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4/29/2021 3:45 PM  #1


Best resources for 5.0 swap?

I recently found a "cobra" 5.0 with AOD that swapped into a 1977 633 bmw. The car was running and driving until it was parked. 

The AC pump has no hoses attached, so I assume its junk?
The EFI was hooked up
The hydra boost was hooked up
The valve covers are aluminum finned cobra - its a craigslist special - I'm assuming its not a cobra motor.

I'm mostly interested because of the AOD, for $650 it seems like a deal (nevermind that the car itself owes 950 to the dmv if someone wanted it registered, and also a lost title).

I'll find out Saturday from one of the guys if he knows more than the other one I spoke to today. Want to find out how the electronics are done for EFI and possibly if AOD is manually or electrically controlled. I'm not a mechanic so I won't know by looking.
 


65 Vert (UCA mod,4bbl, hipo ex, 17x8), 2013 C-Max (hitch & cargo net), 2018 Cherokee (In bumper hitch)
 

4/29/2021 4:28 PM  #2


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

Wiring it is not difficult.  Lots of guys here have done it.  Even I have done it, even though I will not ever visit that page of my life ever again.

If you are an admitted non-mechanic, and you are going to have to pay someone to do the swap for you, and you do not have infinitely deep pockets, and you can’t accept the crappy work that most shops will do, RUN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

4/29/2021 4:48 PM  #3


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

If it was running and driving, why was it parked?

 

4/29/2021 8:13 PM  #4


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

You could always convert it to 'old skool' carb set-up.
What do you plan to put the engine/trans into?
6sally6


Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
 

4/29/2021 8:32 PM  #5


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

Lots 'o questions:

1.  Is it a Mass Air EFI?  If not it is likely NOT a Cobra engine and very likely is not even an HO.  The "Standard" 5.0s had similar sequential EFI in 88-90 but the engines has the dished pistons, low flow heads and mild cam.  And the EFI was "speed density" which runs just fine on that engine as it was built.  Butt (TS&T) not on an HO +  The 87 and non Calif. 88 (I think that right) HO Mustang had speed density but it will still not be happy with much engine modification.

2.  As MS asked.  Are you adept at doing this work yourself?  It is really not terribly hard but there is quite a bit to it and it is time consuming.  Dropping the engine into the hole your 289 occupied dis no big deal.  Making it go down the road requires much plumbing (fuel) changes, radiator work, a fair slug of wiring  if you do it neat and right. 
The AOD will pretty will drop in but it needs to be a bit lower at the rear to clear the tunnel, and the mount pad is a couple of inches further to the rear than C4, etc.  And there needs to be something to shift the trans.  And there is the TV cable if you don't have the stock late ford item...which works great if you have it.  Stock exhaust systems will NOT fit around the AOD.  I don't know about headers but I went with HIPO mannys. 
Then if you have the throttle body pointing to the right you need a cable throttle and the battery will likely be in the way of the intake.  I say point it to the left...works great...but few seem to agree.  (If it's already pointing to the left it is very likely a standard 5.0 from a Crown Vic, TC or Merc Marque (sp).

3.  I'm sure there are more questions but I forgot them.  I been involved in a couple of these so maybe I'll think of more.  But you got the idea.  I love the Heap with the EFI conversion.  And I liked it a lot with the AOD and stock HO spec 5.0.  Jury is still out if I like it with the new 4R70W and attendant mods to make that work and recent engine mods. 

BB1.
 


"you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
 

4/30/2021 5:34 AM  #6


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

With less than 5,000 '93 Cobras built its extremely unlikely its an actual Cobra engine.  The primary distinguishing feature on the Cobra engine was the intake, which was available for $399 from Ford Racing for decades, so there are MANY "Cobras" out there. 

Now, they did build the Cobra with a different Cobra intake in '94 & '95, but you'd notice that intake due to the bend in the inlet cast into the manifold.  They built over 11,000 of the SN95 Cobra, so, more common, but still fairly rare. 

There's a lot of possibilities, but BB is right, figure out exactly what it is first. 

 

4/30/2021 10:36 AM  #7


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

I bought it last night, I'll tow it home tomorrow. We got it fired up on propane and it started right up. It has a nice deep exhaust note. (and promptly died. I'm told it needs a fuel pump and drain the gas tank. (If I do that I got a running bmw with a 5.0)  (I'm quite happy, that the wife who loves bmws, doesn't like this one). Its going to get transplanted into my 65 vert that currently has a 289 & manual 3spd.

