my 81 notch LSx swap project...
my 81 notch LSx swap project... *updated 7/15 - new pics page 6* though i havent really started working on it yet, i have been reading all the fox body swap threads for quite a while. i picked this car up last month, all original(except for the paint) 1981 mustang notch back with a straight 6/4speed manual. plans are to get an LS1 and a 6speed, 86/87 front bumper cover/hood(yes i like the 4eye cars!), subframes, 87up LX tail lights/rear quarter windows, pony wheels and drive it! though i already have an 81malibu project car, it needs tons of bodywork to get it where i want it to be, this car needs pretty much a nice re-paint. friend of mine is into mustangs and pretty much has all the parts i need, so im hoping its somewhat straightforward.
interior is pretty killer i think, with the wool inserts
though i might still switch out the front seats for something more "supportive"
question for you guys that have done/doing the swap: when you use the 351swap headers with LS1 flanges, is any header tube modification necessary or do you just weld the flanges on and they fit???
interior is pretty killer i think, with the wool inserts
though i might still switch out the front seats for something more "supportive"question for you guys that have done/doing the swap: when you use the 351swap headers with LS1 flanges, is any header tube modification necessary or do you just weld the flanges on and they fit???
Last edited by lt4malibu; Jul 15, 2007 at 03:21 PM.
Awesome swap, I was talking to a friend about doing a swap just like yours. Mainly due to the ease of getting parts for the body conversion to look like an 87-93 car and not having to pass emsions any longer due to the model year being over 25 years of age, only issue being finding one as clean as yours would prove to be a dificult task.
plus 79-81 are the lightest 
funny thing is, my roomate wanted to build a racecar, and this car was sitting literally around the corner for 4 months. i kept telling him to buy it, so since he didnt i did.
funny thing is, my roomate wanted to build a racecar, and this car was sitting literally around the corner for 4 months. i kept telling him to buy it, so since he didnt i did.
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nice project car. i like the idea of a newer 4 eye face, but i'd have to replace the dash with an 85 GT piece. also like the idea of the late fox body tail lights & quarter windows. good luck with the swap.
Originally Posted by aram
I know it sounds crazy, but I'd leave the interior and body alone on the car and just do the motor swap. You don't see many bad *** original looking early 80's foxes around.
that cars mint . 
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
Don't mean to "step to you", dude, but please reconsider doing the "AERO" swap. There are'nt many more "clean" 4 eyes left unmolested. If you must have an "aero" car, I'll find you a clean one and swap you.
I love your idea of the LSx swap, but think it would be more of an eye opener if you left the "4 EYED". Just my 2 cents.
Check out www.foureyedpride.com Chuck
I love your idea of the LSx swap, but think it would be more of an eye opener if you left the "4 EYED". Just my 2 cents.
Check out www.foureyedpride.com Chuck
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by lightning95sc
Don't mean to "step to you", dude, but please reconsider doing the "AERO" swap. There are'nt many more "clean" 4 eyes left unmolested. If you must have an "aero" car, I'll find you a clean one and swap you.
I love your idea of the LSx swap, but think it would be more of an eye opener if you left the "4 EYED". Just my 2 cents.
Check out www.foureyedpride.com Chuck
I love your idea of the LSx swap, but think it would be more of an eye opener if you left the "4 EYED". Just my 2 cents.
Check out www.foureyedpride.com Chuck
yeah im with him man...keep it four eye....there arnt many around....if you want a aero car buy an aero car.
btw..what engine is in it now? 302?
yeah, im definately keeping the 4eye look, i dunno where the "87" came from. i do like the newer quarter windows and tail lights though.
car has a straight 6 in it now, and it looks pretty much brand new, no leaks and 75k original miles. hopefully after the new year ill start ordering parts, still not sure if i wanna use the 4.6k member or the SBC swap Kmember and adapter mounts...
car has a straight 6 in it now, and it looks pretty much brand new, no leaks and 75k original miles. hopefully after the new year ill start ordering parts, still not sure if i wanna use the 4.6k member or the SBC swap Kmember and adapter mounts...
Chuck just picked up a '90 GThatchback parts car tonight with a good set of pony wheels and an 8.8 with 3.73's. if you would have asked me 5 years ago if i ever would have bought a mustang i would have laughed myself to death. now i have 2 in my shop 
little update - finally got some pony wheels, so since it was somewhat warm today i rolled it out today and threw them on to see how it looked, much better!!! still need some real tires(these are just junk ones i had lying around that i mounted up at work real quick).
now i really need to get to ordering some parts and tearing this thing apart
now i really need to get to ordering some parts and tearing this thing apart
