Restomod - 3.7 into a '66 stang fast back

[ak66stang]

Wanted to know if anyone here might have dimensions for the spacing of the motor mounts on the new 3.7? Also, is the engine as wide as all the mod motors from Ford and are the bell housings the same as bell housing for the 5.0 motor? Will I run into computer issues not having all the sensors that newer mustang has?

Will I be able to put a T5 on to this engine or try to shoe horn a newer 6 speed into the tranny tunnel of my '66?

Thank you all in advance.

 

[whtstang04]

I don't have any answers for you but that would be an awesome project. Do you have any pics of the 66?

 

[ak66stang]

You can go to my website where I have been posting pictures of my project. It is in its early stages. I am starting to think that it will not be doable unless I can hack the pcm to delete some of the sensors that will not be used on the '66.

Web site is ak66stang.com

 

[Boogsawaste]

I see that this is pretty old but I'll give a little of what I know. The 3.7 is a lot narrower than the mod motors of past mustangs. I've had 2 4.6 mustangs and a 5.4 lightning. Those engines are gigantic, and when I popped the hood on my new v6 I laughed a little at how small it is. Going to be a dream to work on compared to the others, especially the lightning.

Not sure on the bell housing but I believe it's the same mt82 trans the 5.0 runs.

As far as having PCM issues I'm sure any competent tuner can turn off whatever you need deleted. I think the hardest obstacle to overcome would be the drive by wire, and possibly the pats system (if it's still called that with ford).

I stuffed an lt1 into my 69 firebird a very long time ago, way before the ls1 craze. I had a lot of issues I had to figure out as well but it was worth it in the end. So don't give up If this is what you want to do.

 

[ak66stang]

Thanks for the reply Boogsawaste. I received the motor 3 weeks ago. One day before Family and I left for vacation. Person I purchased it from included everything from the donor car, wiring, pedals, computers, transmission, transmission and engine mounts, ETC... I will be continuing with the project now and hope to be installing the engine in the next couple months. I will keep everyone posted. Still considering adding the procharger for the 3.7. =)

 

[Trojan Horse]

Hey great project. You mind letting me know what you paid for the engine and accessories?

 

[KTBug]

1st off, sacrilege!!

2nd, on a more serious note, if the 3.7 is wider than a Windsor engine then you'll probably have to hack the shock towers to pieces. That ain't too good structurally on a near 50 year old car.

However, "back in the day" there were a few drag 66's with 427's!! I guess anything is possible.

 

[xtreme 2]

could be interesting. Looking forward to updates.

 

[Trojan Horse]

1st off, sacrilege!!

2nd, on a more serious note, if the 3.7 is wider than a Windsor engine then you'll probably have to hack the shock towers to pieces. That ain't too good structurally on a near 50 year old car.

However, "back in the day" there were a few drag 66's with 427's!! I guess anything is possible.

Someone like Total Cost Involved has a shock tower delete/coil over install kit for the '67, maybe they have one for the '66 too. Ends up being stronger than the original, and handles better too.

 

[Brandon]

over the past weekend I saw a 66 vert with an 04 cobra motor in it, so I believe a much less wide 3.7 will fit

 

[ak66stang]

Hey great project. You mind letting me know what you paid for the engine and accessories?

Hello guys sorry for delay in getting back. I have been a little busy with spring thaw up here in Alaska. On the question about cost. I got lucky and scored the parts off of EBay. I managed to get Engine, Computer, wiring and transmission with shipping to Alaska $4500. I have measured the width of the engine and it just fits between the stock shock towers. I am opting for the shock tower notching kit offered by RRS. still working out the geometry for engine placement and crossmember modifications for the rear sump pan.

I will keep everyone posted. This is a learn as you go as not been done before.

 

[speedbump]

if they can fit a 4V 305 under the hood of a Gen1 Focus, you can fit a 3.7 V6 under the hood of a '66 Mustang.

