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I'm with you that the first generation Taurus is the best looking one.
Just some thoughts you've doubtless considered already but that haven't been mentioned. Is the front crossmember low enough for a V8 to clear in conventional orientation? Sure, you could add a gompy hood scoop, but IMHO it would be coolest to keep it looking like a totally stock Taurus, aside from the the side windows.
Do you think you'll be able to use the same front suspension? I suppose you could knock the CV joints apart and turn the end of that off to keep just the spline and the part of the joint just beyond the joint to keep the hub together. If you do this thing, you really ought to try to keep the suspension setup the same, both to keep something simple, and to preserve what was engineered specifically for the wagons - I remember reading back when they were new that the wagon and sedan suspensions were different.
For the rear axle, how about independent RWD, like from a Corvette?
And of course you'll have to add a driveshaft tunnel, so you'll have to re-engineer seating too.
But, after the dust settles, there's a big thing to consider. With a big-ass V8 and probably (??) a cast iron 4-spd, the weight distribution and handling will probably be awful.
Just some thoughts you've doubtless considered already but that haven't been mentioned. Is the front crossmember low enough for a V8 to clear in conventional orientation? Sure, you could add a gompy hood scoop, but IMHO it would be coolest to keep it looking like a totally stock Taurus, aside from the the side windows.
Do you think you'll be able to use the same front suspension? I suppose you could knock the CV joints apart and turn the end of that off to keep just the spline and the part of the joint just beyond the joint to keep the hub together. If you do this thing, you really ought to try to keep the suspension setup the same, both to keep something simple, and to preserve what was engineered specifically for the wagons - I remember reading back when they were new that the wagon and sedan suspensions were different.
For the rear axle, how about independent RWD, like from a Corvette?
And of course you'll have to add a driveshaft tunnel, so you'll have to re-engineer seating too.
But, after the dust settles, there's a big thing to consider. With a big-ass V8 and probably (??) a cast iron 4-spd, the weight distribution and handling will probably be awful.
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