Topic: Swapping 6 to v8

[jehager]

I just purchased a 1966 coupe in great shape. The car has a six cyclinder in it. I want to do some work on it maybe change it over to a v8 car. I only paid 500 for the car and the body is great shape. (little rust in door) I was wonder what everyone what though about doing this. How much to you guys think it hurt or help the value of the car?
Give some ideas guys.

Joe

[66GTKFB]

Go for it. With a $500 investment, the value, in your case, will increase just by doing a paint job. Read the FAQs at the top of this section that Glen has posted to get an idea of what you are faced with.
Jim

[Soaring]

I would do it.  But, check your pockets first.  You will need an engine, front suspension update, new transmission and a new 8 or 9 inch rear end.  Find out what that will cost you, then add the 500 beans to it and see for yourself if it will be worth it.  A decent paint job and fixing the rust will be in the neighborhood of 3-4K.  A 66 V8 Mustang  coupe will sell for less than 10K.  Lots of guys have found that because of the cost to change from a 6 to an 8 they just went ahead and bought an 8 cyl. car.   Here are the articles Jim was talking about.
I6 to V8 swap:
http://www.geocities.com/a65ragtop/VM_FAQ/mechanical/i6_to_v8.html

351C and 351W swap into a 64-66:
http://www.mustangsandmore.com/ubb/DanJonesEngineSwap.html


Glen

[RagTop]

If you can do most of the work yourself I would go for it  . I would however, try and locate a V8 parts car with most of the small pieces needed for the swap.  If not, just sell the 6 and take the money and buy a V8. Good luck.

[1971mach1]

Look into putting a turbocharger on the I6. A whole lot easier than swapping in a v8 + the trans and suspension etc required for a v8.
Plus you might get better MPGs, certainly better than a v8.
A racing shop that installs turbos should be able to fab the plumbing.

Another option is to put headers and a bigger carb on the I6, I have heard of good results from this too.   

Whatever you do, upgrade to front disk brakes and duel master brake cylinder first though.
 

[Soaring]

Look up the cost of swapping to a V8 coupe from an I6 and you will see an immediate deficit in the re-saleable value of the car.  But, if you wish to keep it for the rest of your life, then it doesn't matter.  It is getting harder and harder to find a decent 1965-1973 Mustang for sale in the first place, and there were a ton of I-6's produced that can be changed to V8 cars, but you have to rely on high market and expensive parts in order to make the change. 

[Don A]

I once owned a 66 I6 and a 67 V8--I swapped all the necessary parts over a long time and still came up with 15-20 surprises.  Fortunately being a retired professional mechanic I had all the necessary tools. 

To do it any other way would most likely be a multi K expense