[96-GT_Josh]

So I was driving home from my brothers house last night (maybe a 12 mile drive) and on the way the engine started knocking. By the time I got home the knock got pretty loud.

I know its the rods, had a couple integras up because spun rod bearings so that sound is one I know. And with more rpm the knock gets significantly louder.

Well I can get a Lincoln Mark8 for 300 bucks, the whole car.

I read a good bit of the Infamous Mark8 Swap thread and didn't see the answer to a couple ?'s.

That thread is for 99-04 with the returnless fuel system, I know the 96 has a return style butI wanted to know If I had to swap rails or I could just use the 24# injectors and rail without a tune.

Also can I swap over the Coils and plug wire set-up and lose the cops system? IDK if the coils and brackets bolt to the M8 motor.

I can get a set of stock cobra exhaust manis for a couple hundred on ebay, but should I just spend the extra 200 and buy BBK Longtubes? and will it still be ok for the time being w/o a tune.

What intake do I use for that M8 TB? will the stock M8 intake work in our engine bay? Or do I have to buy a stock cobra one?

Also can I use the aluminum drivshaft? If it would work that would be a pretty good free upgrade.

I know there are a couple people on here who did the swap in SN95s but I didnt see a thread with the answers to those questions when I searched. I looked through 4 pages or threads.

Thanks for any help and sorry for any mis-types I just woke up. lol.

[96-GT_Josh]

Just bought a 97 mark8 with 83k miles. Runs strong. 400 for the whole car.

[WickedSnake00]

Originally Posted by 96-GT_Josh That thread is for 99-04 with the returnless fuel system, I know the 96 has a return style butI wanted to know If I had to swap rails or I could just use the 24# injectors and rail without a tune. Also can I swap over the Coils and plug wire set-up and lose the cops system? IDK if the coils and brackets bolt to the M8 motor. I can get a set of stock cobra exhaust manis for a couple hundred on ebay, but should I just spend the extra 200 and buy BBK Longtubes? and will it still be ok for the time being w/o a tune. What intake do I use for that M8 TB? will the stock M8 intake work in our engine bay? Or do I have to buy a stock cobra one? Also can I use the aluminum drivshaft? If it would work that would be a pretty good free upgrade.

The SN-95 swap is even easier.

You don't have to change the fuel rail because it's already return style.
I think to use the 24 lb/hr you would need a tune. Any time you change injectors you'd have to change tune, unless your MAF is calibrated for them.

You shouldn't have to change coil systems for the MKVIII. It comes from the factory with the brackets and coils, just like your motor. All 96-98 cars have the coils on the front, 99+ had COP's.

Stock 4v manifolds will be just fine. Putting in longtubes is a big pain in the ass, especially with a 4v motor. Gains won't be that big either. I put a set on my motor since it was out, and boy was it a big pain.

Some have made the whole MKVIII intake system work, but it looks like a colossal pain. Much easier/quicker to go with the Cobra one.

I'm not sure if the driveshaft will fit. You'll have to measure.

[96-GT_Josh]

This 97 mark8 i got has cop's not the 2coil/wire set-up.

I found out the driveshaft will have to be shortened. Not worth is imo.

Ive heard good things about longtubes is that not true? I dont see how a stock cobra exh mani could compare to set of bbk lt's.

And idk if the stock M8 exhaust manis can be used or not. Any input?

Getting down to the wrie for the swap and if i can save 600 for the longtubes and get a clutch/fw set-up and some 3.73' i think that will make more of a noticeable difference than the longtubes alone. Just need a yes or no the the m8 exhaust manifolds. Every thread ive read said you have to use cobra manis but it didnt say why and if there the same motor essentially why would the exhaust manifolds be different?

[WickedSnake00]

Originally Posted by 96-GT_Josh This 97 mark8 i got has cop's not the 2coil/wire set-up. Ive heard good things about longtubes is that not true? I dont see how a stock cobra exh mani could compare to set of bbk lt's. And idk if the stock M8 exhaust manis can be used or not. Any input? Getting down to the wrie for the swap and if i can save 600 for the longtubes and get a clutch/fw set-up and some 3.73' i think that will make more of a noticeable difference than the longtubes alone. Just need a yes or no the the m8 exhaust manifolds. Every thread ive read said you have to use cobra manis but it didnt say why and if there the same motor essentially why would the exhaust manifolds be different?

Well then you just transfer over your Mustang coil/wire setup.

Longtubes do work, but how much you get depends on what mods you have. Many guys don't see much of a gain, but others with cams, blowers, high HP do see significant gains. Headers won't hurt, but they don't give the best gain per dollar.

I would cross reference the MKVIII exhaust manifold P/N on Fordparts.com. See what that P/N is and comapre it to the Cobra.

They may be difference since the MKVIII has a different chassis geometry to clear than the Mustang.

