Q: Which Ford engine will work for this conversion?
A: Ford part #M-6007-B51 5.0L / 302 320HP or Ford part #M-6007-XE3 5.0L/302 345HP; these are new crate engine assemblies less manifold and carburetor. This engine set up is preferred because of the short water pump. If an older engine is used the short serpentine belt and water pump kit must be used – part #M-8501-A50.

Q: What about transmission?
A: Ford part #M-7003-Z T5 speed transmission. If you want automatic a C-4 transmission will work.

Q: What rear axle can I use?
A: Ford part #M4006-B373 8.8" Mustang axle. This rear end is out of a Mustang 5.0 and goes in unaltered (it doesn’t have to be narrowed). We re-drilled the 5-bolt pattern to the Focus 4 bolt pattern and used the Focus wheels.

Q: Will stock exhaust manifolds work?
A: No. We have special headers in our parts list.

Q: If I use a standard transmission do I use my original hydraulic clutch stuff?
A: No. We have converted to a cable operated manual clutch set up.

Q: Since this was originally a front wheel drive, what goes on with the front end?
A: We originally thought this would be a major hurdle, but this conversion – although complicated in thought – worked out to be a fairly simple operation. We retained the original struts, brakes, springs and lower a-arms. The original suspension crossmember had to be modified by cutting it in half, removing the center portion and installing a rectangular tube between the two halves.

The original rear steer rack will be replaced with a new Mustang front steer rack & pinion and mounted to the new crossmember. We sell this suspension crossmember on an exchange basis. The next modification is the hub & spindle assemblies. We have a front steer & hub modification kit, which includes a spud that replaces the original splined drive and a bolt on billet aluminum front steer conversion which retains all the stock geometry and correct akerman angle. There is also rack & pinion steering extension kits that must be used.

Q: How much work is involved with the whole set up?
A: The kit is all bolt in – no welding. That’s a hard one to answer depending on your skill level. If a person was able to work on the project full time, I would estimate between 100 to 150 hours.

Q: How much would it cost me?
A: That is even harder to answer. Our East coast dealer in Florida (JD Motorsports 1-888-907-0477) also installs and he figures a first class conversion with new parts is about $20,000.00. The conversion parts, less engine, transmission and rear end purchased from us would cost about $5,500.00. That would include the bolt in engine cradle and transmission mounts, modified suspension crossmember, front steer & hub modification kit, sway bars, rack & pinion steering, alternator and bracket, clutch kit, steering shaft kit, rack & pinion extension kit, transmission cover, fuel tank, headers, rear end crossmember, 4-Bar kit and shocks & springs.

This kit has been designed to be installed as a bolt in so the average person with some mechanical skills could do the conversion at home. There are holes to be drilled and some metal trimming here and there. The crossmember and brackets are installed in place using original boltholes for placement. Pre-drilled holes in all brackets are then used as drill pilots for a simple installation procedure.

Q: Have you used any other engine for the conversion?
A: Yes, we now have a kit for the 4.6L 4-cam Cobra Mustang engine and we will soon be looking at the single overhead cam engine.