Tidewater, VA considering V-8 swap in 2003 B3000

Hey guys. I've never done any real truck mods before, though I've played with a lot of cars. I've long thought of a small truck with a big motor, and figured I might make my current B3000 that truck.

Anyone willing to share information would be greatly appreciated. I'm considering either a GM LSx v-8, one of the Ford pushrod 5.0's or even one of the new "modular" Ford motors. Hell, I'd even consider an old school small-block chevy. As you can see, I don't have any kind of brand loyalty... I just want to build something cool.

Seems like a fun forum, I plan on learning a lot.

How about a 5.0 Coyote mod motor

oops double post

seeing that it is already a Ford truck (with a Mazda badge,) I'd try to find a V8 that uses the same transmission. With such an engine, odds are that you would need to fabricate a lot less than you would need to going with a chevy V8, plus most of your gauges would work without modification.

That is one of the engines I was considering. I have not seen the truck in that article. Thanks a lot!

There are a couple on there with 4.6 DOHC engines as well.

I believe the transmission that is in it is the M5OD. I'm not sure it would stand up to a stouter V-8 engines, but I don't know a lot about that particular transmission other than it was used almost exclusively in Ford trucks and SUV's (again... I have more of a car guy past than a truck guy past).

The plan was to swap out to a T-56 which was used with the Cobra Mustangs, Chevy Camaros, Chevy Corvettes, Pontiac GTO's, Dodge Vipers, etc.

The gauge issue is one worth bringing up, it's one I hadn't considered. I guess if it came down to it, I could just buy new gauge clusters, but using an all Ford set-up would definitely leave me with "one less thing", and money is always something to consider. Not to mention, I kind of like the gauge cluster that's in the truck already.

Thanks for the input emjay!

That gives me some good reading to do... and a little drooling too. Thanks again, Nick.

That is one of the engines I was considering. I have not seen the truck in that article. Thanks a lot![/quote]

There are a couple on there with 4.6 DOHC engines as well.[/quote]

That gives me some good reading to do... and a little drooling too. Thanks again, Nick.[/quote]

No problem. I have a ranger as well so I'm on both boards.