Donor?

[AudioPro]

I have found a place that deals with mustang salvage. going from a '87 MGM, to 90's mustang. what wiring would I have to change or upgrade? they are asking $300 for computer wiring. also I can buy an electronic AOD with ECU for $700. could that work? and is it a good deal?

[AudioPro]

First I would like to say thank you all for your help.

Second I am a complete idiot!!!! I am trying to go HO when I have only basic idea of what to do on adding more power, when I should do what I am good at “CARBED!” I will be able to do so much more with it. Now what short block should I look for? Mustang or explorer?

[Mercmarquis]

exploder imo, better heads and usually in better shape.

Mustangs will have forged slugs in the motor but thats about it, heads are barely adequate.

[gadget73]

Consider this, if you get an Explorer motor and want to carb it. You need the following:

timing cover with fuel pump provisions (mech pump only)
fuel pump eccentric (if using a mech pump)
all the stock accessories
change the valve springs
modify the fuel system to work with a carb
purchase a compatible ignition system
remove all the efi wiring
purchase a compatible intake
purchase a carb
purchase compatible headers
change the oil pan

If you go Explorer, and keep the EFI, you need this:
your stock distributor out of the old motor
stock timing cover from the old motor
accessories from the old motor
wiring from the old motor
fuel rail from the old motor
injectors from the explorer motor
purchase compatible headers
the Lightning egr spacer
modify the explorer throttle body with parts from the stocker
change the oil pan

You don't want any of the wiring, the electronic aod, or any of that nonsense from the Mustang. Just need the engine, intake to oil pan. Same with an Explorer, and if you get an Explorer motor you can make some cash by turning the special engine mounts and headers on Ebay to people doing 5.0 Ranger builds.

The only real bind point is the lightning egr spacer. If you go carb, you've lowered the resale value of the car. it also won't pass emissions. Yes I know Florida doesn't have it currently, but no guarantees that will be forever. Quite frankly, its probably more time and money consuming to install a carb than to keep it EFI.

[AudioPro]

You don't want any of the wiring, the electronic aod, or any of that nonsense from the Mustang. Just need the engine, intake to oil pan.

What about the MAF sensor. My ’87 is speed density. So if I am right I need the ECU, MAF, and the wiring. And what about power upgrades? I dont know much about EFI, what would be the limit of the ECU? (not going to pay someone to rechip/reprogram the ECU). I love power. many years ago had a '81 monte carlo with a 454 and 6-71 blower on top. had to give it all up when my son was born. now that he is older I can start over. I do need to keep this car on the road, just like the monte was.

[Mercmarquis]

Geez Thain... a lil biased to efi? jk

If he goes carb its not that complicated, still much of the same stuff if he went EFI.

In my opinion theres no point to running a mechanical fuel pump anymore. Buy a $60+ mechanical pump, drilling the boss or getting a new timing cover and all that jazz. Or you get an electric for 100 bux, mount it where you want and forget it.

Timing cover can be got from the old motor, as well as accesories and oil pan. Not sure why he needs to change the valve springs unless he changes the cam. I know stock gt40p they like to float above 4800 IIRC. But he can get away for now, just as if he was going efi. Intake, ignition, Carb can be had for dimes... I've got an intake and carb for sale now.

Lets not forget you will need the oil filter do dad relocator thing a ma bob. The way the oil filter is on the sploder motor wont work.

[gadget73]

who needs mass air? if you're not going to a bigger cam, the speed density works fine. If you are planning on doing a cam, the mustang maf is small, and the wiring harness isn't really useful. Conversion kit is about 30 bucks and can be added to the stock wiring. The ECU is useful, but you do not want an ECU from a car newer than 1993. The pinout is totally different. For a MAF you'd want something off a 94-95 Mustang (70mm) or the 4.6 Tbird MAF also seems to work just fine, its something like 65mm. The Mustang MAF by comparison is about 55mm.

[AudioPro]

Or you get an electric for 100 bux, mount it where you want and forget it.

That was going to be my next question. Do I have to or need to remove the stock fuel pump? and if I remove it, what should I use for a pick up?

[gadget73]

Geez Thain... a lil biased to efi? jk

Not sure why he needs to change the valve springs unless he changes the cam. I know stock gt40p they like to float above 4800 IIRC. But he can get away for now, just as if he was going efi. I
.

how can you tell? I do not like carbs on a daily driver.


and the valve float with a stock cam at 4800 is exactly why the springs should be changed. The springs aren't that expensive, and its easier to change them with the motor on a stand vs in the car.

[gadget73]

That was going to be my next question. Do I have to or need to remove the stock fuel pump? and if I remove it, what should I use for a pick up?

yes, the in-tank pump gets removed. you can get a pickup assembly for a '79, or just use a piece of brake line where the electric pump was to connect the sock to the rubber line on the hanger.

[AudioPro]

who needs mass air? if you're not going to a bigger cam, the speed density works fine.

my plain was to go with a bigger cam at a later time and I dont like doing things later that I can do now. that is why I am thinking about going carbed. I want to make a border line street setup just like my monte was.

[AudioPro]

and the valve float with a stock cam at 4800 is exactly why the springs should be changed. The springs aren't that expensive, and its easier to change them with the motor on a stand vs in the car.

That is good to know information. I would have been pissed they float, to find out the hard way.

[Mercracer]

Mustang motors need a different water pump, and maybe a timing cover. Seems hit or miss on that point, depends on the specific motor. .

The Explorer needs a complete front end change too. Either way, it is not a big deal since you would be putting new gaskets in any ways. Simple stuff...

[HerMajestysMechanic]

I know its been mentioned a few times, but I can't seem to find a work-around. If you go with the sploder motor and MAF setup.. I know you will loose the cruise.. is this unavoidable? Or can something be done to keep cruise even after the swap?

The Admiral

[Mercracer]

I know its been mentioned a few times, but I can't seem to find a work-around. If you go with the sploder motor and MAF setup.. I know you will loose the cruise.. is this unavoidable? Or can something be done to keep cruise even after the swap?

You would need to retrofit a stand alone cruise system off of another car. You don't need MAF. A Mark ECM is HO SD and integral cruise.