build options
 

i have finished pulling my motor, it is a US 4.5 manual trans. is it cheaper to rebuild a 4.5 or find a good running 5.0 as swap it? what is needed to swap to a 5.0 ( wiring harness, cross member???, clutch )?

Several years ago bearings for the 4.5 were NLA so rebuilding may not be an option. (though they may have started production again. Using the 5.0 is too much work to swap engine managment. The best bet is to find a 4.7 and use your intake on it. Just about everythinkg from your 4.5 will work on the 4.7.

If you are keeping it, and not a stickler for originality, I would drop in a 80/83 Euro S motor or a 5.0 hybrid based off one.

after reading i understand the hybrid is using the 5.0 block and eyebrow the 5.0 pistons and using my heads and intake. what else is required to use that block. It is just a later oil pan, cross member, mounts, and clutch? I would think that the accessories would need to swap as well, ac compressor, alternator, power steering pump...

this sounds like it might be a good option but i would like to try and itemize things to do a comparison as money is limited on the build.

If money is limited you may want to avoid the 5.0 route. There will be at least a machining bill. A great option but definetly more expensive that swapping in a 4.7 long block

When I say Euro S I don't mean early 4.5 non S, but the higher compression, high flow heads with bigger cam 4.7L Euro S.

If money is limited, find a good running cis replacement motor.

I wouldn't put another motor in one of my own cars without a full reseal and doing the heads, which won't be all that cheap, so I also would step up to a Euro S.