At cruise night, I saw a third-generation Firebird parked next to a new Mustang, both with the hoods open. Has anyone ever tried putting a Ford Modular Motor into a third-gen? I like the Ford Modular motor and put a 32-valve Cobra 4.6 into a Fairmont Futura and it fit, just barely. The third-gen seems to have a bigger engine bay and 24-valve SOHC or 32-valve DOHC Firebird would sure be different. (I have no intentions of doing this, having run out of time, money, and garage space.)

 

Physically fitting even a 32 valve 5.4 wouldn't be too difficult with a custom K-member. But it's an awful lot of weight for just 330 ci. Yes, there are stroker cranks and the World block, and those 32 valve heads have great flow, but it's still not equal to an LSx, n/a for n/a or boost for boost. And the LSx will still have the advantage with both weight and gas mileage, again, boosted or not. But being a lighter and more aero, cheaper and easier to come by, than the Shelby GT500, makes it a better home for the Ford engine.

 

Join a Mustang board and you'll see they hate the n/a modulars. Heavy, complex, expensive, not too friendly to mods, etc. Might as well dump a DOHC 350 in your car, but you'll be spending 3x as much compared to the LSx that will out perform you. (there's a stock LT5 on ebay right now for $6k)
Yeah, a boost happy Cobra engine would be nice for the straights, but there are better ways to get that level of power.

 

I would do a LT5 in a heartbeat but I am not to keen on the mod engines and really hate working on them. But if looking into the LT5 always get the later year I think 93-95 had the 4bolt mains.