Ford Repair: 4cyl mustang, kaufmann products, manual tranny

Question
i have a 1989 4 cyl mustang with a 5 speed manual tranny and i want to know if a 5.0 mustang motor can be installed and what all is involved

Answer
Mike-

  Sure...it's a pretty straight forward swap.  There's actually a lot of companies that make swap kits.  The first that comes to mind of Kaufmann Products.  They're around online, as well.  Aside from the motor (obviously), you'll need a V8 transmission, An engine brace (or "K-member"), most likely a new driveshaft, and all associated computer parts and wiring if you want to run fuel injection.  There are also small changes that will need to be made like switching the tachometer to a V8 setup.  Some model years actually have tachs that can be switched to suit the engine.  If that's not the case you'll have to work it out so the tach reads properly.  This would also be a good time to upgrade some parts in your fuel system (namely the intank fuel pump) as well as the rear end.  All 4 cyl. models came with the 7.5" rear end and, while they'll hold up behind a stock V8, they're just too weak to be reliable.  Hope this helps.

Steve