What happens when your Mazda's engine has crapped out and you have access to a nice, fresh 5.0L Mustang motor? Sounds to us like it's time for a swap. So, how do you do it? You only have to look north to Canada's own Ultimate Customs for the answer.
The Ford 5.0L V-8 engine kit from Ultimate Customs follows the company's ever-popular V-8 Chevy swap kits for Mazdas. The Ultimate 5.0L kit is a lesson in simplicity, and the basic differences between Chevy and Ford motors help make this kit an easy swap. For one, the distributor is on the front of a Ford motor, which means you don't have to notch the firewall for clearance. Another factor is the number of recyclable donor parts from the Mustang. It's quite amazing how many of these parts that Ultimate found could actually work with the swap. Useable Mustang parts from an '88-or-newer car include the throttle cable, the transmission mount, the exhaust manifolds, the upper radiator hose, and the fuel pump. Some are even swapped around in positioning for a better fit. For example, the heater hoses and motor mounts work on this swap when moved from the right side to the left. With the glut of really cool 5.0L aftermarket parts floating around out there and Ultimate Customs doing the legwork, you end up the winner - in more ways than one.
The simplicity of it all makes for an install that most mini-truckers are capable of handling themselves. There is no welding or plasma-cutting equipment required. This swap is so easy, you'll spend more time wrestling the old truck motor out and dropping the new one in than you will converting the Mazda's engine bay. You can even make the few cuts needed with a battery-operated reciprocating saw. Could it be any simpler? Your formerly anemic Mazda will now be rumbling around town and you'll be calling out, "Here Chevy-Chevy, come here, boy."
1.Here are all the core players...
1.Here are all the core players of the engine swap: a donor 5.0L motor and transmission, your tired Mazda, and, of course, the Ultimate Customs Ford V-8 Mazda kit that includes a new tranny mount, new chassis crossmember, hardware, and instructions.
2.These are all the donor...
2.These are all the donor parts you can actually use from a generous 5.0L Mustang. They include heater and radiator hoses, a fuel tank pickup, the transmission, and the motor mounts.
3.With the battery disconnected,...
3.With the battery disconnected, the stock engine and transmission were removed, and all electrical lines were labeled. The next move is to mark off the crossmember according to the directions provided.
4.The finished cut will look...
4.The finished cut will look like this. Save those end pieces, as you'll use them as spacers for the new crossmember. Then, carefully measure off the location of the new motor mount holes per the specifications in the instructions. This is one of those times when measuring twice can be cheap insurance.
5.Using the small pieces cut...
5.Using the small pieces cut away from the stock crossmember, install them as spacers in the new crossmember and bolt them together.
6.Starting off with a smaller-size...
6.Starting off with a smaller-size drill bit, work your way up to a finish size of 9/16-inch drill bit for the motor mount hole. This location is critical, so make sure your measurements are perfect before drilling.
7.Dive under the truck and...
7.Dive under the truck and remove the OEM transmission mount. Locate the factory automatic transmission mount holes in the center crossmember and bolt in the tubular Ultimate Customs transmission mount. The area of the firewall that is marked off (on the right of the photo) is where you'll need a bit of massaging to provide the best clearance for the tranny.
8.Install the motor mounts...
8.Install the motor mounts and tighten them to the frame. You're now ready to drop the V-8 in place. We've taken the fenders and core support off to make things easier to photograph, but it's not required. Make sure your motor is equipped with a Ford Motorsports short water pump. If you're using an automatic tranny, you'll need to see the instructions for making a small cut in the tranny tunnel for the kick-down linkage.
9.With the motor in the correct...
9.With the motor in the correct position, get underneath the truck again to tighten up the motor and transmission mounts. Don't even think about using that stock driveshaft; it'll twist like a pretzel. Have a new one made at a local shop. Ask the mechanics how to best measure for the new driveline. You'll need a Ford yoke on the tranny end and a powertrain flange for the rear end.