I have been starting to get back into my project 1966 mustang coupe from high school and have been tossing around the idea of swapping the 200 ci for a 300. I rebuilt the 200 in 2005 but cannot remember what all was done for specifics. I know they put a mild cam in but not sure if anything else was really done to it. I just know that it lacks the up and go that I fell safe getting on highways and freeways. I want to keep the inline six but to upgrade the 200 seems really expensive with the new VI head. My wonder is if swapping a 300ci in would be a better option with its ability to be upgraded easier? Of If I did go with a 300 swap, I would want to swap the C4 trans as well. I would love to have a manual in it if I could. This is going to be a car that gets driven a lot. So a 5 speed would be nice. I have been searching posts on this forum for ideas but still cannot decide if a 300 is the better option for my car. This is going to be a project that I work on with my son over time so I don’t mind piecing together things as I go. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
All Small Six 200 vs 300?
- Thread starter Grinndal
- Start date
This relates to all small sixes
300 six a big heavy thing. IMO a better option would be your USA 250 with a T5 transmission. A 250-2v head would really improve things, but expensive. You could use the cam from the 200 (making sure the conrods will clear the cam) run better carb, small weber?
Hi, the Big Block 240 and 300's are truck engines, a different Ford engine family. The bigger engine is not an easy swap. There is plenty of upgrade information here to increase the performance of your original engine. Start with a compression test. Often times, a good tuneup will help in a big way. If the aftermarket cam was not set up with a degree wheel, there is a good chance the cam timing is way off, leading to a lazy engine. That being said, the usual hot rod upgrades will wake up your engine. Good luck
I think your 200 will be fine. Why not get it running and driving and see what you think then?
If you want more acceleration, you can always change the differential ratio. It's relatively easy and inexpensive to do and can make your car feel very sporty.
Also, speaking from experience about the 5 speed, I wouldn't bother unless you do a lot of freeway-speed driving. Even then, the conversion for a 200 is expensive and complicated, and the difference in fuel economy minimal.
On Fathers day, my son and I got it running. The engine runs and sounds strong. From the rebuild that I had done back in 2004-05, the engine has maybe 20K miles on it since then. This included a full rebuild on the C4 transmission as well. I know that I want to get some higher gears in the differential and was thinking of doing the explorer rear end swap to get 3.73 ratio with disk brakes. I want to swap to 5 lug in the future as well so this will be the first step in going that direction. The T5 transmission is also wanted as most of my driving is at highway speeds.
I have done some digging around here and have seen some great builds with the 200 and that is why I was not fully set on swapping out the engine for another at this time. The engine itself is strong with no mechanical issues that I can find. I did upgrade the ignition to a pertronix system but it is still in the old distributor. I have all the paperwork from the builder on my engine in a box somewhere in my storage so I might be able to see what cam and other specs they set it all to.
This is going to be a learning project for both of us and I want to do it right this time around. Being able to teach my son and foster his growing love for cars is something that this project can do. Near where we live there are plenty of junk yards that we can go searching for parts and get them at a fairly good price still. So if I can get things that way I will as well. Rebuilding axles, transmissions, or fabricating is something that I can do.
I have done some digging around here and have seen some great builds with the 200 and that is why I was not fully set on swapping out the engine for another at this time. The engine itself is strong with no mechanical issues that I can find. I did upgrade the ignition to a pertronix system but it is still in the old distributor. I have all the paperwork from the builder on my engine in a box somewhere in my storage so I might be able to see what cam and other specs they set it all to.
This is going to be a learning project for both of us and I want to do it right this time around. Being able to teach my son and foster his growing love for cars is something that this project can do. Near where we live there are plenty of junk yards that we can go searching for parts and get them at a fairly good price still. So if I can get things that way I will as well. Rebuilding axles, transmissions, or fabricating is something that I can do.
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