There is a B&M Shifter on the AOD, with 4 switches on the sides and some wires going into the car. While I can't confirm due to ignorance, one of the guys was telling the other don't put the propane directly into the throttle body it'll confuse the mass air. I guess its got mass air. I'm not banking on it being a real cobra engine, as long as it runs, its good enough for my vert for now. I'm comfortable enough to pull the motor, remove the EFI and drop it in my mustang.  What I would like I think... is to keep the EFI (just wish it wasn't so ugly compared to a carbed set up)

Visually its a 86 to 93 intake (trapazoid mounting area for the plaque that would normally be there had they not replaced it with a BMW symbol.I see factory headers, and those nice cobra finned valve covers.


I'll keep this thread going, I'm now officially starting the resto-modding of my mustang. 

Last edited by JeffK (4/30/2021 10:38 AM)


65 Vert (UCA mod,4bbl, hipo ex, 17x8), 2013 C-Max (hitch & cargo net), 2018 Cherokee (In bumper hitch)
     Thread Starter
 

5/01/2021 6:12 AM  #8


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

If it has the plaque mounting area its 100% definitely not a Cobra engine.  The Cobra intake used a totally different plaque. 

The EFI, properly laid out, I think can look just fine.  Most of the wiring is hidden by the intake.  The stock 5.0 intake isn't he prettiest, but there are solutions to that. 

 

5/01/2021 7:43 PM  #9


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

TKOPerformance wrote:

If it has the plaque mounting area its 100% definitely not a Cobra engine.  The Cobra intake used a totally different plaque. 

The EFI, properly laid out, I think can look just fine.  Most of the wiring is hidden by the intake.  The stock 5.0 intake isn't he prettiest, but there are solutions to that. 

Bingo, that settles that, so I got a stock 5.0. How do I tell if its a mustang one vs regular passenger or truck?  Or what year? And I got the car home now.
 


65 Vert (UCA mod,4bbl, hipo ex, 17x8), 2013 C-Max (hitch & cargo net), 2018 Cherokee (In bumper hitch)
     Thread Starter
 

5/01/2021 8:45 PM  #10


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

I have a 5.0 intake plaque I will donate for a garage point plus shipping.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

5/01/2021 9:08 PM  #11


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

JeffK wrote:

TKOPerformance wrote:

If it has the plaque mounting area its 100% definitely not a Cobra engine.  The Cobra intake used a totally different plaque. 

The EFI, properly laid out, I think can look just fine.  Most of the wiring is hidden by the intake.  The stock 5.0 intake isn't he prettiest, but there are solutions to that. 

Bingo, that settles that, so I got a stock 5.0. How do I tell if its a mustang one vs regular passenger or truck?  Or what year? And I got the car home now.
 

Does the plaque say "5.0 HO" or just EFI 5.0?  Which way does the throttle body point, left or right?  What do the valve covers look like?  The Standard (165 hp) had tin valve covers and the HO had plain aluminum, I think.


"you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
 

5/02/2021 12:25 AM  #12


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

Sorry, the plaque is modified and the valve covers are not stock. I'm not sure which way the throttle body is facing... what the reference point?

Maybe these picture links can answer what I can't?

https://imgur.com/FKGMCUm
https://imgur.com/ARgn6zj
https://imgur.com/0tejgl5
https://imgur.com/6NROFId


OMG literally just signed up for imgur, and first try with the linking. This is way better than photobucket ever was.

Last edited by JeffK (5/02/2021 12:26 AM)


65 Vert (UCA mod,4bbl, hipo ex, 17x8), 2013 C-Max (hitch & cargo net), 2018 Cherokee (In bumper hitch)
     Thread Starter
 

5/02/2021 7:50 AM  #13


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

If the throttle body is pointed towards the right fender its most likely a 5.0 HO from a Mustang.  If its pointing towards the left fender its a lower performance engine from something else. 

Dating it can be tricky.  The simplest thing is whether or not its mass air.  If it has a mass air meter ahead of the throttle body and behind the air cleaner its either an earlier speed density system that's been converted, or its an '87-'93.  If the heads have a casting number that starts with E7TE its an '87-'93.  The earlier EFI and very last of the carbed engines had a number that started with E5AE. 

