GT 500 engine conversion

[Mathi]

Hi guys,

I'm going to put a 2012 Ford Mustang GT 500 engine in my 68 Mustang fastback. Now, I want to buy a crated GT 500 2012 engine but what else do I need?
I guess: the ECU (that I need to reinstall for several functions that won't fit in my 68 Mustang :lol: ), 2012 fuel pumps, 2012 Electric pedal, wiring, ...?

Are there any custom wirings for a modern engine in an old car? Or do we need to make this on ourself?
Where can I find someone who can chance my ECU?
I live in Belgium so unfortunatly it's harder to find good experiences about this conversion.

Thanks for your help anyway!

Regards

[Matt@BOS]

I hope I don't sound mean for saying this, but if you haven't ordered the engine yet, don't. It is a great engine, but it simply doesn't fit in the earlier Mustangs without a lot of work. You will need to remove the shock towers, get an aftermarket front suspension that will accommodate the motor, and then you will need to relocate the master cylinder because the heads are so wide. After that you will be left with an engine that will stick up above the tops of the fenders meaning that you will need a big raised hood, and it will have to be custom since the intake for the superchargers stretches over the driver side cylinder head, and sits really high as well. Oh, and then you will need the Ford engine control pack for it as well as a fuel pump for fuel injection. If you're changing the transmission you will probably need to cut up the tunnel as well.

I tried to do this once, and it wasn't a good idea. I hope this gives you an idea of how much work is involved before you start spending money and realize it will cost twice as much as you previously thought.

Matt

[Mathi]

Hi,

Thanks for your answer.
I already deleted my shock towers and I have already got an aftermaket suspension kit. I have HEIDTS II suspension kit in the front and rear.
I have now a ROUSH 427R engine with a TREMEC T56 magnum so the tranmission will no problem as well.
I understand there is still a lot of work but there are some big works already solved.

Regards

[JKnight]

Have you considered fuel injection and procharging for your existing motor? It would simplify the process greatly and cost significantly less...

[Matt@BOS]

Well, in that case, the only way to tell if more cutting will be needed is to buy an engine. the 5.4L engines now use electric power assisted steering, so you will either need to add electric power steering, or modify the front accessory drive for hydraulic power steering. The front of the engine is full of accessories already and you will need to make sure that the alternator or AC compressor don't hit the frame rails.

You will also need to call a transmission expert because your T56 magnum might not bolt up to the Ford engine without a few custom made parts. I know that the Ford TR6060 and T56 Magnum XL transmissions don't just bolt to GM engines because of slightly different input shafts, etc. Don't worry it can all be made to work. You will also need a new bell housing.

[Mathi]

I considered fuel injection. Once I bought me a mechanical fuel injection for a Chevy big block from Hilborn with a FAST ECU system.
That injection was horrible... Never drove so bad. We did so much to work it out but even a FAST specialist couldn't help...

It was a very expensive system and it didn't worked. So, I"m a scared to make the same stupid decission...

Regards

[camcojb]

I considered fuel injection. Once I bought me a mechanical fuel injection for a Chevy big block from Hilborn with a FAST ECU system.
That injection was horrible... Never drove so bad. We did so much to work it out but even a FAST specialist couldn't help...

It was a very expensive system and it didn't worked. So, I"m a scared to make the same stupid decission...

Regards
You picked one of the most difficult systems to get right (individual runner). There's a lot that can go wrong that tuning will not cover up. Most EFI setups are not nearly that finicky.

[Mathi]

hi guys,

Well, my idea was to do some larger trips with the car here in Belgium and Europe. I want to participate on Modball (that's the european version of Gumball) so I need an engine that is really reliable and very strong.

My first idea was to buy and install a 2012 GT 500 engine with another supercharger. In that case I have a lot of horsepower and a very reliable engine and modern technic...

So I thougt that it was a good decision...

[Mathi]

What do you think about this engine???

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-2010-GT500-Shelby-5-4-DOHC-Supercharged-Engine-Motor-T6060-Transmission-/150995540403?signal=own_da46d931-ef33-3eb3-b5d3-c053ce593ebc:d64b8bc0-8325-11e2-960f-005056b000c8_0

Almost everything I will need is inclusive and the price seems to be fair...

Thanks!

[ivmotor]

That looks like a good choice. make sure you have an agreement with them to keep the shell around for a couple months in case you are missing anything. The fuel pump controller is rear mounted and gets forgotten in a lot of ford conversions.

The power setting pump is no biggy. The holes for a bracket are still on the block on the lower left side.

The only thing that might not fit right is the length of the shifter. The late mustangs have the shifter mounted almost a foot behind the rear output seal.

[Mathi]

There is only thing that makes me a little insecure and that's the mileage... I have now a 427R brandnew (only 100 miles old) and I would chance that for a modern GT 500 engine with an aftermarket blower and already 32 000 miles on it... Is that a good idea? Is it not better to look for one with less mileage?

What do you think?

[ivmotor]

That is always an issue. You won't know if those miles were spent at the track or with a retired widow going to the grocery store. I like that it comes with the stuff for a changeover. Maybe you should have the sellers pull the oil pan and document any debris, or at least show if there is sludge under the valve cover.

[Mathi]

Yeah, and to be honest, price is okay... If you see what you get is it almost everything for the conversion. But on the other way, it's true, I don't know where the miles were spent...
I guess I'm going to ask the seller some details about the engine...

how much difference of weight is it with the aluminium engine from newer models?

Regards

[p51mus]

By the time you get finished, you will have spent enough to buy a very low mileage Stage-3 Roush, GT-500. I realize you probably have your heart set on doing this, but unless you have alot of build experience, you are gonna be one unhappy, frustrated person. Go to SVT Performance and look at all the supercharged GT Stangs, 500's Roushes etc. that are for sale, and there are some dang good deals there. :bang:

[Mathi]

Hi,

Thanks man! You really helped me out. There is plenty of parts offered on that forum.
I'm thinking to do the conversion in the USA. It's to difficult here in Belgium to find people who can know those engines (and wiring)

[Matt@BOS]

Yeah, and to be honest, price is okay... If you see what you get is it almost everything for the conversion. But on the other way, it's true, I don't know where the miles were spent...
I guess I'm going to ask the seller some details about the engine...

how much difference of weight is it with the aluminium engine from newer models?

Regards

The aluminum engines are a little over 100 lbs lighter than their iron block equivalents. So you are looking at around 570lbs instead of 670lbs (shipping weight on the iron block crate engines was about 720lbs).

You do realize by the time you get done changing the fuel system, replumbing, changing the radiator, building and routing an intercooler, building a custom hood, and making a front drive system to work, not to mention all the little stuff like changing front springs, etc that you will have 40-50k USD in the car, right?

If you are really dead set on this, I may be able to get you a 2011 aluminum block engine with less than a hundred miles on it.

[Mathi]

Yes, I know it's not bolt on... But it's the end result which is important so I will give it a try.
I'm looking for a whole drivetrain from a wrecked car or something like that ... From engine till fuel tank with pumps and stuff...
So: pedals, sensors, wiring, ecu, engine, transmission, clutch, sensors, fuel pumps,etc ....