1995 Mustang Cobra LS1 swap project

Posted by cromax2468@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 6 comments

I'm a newbie working on swapping an LS1 into a 1995 Mustang and had some difficulty figuring out the exact parts needed to make the swap. So far what I know would be needed is as follows:

-Mounts:
K-Mounts and Transmission mounts

-Smaller headers

-LS1 wiring harness

-Driveshaft

-I believe I also need an oil pan and stronger fuel pump

I am also unsure of where would be the best place to purchase these items, any help in figuring this all out would be appreciated

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FormulaZR@reddit

Not to be that guy, but an LS swap into an SN95 isn't exactly exotic. There are lots of write ups, YT vids, forum posts on what parts are needed and where to buy them. Pans range from $250-$460, headers also can vary wildly in price and quality. Kind of depends on how much power you planning to make and how much money you want to spend on parts quality (even though more $$$ doesn't always equal better parts). Fuel pump should be easy enough with a Walbro 255, but maybe you need bigger fuel lines or a larger pump - again depends on how much power you're planning to make.

Also depends on if you plan to DIY any of this yourself - I put an LS1 in my boat and used a computer from an S10 and depinned what I didn't need from a Camaro wiring harness.

I would still have a local driveline shop do the driveshaft after you've got it installed and can measure yourself just in case you have to move anything a little forward/backward.

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cromax2468@reddit (OP)

Yeah you're right there's a good amount of info and videos but I wanna make sure I have everything right since there wasn't a single fully comprehensive video on the exact parts and where to get them and measures needed to do the swap. Like how I still don't know if I really need to switch the fuel pump or not or if the oil pan and headers need to be replaced. Shipping items to where I am is going to be difficult so I just wanted to make sure I plan it out properly before making any decisions.

The K members for example came out to around 500$ because the only ones I could find were from hooker and that seems expensive to me but I also don't know how much they go for or where else I could get them. Anyways I appreciate the advice.

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FormulaZR@reddit

You'll almost certainly need headers specifically for your swap. Unless you plan to use the stock manifolds and have someone make a custom y-pipe. Even then, depends on what the manifolds are from. F-body, truck, Y-body all use different manifolds.

What actual engine are you using? LS engines have many different oil pans, so you'd need to know what you have to know if it might be usable. I would think an F-body pan might be, but a truck pan would almost certainly not be.

What engine management are you using? If you're doing something like a Holley system then it will have its own harness. If you're using an GM 0411 PCM then you can modify a stock GM harness (normally with a VATS bypass) or have someone do it for you - price depends on if you have a harness or if they need to source it. You also need to know if you're using a Gen3 or Gen4 and if it's a 24x reluctor or 58x reluctor on the crank.

What horsepower? Is the engine stock? A Walbro 255 should be an easy drop in for your car (I'd still do a new fuel pump because they're so cheap) and would support 450-500 NA hp pretty easily/reliably.

You said LS1 - so maybe that's the exact engine you mean but so many times people say LS1 but what they mean is an LM7 5.3 or LQ4 6.0 from a truck or Suburban.