Honestly, if your plans are to build it up I wouldn't worry too much about whether its an HO or not.  Once you start swapping cams, heads, etc. its original life means nothing.  If you're not going to swap heads the E7TEs are a better head than the E5AEs, but not by much.  The biggest difference is the E7s have a smaller chamber. 

 

5/02/2021 8:27 AM  #14


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

Looks like an HO with mass air.  All good.


"you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
 

5/02/2021 8:33 AM  #15


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

Bullet Bob wrote:

Looks like an HO with mass air.  All good.

 
Yes, plus the single serp brackery setup depict 5.0 mustang a la foxbody....

 

5/02/2021 10:31 AM  #16


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

The mass air is pointed to the left fender, but the bracket that bolts to the fender is modified, didn't have room in this car to have it point to the right. 


65 Vert (UCA mod,4bbl, hipo ex, 17x8), 2013 C-Max (hitch & cargo net), 2018 Cherokee (In bumper hitch)
     Thread Starter
 

5/02/2021 11:42 AM  #17


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

I would say 95% that's a 5.0 HO from a Mustang.

 

5/02/2021 4:57 PM  #18


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

JeffK wrote:

The mass air is pointed to the left fender, but the bracket that bolts to the fender is modified, didn't have room in this car to have it point to the right. 

Huh?  Pix sure looked to me like the TB was pointing to the right and that's were the MaF was too...as it should be. 
I also noticed the single serpentine belt set up, Josh.  Sure looks like an HO.

 


"you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
 

5/02/2021 5:33 PM  #19


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

Bullet Bob wrote:

JeffK wrote:

The mass air is pointed to the left fender, but the bracket that bolts to the fender is modified, didn't have room in this car to have it point to the right. 

Huh?  Pix sure looked to me like the TB was pointing to the right and that's were the MaF was too...as it should be. 
I also noticed the single serpentine belt set up, Josh.  Sure looks like an HO.

 

My mistake (we'll probably see me do that a lot, you've been warned ).


65 Vert (UCA mod,4bbl, hipo ex, 17x8), 2013 C-Max (hitch & cargo net), 2018 Cherokee (In bumper hitch)
     Thread Starter
 

5/02/2021 8:56 PM  #20


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

JeffK wrote:

x
My mistake (we'll probably see me do that a lot, you've been warned ).

Well watch it, Jeff.  Nobody else on here EVER makes a mistake.....Right!

 


"you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
 

5/03/2021 5:10 AM  #21


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

We've all made a ton of mistakes, which is why we've learned so much. 

 

5/03/2021 7:40 AM  #22


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

If you follow cables at throttle body, here are the options.
I only see two.


One cable = throttle.
Second cable = transmission.
Third cable = cruise control

 

5/03/2021 1:04 PM  #23


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

Bullet Bob wrote:

JeffK wrote:

x
My mistake (we'll probably see me do that a lot, you've been warned ).

Well watch it, Jeff.  Nobody else on here EVER makes a mistake.....Right!

 

Its why I like this site, everyone is a frickn expert. My specialty is BS.


Don't need cruise control anyhow. So how do I tell if this is an AOD or an eAOD? (I noticed the bottom of the transmission pan said Metric

Last edited by JeffK (5/03/2021 1:08 PM)


65 Vert (UCA mod,4bbl, hipo ex, 17x8), 2013 C-Max (hitch & cargo net), 2018 Cherokee (In bumper hitch)
     Thread Starter
 

5/03/2021 5:19 PM  #24


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

I'm betting AOD.  The AODE was only put against the 5.0 in the 94-95 Mustang GT but you can make sure by looking on the right rear of the trans pan rail.  If there is a vertical multi-pin connector and wiring harness that's tied to stuff on the left side of the trans, then it's an AODE.  If it only has two electrical connectors on the left side....NDS switch which is for neutral safety and backup lights...and the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) on the left side of the tailshaft housing...it's an AOD.

BB
 


"you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
 

5/03/2021 8:48 PM  #25


Re: Best resources for 5.0 swap?

I think since the motor is a 87-93 HO, we can assume its got the AOD (least for now, I'll make the assumption)

What do I need to put a 5.0 into my 65.

Motor Mounts are the same I think?
I recall I need a rear sump oil pan? Do I need a pick up or oil pump or something?
And what mount do I need for the AOD?

How do I merge the electronics?


65 Vert (UCA mod,4bbl, hipo ex, 17x8), 2013 C-Max (hitch & cargo net), 2018 Cherokee (In bumper hitch)
     Thread Starter
 

Board footera


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