'85 GT 'vert CFI (AOD) conversion to '95 HO with T-5

[Incognito]

I have a '85 GT CFI/AOD convertible I have owned since 1989. This was my "high school" car, has 96K on the clock and has been stored the last 10 years or so and now needs some mechanical attention. I came back in my possesion about two weeks ago.

Although running, the CFI HO in this car was never known to be a powerhouse so I am thinking about doing a swap. I have a friend who has a '95 HO engine with a "World Class" T-5 with about 30K miles on it. It is coming out of a Volvo (www.converseengineering.com) that is being junked. It runs great and he is offering me the entire drivetrain (HO and WC T-5) for $1000 as he wants to junk the rest of the car. Is this a good price?

I understand to use Painless's wiring harness, I need a '93 MAF, distributor, computer, and some misc connectors which will cost more money.

QUESTIONS...

Can I use the existing '95 harness, computer, etc. Do I have to switch to '86-'93 components per Painless's advice?

Can I use the existing fuel pump system since the car is already fuel injected via CFI?

Is this swap a hairbrained idea? I think for $1000 the drivetrain is a decent price.

What other "gotcha" items may there be?

Sorry in advance for the long post.....

Thanks in advance for any advice/info.

Jonathan

[v8only]

windsor-fox makes conversion harnesses that may be a lot cheaper than painless.

This is a very typical conversion, and done all of the time.

how many miles on the motor? $1000 imo is slightly high. I consider a good motor worth $400-$500ish, and a good used t5 maybe $350-$400. I suppose it's in the ballpark, but a good deal, especially from a friend would be more like $600-$700

[frankiesaysrelax]

I also have a red 1985 GT convertible with a black top. It also was CFI AOD but I have already done what you are talking about. Check out my thread.

clicky here :) (http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=18923)

$1000 isn't a bad price for a 30K mile drivetrain. It isn't a sweet deal but it isn't a ripoff either. That is what you would pay at a typical autowreckers. I assume the engine comes with all the accessories, right?

The easiest way to do the swap is to use a 1986 GT wiring harness. It will plug right in to your existing dash harness. As your car is CFI you already have a fuel pump relay, an inertia switch, and an in-tank electric pump. The CFI pump will work with a stock SFI engine, that is what I am using right now with no problems. You will have to either adapt or change your fuel lines, however. The details on that are in my thread.

Oh, the '86 harness is of course Speed Density, not mass air. It works fine for a stock or mildly modified engine, don't let people fool you. If you stay speed density you would want an '87-'88 DA1 ECU. That is the best speed density computer, and is the one I am running. If you want to go mass air, it is fairly easy to convert the '86 harness, though I have no personal experience in the matter.