Ford 302 Engine and T-5 Transmission Price

[Mattgoesfast]

Hello everyone I am a mechanical engineering student looking to build my own mk4 cobra roadster and I am currently looking for the right engine to start the process.

What might be the average price for a Ford 302 small block engine with a T-5 transmission?
I am looking for something with the cobra engine covers, fuel injected and nothing really special about the horsepower since this car is so light anyway. There is always the option of buying a used engine and running the risk of "you get what you pay for" but with some modern replacements and a good fix up she should be just like new right?

What are the ballpark prices I am playing with here?

Thank you,
Matt

[mburger]

I don’t know where you’re located, but I just pulled my great running 5.0 out of my Cobra. It’s on a stand ready to go complete with harness minus PS pump and alternator for $500. I also have ceramic coated headers, J pipes and side pipes complete for $200. I don’t have a T5 though.
I’m in SW Florida.

[Mattgoesfast]

Hi Mark thank you for responding. This is my first cobra and I am not a motorhead but can you please tell me how many miles are on the engine? By 5.0 do you mean the coyote? How old is it and why would you pull it out in the first place?

Thanks, stay safe out there

Matt

[mburger]

Hi Matt. The engine has approximately mid-80k miles based on previous owner. By 5.0 I mean it’s a 302. Not a Coyote.
The motor came out of a 1990 Mustang and was used in the build of my Mk1 by a previous owner. I pulled it out because I am going to install a 347 from Blueprint and Mike Forte.


https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=131768&d=1594700838

[davekp]

I'd slow down if it were me.
The engine and trans are installed later in the build process- plenty of time to agonize over that choice.
I understand your enthusiasm but there's a lot to it.
Read all the build threads here and you'll get an understanding of what's involved.

[RBachman]

Hello everyone I am a mechanical engineering student looking to build my own mk4 cobra roadster and I am currently looking for the right engine to start the process.

What might be the average price for a Ford 302 small block engine with a T-5 transmission?
I am looking for something with the cobra engine covers, fuel injected and nothing really special about the horsepower since this car is so light anyway. There is always the option of buying a used engine and running the risk of "you get what you pay for" but with some modern replacements and a good fix up she should be just like new right?

What are the ballpark prices I am playing with here?

Thank you,
Matt

Hi Matt, and welcome to the Forum! I'm also a mechanical engineer and just completed my roadster (all but carpet and paint, anyway.) You didn't mention where you are located, but if near coastal South Carolina you're welcome to come take a look. One thing you may enjoy if you're a "gear head" is the education you get. It'll help put some of the classwork in a clearer focus. It's also a lot of fun (with the occasional "WTH" puzzles to aggravate you along the way.) The forum and the members here are an invaluable resource and extremely helpful.

[narly1]

I'd slow down if it were me.
The engine and trans are installed later in the build process- plenty of time to agonize over that choice.
I understand your enthusiasm but there's a lot to it.
Read all the build threads here and you'll get an understanding of what's involved.

This is what I like about these cars and their builders. So many different approaches.

I'm doing the exact opposite of what you're suggesting. In fact my first purchase was a donor engine and transmission.

Trans rebuild is done (farmed it out) and engine is in process (by me). The plan is to have it done and running on a stand well before the kit arrives.

That being said there is method to my madness. I am pre-retirement by a couple of years which is when I want to really dive into the kit.

So the engine build is what's keeping me interested and motivated without taking up too much garage space.

I should also say that this is my first engine (re) build so I'm learning a crap ton of things along the way...really enjoying the process.


Mattgoesfast enjoy your journey whatever route you end up taking. Just make sure you have a map and stick with it until you get where you want to be.

[Avalanche325]

Do you want to do the engine assembly yourself? Or are you looking for a drop in or crate option?

You don't save much money doing your own assembly, but it is a great experience.

[Otee453]

$500 for a junkyard/used 302 & $1000 for a rebuilt T-5. Add another $500-$1000 to the engine for Knick-Knack new items like water pump, alternator, new rear main seal, etc...

OR

$2000-$6000 for a nice rebuilt combo that someone put in an old mustang and ran for a few thousand miles and wanted to go bigger

OR

$10,000+ for a turn key fresh build or fresh build you do yourself.

I'm sure others may scoff at my price groups. There is always people who found the sweetheart deal for a few hundred bucks or saved a few c-notes here and there to add up to be less than my numbers. Some people have great luck finding junkyard gems, others not so much.

My best advice.... stay away from the cheap mass engine rebuilders (Jasper & Mabbco). They will send anything out the door after you paid and it may be an absolute hunk of crap (again, some people have got lucky and put 100,000 miles on a Jasper engine). I once bought a Mabbco short block to save some time and $$. I received a block decked two different heights, pistons .080" in the hole on one side, .050 on the other, bored .060 over with way excessive piston to wall clearance, a crank with a crank journal ground .020 offset, and a poorly repaired crack in the block. Mabbco said it was fine and I was too picky.