What’s Up in the Forums: Ratty V6 Mustang Receives New LS Heart
Why would anyone swap an LS into an old, beat up ’01 Mustang? Because they can!
As the old saying goes, “Built Ford Tough with Chevy Stuff.” And you’ll find plenty of examples of Chevy-powered Blue Oval machinery here at LS1 Tech. Some people do it just to piss off others. Some do it just because, well, it’s arguably a cheaper and easier route to horsepower. We’re not really sure what motivated Mungface78 to LS swap his 2001 V6 Mustang, but we are certainly intrigued by the project. And we also appreciate his sense of humor!
“Well, I finally have most of the parts and some progress done to start a thread. It’s been a slow journey to get to the point where I am you now, with kids and all. So I picked up an ’01 Mustang V6 for cheap in February of last year, not pretty by any means. Wish I could have been a bit more patient and found a clean one to start with. So this one will be more of a track hoe.
Specs (subject to change if and when it blows up):
’02 5.3
TH400
Fitech EFI 70050″
The first order of business, of course, was to rip out the crusty old 270k mile, anemic six-banger. And clean up the nasty old engine bay.
Next, it was time to install the necessary swap parts and a tougher rear diff.
“I bought this as a kit from Speed Engineering. Included the K-member, a steering shaft, and Speed Engineering headers. After searching a while for an 8.8 rear end I found one on CL from an ’02 GT for $180! Cleaned it up then painted it. Out with the 7.5 and in with the 8.8.”
Before long, the OP found himself an engine for his Mustang. But we must say, his color choice for the block is, uh, interesting. At least it’ll make locating oil leaks pretty easy.
“Purchased a 5.3 out of an ’02 Silverado with 180k on it. Despite the high miles it was pretty clean inside. So I cleaned it up and painted it. I was going to paint it my daughter’s favorite color which is purple, but the purple was just too dull. So I painted it my second favorite color – pink. YES I SAID PINK!”
A Hummer oil pan, Foxbody A-arms, and Fox manual rack and hardware were next on the list. Followed by a Sloppy stage 2 cam and PAC 1218s. And this pink LS Mustang build was really starting to come together.
To speed up shifts, a Transgo 400-3 full manual shift kit was installed. Followed by some -8an feed and return braided lines and a single Quantum 380 pump to deliver fuel. And finally, the new engine found its way into the Mustang!
And that’s where this interesting project sits for now. But you can bet we’ll be following along as it comes together. You can do the same (as well as catch up with what’s been done already) by heading over here!
Join the LS1tech forums now!
