Foxbody LS N/A swap 2017
01-18-2017, 09:11 PM
#1
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
Foxbody LS N/A swap 2017 Hi Guys
im looking into a possible
Foxbody 4 cyl hatch that i can get fo dirt cheap.
i m more of a chevy guy so a LS (Lm7) swap would be the plan + TH400.
Since most of the threads are older i wanted to see if there are any
actual (2016) updates about products/sellers of budget minded
- K members
- Standalone Harnesses
- making fox tach work
- fuel systems
etc.
i have a
5.3 Lm7 and a TH400 is easy to come by for me
- what CAM ONLY you guys use on your fox LS N/A builds to get some more power out of the 5.3 ?
( injectors etc of course as well)
since the fox is a 2.3 body it has a small rear
so question what year 8.8 rears will work?? will SN95 rears work as well and bolt on?
should i go 5 lug conversion front and rear ?
or is the 2.3 s front disc brake and rear 8.8 with drums efficent enough?
regarding the suspension i would look into coilovers .
it all will be very budget minded
and the goal is a DAILYDRIVER FOX with LS !!
links, help etc will be appreciated im located in CA bayarea.
im looking into a possible
Foxbody 4 cyl hatch that i can get fo dirt cheap.
i m more of a chevy guy so a LS (Lm7) swap would be the plan + TH400.
Since most of the threads are older i wanted to see if there are any
actual (2016) updates about products/sellers of budget minded
- K members
- Standalone Harnesses
- making fox tach work
- fuel systems
etc.
i have a
5.3 Lm7 and a TH400 is easy to come by for me
- what CAM ONLY you guys use on your fox LS N/A builds to get some more power out of the 5.3 ?
( injectors etc of course as well)
since the fox is a 2.3 body it has a small rear
so question what year 8.8 rears will work?? will SN95 rears work as well and bolt on?
should i go 5 lug conversion front and rear ?
or is the 2.3 s front disc brake and rear 8.8 with drums efficent enough?
regarding the suspension i would look into coilovers .
it all will be very budget minded
and the goal is a DAILYDRIVER FOX with LS !!
links, help etc will be appreciated im located in CA bayarea.
01-19-2017, 05:31 AM
#2
I would sell the 5.3 motor,, its like putting a 302 in the car.... do it right the first time and spend a little more on a 6.0 or 6.2....
I have used 3 AJE k-members and the AJE trans cross members and no problems and your motor and trans will sit at the right angle...
99-04 rear 8.8 is 56.5"
94-98 rear 8.8 is 55"
79-93 rear 8.8 is 53.5"
79-93 and 94-98 use the same length housing but with different axles....
I have used 3 AJE k-members and the AJE trans cross members and no problems and your motor and trans will sit at the right angle...
99-04 rear 8.8 is 56.5"
94-98 rear 8.8 is 55"
79-93 rear 8.8 is 53.5"
79-93 and 94-98 use the same length housing but with different axles....
01-19-2017, 08:51 AM
#3
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
I would sell the 5.3 motor,, its like putting a 302 in the car.... do it right the first time and spend a little more on a 6.0 or 6.2....
I have used 3 AJE k-members and the AJE trans cross members and no problems and your motor and trans will sit at the right angle...
99-04 rear 8.8 is 56.5"
94-98 rear 8.8 is 55"
79-93 rear 8.8 is 53.5"
79-93 and 94-98 use the same length housing but with different axles....
I have used 3 AJE k-members and the AJE trans cross members and no problems and your motor and trans will sit at the right angle...
99-04 rear 8.8 is 56.5"
94-98 rear 8.8 is 55"
79-93 rear 8.8 is 53.5"
79-93 and 94-98 use the same length housing but with different axles....
lets see about the 6.0 i see where you coming from, but since i have the motor and try to cut down expenses i will have to see..
regarding the rear.. thanks for clarification
how you wire the dash? make all the orig. instruments work ..is there a Adapter/conversion kit?
i have this 87 hatch 2.3 lined up for real cheap,
body is straight.. just needs paint sooner or later..
what brake update would you recommend on the 2.3?
can the Orig brake boosster etc be used?
is that ok OR should i shoot for a GT body with the right rear and brakes already.
