by Jonathan » Mon Dec 12, 2005 10:28 pm
It would not be worth the effort doing a V8 swap, ESPECIALLY in a 2002 Mustang. A 5.0L is typically the "easy" swap, but since the 2002 is made for the 4.6L and 3.8, you'd have to modify the motor mounts, the hoses, all accessories, the wiring for the computer and engine, and the transmission and driveshaft just to stick a 5.0 in there. The 4.6L is a much larger engine than the 5.0L that it replaced, it's longer, wider, and taller by a few inches on each dimension. Not counting the suspension modification required due to weight differences. I haven't seen anyone put a 5.0 in a 2002 Mustang to tell you how it'd fit, but since it's the SN-95 platform I'd guess it would go in place fairly easily with modification.
Your other V8 option would be the 4.6L Modular engine, which would be a NIGHTMARE to swap in from the 3.8L V6. It's a great engine, but it's very large, very heavy, and very complicated.
It would not be worth the effort doing a V8 swap, ESPECIALLY in a 2002 Mustang. A 5.0L is typically the "easy" swap, but since the 2002 is made for the 4.6L and 3.8, you'd have to modify the motor mounts, the hoses, all accessories, the wiring for the computer and engine, and the transmission and driveshaft just to stick a 5.0 in there. The 4.6L is a much larger engine than the 5.0L that it replaced, it's longer, wider, and taller by a few inches on each dimension. Not counting the suspension modification required due to weight differences. I haven't seen anyone put a 5.0 in a 2002 Mustang to tell you how it'd fit, but since it's the SN-95 platform I'd guess it would go in place fairly easily with modification.
Your other V8 option would be the 4.6L Modular engine, which would be a NIGHTMARE to swap in from the 3.8L V6. It's a great engine, but it's very large, very heavy, and very complicated.