I finally snagged a 95 shell with no damage, clear title, and no rust!

so i can turbo my 97 and the lsx option can now be thrown out the window and the 5.0 back into the picture for my new 95.

Now. i am planning out a 5.0 miata build. i got some amazing feedback from MRM, which was very helpful. but if i am unable to find a explorer 5.0, i will probably just buy parts from late model restoration. i came across the 1982-95 Mustang 5.0L Ford Racing Crate Engine, 306 Cubic Inch & 340 Horsepower (Link), and it is only $3,605. But it comes with no intake parts.

I also found the 1979-95 Mustang 5.0L 302 Economy Short Block that Accepts Roller Cam (Link), and it comes with the crank, rods, and pistons as well as the timing chain set, and it is only $700.

now if i got that short block, i would get either get the 1987-93 Mustang 5.0L Top End Engine Kit with Polished Ford Racing 93 Cobra Intake, GT40x Heads And E303 Camshaft (Link) for $2,380,j or the 1987-93 Mustang 5.0L Top End Engine Kit with Black Trick Flow Street Burner Intake, Twisted Wedge Heads And Trick Flow Stage 1 Camshaft (Link) for $2,450.

so the crate engine would be $3,605 without intake parts, but the block with all intake parts minus front accessories would run me $3,080/$3150.

Which would be a better deal? also, which top end kit would work with martins headers?(i am using martins 5.0 kit for the swap)

Thanks for all your input and help!

 

Get a complete engine from the scrap yard & have it rebuilt. Although the initial cost of a new engine is high, it gets even higher when you start to add in the things that are "not included" such as flywheel, pulleys, fuel rails, injectors, alternator, starter, distributor, a/c compressor, sensors, engine wiring harness, ect.

 

Do you know of any scrap yards that have complete 5.0s? I remember going to. Like 3 pull-a-parts looking for thing for my miaa, as well as 5.0 mustangs, but all the stangs were completely stripped, as well as all the other 5.0 vehicles i trie to find(crown vic, explorer, f150)

Maybe it would just be easier if i bought a 1987-1995 mustang GT that has a 5.0? Because those are complete with wiring harness, injectors, everything! and i get to drive it before i rebuild it and put it in the miata, and then depending on the body, i can sell or part out.