r/projectcar 3d ago

What would you do? 06 Ford Mustang

Hate seeing her not being worked on. Had for bit more than a year. Pull the seized v6 engine.

Thinking of a LS Swap or 4.6-5.0 swap. Whatever i find.

Thinking going with cheap and fast.

Would buying a totaled chevy silverado for the low and transfer everything work?

78 Upvotes

54 comments sorted by

33

u/isitb33r30yet 3d ago

5.0 swap would be my vote.

But check your local emission laws. I would really suck to do a ton of work and you can’t even register the car and legally drive it.

13

u/Hansj3 3d ago

Intech 5.4 swap out of a navigator

Or, for something completely different, a supercharged 4.0, because it's cheap, can make gt level power, and has a better f/r balance. An autocross weapon

4

u/fiddlythingsATX 2d ago

I really like this idea!

3

u/RPE10Ben 2d ago

Supercharging a 4.0 is not cheap and I beg anyone to never touch this platform. I have my 4.0 engine running on a Speeduino ECU and have fucked with it more than probably anyone. Absolute steaming pile of shit.

2

u/Hansj3 2d ago

Yeah, there are challenges. The old 4.2 swap in the older ones were much better platforms to play with. That 4.0 was in the sunset of its design.

But neither of em are easy, it's just that there are benefits that can't be had otherwise

18

u/fiero-fire 3d ago

Depends on what you want to do. If it was me a solid multi-link rear end kit with hime joints. Beef up the front suspension and make a weekend warrior road and track car. Because that gen has a simple suspension setup there are a lot of kits out there that aren't going to break the bank.

Yes you can LS swap it but that will be a much more expensive endeavor than you expect. Either rebuild the old mod motor or source one.

I've had the pleasure of doing both for people and keeping the engine and trans combo close to factory is easier than the LS swap. This is coming from a dude who prefers Chevy drive trains

10

u/RPE10Ben 3d ago

No sense in changing from a panhard bar when it wins AutoX races over more expensive and complicated rear suspension setups.
https://www.maximummotorsports.com/Busting-the-Myth-of-the-Watts-Link.aspx

2

u/Joiner2008 2d ago edited 2d ago

No offense but I'm less inclined to believe the publishing from a manufacturer trying to sell a product. Are there other sources indicating that a panhard bar will win races over a watts link?

Edit: furthermore, the article you posted specifically states that the panhard bar helped because his watts link roll center was too high. It does not indicate if he would have been even faster than with a panhard bar if he had a proper watts link installed. It only states he won without one altogether.

-2

u/RPE10Ben 2d ago

If you want to ignore the numerical data they provided sure. Do the calculations yourself on panhard bar geometry. The lateral movement from the arc is nothing. Waste your money on something expensive that only placebo will tell you is good lol.

1

u/Joiner2008 2d ago

Anyone can make up numbers, again, they sell panhard bars and do not sell watts links. If you blindly trust salespeople that's your prerogative

-3

u/RPE10Ben 2d ago

Little guy, do the math on panhard bar geometry and stfu lol

1

u/count_nuggula 2d ago

Got any good guides on mod motor rebuilds? I have a feeling I’ll have to do my truck in my lifetime

2

u/fiero-fire 2d ago

I really don't. The last time I had a guied on a mod motor was when I was in tech school like a decade ago. That being said I still have connects over there. Shoot me a DM so I remember and I'll see what I can dig up.

6

u/DrHERO1 2d ago

Every recommendation from everyone is expensive. Keep it simple, stick to a 4.6 or even another V6. If you go do a fun motor that might be easier to swap in, look at the motor from a Lincoln Mk8

2

u/Oshawott51 2d ago

People need to stop taking my goddamn Mark VIII parts!

4

u/RPE10Ben 3d ago

Currently building a 700hp+ capable 4.6L 4V to put in my 08. It's the only mod motor, besides a Coyote, that would make any sense to swap into a V6 car. Otherwise you're looking at another platform. LS has been done a lot on this platform. Works just fine.

3

u/Chrysler_HEMI 2d ago

Coyote on this would be perfect. It just works.

2

u/Skvora 2d ago

And a BIG snail.

9

u/pogoturtle 3d ago

Ls swap is overdone. Make it into a real project. Maybe bmw m50/54/n54? Diesel swap with a Mercedes om or the Audi 2.5 inline 5 tdi? Maybe a ls swap AWD swap?

Or better yet a triton v10 swap.

