Hi, my name is Dalton, and I’ve always been passionate about strange cars and interesting engine swaps. I’m lucky to share this passion with some very good friends.
One day we were discussing cars from the 1980s with modern power plants. I threw out the idea of a modernized Ford Mustang SVO, rebuilt using an EcoBoost engine. This aligned really well with my current project at the time, a big-turbo, built-engine Ford Focus ST.
I had reached the limit of the chassis on the Focus, and I wanted something rear wheel drive, so I started looking for a Foxbody Mustang.
Fast-forward to 2022, when I found a notchback (coupe) Foxbody in my price range and sold the Focus to fund the upcoming project. I borrowed a truck and rented a trailer, making the trip from Pittsburgh to Michigan to pick the car up.
When I purchased the car, it came with a 2.3-litre Lima 4 cylinder that was stroked out to 2.5 litres. The car did not run due to some electrical issues, which I resolved, so I could drive the car for the rest of the summer of 2022 – exactly how I had bought it.
In the Fall of the same year I started to tear the car down, getting it ready for its new powerplant. I found a 2.0-litre EcoBoost from a 2015 Ford Escape as the donor engine, mated to a Tremec TKX transmission using Esslinger Engineering’s adapter kit.
At the time I also purchased a tubular front subframe and mounts that were meant for a 2.3-litre EcoBoost unit. In the process of installing the engine, I found that the mounts did not work on the 2.0-litre block. I had my new mounts plasma cut to shape, and I taught myself how to weld to finalize the assembly. I have since started selling these mounts to others doing the same engine swap.
I wanted the car to stand out, not only because of the engine swap, but also because of the exterior. I installed a widebody kit made by Maier Racing, widening the car by 3-inches at each corner.
To help fill the extra space in the fenders, I looked to American Racing for a wheel that blends the retro and modern styling together seamlessly. I also lowered the car with some Feal coilovers and a slew of suspension parts from Maximum Motorsports.
I started this build with the goal of having a fun, interesting street car to cruise around and attend shows in. That all changed last year when my friend invited me to go to a drift event with the Fox – as I like to call it.
Since that first session, I’ve attended every local event with the car. This year I started traveling further and further for larger events such as Grid Life and Holley Ford Fest – unintentionally falling in love with drifting and the drift community, thanks to this build.
Glad that this is not an LS swap like every other build just kidding lol however all that aside the Ecoboost Foxbody Mustang is such a neat build the engine definitely suits the car very well even if it’s not a V8 it’s so damn cool
Like it, cool swap and still keeping it in the Ford family. Car looks rowdy, but in a good way.
‘American 86’ vibes are strong with this one, very cool car!