So I am totally bat E36 M3 crazy, right?

I have been mulling around the idea of what motor to swap into my Galaxie for a while now. I have asked MANY questions about this subject here. This is my next thought.

Ford 300 with LSX heads.

This is not a new idea. There are a few of these motors running around. There was a guy (handle: 6bangerbill) on the Fordsix board selling these things for about $1500. You take three LSX heads and chop them into sections, weld together, and have a modern head on one of Fords most durable blocks. I think that this with a nice turbo could be done for very little money and make CRAZY power.

For reference.

https://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=53911

cool engine.

Yes, you are crazy.

Be sure to post pictures in the build thread.

Anyone know where I can track down a CHEAP 300 short block in the midwest?

A Ford engineer once told me they tried a cross flow head on the 300 6, the power was greater than the truck 5.0 V8 (might have outperformed the 351 as well, dont remember) used at the time, it was killed on account of the new F series having too short of an engine bay.

This is totally sane behavior, so long as it has a close ratio toploader behind it and if naturally aspirated, triple sidedraft webers.

Frozen Merc on the HAMB said: The later efi head is better flowing than the carb head, but not much. However the efi manifolds (exhaust and intake) is were the real gains were made. If a person was dead set on keeping an exhuast manifold instead of header, the late model efi manifold is the way to go. Pistons: This is were a little research is required. There a large number of FE Ford pistons out there. All with different compression heights, profiles, etc. Part of the reason they work is that the 300 shares the same stroke as the 410 and 428 FE's (3.98"). Engine---Deck Height---Compression Height---Rod Length 300------10.00"---------1.757"------------------6.21" 352------10.17"---------1.836"------------------6.54" 360------10.17"---------1.836" or 1.775"-------6.54" (Some truck 360's ran 390 pistons to lower compression) 390------10.17"---------1.775"------------------6.49" 410------10.17"---------1.675"------------------6.49" Piston Deck Clearance = Deck Height - (Stroke*0.5+Rod Length) - Comp. Height Using that Equation Piston Deck Clearance on a 300 = 0.043", 300 with 390 slugs = 0.015" Basically, you should get a nice bump in compression by using stock 390 pistons in your 300, as the 390 pistons will sit 0.028" higher in the hole. I think the pins are the same diameter, however I may be wrong on that. Bottom line, Search around. There was a number of different FE's built that all used different shaped pistons. Plus there is a huge aftermarket supply for the FE's and a number of companies making different and custom pistons. You should be able to find something that will work well.

Am I reading this right that if I use a 410 piston, I can get a lower Compression ratio?

In for the build thread, this sounds amazing!

Please. Do. This.

Why do you need 3 heads?

But yes, do it!!!!!

Javelin wrote: Why do you need 3 heads? But yes, *do it!!!!!*

Looks like 2 heads to me.

In reply to Javelin:

The bore centers on the LS heads are SLIGHTLY different then the 300 so I understand that you need to do 3 sections of two cylinders and be a little off fore and aft for each pair or 6 slices of 1 cylinder to get perfect centering. That might be best but that adds a few more welds.

That is a really cool idea... I think i would LOVE to own such a motor.

No, I have thought for a long time about a truck with a 300 6 in it and a pair of twin turbos. Just for doing some general running.

We picked up a newer Dodge, so the truck is covered. 4x4's are always needed so a Bronco......YES! Now I have another reason to get a Bronco.

Either that or put the engine into something like a metro.

I just want to build something different, as well as, cheap. Initially, I will most likely be looking for a decent 300 and just use the stock bottom end. This is going to be a long term build but I have been thinking about this for so damn long that it is time to considering starting it.

I typically make fun of everyone on here regarding GRM having to be cheap, but you're calling a custom made approaching $2k cheap?

I will be copying the guys head. I hope to do it for little more than parts cost (less than 1k by a fair bit) and some beer to my welder buddy. I think that this could be a 350hp capable engine before boost (with good compression and a custom cam). I am trying to not have many custom parts that I can't make so I will be making the intake and exhaust on my own. The cam will be an off the shelf unit. The push rods will probably be custom.

Kenny_McCormic wrote: A Ford engineer once told me they tried a cross flow head on the 300 6, the power was greater than the truck 5.0 V8 (might have outperformed the 351 as well, dont remember) used at the time, it was killed on account of the new F series having too short of an engine bay. This is totally sane behavior, so long as it has a close ratio toploader behind it and if naturally aspirated, triple sidedraft webers.

and of course, nothing could outperform the 5.0 Mustang

singleslammer wrote: Anyone know where I can track down a CHEAP 300 short block in the midwest?

Depending on your definition of cheap, LKQ may be a good source. I had considered getting an LSx for my truck from them, but I think I'm going to go with someone who is selling more complete motors to be sure I have everything I needed for a swap. For a situation where you don't need the motor to be complete, they'd be pretty convenient and likely not terribly expensive.

If you're looking for more along the lines of "trade it for a case of beer," I'd probably look in the classifieds on Ford truck or inline six message boards.

It will likely see boost but if not I will probably run ITBs from motorcycles and fuel injection. I'm not a huge fan of cards. Triple side drafts are sexy as he'll though.

More proof I'm not an idiot (yah!)

http://www.genmay.com/showthread.php?t=801021

I knew about the Windsor / LSX head interchangeability but the straight six option is new to me. There should be plenty of options for used stock cylinder heads after people make their upgrades on the LS.

This is nuts. I love it. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a 300 around the St. Louis area for you, just to be able to say I was a part of this insanity.

Thanks Alex. The cheaper the better. I am looking for a block for testing at the moment so it doesn't have to be a functional motor.

After looking at that last link, it looks like the intake side of the head hangs off the block. I hope that it doesn't cause mounting issues.

What about the guy with a stock 100,000 mile 300 six with a massive turbo in a Maverick running high 10's IIRC?

Who needs to do all that head work when you don't have to? (Unless the challenge is enough reason)