GT bodys are most likly beat up and way more expensive i feel?!
As i said i want it as a sporty daily driver..
01-19-2017, 12:02 PM
#4
You could get lucky and sell the 5.3 for the same price as a 6.0.....But it would be nice to find a Ly6 6.0 with the aluminum block....but there usually more $..
I did not worry about wiring up the stock gauge cluster,,, I just use 3 autometer gauges and a tac......water,,oil pressure,, volts ..........but there are guys on here wiring the stock cluster, you would have to do a search...
My fox bodies where v8 cars so i just bought 84 svo front rotors that are 5 lug.....think you would need spindles and rotors....
For the rear i bought a pair of used 94 ranger backing plates, and new brakes and drums for 94 ranger......I bought a kit from Jegs...... came with Strange 33 spline axles,, spool,,c-clip eliminators..373 gears....and i had Strange press on the bearings on the 5 lug axles...I think the kit was $650...
But all that is over kill for a na 5.3 motor...
I did not worry about wiring up the stock gauge cluster,,, I just use 3 autometer gauges and a tac......water,,oil pressure,, volts ..........but there are guys on here wiring the stock cluster, you would have to do a search...
My fox bodies where v8 cars so i just bought 84 svo front rotors that are 5 lug.....think you would need spindles and rotors....
For the rear i bought a pair of used 94 ranger backing plates, and new brakes and drums for 94 ranger......I bought a kit from Jegs...... came with Strange 33 spline axles,, spool,,c-clip eliminators..373 gears....and i had Strange press on the bearings on the 5 lug axles...I think the kit was $650...
But all that is over kill for a na 5.3 motor...
Last edited by booboo37; 01-19-2017 at 06:38 PM.
01-19-2017, 03:08 PM
#5
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
You could get lucky and sell the 5.3 for the same price as a 6.0.....But it would be nice to find a Ly6 6.0 with the aluminum block....but there usually more $..
I did not worry about wiring up the stock gauge cluster,,, I just use 3 autometer gauges and a tac......water,,oil pressure,, volts ..........but there are guys on here wiring the stock cluster, you would have to do a search...
My fox bodies where v8 cars so i just bought 84 svo front rotors that are 5 lug.....think you would need spindles and rotors....
For the rear i bought a pair of used 94 ranger backing plates, and new brakes and drums for 94 ranger......I bought a kit from Jegs...... came with Strange 33 spline axles,, spool,,c-clip eliminators..373 gears....and i had Strange press on the bearings on the 5 lug axles...I think the kit was $650...
But all that is over kill for a na 5.3 motor...
Gt bodies are to heavy and ugly :~) ....Make sure theres no rust on the front shock towers or front frame rails..
I have a notchback problem ,, lol
I did not worry about wiring up the stock gauge cluster,,, I just use 3 autometer gauges and a tac......water,,oil pressure,, volts ..........but there are guys on here wiring the stock cluster, you would have to do a search...
My fox bodies where v8 cars so i just bought 84 svo front rotors that are 5 lug.....think you would need spindles and rotors....
For the rear i bought a pair of used 94 ranger backing plates, and new brakes and drums for 94 ranger......I bought a kit from Jegs...... came with Strange 33 spline axles,, spool,,c-clip eliminators..373 gears....and i had Strange press on the bearings on the 5 lug axles...I think the kit was $650...
But all that is over kill for a na 5.3 motor...
Gt bodies are to heavy and ugly :~) ....Make sure theres no rust on the front shock towers or front frame rails..
I have a notchback problem ,, lol
Brakes wise i would look to see if i can find a front /rear 5 lug conversion..
what gears you recommend for a daily with the 8.8??
what is the biggest issue with this swap? or is it all pretty much straight forward?
the interior would need work and the paint.. thats so far the "body Issues"
i can do all of this myself... paint might be a Maaco solution then ahaha
01-19-2017, 03:23 PM
#6
To get 5-lug on a 4-cyl spindle, you can use a ranger brake rotor. For the rear 5-lug swap, get driver side axles out of a Ranger/Bronco II. You can go SN-95 disc brakes on the rear if you cut the brake bracket and place it on the inside flange of the 8.8.
For a Th-400 I would probably go with a 3:55 set of gears.
