93 3.8V6 Swapped to a 5.0V8?

[marknkellie]

I too am looking for about the same answers to these questions. I got a 1993 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8V6, was wondering if it is possible to drop out the 3.6 & drop in a 5.0 V8? I know a little about body work so making it fit really wont be that much of a problem, just wondering if there is any problem with the 5.0 bolting up to the transmission or am I looking at replacing the Tranny (Auto w/ OD) & maybe installing a new Rear end?

Only reason Im asking is im looking at buying a truck not long from now, and have had the T-bird for bout 2 years, had a few lil problems but still a good car. Figured I could use it as a project car and breathe some new fire into it.

Thanks,
Mark

[t-bone]

Originally Posted by marknkellie

I too am looking for about the same answers to these questions. I got a 1993 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8V6, was wondering if it is possible to drop out the 3.6 & drop in a 5.0 V8? I know a little about body work so making it fit really wont be that much of a problem, just wondering if there is any problem with the 5.0 bolting up to the transmission or am I looking at replacing the Tranny (Auto w/ OD) & maybe installing a new Rear end?

Only reason Im asking is im looking at buying a truck not long from now, and have had the T-bird for bout 2 years, had a few lil problems but still a good car. Figured I could use it as a project car and breathe some new fire into it.

Thanks,
Mark

First off you?re looking at a pretty big project if you want the T-Bird to work as a dependable daily driver with an entirely new drive-train. My suggestion would be to keep your eye on the junk yards and places like EBay, and try to snatch up a totaled 89-95 t-bird that came with a 5.0. That way you?ll have all the computer hardware to run a fuel injected V8 on the car and have a lot less headaches. And even better if you can find yourself a V8 t-bird with a 5 speed tranny you?ll be set. The independent suspension on the rear end of the t-bird is a good thing for handling and adjustability if you want to do some real performance driving with it beyond the drag strip, so unless you are going to try and make the T-bird into a guided missile I would probably keep what you have and maybe just look into getting a limited slip diff out back. Before going to the trouble if swapping engines try throwing true duels (with an H or X pipe) and a K&N on your N/A 3.8. Believe me, you will be surprised the power that was being starved from the engine.