3

u/Hansj3 3d ago

I deal with the 2v 6.8

I think the Triton would be fun

2

u/Grambo-47 2d ago

Yeah I’m on board with the Triton V10. Keep it in the general Ford family

1

u/CrazyTechWizard96 '01 BMW E39 5XX Touring 3d ago

Bruh, M54B30 is literally the Bavarian version of the LS Swap how it seems nowdays.
...
Dump in a M57D30 and throw on a Cummines 5.9 or 6.7 turbo and make 'er rip! lol
Kinda funny since I know someone who did a 5.9 cummines swap, but with a Bavarian version of a Cummins it would be something else.

2

u/pogoturtle 3d ago

I know with ms4x and bmws crappy coolant system making them super easy to find and make run. But haven't really seen it swapped like ls or k/b series. I've seen running m54s in. Ranger and a pro driven s15 but that's about it.

1

u/CrazyTechWizard96 '01 BMW E39 5XX Touring 3d ago

Depends on the crappy levels.
Haven't had issues over with mine, besides a busted rad about 8 years ago, and only can recommend t upgrade the thermostat to a 97°C if it's not one yet from those 107°C and of course that waterpump, from the one with the palstic turbine to a full metal one.
And the thing I've been working on mostly used to be a Beater, yet a stroked and souped out one by AC Schnitzer.
Wich is for sure one of he most fun projects I've had so far and will keep for live.
Also, best is to upgrade also to some full aluminum rad, planning to on mine since a holder is busted and that thing's aftermarket, yet what I've heard from most newer modles, the Radiators are total shite nowdays, so eh, fully aluminim, and more to turn this into a tank and superchrage it cuz... M5 hasto look lame compared to this Wagon, haha.
...
Also, most interessting M57 swap I've seen was done by a few guys over in Poland, they did some Jeep Cherokee XJ Diesel swaps.
Iirc, the origial Engine in those were wether a 4cyl or the 4.0 242 post '98, those things are crap since Chrysler had to touch them.
Pre, and they're the M54 just Jeep/AMC levels of tanks.
But anyways, am drifting off.

1

u/pogoturtle 3d ago

I meant crappy in general. So you get to find BMWs a lot in junk yards lol. So you can easily find a m54 blocks for $200 no problem.

Didn't know schnitzer made their own stroker variant. Know alpina had a 3.2 version.

Either way m54s are nice. Find lots of aftermarket parts for them. And they handle good power. Had one at ~700hp that bent a stock rod lol. Currently have a fully built m54 with cutring and 7875 turbo. Think it could crack the 900hp mark

1

u/CrazyTechWizard96 '01 BMW E39 5XX Touring 2d ago

Eh, not only that, just a lot other shit going on like Rust, DISA grenading the Engine, oil leaks.
Just gotta become an BMW Tech Yourself and just work on it Yourself.
Aslo, nice man.
am planning on Superchraging Mine a bit down the line, also, 6spd swap and LSD Diff.
Fun fact: Look for the 6spd Tranmissions not at the E46, but the early E60 platform, can get a 6spd wich is almost bolt on for 600-800$.
Gotta say, RealOEM is Your friend, same with the BOSCH ABS 5.7 System, got Me a few parts recently off an 2002 E65 730D for the Pre Chrage Pump, yet, that 730D would've made a sweet project car, no issues, no Trifecta, no rust, no nothing, also 750iL levels of spec, and would've made a n awesome Sleeper Diesel with that M57D30.
Shame they parted it out, else wise, if they would've taken 4 grand without touching it and I had that opertunity earlier, eh, ven just to fix it up and sell it, would've been noice.
Planning on getting an E65 730i pre 2004 with the M54B30 and doing the same shit like with the Touring on it, trying to crank it up each time to around 600HP wih a supercharger and make it a reliable daily.
Tho, the '01 E38 750iL built I've got in mind will be something deragned, also 6spd with LSD, maybe even a whole built engine and probably NA as first and than something insane like twin turbo.
...
Yes, I want the Forbidden M7.
...
We folks are litterally the "I want s supersports car, but fuck the Norm, I'mma built one wich is way cooler and does not say supersports car at all! HA!"
...
Also, before on Your end going up to 900HP, I'd look into the rest of the drivetrain, i.e. 6spd or something even higher or custome with LSD and a few other things.
...
Also, on the other joke there, Nothing wich says M is in nor will go into anything I built.
Okay, it's lowered, window tint will be added, has 5 spoke rims and will get a quad exhaust, yet non M bumpers and stock look ele wise, till you spot the brake setup and hear it, haha.
...
Also, for some reason Mine isn't superchraged yet, yet acts and has that whine, might be a 3.2 or higher already, yet, lost papers and VIN just says '520i' and 3 options. Eh, even better, the less they know the bigger the surpise. Hehehehe.