The swap is pretty straight forward.
For a Th-400 I would probably go with a 3:55 set of gears.
The swap is pretty straight forward.
01-19-2017, 06:03 PM
#7
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
To get 5-lug on a 4-cyl spindle, you can use a ranger brake rotor. For the rear 5-lug swap, get driver side axles out of a Ranger/Bronco II. You can go SN-95 disc brakes on the rear if you cut the brake bracket and place it on the inside flange of the 8.8.
For a Th-400 I would probably go with a 3:55 set of gears.
The swap is pretty straight forward.
For a Th-400 I would probably go with a 3:55 set of gears.
The swap is pretty straight forward.
further where can i see possible 5.3 cam suggestions for my needs..
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01-19-2017, 08:22 PM
#9
To get 5-lug on a 4-cyl spindle, you can use a ranger brake rotor. For the rear 5-lug swap, get driver side axles out of a Ranger/Bronco II. You can go SN-95 disc brakes on the rear if you cut the brake bracket and place it on the inside flange of the 8.8.
For a Th-400 I would probably go with a 3:55 set of gears.
The swap is pretty straight forward.
For a Th-400 I would probably go with a 3:55 set of gears.
The swap is pretty straight forward.
Thanks.
01-19-2017, 10:00 PM
#11
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im in the middle of a similar conversion...aje k member and crossmember fit great...ebay 299 headers fit great...there is a drop in fuel pump hat ready to go with 340pump and 8/6an fittings ebay also....if you use the svo 5-lug rotors the nose of rotor might interfer with stock type wheels as its longer than standard fox body rotors....i'm also gonna have to figure out the dash part....not worried about tach but it would be nice to get the rest working....good luck!!..i'm just plugging along..lol
01-20-2017, 12:35 AM
#12
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
im in the middle of a similar conversion...aje k member and crossmember fit great...ebay 299 headers fit great...there is a drop in fuel pump hat ready to go with 340pump and 8/6an fittings ebay also....if you use the svo 5-lug rotors the nose of rotor might interfer with stock type wheels as its longer than standard fox body rotors....i'm also gonna have to figure out the dash part....not worried about tach but it would be nice to get the rest working....good luck!!..i'm just plugging along..lol
and did you think.about the harness already? Diy or buy it? Where fo you buy it?
i guess my 5 lug front will be ranger rotors..
for the rear i try to find a 8.8 with discs..and gears
suspension i might go raceland coilovers...they ok for my budget.
01-20-2017, 07:14 AM
#14
You can use SN-95 axles with SN-95 brakes, or Ranger axles with SN-95 brakes. If you use Ranger axles, you'll have to cut the caliper bracket and place it on the backside of the axle flange of the housing. I have used Ranger axles before, but I make too much hp for them. I currently have 33 spline Mosers w/ c-clip eliminators (fox length) but I'm selling them because I just did a mini tub and getting shorter axles.
01-20-2017, 07:17 AM
#15
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as far as a harness..it depends on what your wanting to accomplish and budget..originally i was going to rework a stock harness and ecm, but have since bought a holley dominator (on sale over christmas) as i'm not sure my combo is going to accomplish what i want in current form. So i will probaly be changing some things up along the way. if your just doing a stock-type swap just use stock harness and ecm. Imo there are much wiser folks on here to help guide you than i..
01-20-2017, 12:20 PM
#17
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
as far as a harness..it depends on what your wanting to accomplish and budget..originally i was going to rework a stock harness and ecm, but have since bought a holley dominator (on sale over christmas) as i'm not sure my combo is going to accomplish what i want in current form. So i will probaly be changing some things up along the way. if your just doing a stock-type swap just use stock harness and ecm. Imo there are much wiser folks on here to help guide you than i..
i would like to get the ECU tuned and the harness worked on.. probably standalone is best i guess.. iwould like to make the Ford instruments work if its not too big of a deal...
01-21-2017, 07:34 PM
#19
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
seems like my foxbody plans died for now..the car got "sold" BUT i have a 03SN95 v6 im looking at tmrw...
01-22-2017, 11:36 PM
#20
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
bought a 02 v6 mustang... Running, straight body for 350$ today..lol
so lets LS this turd..
all 99-2004 ls swap help is welcome