Nicole's Offical 5.0 Swap thread!

[Nicoleb3x3]

This is the beginning of a long thread...

I'll post here to let everyone know when I got progress updates on the 5.0 swap.

Just for those who don't know yet:
I have a 93 2.3 which I've been restoring and customizing for 2 years. Now that I've gotten to a certain point...it's getting time to swap in the 5.0 and finalize this 2.3LX to 5.0GT dream project. (not that it'll EVER be done!)
I'll be doing this with my Dad over this winter (Jan-?)

October 8, 2005: Current Progess:
THE DONOR CAR: Will have next weekend! -1993 w/ AOD, 79k mi


The transmission looks really good!

Picture of the flexplate, and the lovely AOD. You can also see the rusted oil pan from the blown 93 motor. It's the very reason this became a donor car for all the parts except the motor.

The exhaust & rearend is not half bad!



THE MOTOR:
-The motor has 85k mi and is comming from the 87 I looked at previously.
-I'VE HEARD THIS MOTOR RUN, IT REVS STRONG WITH NO SKIPPING, PINGING OR KNOCKING!

[Fastest302]

Nice keep us updated

[1nasty96]

Nice keep us updated

[4.6]

Nice... Definitely keep us updated...

[Nicoleb3x3]

ok, need help/tips for underhood restoration...that's cheap, like paint!
What can I paint? And what kind of paint is recommended.
What shouldn't I paint?

1.) Alternator? (my garage shot my 2.3 alternator with black paint...seems ok; Can I just spray paint my 5.0 alternator?
2.) I will need to paint the intake manifold...what kind of paint should I use? Do I need to be careful not to paint the inside or anything like that?
3.) Brackets: what kind of paint is recommended?
4.) Radiator hose...I hope to have money to replace at least the upper..incase I don't Can I paint them with a high temp paint or something?

I also need help with color choice:
1.) Black, Silver/chrome, and a few Electric Current Red Accents
2.) Black, Silver/chrome, and purple accents? and red?
3.) Black, Silver/chrome, and some other accent color??
4.) What color should my intake manifold be? Electric Current Red? Or Silver?
5.) What color should my calipers and drums be? Red, Silver? or some other color?

[4.6]

You can paint the alternator, but just the housing. Most people have them taken apart, paint the housing, then put back together. You really don't need to get paint on the brushes.

As far as the intake I just used regulalr Rustolem on mine, but I put a self-etching primer on it first the let that flash off then sprayed the color then put 2 coats of a high temp made by Duplicolor...I got it all at Advanced Auto except for the primer which I got at a automotive paint store. Just mask up all the opening in the intake, and you'll be fine.

A good qualtiy spray bomb will work fine on the brackets. If they're bare metal though you may want to use the primer on them too.

Paint won't stay on the radiator hoses. They're so inexpensive it's not worth the effort or risk of trying to salvage the old ones.

One last thing make sure you clean, and prep everything you paint extremely well. The final wipe down before paint should be done with some time of an automotive grade pre cleaner or wax and grease remover.

[Nicoleb3x3]

thx!

[RedTwilight]

Can't wait to see it all done Nicole. I know you'll be glad when it's done.
I say chrome/polish everything you can and paint the rest the same as the car (Electric Current Red). Maybe a few items can be painted black or silver for a bit of contrast. I'll be waiting for more pics to come! Good Luck!

[Nicoleb3x3]

Do I need to buy a new flexplate? The flexplate has some surface rust that doesn't look to severe, and the teeth look very good....

is it worth replacing with this PA Racing Flexplate?


I'm trying to squeeze some things out the swap budget and postpone for later....but maybe it's worth upgrading during the swap?

[4.6]

Do I need to buy a new flexplate? The flexplate has some surface rust that doesn't look to severe, and the teeth look very good....

is it worth replacing with this PA Racing Flexplate?


I'm trying to squeeze some things out the swap budget and postpone for later....but maybe it's worth upgrading during the swap?

As long as the teeth are good, and there are no cracks around where it bolts to the crank or where the torque converter bolts up the one you have is fine. Unless you plan on making some serious power in the near future, if thats the case then you may wanna upgrade.

[Nicoleb3x3]

thanks for the tip! I'll need to inspect it more later, but from what I could see, it looked pretty solid. Define "serious horse power" ...like how much we talking before an upgrade would be recommended?

[4.6]

thanks for the tip! I'll need to inspect it more later, but from what I could see, it looked pretty solid. Define "serious horse power" ...like how much we talking before an upgrade would be recommended?

Anything over 400 and I'd consider upgrading.

[Nicoleb3x3]

then I may be good with what I got pending further inspection, thanks again!

[wldponi03]

Dang your Stang is going to be Awesome when you are done, keep us all Updated as the Transformation goes along!!! I love seeing a work of Art in progress!!!!!!

[Nicoleb3x3]

Dang your Stang is going to be Awesome when you are done, keep us all Updated as the Transformation goes along!!! I love seeing a work of Art in progress!!!!!!

Ha, funny you say that...I was an artist before a Mustang enthusiast...This Mustang is my life's masterpiece. It's the perfect project, combining both Art and Science!

[crimsonblack]

I would paint the Intake to match the color of the car. Silver is ehhh, and a chrome job on it is not cheap at all. Some places, at least here in Vegas have a month or two waiting list on material.

The brakes and drum are generally done in Red. I am planning to do mine black when I get the new rims for the car. Any other color will tend to show dirt and grime as the car is used. Then you'll be taking off the rims everytime you want to detail the car. Red will make them stand out though. Not much reason to make the rear drums stand out, when most cars now have disc all the way around.

Are you planning to keep the stock manifold plate? The one that says 5.0 on it? They are so ugly. I found a bunch at the junkyard that just say 5.0 EFI on it. I have mine painted flat black and will paint the letters white, when I get around to it. Looks better than the stock one that most have.

Good luck with the conversion. Can't wait to see it.

[Nicoleb3x3]

hey, thanks.
Yeah, I'll likely use the same manifold for at least a little while..trying to keep initial costs low.

[Nicoleb3x3]

the donor to be delivered tomorrow unless the rain delays things...

[HerNastyNotch]

An 87 motor?? No mass air?

[Nicoleb3x3]

the donor is a sweet 79k mi 93 with a blown engine (being removed), and I'm getting the engine from the 87 (around 85k mi). (he's placing the 87 engine inside the engine bay for transit to my house)
so; the 93 has the mass air among other things (like a compatible engine wiring harness)

The engine from the 87 to 93 is basically the same thing (very minor changes) and will replace the 93 engine no prob.

[crimsonblack]

Excellent on getting the Mass Air System. A $550 value for the entire kit.

[Nicoleb3x3]

[auriansmustang]

i say do a black and red only theme

[Nicoleb3x3]

Stang is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll post pics of the car now sitting in my driveway soon

[crimsonblack]

Black engine bay. Manifold in Red, Red Plug Wires, Chrome or Red valve covers. Get a cold air intake for the Mass Air.