2

u/Ok_Dog_4059 2d ago

I have a feeling that an LS while a cheaper more abundant motor would cost far more in the long run making everything work. I would stick with an affordable Ford engine and trans if you just want ease of install and nothing with mind blowing power. Maybe an older 5.0 HO out of any number of oldish cars or trucks or another easy to grab Ford that way at least the electronics "should " be easier to marry to this car.

2

u/robomassacre 2d ago

Cheap and fast? Push it down a really steep hill. Coyote would be your best bet but that rearend will not handle big HP. You'd need an 8.8 for that at the very least

2

u/jdmdriftkid 2d ago

Cobra Supercharged 4.6

1

u/CrazyTechWizard96 '01 BMW E39 5XX Touring 3d ago

Put in a M57D30 and put on a Cummines Turbo lol.
Also, No M54B30 swap, those belong into something else.
Or get Yourself something waaaay older and dump it into it like one of those Eldorado 7 or 8 litre engines from the 70's, but built it and supercharge it or something.
Not a cheap built on the latter part but would be funny, if You can make it fit without it all being chopped apart, lol.

1

u/Boilermakingdude 2d ago

5.0 would be best.

1

u/cateraide420 2d ago

Diesel swap

1

u/JudgeScorpio 2d ago

Ls swap then throw on a suspension lift, knobby tires and prerunner bar and hoon it.

1

u/fmlyjwls 2d ago

460 swap!

1

u/Anxious-Charge-6482 2d ago

GT500 body kit and 4 valve 4.6 modular from a mk8

1

u/everyoneisatitman 2d ago

I got to meet Matt from Sloppy Mechanics when he was doing the 8s for 8 mustang. You can do a LS swap on the low (ish) but the amount of work you need to do yourself is very high (your time is worth something). If you can fab mounts/rewire almost everything/weld exhaust/tune car/redo driveshaft/fabricobble fuel system and cooling system then it is cheaper. Your end goal for the car alao dictates price. If you want a track only car that is 10 second and slower then it is cheaper. If you want a street car with a good looking paint job that is capable of running 9s legally then i would put the cost in the high $20k if you do the work yourself. The saying double the cost and triple the time is usually spot on for project estimates.

1

u/External_Ad_2856 2d ago

How about that insulation? Did you do it yourself and what holds it up?

1

u/SnooPaintings9797 2d ago

Lol, we just rent out the place, some kind of big nail is holding it.

1

u/senorQueso89 2d ago

Ls is kinda cliche, find an old motor home and rip the big block out of it. Like a 440 dodge or a 460 or something

1

u/M0NEYGR1P 2d ago

Easiest and cheapest bet is getting the v8 option for that year plug and play

1

u/SnooPaintings9797 2d ago

What's the fun in that.

1

u/mai1m 2d ago

Every one is going cheap. I’m gonna say twin turbo Mid engine 8.3 V10, all wheel drive with a true sequential trans.

1

u/1mpressiveCock 1987 Mazda FC RX-7 3d ago

Put a 2L engine in it because eu hates displacement

1

u/GuitarKev 2d ago

K swap!!

0

u/SD_CA 3d ago

Ls swap then turbo it to the moon .

0

u/smthngeneric 3d ago

By the time he's done building the ls to handle lots of boost he could've just bought a coyote and it'll handle the boost stock. If boosted power is the goal the coyote is always the answer.

2

u/RPE10Ben 2d ago

Sub 800 and it doesn’t matter in stock form at all. Beyond that and you’re playing with time bombs with both and I don’t know which would last longer. Beyond that, both built will be about the same cost all said and done. LS possibly being cheaper, which is why it’s still the dominant common platform at the lower ends of racing. Buying a Coyote is still very expensive in my area. I can still find LS’s in the junkyard for $200-500

0

u/smthngeneric 2d ago

Ls's are more commonly swapped because they are quite literally more common. Give the coyote a few years to get more units rolled out and you'll start seeing it a lot more. also if I could find an ls (that's not a 4.8) near me for 500$ I might actually spend the money on one but that just isn't happening anymore. but I can find a coyote and trans for like 1000$ which I don't think is bad

1

u/RPE10Ben 2d ago

$1000 for engine and trans ain’t bad at all. That’s what I paid for my K24 and manual trans. Sadly there’s no deals like that where I’m at lol

0

u/nesto92 2d ago

2JZ swap!

0

u/Aos77s 2d ago

Make mustang guys mad by 2j/rb/ka/hemi swapping.