86 eta 5.0 swap...

[varg]

For me it wouldn't have been too different. I'd still be running a Megasquirt (I bought my Megasquirt 3X setup back in 2011 or 2012, it's been collecting dust since), I'd probably still be using a T5 (SBC T5s where I am are easy to find, and very cheap, unlike SBF T5s), and it'd be a lighter engine, as its pretty easy to find an aluminum 5.3 around here. About the only thing I can do to lose weight now is aluminum heads.

LS swaps are pretty expensive if you're running a T56, I'll give you that, but there's definitely ways to do it cheaper.

Either way, I haven't had any time to work on this lately, been working on the pickup, and need to work on my Golf, as I get ready to sell them on and buy a new pickup. If I can get some work in here or there I'll post it, but it might not be another month before I catch up.

My statement of there being no advantage was based on the assumption of using aluminum heads on the 302, then the weight advantage of the LS is up in the air. I've never been able to find a good comparison of the weight of a 302 with aluminum heads to an LS just because when people actually go to the effort of weighing these things it's usually in very different states of assembly. The 302 is really light for an iron block V8, one must remember that the reason it's known as a weak block that splits above 500hp is the lack of reinforcement and overall low weight design. The front mounted distributor is a nice plus too, it's cheaper and easier (if you're doing the wiring) to run a distributor mounted ignition than coil on plug on an LS.

[Elysian]

I plan to use a hydrobooster from a late 90's mustang with an adapter to use the stock e30 master. Someone drew up some CAD drawings for this set up a long time ago so I have no idea where I found it. You should be able to dig it up with a little searching.

That would be my second option.

[willworkfore30s]

Really interested to see how your brakes get set up, that's my biggest point of research with this swap. I'd rather have manual brakes than a remote booster but I'd rather have any little booster I could fit in the stock location or adjacent than manual brakes.

I plan to use a hydrobooster from a late 90's mustang with an adapter to use the stock e30 master. Someone drew up some CAD drawings for this set up a long time ago so I have no idea where I found it. You should be able to dig it up with a little searching.

[Elysian]

Really interested to see how your brakes get set up, that's my biggest point of research with this swap. I'd rather have manual brakes than a remote booster but I'd rather have any little booster I could fit in the stock location or adjacent than manual brakes. Another thing I really want to see is if there's enough room for an AC compressor with a 302 swap.



I think a 302 is the way to go because it's so much cheaper than an LS and really is only inferior to it if you want more than 450hp, which too much for the chassis anyway for any purpose other than drag racing.

For me it wouldn't have been too different. I'd still be running a Megasquirt (I bought my Megasquirt 3X setup back in 2011 or 2012, it's been collecting dust since), I'd probably still be using a T5 (SBC T5s where I am are easy to find, and very cheap, unlike SBF T5s), and it'd be a lighter engine, as its pretty easy to find an aluminum 5.3 around here. About the only thing I can do to lose weight now is aluminum heads.

LS swaps are pretty expensive if you're running a T56, I'll give you that, but there's definitely ways to do it cheaper.

Either way, I haven't had any time to work on this lately, been working on the pickup, and need to work on my Golf, as I get ready to sell them on and buy a new pickup. If I can get some work in here or there I'll post it, but it might not be another month before I catch up.

[varg]

Really interested to see how your brakes get set up, that's my biggest point of research with this swap. I'd rather have manual brakes than a remote booster but I'd rather have any little booster I could fit in the stock location or adjacent than manual brakes. Another thing I really want to see is if there's enough room for an AC compressor with a 302 swap.

I think a 302 is the way to go. Classic engine in a classic sports car

I think a 302 is the way to go because it's so much cheaper than an LS and really is only inferior to it if you want more than 450hp, which too much for the chassis anyway for any purpose other than drag racing.

[wworm]

AWDBOB asking all the right questions

[Elysian]

I have a spreadsheet going for both LS and V8 Swaps, and while the initial cost of the engine alone is roughly the same (truck motor "LS", ideally would be an LS1/3), everything else on the LS is exponentially more, as is the trans, wiring, etc. My running LS total is $10200 and my running 302 total is $5500.

I'm excited to see this unfold. If you wouldn't mind notating all the small parts needed to make things work I'll add it to my spreadsheet.

I'm curious as to what you're doing for:

1) brake booster - e34 remote setup?
2) exhaust - custom headers?
3) slave - hydraulic slave conversion?
4) driveshaft - custom?

I'm going to see if I can fit the Geo Metro booster. I have a set of BBK shorty headers I'll run backwards. I'm going to convert the T5 to hydraulic clutch using a Toyota slave. Driveshaft will be custom.

I don't dare tally what I've spent so far, but it's likely higher than 5500.

[AWDBOB]

I've spent more by now than I would have on an LS, I'm pretty sure. I could have easily found an aluminum LS truck motor by now for what I paid for my 302. I don't regret it, but the costs are adding up the more I do to make reliable power. A 302 is pretty underpowered stock, especially in Explorer format. If I had it to do again I'd probably start with a 5.3 aluminum LS.

