I question it's reliability.

 

You have a point

 

the motor is just built it came out of a 90 model truck i got it bored and the heads redone new coated pistons cam and crank turned well i traded my truck now i have a 76 mustang 2 with a 302 and a 4 speed manual but i might try to get a 5 speed from a friend

 

Ok so I think i've decided what I'm going to do. I am still researching it, but it looks like I can get a ZF transmission in my truck with ease. I have too much to do to my truck this fall...so I think I will put the ZF in my truck in early spring. That would leave me with all summer to get the engine in my truck. So I think what I'm going to do is get a 5.8 short block, and do the rest myself.

Is it possible to stay with Speed Density? Swapping to MAF is expensive, the kit is like 1000 bucks. I was thinking that I could put the engine in, and get a custom chip burned for my computer to compensate. Would that be ok? I wouldn't need to worry about modding the engine anymore, once it's in I won't desire anymore hp out of it.

Second, I'd like to stay with regular 87 octane, or atleast the middle. Super 93 would probably kill me. Can I get away with 87 Octane?

Third...now that I know I'm getting the short block, how do I know what cam to have in it, what heads, intake, ..basically what parts do I need or what parts should I get to meet my goals? There's so many manu's of parts...that I don't know which ones to get. I'd like 300-350hp...400ish ft-lbs of torque...good low end power, 87 octane, and 12-15mpg with 6" of lift, 35's and 4.10s. What should I do to get there?

 

Is it possible, yes. Is it expensive, not really. Im not sure were you got your price of 1000 bucks (pro M maybe, or Ken Bell?), but FMS sells their kit for 650, however, in stock trim it probably wont handle much more than 400HP without getting into some quirks. Should work fine for you. In comparison to the engine swap, the 650 dollars for mass air should be a breeze. You can get a custom chip, if you don't EVER want to change your setup. (haha, I haven't heard of anyone doing that) the problem you will inevitably run into is in order to get a really good program, you need to find a wide band dyno so they know EXACTLY how your engine is running. Otherwise it is literally hit and miss. To know how an engine runs given a very specific setup is truely impossible. Your comparing a price difference of around 350 dollars to which you will gain the benifit of sequential fire injection (very big plus), and the ability to change your setup WHEN you get tired of it and want to try something different for a change. Because that is something that happens 9 out of 10 times.

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Second, I'd like to stay with regular 87 octane, or atleast the middle. Super 93 would probably kill me. Can I get away with 87 Octane?

Nothing saying you can't. Only thing that will generally dictate octane requirement is compression. Stay with 9:1 and you will be just fine other than loosing out on an extra 30-40HP considering the cost of premium is 10 cents more. Couple bucks a fill, it can be a tossup. Superchager maybe? Stay 9:1.

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Third...now that I know I'm getting the short block, how do I know what cam to have in it, what heads, intake, ..basically what parts do I need or what parts should I get to meet my goals? There's so many manu's of parts...that I don't know which ones to get. I'd like 300-350hp...400ish ft-lbs of torque...good low end power, 87 octane, and 12-15mpg with 6" of lift, 35's and 4.10s. What should I do to get there?

What you need to do is sit down and do some serious research on what other guys are running and what works/doesnt work. There are alot of mustang guys that will give you the heads up and a particular piece, but just take it with the grain of salt as our trucks weight a good deal more and react differently to a similar powerband. If you do still want to go through the headacke and stay speed density, you will have to pick a cam that is compatible enough to give a good vacuum reading at idle. Im running a Crane roller 2020 powermax on my speed density 351 and would probably work out just fine for 300-350HP provided some improved cylinder heads are used, and would give great torque. If your going for low hassle, and want a good head, trick flow makes a much better head that is compatible with the stock shortblock, even their 2.02 intake version. For other heads, edelbrock's performer will produce a bit more torque than the twisted wedge at the expense of some upper end, but like the rest of the heads on the market, you will only be able to go with their 1.90 intake version to clear the stock shortblock. A custom cam is another good solution, and will generally fit your application much better. I don't know about gas mileage, but I would guess that isn't to far off. The main thing to keep in mind is your camshaft selection if your really worried about your monthly bill at the pump.