 

[David Young]

Keep us posted. With the light weight of the 66 Mustang and the light weight of the 3.7L engine, this will be a 12 second Mustang

 

[KTBug]

over the past weekend I saw a 66 vert with an 04 cobra motor in it, so I believe a much less wide 3.7 will fit

Seriously?!?!?! I'd hate to change the plugs! LOL

 

[tzavaleta]

I am really excited to hear how this is going. I would really like to put one of these engines in a kit hot rod I'm am starting to build. The 3.7 meets my requirements perfectly lightweight, small, and great horsepower. Not to mention better mileage and more cost effective than a Coyote!!

My big question is how are you handling the electronics for it? Are there any guides, documentation, or purchasable harnesses? Also how different is the mount location? I have it currently configured for a 4.6/5.0 but not sure what to expect with the 3.7

 

[Brandon]

Seriously?!?!?! I'd hate to change the plugs! LOL

super easy to change the plugs as they are right on top, just take the coil covers off, they are not between the headers like on push rod motors etc~ else it would NOT be fun at all lol.

 

[ak66stang]

I am really excited to hear how this is going. I would really like to put one of these engines in a kit hot rod I'm am starting to build. The 3.7 meets my requirements perfectly lightweight, small, and great horsepower. Not to mention better mileage and more cost effective than a Coyote!!

My big question is how are you handling the electronics for it? Are there any guides, documentation, or purchasable harnesses? Also how different is the mount location? I have it currently configured for a 4.6/5.0 but not sure what to expect with the 3.7

There are no harnesses for it. So if you do get your hands on one, make sure you get all the wiring and computers off the donor car. You can purchase factory shop manuals for couple hundred bucks at Helm Incorporated. Mount locations are the same for the Coyote 5.0 and the 3.7. Both Using a hydromount style engine mount. I am having issues right now uploading diagrams of mounts, pm me your email and I will send you the diagrams. I will be having to make my mounts for the 66 I will try to post some pictures of those as I get closer.

Nobody has started doing swaps of the 3.7 into anything as of yet and a lot of what I am running into is "WHY?!?!? Just go with the coyote 5.0" I am doing it because it is different, the 3.7 is a very good looking, lightweight motor, 305 hp is outstanding from a V6 before any mods and I got a smoking deal for the engine/trans with 150 miles on them and and electronics off the donor car.

Main thing is finding a good tuner shop to be able to help you disable the pats system (unless your a fan of buying $100 keys from ford) and disabling all sensors not required.

I will grant those who asked "why do this" that the 5.0 swap is by far an easier swap as ford has already made a harness for this swap and more aftermarket companies support this swap.

 

[ak66stang]

I am really excited to hear how this is going. I would really like to put one of these engines in a kit hot rod I'm am starting to build. The 3.7 meets my requirements perfectly lightweight, small, and great horsepower. Not to mention better mileage and more cost effective than a Coyote!!

My big question is how are you handling the electronics for it? Are there any guides, documentation, or purchasable harnesses? Also how different is the mount location? I have it currently configured for a 4.6/5.0 but not sure what to expect with the 3.7

Sorry I have been offline from post for quite a while. No documentation on this Ford Techs are less than helpful. I got the complete wiring harness (headlights to taillights) from the donor car. Mount location as compared to a 4.6 or 5.0 coyote supposedly the same.

 

[TuxMask-Andy]

Have you thought about using the aje k member with a 3.7 engine mounts?

That's what I'm using for my 3.7L engine swap into a fox body mustang. Fits in the stock location of a 2011-2014 mustang. My engine fit is good. However the 6R80 auto tranny is BIG so i'll have to cut the transmission tunnel and raise it up by an inch

 

[ProjectVicky]

I've seen a 4.6 cobra in a Mustang 2. I couldn't see the headers or spark plugs, though. You couldn't even fit your finger in between the shock towers and engine!! Props for being different, though.