Engine upgrade, Modern V-8 Engine? What is my selection?

Okay this is just my opinion,so dont flame me for this!Modern motors are not worth the effort to put in a pantera.They make very little power,are heavier and cost a lot of $$ to put in.For very little effort you can modify your 351c or for a little more effort drop in a big block or a 351svo($$$,but itsa nice!).

Forgot to mention if you just want the drivability of injection,there are plenty of systems that fit a 351.

Don't worry, I am here to get all the opinions I can get! Of course no flaming! heh.. unless the flames comes out from my exhaust pipe.

I just had the impression that the modern engines are more efficent thus making more power and have better fuel drinking efficenty? I mean I was assuming that because of the time the 351 C was designed and how time has changed and technology has changed.

I found a EFI system, but it's like 2500 dollars or something and.. I was hoping for something er... more complete I guess for the 351C and not the 351W or something.

Can anyone else shed some light on this? Or my opinions?

I'm new to the Pantera world (still looking for my first one to buy), but I've been in the late model Mustang game for quite a while. The first response to anyone asking that sort of question is, what exactly is your end goal? Give us the horsepower level you'd like and the amount of money you would like to spend. Remember the golden rule of engine building, choose two of the following...fast, reliable, inexpensive. You can make it fast and reliable, but it won't be cheap. You can build it fast an inexpensive, but it won't be reliable...etc etc :-)

But, just slapping on an aftermarket EFI system on your 351C won't give you a huge jump in performance or reliability. Actually, a carburated engine will make more horsepower than EFI, with all other things being equal. The benefits of EFI are mainly drivability, it will idle great and the a/f ratio will be perfect throughout the powerband. But don't fool yourself in thinking it won't break down just because its "modern". In fact, you'll add in all sorts of new variables that will cause your engine to malfunction. And, if you're really that concerned about getting good mileage, buy a Honda (j/k). Carburation is SO simple and easy to work with. A properyly maintained 351C with a vac sec Holley and electronic ignition will give you years of reliability. The one place where fuel injection excels GREATLY over carbs, is when using a power adder. I'd LOVE to see a 2003 Mustang Cobra engine in a Pantera. How does 400rwhp and 100,000 miles of reliability sound?

If you have your heart set on EFI, I would defenitely go the Windsor route. There are lots of proven combinations available. The Ford crate motors are great, I have one in my Mustang. The best part is you can use factory equipment to set up the EFI, nothing exotic or custom. Any late model Mustang shop can work on it or diagnose problems very easily. These guys are probably the best at getting EFI systems into early model cars... http://www.windsor-fox.com

This, of course, is just my opinion when dealing with Mustangs. Someone else might have better, Pantera specific answers concerning EFI swaps.

------------------
1985 Mustang GT: 351W, Griggs, Baer, etc etc
2001 Saleen S281
1970 Torino GT Convertible: 351C

Practically speaking, your choices are limited to OTHER Ford-built engines since they all use the same bolt pattern at the bellhousing. Switching to a different brand will require lots more adaption in the area of the clutch etc, just to get it in there. Big-block Chevys were popular in the late '70s among drag-race fans but almost all such Panteras have been converted back to 351-Cs. If you really need a "modern" engine, I suggest a modular motor from Ford- either the injected 4.6-liter DOHC Mustang, or better yet the 5.4-liter DOHC varient, with or without the Lightning-style supercharger.Both bolt up to your very expensive ZF transaxle and the remaining adaptions are relatively straightforward. Interfacing electronics will be the biggest pain, and expens,e but it has been done multiple times so you aren't breaking new ground here. Good luck-

Holley makes a TBI injection set up that bolts to a 4 barrel manifold for about a $1000 bucks.It is a complete system that is programable with a laptop.You can choose the size of the throttle body to match what you need.The only real improvment modern motors have is in the head technology.the drivability improvment is in the the computer to respond to variations in altitude,fuel mixture etc.A well dialed in carb can come mighty close for alot less hassle and cost.