Also gears will certainly let the 4v motor shine. If you're planning on staying NA, go with 4.10's instead. They have great high RPM power.

[96-GT_Josh]

I saw side-by-side pics of the M8 manis to the Cobra mani and they are different.I doubt the M8 manis will fit at all.

Also, the mark 8 fuel rail has its supply and return line on the Driver side back of the rail instead of the pass side, side of the rail. If I just swap rails and injectors and I believe I do not have to do any fuel line modification. I will try it and let you all know.

I will try and use the stock M8 intake and see what happens.

I guess if I will see a quicker rev out and overall quick accel with the clutch and gears I will do that. The Headers, even if they do add 5-15 hp, I doubt will roll out as quick.

Plus there is always a future for that if needed.

I am soo excited to get this started. Have to wait until next weekend to get the exhaust manifolds, Then I have to wait for the shipped parts to arrive.

[96-GT_Josh]

Okay couple more questions I just thought of.

What kinda clutch would you suggest? This would be thefirst aftermarket clutch kit installed on a Mustang and I don'tknow what brands are good/best. RAM HDX Clutch or SPEC Stage 1.

Also would you recommend a lighter flywheel as well or just keep the stocker and get it re-surfaced? The cars clutch grabs pretty good and heavy now so I believe the Flywheel is still good.

And would 4.10's be too much for highway use? Currently at 65 mph I am at 1650 rpm. I would guess thats stock 2.7* gearing. Thats why I said 3.73's.

And I head putting gears in a high mileage rearend will destroy the trac-loc, should I rebuild that while I'm at it or would the 200k mile rear end be ok?

[86er]

long tubes on a n/a 4v get much better gains than on the 2v's. Mark 8 exhaust manifolds wont work, to oddly shapped.

Your fuel rail will work, But I believe you need to extend modify the hold down tabs to reach farther down with the DOHC intake manifold. If you can find one, the 96-98 cobra intake is a much better piece, but being yours is a 97, they redesigned the intake and its a little better than the previous mark 8's but still nothing great. Another easy 25hp is to find the intake cams from the same 96-98 cobras and drop them in.

[p4ndiamond]

I like the gears but do long tubes benifit boosted setups much.....and is their a kit that clears the autos well???

[Tang Stang]

Originally Posted by 96-GT_Josh And would 4.10's be too much for highway use? Currently at 65 mph I am at 1650 rpm. I would guess thats stock 2.7* gearing. Thats why I said 3.73's. And I head putting gears in a high mileage rearend will destroy the trac-loc, should I rebuild that while I'm at it or would the 200k mile rear end be ok?

Both 3.73's and 4.10's will be just fine on the highway. Run a speed/rpm calculation with your tire size to see what rpms you'll see at speed. Definitely rebuild the Trac-Lok while swapping gears. You'd be crazy not to while it's apart.

Originally Posted by 86er If you can find one, the 96-98 cobra intake is a much better piece, but being yours is a 97, they redesigned the intake and its a little better than the previous mark 8's but still nothing great.

Agreed that the 96-98 Cobra intake is a better choice, but believe it or not, the Gen I Mark 8 intake is actually better than the Gen II intake the OP has, too.

[96-GT_Josh]

Is is? I heard the Gen2 intake is better.

None the less I gotta go to the local pick-n-pull and get a Gen 1 Coolant crossover with the 2 coolant sensor bungs and the gen 1 valve covers for spark plug wire set-up. If needed I will pick up the intake too.

But I do not like how the throttle body sits in the back by the cowl. I heard they are a pain and dont clear the cowl too good on mustangs. And its hard to get the intake on there.

Nah scrap that intake idea. Instead of spending the money on that I'll just wait a little and save up the extra and buy the actual cobra intake and might as well get the intake cams for the 96-98 while I'm at it right.

Plans for the future.

[Tang Stang]

Originally Posted by 96-GT_Josh I heard the Gen2 intake is better.

Do a little research at some of the Mark 8 websites (lincolnsofdistinction, lincolnvscadillac, markviii.org, etc.). The Gen 1 intake is nearly as good as the 96-98 Cobra intake. The Gen 2 intake is a terrible design. Here is just one of MANY old threads discussing the topic. This one has a few pics of a Gen 2 intake cut open.

http://www.markviii.org/htdocs/dc/dc...d=28264&page=6

Originally Posted by 96-GT_Josh But I do not like how the throttle body sits in the back by the cowl. I heard they are a pain and dont clear the cowl too good on mustangs. And its hard to get the intake on there.

Agreed. That was my only real complaint about the Gen 1 intake back when I was running NA in my XR7.

Originally Posted by 96-GT_Josh Nah scrap that intake idea. Instead of spending the money on that I'll just wait a little and save up the extra and buy the actual cobra intake and might as well get the intake cams for the 96-98 while I'm at it right.

That would be your best move.