Question on Mark VIII Swap

[MTCFORUM]

I'm just about ready to throw a new engine into my 94 Thunderbird and was thinking of going 4V instead of another 2V. My question: What all is needed to drop a Mark VIII DOHC engine into my car? I know I will need the wiring harness and the EEC, and I have a Cobra R hood so I don't think hood clearance should be an issue. Also, what year Mark VIII engine would be the easiest to put in? Does it bolt right up to the tranny? Anyone that has done this, or knows what is needed please respond, I want to know if it's worth it or whether I should just switch over to a 99+ GT motor. Thanks.

[MTCFORUM]

I can tell you that KarKraft still has MK8 motors in stock. They were around 2400 complete.
I think most people will advise you to stick with the SOHC. This question gets asked a lot and that seems to be the usual reponse. I think Jerry touches on why in his swap post that's roaming this board.

[MTCFORUM]

There are some people floating around this BBS that know a lot about doing the swap, hopefully they will see this and respond.

You can go to <A HREF="http://www.car-parts.com" TARGET="_blank">www.car-parts.com</a> and pickup a complete Mark VIII engine with accessories and computer for under $1K, so that's somthing to consider. You would probably want to up your stall speed with a diffrent convertor.

Otherwise I don't think the swap is too complex. There's not a lot of room in the engine bay, and it really would benifit you to get the whole engine (all acceeories included), or better yet get a donor car.

Brian

[MTCFORUM]

I am thinking about doing this in a Cobra Kit one day in the distant future. I've gotten my mind around everything except the computer. I have heard a lot about problems with the EEC and manual transmissions, and was thinking it might be easier to get one out of a Cobra where the computer is tuned for it.

Would a cobra motor be less prone to whatever problem is causing people to say NOT to put one in tbirds?

Scott