[RDY4WAR]

So this is my build thread for my 1993 Mustang LX 2.3 to 5.0 swap. I will be updating this thread periodically with the progress of the build. Any and all comments are welcome in this thread. Feel free to make suggestions towards the build.

I bought this car off my dad when I was 16, and it was my way to go all through high school. Other than a shutter shift going 2nd to 3rd, it never gave me any issues. When I left for the Army, I bought my Focus, and the Mustang stayed in southern Mississippi at my dad's. This past September, a little over 3 years after I left for the Army, I went to my dad's to rescue it from the mercy of mother nature. My dad had driven it around once or twice a month while I was gone just to keep it in good order, but when the starter went, it got parked for over a year and neglected. That was more of my decision than my dad's. At the time, I just didn't really care. lol The battery was dead when I found it from sitting so long. The following pictures is what she looked like the day I showed up to rescue her.





Here's a couple of pics of what she looked like after a new starter, battery, good cleaning, and 800+ mile road trip with me back to Maryland.




I was originally going to rebuild the 2.3 but came across a great deal for a 5.0 swap I couldn't resist.

I'll be sure to keep this thread updated with pics as I go along. Thanks for reading.

[RDY4WAR]

The wife and I pulled the engine and transmission at the MWR Auto Skill Shop on Fort Meade. Everything went pretty smooth, no major hassles, just alot of rust. The only delay really was when the bucket holding the transmission fluid tipped over while we were pulling the engine out. Here's a few pics.

Got the hood, intake, and exhaust off.



Got the intake manifold, EGR system, fan, and most of the electrical stuff out of the way.



Got the power steering pump, A/C compressor, etc... out of the way, pulled the driveshaft and let the transmission's ass end hang while hooking the engine to the crane. We undid the mounts and pulled it all out as one unit.

[RDY4WAR]

I tore down the 2.3 motor as I'm parting it out. It turns out the piston rings were fine. The smoking issue was a bad head gasket. Here's some pics.









I can't wait to get the 5.0 pulled from the Thunderbird and start tearing it down! []

[RDY4WAR]

Here's a few pics of some of the parts I've picked up. The headers need some TLC as they are quite rusty, but no holes or leaks at all.

Hooker Super Comp Equal Length Shorty Headers







B&M Aftermarket Shifter Adapter for AOD


GT front calipers from a '89 GT

[RDY4WAR]

I cleaned up the headers and painted them. They're looking MUCH better!

Tell me what you think!


I sanded them down and primered them.




I put them each in the oven at 200 degrees for one hour to cure the primer. I repeated this process after applying the paint and clearcoat.


I got the right side painted...



...and then painted the other side. After curing, clearcoat, and curing again, this was the result! []

[RDY4WAR]

I picked up a used BBK off road H pipe. It's actually the same H pipe that was paired to the Hooker shorties in the past. lol




I recently picked up...
AOD Transmission, freshly rebuilt (<1,000miles)
TCI "Saturday Night Special" torque converter w/ flywheel
OEM Driveshaft for correct length
trans fluid cooler
Silverfox SPT-1 valve body (and the OEM one it replaced)

I paid just $250 for all of the above. That is easily a $1,000+ built transmission. Here's a couple pics.




I finally got a chance to pick up the Thunderchicken this past weekend. I'm glad all this snow is finally gone! I've got most of the top end of it torn down and pics of that will come soon. The build is slowly, but surely coming along.

[McMustang5.0]

Awesome dude, keep it coming!

[inition]

You found some awesome used parts, that is how I would like to build up a Mustang. I love the Kentucky Chrome on the headers!

[RDY4WAR]

Thanks!
I was wanting to do more work today but AGAIN, weather is not permitting!

[ndnboy]

looking good!!

[87FloridaGT]

Nice project...I do not like the way equal length shorty headers look in an engine bay (i had some on my car when I bought it and had to replace them ASAP). Are you going to paint the car at some point?

[RDY4WAR]

Originally Posted by 87FloridaGT Nice project...I do not like the way equal length shorty headers look in an engine bay (i had some on my car when I bought it and had to replace them ASAP). Are you going to paint the car at some point?

What Color Should I Paint My Stang?

[fateisajester]

your headers arent super comps, they're street force. i have the same exact ones

Hooker Headers 6128 Hooker Headers Street Force Headers

apparently that dent is SUPPOSED to be there. i thought it was damaged when i bought them, but i have the same dent in the same spot

[RDY4WAR]

Originally Posted by fateisajester your headers arent super comps, they're street force. i have the same exact ones Hooker Headers 6128 Hooker Headers Street Force Headers

Nope, mine are the Super Comps. They are part number 6128HKR and they are badged "Hooker Super Competition."

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOK-6128HKR/?rtype=10

[boosted87]

man thats alot of work. looks good so far. sweet jod on the headrs

[RDY4WAR]

Originally Posted by boosted87 man thats alot of work. looks good so far. sweet jod on the headrs

Thanks!

[RDY4WAR]

UPDATE!

I picked up my cam today. It's a Comp XE270HR-12 cam. .512 intake & exhaust lift, 270* adv. duration. I'm ordering trickflow dual valve springs and retainers to match it.

[McMustang5.0]

What heads are you going with?

nice job on the headfer btw looks good.

[RDY4WAR]

I'm sticking with the stock E7 heads for now. I plan to pick up a used pair of GT40P heads sometime in the next year or a good pair of aluminum heads if I find the right price.

[B John]

lookin good so far soldier