Reply to "Windsor Swap"

Here's the plan: Go small.

I'm going to transplant a 5.0 from a Mustang and graft Ford's factory mass air EEC-IV fuel injection system into my Pantera. It's an experiment to see how it goes, and I think it'll go well!

I had an '86 Mustang GT that I bought new when I was 18. I loved that car, and it NEVER gave me an ounce of trouble! Not even when I converted it to mass air flow and cranked the motor up to about 400hp with a stock ECU. It is a VERY easy system to trouble-shoot as well. All you need is a multimeter and a handful of replacement sensors and you're good to go! People are making RIDICULOUS hp numbers with these systems. Improved driveability, mpg, and emmissions are also advantages.

The motor mounts and ZF bolt right up, the lower radiator hose should also line right up. There are a few solutions to the upper water neck that can be employed. Working the throttle cable should be a small challenge. Front sump oil pans are readily available and cheap. For now, I'll move my A/C compressor to the side, and just run the alt in it's place. The biggest issue will be the exhaust. I figure some block hugger headers (or the like), and a trip to a muffler shop should get me going for the initial testing. The wiring isn't that difficult either. I'm confident that I can do this all for around $500, including the complete motor and F.I. harness with all of it's peripherals. If the Mustang clutch won't work, then it will be a tad more.

Once it's in and the bugs are worked out, it's on to phase 2. Either I don't like it, and out it goes (which I doubt), or more likely I can then decide if I want to go with a Windsor based motor, or a Cleveland and make an F.I. intake for it. At that point, it'll just be an engine swap. Either way I go, I'd upgrade the exhaust at that point with coated off the shelf parts.

I know many of you are probably shaking your heads in scorn and/or disbelief because my Pantera is an original GT5-S, and should stay as such. My attitude towards MY Pantera is that I paid for the right to do with it as I please, and this would indeed please me! The consolation is that I don't cut factory wiring. I always find a way to connect to it, or jump out of factory connections. All of it will be easily reversible. I personally think it will be a vast improvement. The system is also the same vintage as the car: Ford started using it in 1986, and that is the year of my Pantera. Besides, Si's came stock from the deTomaso factory with this motor and F.I. system.

Opinions are welcome, positive or negative.

Larry, can I borrow your flame suit?

Michael