[cooler]

I'm looking for a donar Mustang for a Factory 5 Cobra build. Loaded question: Should I invest the extra money in a Mustang with the modular engine? or is the old 5.0L the way to go?

[Centerline]

Personally, if it was me... and I've thought about this a lot, I'd go with a basic carbureted 289. But the 302 would be just as good. There are too many Cobra replicas that aren't much of a replica and going realitively "old school" will give you all the performance you can stand at a lower price AND authentic looks...... but that's me.

In the end, its your car.... build it your way.

Centerline
HotRodsAndHemis.com

"Remember, if you didn't put it together with your own hands, its not really yours." - Tim Allen

[ap72]

If it were me i'd go with an aluminum ls 5.7 or 5.3 with a 6 speed. Next would be an aluminum "buick" v8, the one range rover bought out. The cost to use one of the engines I listed will be about the same as a 5.0l but the performance will be much better. I wouldn't even consider one of the Ford mod motors.

[eloc431962]

Originally Posted by Centerline

Personally, if it was me... and I've thought about this a lot, I'd go with a basic carbureted 289. But the 302 would be just as good. There are too many Cobra replicas that aren't much of a replica and going realitively "old school" will give you all the performance you can stand at a lower price AND authentic looks...... but that's me.

In the end, its your car.... build it your way.

Centerline
HotRodsAndHemis.com

"Remember, if you didn't put it together with your own hands, its not really yours." - Tim Allen

Right on Centerline.



Cole

[75gmck25]

I think you have to look at budget, desired horsepower, and other factors before you decide. My preference would be a 302 or 289, but you probably won't find a decent one of these that you can just pull out of a wrecked Mustang and drop in your car. The cheap ones you find in the junkyard will be relatively low performance and you will have to do quite a bit of work on the engine before you drop it in. That means that a cheap engine may lead to a lot of additional work.

If you use a modular Ford engine, and you use the entire wiring loom for the fuel injection setup and computer, you may be able to buy a complete assembly at the junkyard and just drop it in. Ford has used the modular 4.6 (300-330 Horsepower) in Mustang GTs since 2005 and there are quite a few in the junkyard. If you want more horsepower you can buy cams, CAI kits, shorty headers, superchargers, and other parts for this engine directly from Ford racing. You can have a 400+ hp engine by just bolting on parts you buy from Ford.

Bruce

[OneMoreTime]

Gotta look at what fits as well guys..the modular engine is wider than the 302 and might not fit as well..What has Factory 5 setup the car for plays into the engine choice..

Sam

[Arrowhead]

You can fit the mod motor in no problem, there is an optional installation kit for it.

[cooler]

Thanks for your responses,
The Factory 5 Cobra kit is designed to receive the donar components of the '87 - '04 Mustang. Of course possibile options are limited only to imagination or budget and because I have two kids to put through university, budget wins.
Getting all the donar parts from a single car is probably the most economical. The 5.0L will be the most economical option and suitable replica of the original engine.
Now I just have to decide if I really want to have that ugly side of ribs stuck on top (EFI Manifold) or should I carb it? EFI will run smoother, no tune ups and fuel economy.
But how to get the replica under hood look?

[Valkyrie5.7]

The mod motors have been used in ford cars since 1992, and the Mustang since 1996. Going with anything SOHC (aka 2v) can be tricky if you don't know a lot about Mod motors. Pre 99 Mustangs and Pre 01 Trucks/Panthers are considered Non-PI (PI meaning Performance Improved) The Heads and Intake are a bit more restrictive and they have puny cams. Rated anywhere from 190-225hp from the factory depending. PI engines (99-04) rated from 230-260hp depending on application. This is just basics on only 4.6L 2V motors. There's also 3V SOHC and 4V DOHC Motors. All available in 4.6L and 5.4L Displacements.

As for what to run? My ideal Mod Motor setup would be a DOHC 5.4L out of the 99+ Lincoln Navigator mated to the t-45 manual from the 96+ Mustangs and Cobras, which is a surprisingly stout transmission. All 98s and some 99's Navigators are SOHC 5.4Ls, so make sure you know what you have. In a huge 6,000lbs Navigator behind a power-thirsty 4 speed auto, it would crank off 8 second 0-60 runs. In a Factory 5 Cobra, it would be remarkably fast for a stock powertrain, look very cool (DOHC) and probably get pretty great mileage as an added bonus.

Aftermarket isn't cheap for the mod motors though....

[Canzus]

You need to read this thread...

http://www.corner-carvers.com/forums...ad.php?t=43474

That is all I've got to say...