sickREDsierra

iTrader: (17)

I have a project In mind and was looking for opinions. I only have a limited budget to play with, around 5k. I have my eye on an older Fox Body with a blown(rod) engine, and I think I can get it for less than $ 1k. I don’t really want to build the normal 306, or 347 Stroker, or anything Ford to put in it. I was just curious if you guys thought the 4.8/TH 400 combination would be comparable to do for price/swap,as opposed to doing a little Ford stroker motor. I can get a TH 400 tranny for almost nothing, and the 4.8 for less than $ 500.. I built a few 4.8’s before, head/cam/headers, that made right at 400 flywheel VERY reliably with no overheating issues.. and I think the Carb conversion would likely add another 20+ hp to that.. which I would do on a Fox Body.

Just looking to gage opinion. I have good fabrication skills, and was a cert’d welder for years, so no problems with engine/tranny mounts or swapping the combo in. I am just curious if the swap is comparably priced and the power output would be comparable for a fun little street rod. I am not looking for a 9 second daily driver.. but this late 80’s Fox is light and I think 420+hp would be enough to go 12’s or better and very reliable. I am thinking air conditioner on it, power steering intact, 3000ish stall, shift kit, with highway gears (~3.08). Street-able, reliable, no over-heating issues, just fun.

Thoughts ?

tiffo60

iTrader: (2)

With all the power the guys are getting out of turbo/4.8 combos you could have an easy 9-10sec DD in a fox body for not a lot of money. Most would be spent in supporting traction mods. I say go for it

sickREDsierra

iTrader: (17)

There shall be NO Turbo !!!! I am small budget and not sure I could even run a turbo with Carb conversion.. i am thinking Vic Jr intake and 650 carb.. decent cam 224ish, on a 110 LSA...

you think it would hard to get it to hook on the street with some Nitto's on there? i mean without a lot of traction mods?

tiffo60

iTrader: (2)

I think most of the popular traction mods on the fox bodys are subframe connectors, coil overs etc. With the right set up you can hook hard on a decent drag radial(may not be nitto's though).

I would stick with fuel injection personally but to each his own. I have seen LS swap foxes and they can run hard for not alot of investment.....

It sounds like you are anti-turbo but you could piece a turbo kit together for cheap and have a 20+ mpg car that drives like stock, talk about a sleeper

http://www.brphotrods.com/mm5/mercha...ory_Code=CNV19

tiffo60

iTrader: (2)

Look at how much room you would have for a turbo

nonnieselman

iTrader: (10)

Your setup sounds pretty good!!

A stock 4.8 with a lil turbo would be sweet!! but i like turbos
Stock with 10psi or even 15psi would be a handfull!

blueflamed03

iTrader: (1)

IMHO ditch the TH400, too heavy. have a built 4L60e. Needs adjustable upper and lowers, anti-roll bar.

nonnieselman

iTrader: (10)

id take a Th400 or 4L80E over a 4L60E anyday..

tiffo60

iTrader: (2)

The 4l60's actually hold up pretty well in sub 3800lb vehicles.

sickREDsierra

iTrader: (17)

Agreed !! 4l60e is very large/heavy, and I roasted a few built ones with my 07 Sierra I had. I think the TH400 is cheap and almost bullet proof.. plus rebuilding it should it break is still cheap. They are much more simple to build as well, so I wouldn’t have to pay anyone to do it.

If I had the budget, a turbo would be nasty in there!!! But I don’t. Maybe a nitrous plate at some point, timing tuner as well.. but not any budget for Turbo builds..