Engine swap question (from a Granada)

Not like I "need" another project (I can't keep up on what I'm trying to acomplish now!) but a buddy of mine is pushing me into this. There is a '77 Granada he's looking at with a 302. It has low miles, so he's thinking we (ends up being me cause he's the "wheeler/dealer" and I'm the grunt man, lol) take this '77 engine out and swap it into one of my Mavericks (both have I6 engines, but to be totally honest, anymore I really don't have a burning desire for more HP... am I getting old, lol). Then we put the I6 into the Granada and sell it.

First question, would a '77 302 be a decent engine (is it a strong one)? I have a "eighties something" EFI engine that I've never done anything with, but I've been getting the impression that the '80's engine is not a very good one?

Second question, would this Granada have "everything" I need to do the swap (both have a C4 tranny).

Third, I've never done anything that "extensive" with regards to automotive mechanics, how difficult is it and would I be "over my head" in a project like this?

 

I would build the granada...Put a 4 speed in it...Trac Lok W/3.55s' Some wheels and tires. Clean it up and call it good...Would be a fun car to drive around.

 

if youre happy with what youve got dont change it.
the 70's and 80's 302 are pretty much the same except the fuel injection and emissions set up.they didnt really change for better until you got to the later 90's with the roller motors I believe.
swapping a v8 into a 6 cylinder car can be kinda tough. everything you need is in the granada.
the v8 is definitely more fun to drive than a 6 cyl but it could also be the death of your car if you get on it too much.

I would say for you just do a disc brake swap if you dont already have disc brakes its alot easier and cheaper

 

IMHO, unless the Granada is worth enough after the I6 swap to justify all the hard work and time to get both cars running with non-stock engines?.. I highly doubt that little lo-po 77 smog motor is worth the hassle. Especially if you're not looking to build the V8 up to feed a horse power fetish. lol

Although it would be a much funner car to drive with even a stock V8.

PS. I'd surely be doing a leakdown test and checking plugs for valve guide oil consumption before assuming they are good just because they run pretty well.

PS.PS. Not positive.. but I think you'll still need a Maverick V8 belly bar which the granada will not have.

 

I have 2 cars with the I6 in them. They will stay that way.

2nd question. You will always find some things that need to be changed. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems. You will at least need to change to a front sump oil pan and pick up. And motor mounts for the v8 into a Maverick.

Like you I don't need any more work.

 

After reading what YOU have written, I would just keep the 6 cyl's.

 

I agree on keepin the 302 in the Granada. How many Granada's do u see on the road? I can count the one's I've seen on one hand since I got my car July 09. And, I go to lots of events. Whatever mod's I had in mind wud be on the G. that's assuming it did not have a lot of body work pending. I agree w/ Don.... "Nothing is ever as easy as it seems."

 

the Granada will have nothing but the engine/C-4.
you will still need the ...motor mount stands...belly bar...oil pan...throttle cable...exhaust manifolds...ETS ETS.

 

Someone told you wrong. Depending on what EFI motor it is, it could have up to 70% more power than that 120 HP 77 motor. Even the LO-PO Crown Vic roller 5.0 is a much more responsive engine over a 77 302, although the numbers may say otherwise.