I have a spreadsheet going for both LS and V8 Swaps, and while the initial cost of the engine alone is roughly the same (truck motor "LS", ideally would be an LS1/3), everything else on the LS is exponentially more, as is the trans, wiring, etc. My running LS total is $10200 and my running 302 total is $5500.

I'm excited to see this unfold. If you wouldn't mind notating all the small parts needed to make things work I'll add it to my spreadsheet.

I'm curious as to what you're doing for:

1) brake booster - e34 remote setup?
2) exhaust - custom headers?
3) slave - hydraulic slave conversion?
4) driveshaft - custom?

[superj]

I think a 302 is the way to go. Classic engine in a classic sports car

[Elysian]

Didn't have much time this weekend, but got the lower intake manifold painted.

[Elysian]

Installed the water pump today. Was a pain because some of the bolts wouldn't go in all the way, so I made a homemade tap with my cutoff wheel and cleaned them out that way.

Then I realized I needed to put the oil pump shaft in before I bolted the oil pump on, so the pan came back off Got that installed, so now the oil system is ready for priming.

[Elysian]

I've spent more by now than I would have on an LS, I'm pretty sure. I could have easily found an aluminum LS truck motor by now for what I paid for my 302. I don't regret it, but the costs are adding up the more I do to make reliable power. A 302 is pretty underpowered stock, especially in Explorer format. If I had it to do again I'd probably start with a 5.3 aluminum LS.

That said, I think I'll achieve my goals with the 302, and I think it'll be a great car. Small update for tonight...

My Summit T5 billet short shifter came in, gotta say, it's pretty impressive for the price.




I probably put the shift rod on backwards, but just wanted to put it there for demonstration.

So the windage tray is installed properly now, enough clearance for the connecting rods, and enough clearance that the oil pan fits. It was a VERY tight fit, but I got the oil pan on and spun the engine a few times.

So much more to do. I think I'll paint the upper and lower intake next.

[AWDBOB]

I'm following this with great interest, I want to build a 302 and do the swap as soon as financially possible. I crave the torque and throttle response of a big (for this car) NA 5L+ V8. A 400hp stroker build would make more torque from 3,000rpm to redline than my turbo M20 does at its peak around 5,000rpm, that low end makes a car feel faster and more fun to drive. Your car is going to be a riot. My car feels fast but only between 3,500rpm and 6,000rpm, it has nothing below 3,000rpm and falls off noticeably after 6,000. With a 302 that has good heads, a moderate cam, and an upgraded valvetrain, you'll pull hard in such a light car from 2,500rpm all the way to 6,500. With aluminum heads a 302 weighs the same as if not less than my turbo M20 does with its giant intercooler and long charge piping and the weight is further back so balance would be improved. It's a win all around, just a bit of a pain, and figuring out an AC compressor solution that fits neatly will be tricky, but to me AC is mandatory in a car. If I want to go really fast with no AC, I have a motorcycle that'll satisfy my need for speed.

You summed up my exact thoughts on this.

5L seems to be looked past, but is 1/3 of the price of an LS swap, and is in the line of engines I find myself the most comfortable with. I've been building this in my mind forever, I've just been waiting to watch someone else carry out the build so I can get an idea of fitment and general cost. A stock bottom end 302 with nice Al heads/cam/intake will make 300whp easy and will pull a light E30 along with absolutely no effort at all. Not to mention you can turbo a 5L for $1500 and make 500whp if you get bored.

[varg]

Yeah, making videos is a huge time sink, especially if you don't have a super fast video editing computer because then you're always waiting for it to catch up to you. It's surprising how many people do it.

I'm following this with great interest, I want to build a 302 and do the swap as soon as financially possible. I crave the torque and throttle response of a big (for this car) NA 5L+ V8. A 400hp stroker build would make more torque from 3,000rpm to redline than my turbo M20 does at its peak around 5,000rpm, that low end makes a car feel faster and more fun to drive. Your car is going to be a riot. My car feels fast but only between 3,500rpm and 6,000rpm, it has nothing below 3,000rpm and falls off noticeably after 6,000. With a 302 that has good heads, a moderate cam, and an upgraded valvetrain, you'll pull hard in such a light car from 2,500rpm all the way to 6,500. With aluminum heads a 302 weighs the same as if not less than my turbo M20 does with its giant intercooler and long charge piping and the weight is further back so balance would be improved. It's a win all around, just a bit of a pain, and figuring out an AC compressor solution that fits neatly will be tricky, but to me AC is mandatory in a car. If I want to go really fast with no AC, I have a motorcycle that'll satisfy my need for speed.

[Elysian]

Had to move backwards a little bit, realized I didn't install the windage tray, so pulled the oil pan off. Quickly realized I needed special studs to be able to install the windage tray, so ordered those and will resume when they get here.

In the mean time, I pressure washed the intake manifold, need to clean it a little more but should be able to paint it. Need to grab some high temp black.

Keep those pictures coming! I'm very interested in seeing one of these swaps progress.

Appreciate the encouragement, I'm having a blast doing it but it also helps to know people are still following along. I was going to start a Youtube channel on this, but quickly found that the recording process is as much if not more work than the actual work.