88 Aerobird V6 to V8 conversion

[MeanGene]

Is it pratical to do this? What is the average cost? Would like to use a 302 HO. Could you post info on this, thanks.

[tbirdtess]

Hello
My buddy did this in his 87 bird. most every thing fit right except the wiring harness. Most fit but had computer wiring harness to main wiring harness trouble.
I have seen a wireing kit to do this very swap. look to HOTROD mag. for this kit. try there web sight and search -- engine swaps.
Good luck
PAUL ;)

[mrbillc]

When swapping from v6 to v8 in an 88, dose the k-member need to be changed?
Where dose one find V8 motor mounts? I look but have had no luck so far.

[tbirdtess]

Motor mounts for 87 till 97 are all the same. I am looking at a set in a 91 cougar for my stock car.
PAUL

[fivepoint-0]

i searched for months for the steel mounts on the bottom of the engine. finally found a pair at a ford dealer ship in arizona. cost me 75.00 for the set. i didn't know that they were the same up to 97'. next swap that i do , i'm using the k-member from a mustang, the motor mounts are stronger. i don't under stand why ford used different k-members since the fox flatform is just stretched between the mustang, mark 8 and the t-bird/cougar

[TWYZTEDGT]

Originally Posted by MeanGene

Is it pratical to do this? What is the average cost? Would like to use a 302 HO. Could you post info on this, thanks.

I'd change the rear end too, because the v-6 was an open rear end. 1-wheela peela won't be too much fun

[MeanGene]

You mean the V-6 rear end is not possie? Will a rear end out of a turbo coupe work?

[manson1366]

Originally Posted by MeanGene

You mean the V-6 rear end is not possie? Will a rear end out of a turbo coupe work?

when i did mine i used the kmember out of a 1990 stang, so i could use poly mounts, and put my old tc's 8.8 w3.73s in and did the t-5 swap it its nice, took 2seconds off my quarter time and we did it in a weekend.

[MasterBlaster]

My buddy did this in his 87 bird. most every thing fit right except the wiring harness. Most fit but had computer wiring harness to main wiring harness trouble.

New guy, REALLY old post, but in case anyone cares...

1987 Ford still used different "body harnesses" for V6 and V8.

1988 used the same body harness for both, but different engine harnesses, so the V6 body harness (computer to underhood connectors) had 8 wires for injectors and stuff, but only used 6 of them. A V8 engine and it's harness should plug right into an 88 V6.

[MeanGene]

Originally Posted by MasterBlaster

1988 used the same body harness for both, but different engine harnesses, so the V6 body harness (computer to underhood connectors) had 8 wires for injectors and stuff, but only used 6 of them. A V8 engine and it's harness should plug right into an 88 V6.

I have the 88 V6, so for a 5.0 HO swap I would only need the engine, stuff on the firewall and the computer. Everything else should plug in?

[MasterBlaster]

From what I've read, that's pretty much it electric-wise.
V8 computer replaces V6 computer, V8 engine + harness replaces V6 engine + harness, plus all the other little stuff like sensors and relays.

Oh, I made a small boo-boo above... the V6 is "batch fire", and only uses 2 of the wires. Computer pin 58 fires 1, 2 & 4 together. Pin 59 fires 3, 5 & 6 together. The wires are joined in the V6 engine harness. V8 uses 8 pins and 8 wires.

[MeanGene]

Originally Posted by MasterBlaster

From what I've read, that's pretty much it electric-wise.
V8 computer replaces V6 computer, V8 engine + harness replaces V6 engine + harness, plus all the other little stuff like sensors and relays.

OK, what happens when I go from my speed density setup that I have now to a Mass Air? Do you think the harrnes going through the firewall to the computer can handle that. I am thinking of finding a donor car that has all of the sensors and everything up to the firewall for the transplant.

[MasterBlaster]

Originally Posted by MeanGene

Do you think the harrnes going through the firewall to the computer can handle that.

It won't have the wires for the MAF sensor, so you'd need to add them. There's aftermarket adapters that are specifically made for that purpose, and plug in between the computer and body harness to add the wires.

One of my favorite sites for this kind of info is http://www.coolcats.net
(No, it's not mine.)

In the tech area http://www.coolcats.net/tech/ look down a couple of sections to Advanced Info. There you'll find pretty much everything you need. The "Mass Air Conversion" page even has a picture showing a MAF kit with the computer, sensor, wiring and the little adapter I just mentioned.

[MasterBlaster]

One of my favorite sites for this kind of info is http://www.coolcats.net

Ah, I just noticed you already joined the forum run by the same guys ( http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/ ) a few days before this post.
Welcome. :D