Hey guys - as I mentioned before, I've got a 70 Mav that I'm gearing up for road racing and autoX. I have a T-5 from a 93 CobraII (trans, housing, flywheel, pressure plate, etc) but no engine. I do, however, have a complete Dodge 318. I'm thinking of bolting the 318 to the T-5. Here's the plan... Keisler Automotive (possibly others) has an adapter plate that will allow a bellhousing for a Tremec/T-5 bolt onto a S/B Mopar. With that, all I should need is a performance Ford clutch to sit between the Mopar pressure plate and flywheel right? Obviously there are other hurdles to conquer... namely motor mounts, distributor, and oil filter clearance checks before it can drop in but nothing too radical. What do you think?
The pilot bearing might be an issue, but if they sell an adapter then they've got to have it figured out. Also, I'm not sure how much meat there is on the 318 flywheel for the Ford clutch. Assuming it's enough, you'll need to have the bolt pattern drilled, but also the holes for the dowels (essential for the late model clutches, as all the torque is transmitted through the dowels). If it comes down to it I have the P/N for the dowels somewhere (my Ford dealer told me they couldn't be bought seperately, but they can). As for the 318, I've got to ask why. Aside from the fabrication in mounting, is the cost difference enough to offset the cost of the adapter, machining, etc? Also, isn't the 318 wider and heavier? A late model 302 is pretty cheap, light, and bellhousings bolt right up. Headers might be a big problem. I installed headers on a '74 318 duster, and the suspension & steering linkage on it required some very um *unique* headers . They definitely would not work on a Maverick.
Yes I know the 318 might present some challenges. Problem is I don't have the green for an engine build. No work will actually be done till next season most likely - which is why I'm asking the questions now. Being different does have some appeal. For example if I can get the 318 to work than that opens the door for a 408 stroker 360 down the road... hmmm. Throw a supercharger for a Dakota on there and... hmmmm. When I put the T-5 in my Maverick before it bolted right up to the old 302. I switched flywheels but never noticed any dowles or whatever. Could you explain that to me? *** Edit: N/M - I'm retarded - you were talking about the alignment pins on the BellHousing - hadn't heard them called dowels before - DUH *** Also, for now I just have the factory exhaust manifolds. If they don't fit I can buy some shorty headers for a Dakota or something. Lastly, would physical size matter much if I hacked the shock towers for converting to Must.II suspension (I hear that's a requirement). It's a cost I'm not ready for now but had planned for down the road. Like I said, I'm in the "gee it's be cool if" stage so information and criticism is welcome.
With the hacked towers, headers and width become much less of an issue, but honestly I'd put the cash for that towards a 302-based engine. If you road race it the weight of the 318 would be tough I'd think. But I know it's interesting to be different. The dowels I was talking about are in the flywheel. late model 5.0L engines used dowels, older 302s did not. So it depends on which clutch the adpater is amde for. The older three-finger clutch, or the diaphram clutch. The diaphram clutch is smoother and provides more clamping force, so it'd be the prefered choice.
Be careful. If you are using the 318 because you already have a t-5 that will work, this might cost you more in the long run. The t-5's are great trannies-I have one in my mustang, probably the same one you have, it has been slightly uprgraded, but they start to let loose and grenade once you start packing the horse power on, or work it hard, as you likely will while racing. If you are serious then you might want to cosider a tremec 3550, world class, or something along that lines. At this point, you are spending $$ on the tranny when you should have on the engine. Do this right the first time. While a mopar engine in a Maverick would really be cool, once you start breaking parts, it is going to hurt. Spend the cash (sell the 318 if you have to ) and build a 302. Just my opinion. If you do go with the dodge, let us know, and take plenty of pics for us!!!
well... I already have the engine and the tranny. If I spend money to build a 302 and run the tranny I have it'll still wear out just as fast except then I won't have the money to fix it cause I built the 302 I dunno - still researching - you guys will get pics, however, if I go forward.
I don't understand your finincal thinking. Till its all done, you will have much more money invested than going to a near bolt in assembly. Depending on what you want from the car in the end, my thought is a 302/347 in and (close the stock hood) or 351/408 stroker, either fitted with Efi and a Kenny Bell blower at 10 pound boost would net you well over 500 hp on the bigger setup. Weight would not increase to much and idle and drive on the street fairly nice. Traction would be near nonexistant but that is another matter. While the whole deal is very costly, I don't think your other idea options will come to close to that performance. Save some money for awhile and decide what you really want before starting the project. Which ever way you go is's going to be lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$,work and challenge.
Dunno how much difference there is between a 318 and a small block chevy, but I do know that the chevy wont fit w/o hacking the towers, and even then, the siamesed center exhaust ports are a major PITA to deal with. Custom headers are going to cost you more than buying a junkyard 302, rebuilding it, and rebuilding the t5, I think they're around $1200 total, if you can find someone to build them. Might check a salvage yard, if they know someone who needs a 318, they might do some trading for a Ford engine. I think it'd be neat-o to see a 318 slo-par in a Mav chassis...but I hope you've got the time, money, and most importantly the patience to finish it.
Well - after doing some additional research I finally hit a snag that may stop the whole thing. The input shaft length for a small block A-833 (4speed) is 7.35 inches. Input shaft length on a 93 Cobra T-5 is 7.18". With a 1" minimum adapter plate between the Furd TRans and the Mope block I'd need an 8" Input shaft on the T5 for the clutch to sit between the Pressure plate and flywheel. That puts me in custom bellhousing territory. I'm going to do some checking but this may put me into the "might as well build Ford" area. Not giving up yet!
Plus - I don't get why my financial thinking is so hard to understand... I have a well built 318 that's done. I can tun the key and it goes "vroom vroom". It runs very strong. I don't have to buy a core engine, rebuild kit, ported heads, cam, intake, and all the accessories, etc. Problem is it's in a van that's falling apart around the engine. Plus vans don't road race very well. Physical dimension between the two engines is nearly identical (posted in another thread). Headers propose the only clearance issues and I already have two solutions - continue to use stock manifolds or use shorty Dakota headers. I'm not talking strokers, blowers, etc cause I can't afford them right now. If I had the money I'd build a 347 stroker with an ATI procharger on it. I'm trying to use what I've got - cheaply. My goal is to use what little budgeted money I have go into primarily brakes and suspension. To that end I may need to be a little "creative" with my limited resources. Seriously, as soon as this gets into the realm of expensive I'll be the first to back down and post the reasons why. Right now there's still some unknowns that need to be sorted out. Thanks all for the feedback so far (including you non-believers )
i dont have an answer but i would just like to say that this is a way cool idea!!! mopar powered ford..... not often you see somebody wanting to do that congrats!!! i personally like to keep with brand loyalty... chevyeng/chevyvehic... ford/ford/ mopar/mopar... best of luck
Manimal, I understand your thinking 100%. I understand being broke, I have my project Maverick and 5.0stang, and no money for either, yet desperate as hell to do one. It has been my dream for 11 years now. IMO what we are trying to do is sort this out so it will work best for you. Even though you have a "vroom vroom" turnkey mopar, and a perfect blue oval donor, you are still trying to put a chimp heart into a human. Problems could and will arise that are unforseeable until they happen. With no cash backing, to begin a project like this might be disasterous and you could wind up with a complete basket case. I am not doubting any of your abilities. I completely understand your cash situation, but especially good luck and let us know what you decide.
rgr that - good points - I'm just glad I didn't post something like this on a Mustang board - I would have been banned immediately!
