those that have done v-6 to v-8 swap

jimmy_beaner · 07-25-2005, 08:56 AM

I've got a 2001 v-6 Mustang automatic... I am interested in dropping in a 2003-2004 Cobra motor... I realize it's a manual, and I would swap trannies too... along with computer, and wiring harness. How HARD is this job, not like, lifting engines and stuff... how hard, how much do you have to know, or is it as simple as swapping engines and trannies, and then everything they were connected to... (of course along with wiring harness and ECU). What else is there that I need? I've got the 8.8" rear end... and the exhaust to handle such a beast. So what else do I need? Upgrade what? I am interested in this swap right now, not for sure going to do it. My buddy is pretty experienced at swapping motors, but not v-6 to v-8... just wanna know what all is involved.

Tom Y · 07-25-2005, 09:05 AM

If you'd have said a 2001-2004 4.6, it would be much simpler, even so, its still a bunch of work, and theres all sorts of unplanned things you must do and account for, besides engine and tranny wiring, the engine, tranny, exhaust system, instrument cluster, hydroboost brake, brake lines, A/C lines, radiator...

The bigger problem with the Cobra setup its so much different than the V6 and SOHC that pretty much the entire car must be rewired since the Cobra uses a specific dash harness. I think you should plan to rewire the entire car if you go the cobra route since that ends up being much simpler than repinning and tracing whats there. I'm not sure if the Cobra lighting, door, trunk, etc harnesses are different, but based on other swaps we've done, you either need to find out up front if you can, or just anticipate having to go that far because when the dash harness is different, usually everything else is to.

jimmy_beaner · 07-25-2005, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Y

If you'd have said a 2001-2004 4.6, it would be much simpler, even so, its still a bunch of work, and theres all sorts of unplanned things you must do and account for, besides engine and tranny wiring, the engine, tranny, exhaust system, instrument cluster, hydroboost brake, brake lines, A/C lines, radiator...

The bigger problem with the Cobra setup its so much different than the V6 and SOHC that pretty much the entire car must be rewired since the Cobra uses a specific dash harness. I think you should plan to rewire the entire car if you go the cobra route since that ends up being much simpler than repinning and tracing whats there. I'm not sure if the Cobra lighting, door, trunk, etc harnesses are different, but based on other swaps we've done, you either need to find out up front if you can, or just anticipate having to go that far because when the dash harness is different, usually everything else is to.

ok, why would all that stuff have to be re-run... I'm talking, take a Cobra that's been ass raped, and transplant it into my car. I realize the gauge cluster is different, and the Cobra gauges probably wouldn't fit, but that's up close to the ECU, shouldn't be too hard to run some wire there... I can take it out of the Cobra right in. Also, I have Mach sound, the cobra runs Mach sound... I've got the beefy v-8 rear, and I would need to run wire to the manual tranny anyway. I bet he would do all this for me for $800. Wouldn't the A/C lines be able to be taken right from the Cobra into my car?.. thought they sat on the engine... then connect to the air ducts. What I'm saying is this, if we can take it off the cobra, and put it right on the v-6, shouldn't that really help because we'll know just how it hooks up?

Tom Y · 07-25-2005, 09:53 AM

Sure, take it off the Cobra put on the V6, the bigger question is how much or what to take off and put on. As long as you have the Cobra there, you can just keep pulling to get all the parts you need. The question is how far do you have to go to get the wiring right. We're pretty sure the complete dash harness has to be changed, and since the engine harnesses, dash harnesses, lighting, doors, etc are all integrated harnesses, the wiring swap could be a bigger job than you are thinking. Even so, its not that "hard" just more effort.

bluestang00us · 07-26-2005, 11:50 AM

Tom,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but for simplicity sake wouldn't it be ideal to use an 00-01 SOHC if you have an 00-01 V6 and use the 01-04 SOHC if you own a 01-04 V6?

Doesn't this eliminate some of the hassles related to mathcing up harnesses and what not? Like for a 00 V6 you could swap in a 00 SOHC and as far as wiring goes its just the main engine harness and the ECU, right? No need to delve into the dash or inside the door panels, correct?

AlmostN8 · 07-27-2005, 05:38 AM

You are correct.

bluestang00us · 07-27-2005, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlmostN8

You are correct.

Oh yeah, I had forgotten where I heard that until I went through my pm box a minute ago @ V6P. It was you I had been talking to about that.