Engine swap

[Blacklemming]

Hi everybody,

I have a small block Buick 215 all aluminium in my car and a t5 transmission.

I would like to change the engine to a ford 302/345 with the same transmission if possible.

The engine should be a lightweight version.

What engine do you recommend.

Greetings

[Dwight]

what car do you have?
where are you located?


Dwight

[Blacklemming]

It's a Dax cobra.
I live in Belgium.

Greetings

[olddog]

The 302 (5.0 ltr) engine from the factory in all cast iron is around 400 Lb or 180 Kg.

You can get an all aluminum engine by using aftermarket parts. I think Ford racing even lists aluminum blocks. I'm guessing that should drop 1/3 of the weight and get it down to 120 Kg. If I was going that route, you can up-size from 4.0" bore to 4.125" for the same price. That gets you about 363 cid.

If you do not need to keep it that light, you can go aluminum heads and intake on a cast iron factory block.

[Dwight]

will your T-5 fit a small block Ford bellhousing?

the aluminum 302 block weights 115 lbs
the 5.0 cast iron block weights 192 lbs

on a street car, that is not much difference

with aluminum heads, intake, water pump you can save a lot of weight

Dwight

[Blacklemming]

I thought that the t5 is a mustang gearbox so why wouldn't it fit?

Do you guy's know , how much more an al aluminum engine will cost.

In stead of an iron one?

Greetings

[nealgs]

Hi blacklemming

from the engine description you mention (Buick 215CI) i believe you are talking about the veritable Rover 3.5 V8 ?

If so, then the cheapest way to increase would be to fit a 4.6 Rover V8 or even a 5.0 litre version - all aluminium and you wouldn't in theory need to change the manifolds, or gearbox etc.

worth asking the folks on the UK forum (UK Cobra Club - The Front Page) regarding the larger Rover V8's or even speak to DAX themselve.

rgds
Gary

[Z-linkCobra]

Depending on availability of small block fords in Belgium a stock cast block can be had for as little as 50 bucks. Add some machine work money for a cylinder bore, line bore and cleaning and you got 300 to 400 bucks. an aluminum block is going to run you somewhere in the 5000 to 7000 range.

[Blacklemming]

Originally Posted by nealgs

Hi blacklemming

from the engine description you mention (Buick 215CI) i believe you are talking about the veritable Rover 3.5 V8 ?

If so, then the cheapest way to increase would be to fit a 4.6 Rover V8 or even a 5.0 litre version - all aluminium and you wouldn't in theory need to change the manifolds, or gearbox etc.

worth asking the folks on the UK forum (UK Cobra Club - The Front Page) regarding the larger Rover V8's or even speak to DAX themselve.

rgds
Gary

Hi Gary,

I've been thinking about it.

But the rover engine is already is a 4.3 tvr(so I'm told)

And I would like to have 350hp,

The other thing is

A 3.5 bored to a 5 liter how reliable is that ?

And what's the price of such an engine.

Greetings

[Blacklemming]

Originally Posted by Z-linkCobra

Depending on availability of small block fords in Belgium a stock cast block can be had for as little as 50 bucks. Add some machine work money for a cylinder bore, line bore and cleaning and you got 300 to 400 bucks. an aluminum block is going to run you somewhere in the 5000 to 7000 range.

I've looked it up and the weight difference of a cast iron engine with aluminum heads and a full aluminum engine isn't much.(weight-price ratio)

5000-7000 is the price I would pay for a decent engine

I want 350 hp minimum

I'm thinking of ordering it in the USA .

I was looking at all different crate engines .

But for a person with no mechanical background it's hard to see what's the
Best choice.

Greetings

[Z-linkCobra]

If you don't mind putting a Chevrolet in your cobra which obviously you don't with the buick..lol. I have a .040 over 305 Chevrolet with an original edlebrock 6x2 polished intake and 6 Stromberg carburetors sitting on a run stand ready to go. New cam, double roller timing chain, new oil pump, new pistons, rings bearings he whole nine. This thing runs and great and looks even better. Stromberg carbs are chromed with black bases.

I would part with it for the right amount. not sure what shipping would be to Belgium...but I bet it wont be cheap.

Gene

[Blacklemming]

Originally Posted by Z-linkCobra

If you don't mind putting a Chevrolet in your cobra which obviously you don't with the buick..lol. I have a .040 over 305 Chevrolet with an original edlebrock 6x2 polished intake and 6 Stromberg carburetors sitting on a run stand ready to go. New cam, double roller timing chain, new oil pump, new pistons, rings bearings he whole nine. This thing runs and great and looks even better. Stromberg carbs are chromed with black bases.

I would part with it for the right amount. not sure what shipping would be to Belgium...but I bet it wont be cheap.

Gene

Would the t5 gearbox fit on that engine?


Greetings

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by Blacklemming

I thought that the t5 is a mustang gearbox so why wouldn't it fit?
Greetings

T-5 transmissions were used in some General Motors products, also...IIRC it was the Astro van. It seems to me that all T-5 transmissions would have the same case and the bell housing would be the only difference.

I keep hearing how expensive Ford parts are in western Europe--if the interest is originality perhaps a SBF would be the only option...if light weight and power output are the issue, the larger Rover options sound interesting to me...had a '61 Buick Special with the 215 CID engine and it seemed quite capable!

Cheers!!

Doug

[Z-linkCobra]

Originally Posted by Blacklemming

Would the t5 gearbox fit on that engine?


Greetings

With the right bellhousing it sure will.

[joyridin']

This may be a stupid question, but why not look at turbos or even a supercharger? I am not sure if you would hit your 350hp mark, but it sure would be a lot cheaper than buying an engine in the US and having it shipped there. Plus installation and everything else required for the changeover.

[Blacklemming]

Originally Posted by joyridin'

This may be a stupid question, but why not look at turbos or even a supercharger? I am not sure if you would hit your 350hp mark, but it sure would be a lot cheaper than buying an engine in the US and having it shipped there. Plus installation and everything else required for the changeover.

I've been thinking about it.
I have time on my side so ,no need to rush things.

[joyridin']

This might work for you...

For Sale: Twin Turbo Charged Aluminum 215 Olds - FFCars.com : Factory Five Racing Discussion Forum