Any progress on V8 engine swap options?

[titaniumdave]

78F350, we have a 40 valve motor. I have the benefit of a full machine shop plus I have been fabricating for over 40 years and mostly build titanium bicycle frames for a living. Making spacers and the engine cradle are easy work. The plan is to make a cradle that will accept 2.7L V6 or 4.2L V8 with just a different front motor mount for the block. We have both motors and 986 5 speed and 6 speed trans in the shop. Seems like most folks are going with a 987 6 speed trans so the starter plugs in the correct location...

What did you do with the starter location for the 986 5 speed?

[78F350]

Originally Posted by titaniumdave

... What did you do with the starter location for the 986 5 speed?

The 5 speed bolts right up with the Audi engine. No need to modify for the starter. The clutch slave from the 5 speed looks a little different, but both mount and seem to work identically. The shift cables and linkage need to be swapped with the 5 speed. The axle stub does not swap from the 6 speed to the 5 speed, so I'm using the whole 5 speed axle. It's just a bit short on the hub.

Originally Posted by titaniumdave

... Making spacers and the engine cradle are easy work. The plan is to make a cradle that will accept 2.7L V6 or 4.2L V8 with just a different front motor mount for the block. We have both motors and 986 5 speed and 6 speed trans in the shop. ...

I'm quite dissatisfied with my current cradle and I'm not a good welder. If you come up with one that you are willing to sell and ship, I'm probably going to want it.
I gave a local fabricator measurements, the scrapped back 1/2 of a car, and this picture from Precision Chassis Works (for concept).

After 2 months of "It will done next week" and about $1,000 I had a heavy piece of scrap metal that was off by INCHES. Finally got it to fit, but not well. I'd love to see what you come up with.