[Shotimes] yamaha3.0 in Frt engine/Rwd applications

[John Phillis]

I had a friend weigh his 66 coupe and it came out to 2860 with no driver in 
the car...
if the average 89 SHO weighs around 3380, it is safe to say that by the time 
everything is in place and the car is drivable, you can subtract some weight 
as the 3.0L will not weigh nearly as much as a 289 v8.
basically with driver in seat and a 200lb. friend in the pass seat though, I 
am look at a comparable weight to the SHO.
the question is, how would the engine pull if put into a front engine rear 
wheel drive setup?

the 3.0L  has lots of power at 4000rpm, but on the low end doesn't do as 
well torque-wise as  a small block V8.
on the other hand, the stock C code 289 2V engine puts out 195 hp. where as 
the 3.0L DOHC puts about 220 on the table.

I don't think doing such a transplant will make me happy in the long run...  
therefore, I am using the 5.0L engine, rear axle, and Borg-WArner T5 off of 
an 89 mustang GT to power my old 92 taurus SLO.
I have yet to see anyone who has done a RWD taurus, and upon closer 
inspection and making a couple measurements, it is possible.

the hardest part will be, by far, constructing a new subframe, and cutting 
the transmission tunnel into the floor.
The exhaust tunnel is too small to properly accomodate a T5 and there will 
have to be a few *modified* frame rails or tube chassis built to support 
both the transmission and engine properly.

If anyone has done this before, or knows of anyone who has done the 
conversion, let me know...

what would be better than popping the hood on a taurus and seeing the spark 
plugs run along the strut towers, rahter than in a knuckle busting position.

btw, the firewall will have to be adjusted approx. 9 inches back, 12 inches 
in each direction from center.

c'mon maybe someday if I get one built, I will send it over to al fitz and 
let him make it into a convertible too!
John Phillis


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