a good V8 car.

Two of the nicest foxbody cars I know started off as 4 bangers. But those cars were completely gutted, repainted and fitted with the latest and greatest performance parts at the time. Both of those cars are still with the owners who built them, and both had a lot of money sank into them.

Can we get a few pics?

Joe
 
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Stingerperformance.com has everything you need to build a turbo four cylinder that will destroy our keep up with your basic bolt on 302. I agree that the rumble of a v8 sounds better, but I've seen several 2.3t cars pull a wheel off the ground.
I bet they dont pull the wheels off the ground all that long with the weak transmissions and 7.5 rear ends.

Here's an Idea. Why don't you buck the system, pull your shirt back down over your belly button, and keep/modify the four banger instead of mindlessly getting in line and jumping over the 5.0 swap cliff.

You already have the banger in place, the engine only needs a turbo to make in excess of 200 rwhp, and will still get in excess of 25MPG while doing that.

If I see another 4cyl to 5.0 swap thread, I'm gonna puke.

Dude....... think 85-86 SVO,....... Not one more of a bazillion LX/GT 5.0 already been there, done that's.
Same as above. You are still going to need some supporting hardware for this.

Either drive it as is, or roll it off a cliff and buy a factory 5.0 - you'll thank me later.
I think many people forget that factory 5.0 are getting harder and harder to find that havent been ragged out and cut up. If you can find them they are a pretty penny. I can find a complete 4 cyl for fairly cheap that hasnt been beat on. Mainly because they don't produce enough torque to cause any damage to a cereal box so it is a safe bet the torque boxes are in decent shape. The major modification to it might be an after market stereo which I am okay with. Most these cars havent had the dash removed, cut up, or several holes drilled into them for a gawdy 14" behemouth tach either. The interiors are usually very clean or better taken care of than the run of the mill factory 5.0.

I and many on here have done this swap and it isn't hard. I even swapped pedals out which wasnt the greatest experience but still very doable. I say do it. You'll learn a lot about your car and depending on your 4cyl donor car, a clean fox.
 
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