LoganB
Newbie
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2025
- Messages
- 6
- Location
- New Brunswick, Canada
- Vehicle Details
- 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8L

Hey guys! Ive got a 1997 thunderbird LX. As the title suggests I want to replace my 3.8L with a 4.6L, nothing is confirmed yet but I might get access to 2 donor cars, last time I saw them they were very torn apart, especially in the interior. I want to make a checklist of everything I would need to pull the engine out and put it in my thunderbird.
As far as I know I will need the engine, transmission since it’s a different bolt pattern (but I heard you can get adapters) as well as all the computer stuff and wiring. I also know that the rear end in the 3.8 is a 7.5 diff and the 4.6 is a 8.8. Does anyone have any experience with this type of swap? I want to make a VERY detailed checklist, because I don’t wanna need to find out the hard way I’m missing something crucial.
I’ve seen similar people asking about this swap and the usual response is just « it’s not worth the effort » or « save up and buy the 4.6 version ». For me this isn’t exactly doable, I don’t really have the money and almost all of my money is going to be going to university. The 2 donor cars I’m talking about would also be free or very cheap. I also think it would be a fun project, as long as the budget allows it to be. Which is the reason I want to make sure I have everything I need and don’t need to buy too many extra things or go scavenging for parts.
As for restoring either of the 2 donor cars, also out of the picture. They’re way too torn down, and the one I have is in extremely good condition when it comes to the body and rust and all that
I also have yet to get confirmation that either of the engines even turn over XD so that’s the first step in my checklist!
As far as I know I will need the engine, transmission since it’s a different bolt pattern (but I heard you can get adapters) as well as all the computer stuff and wiring. I also know that the rear end in the 3.8 is a 7.5 diff and the 4.6 is a 8.8. Does anyone have any experience with this type of swap? I want to make a VERY detailed checklist, because I don’t wanna need to find out the hard way I’m missing something crucial.
I’ve seen similar people asking about this swap and the usual response is just « it’s not worth the effort » or « save up and buy the 4.6 version ». For me this isn’t exactly doable, I don’t really have the money and almost all of my money is going to be going to university. The 2 donor cars I’m talking about would also be free or very cheap. I also think it would be a fun project, as long as the budget allows it to be. Which is the reason I want to make sure I have everything I need and don’t need to buy too many extra things or go scavenging for parts.
As for restoring either of the 2 donor cars, also out of the picture. They’re way too torn down, and the one I have is in extremely good condition when it comes to the body and rust and all that
I also have yet to get confirmation that either of the engines even turn over XD so that’s the first step in my checklist!