What model/year FOMOCO product...

stroker said:

Saron81 said:

In reply to stroker :

Most Mopars need a k-member swap to go from 6 to 8... though the new engines may change that. That was the case for the old factory v8s.

There's a kit to install V8 mounts on a Slant Six K-frame.  Been around for a while but I can't remember how much they cost. 

The go-to for those is Schumacher:

https://www.engine-swaps.com/

The other "gotcha" is that you need a V8 bellhousing. The slant six and smallblock used different bolt patterns but the same A-833 transmission.

Trent said:

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

Lets say google is close on actual curb weights. The Fox Fairmont is at least 1000lbs lighter than the Panther. 

 

Even assuming Google is correct, Stroker hasn't specified that particular parameter.  I assumed from the nature of the post that this will be a driver, not a racer.  I could be mistaken though.

MadScientistMatt said:

stroker said:

Okay, let's take this from a different angle. 

It's clear we can't get from A to C directly.  What's the simplest path to go from A to B to C?  Fox Sedan with a 302/manual swap from a donor Mustang or Explorer?

Good options I can think of:

1. Find something from the '60s or early '70s with this combination already in place, from any of the Big Four. Most sedans then had V8s, and manuals had a better take rate then. Downside is that this probably won't be all that fast in a straight line in stock trim and have a suspension calibrated for slippery bias ply tires.
2. Get a Fairmont / Marquis, swap full drivetrain. These are pretty small cars with not much back seat, and are likely to need an axle upgrade. But they're about the lightest domestic RWD sedans this side of a '60s era Falcon, Dart, or Nova.
3. Swap a GM G-body (Monte Carlo, Grand Prix, Cutlass, etc from the early to mid '80s) to a manual transmission. I think there were a few sold with a V8 and manual transmission, but those are real unicorns. You might find an Iraqi Taxi package with a 4 door, V6, and 3 speed floor shift manual, though. Heavier than a Fox body, but might be a bit more substantial.
4. Swap a Panther platform car to a manual transmission, or a GM B-body. Might be the best option if you want plenty of room.
5. I've seen Chrysler LX cars swapped to a manual using Challenger parts, but that may be out of your budget.
6. Japanese option: Get a Lexus LS400 and get some of the Australian parts to put a manual behind a 1UZ.

I will always get behind a G-body.  Solve the camber curve up front, keep it under 300hp if you're keeping the 7.5" rear, and then the world is your oyster.  G-body was engineered for 100% bolt-in for any GM automatic and many 4, 5, and 6 speeds conform to those parameters.  Front section is designed to accept motor mounts for any BOP or Chevy V8, many V6s, and a few 4-cylinders.  Have a Cutlass and want a Buick 455? It's a bolt-in.  There are even bolt-in conversion mounts for Caddy motors.

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

The only downside I see is that GBody prices have become ridiculous over the last few years.

In reply to Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) :

Maybe my ambassadorship has been too good.  I've spread the word of the glories of G-bodies too well.

Sorry.  My bad.

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

Trent said:

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

Lets say google is close on actual curb weights. The Fox Fairmont is at least 1000lbs lighter than the Panther. 

 

Even assuming Google is correct, Stroker hasn't specified that particular parameter.  I assumed from the nature of the post that this will be a driver, not a racer.  I could be mistaken though.

Yeah, this would be intended as a daily.

Okay, guys, not to beat a dead horse, but what engine would you try to put into...

this?

In reply to stroker :

5.0/T5 seems likely to be the cheapest route to V8/manual. It's tried and true in those cars.

But it's a foxbody, so a tubular K member and some off the shelf LS mounts/headers/crossmembers would make an LS swap pretty simple (but more $$ than the classic FoMoCo powertrain)

Cobra Vic has a five-speed

Lots of information here.

In reply to DWNSHFT :

Thank you!