If you're going to convert to efi later and want the HO firing order (1-3-7-etc.) you'd be best off simply using a cam with that firing order to start with. That way when conversion time comes, it's simply a matter of a distributor change, and adding proper intake/injectors/ecu/etc. Go online to CarCraft magazine and search for their carbed/302/afr165 headed buildup. With a stock HO shortblock out of a fox body mustang, AFR165 aluminum heads, 1.7 roller rockers, stock HO cam and a dual-plane carbed intake they made slightly over 400 crank HP. Mild idle, great drivability, 9:1 compression. It's do-able. But I'd go efi in the first place -- much easier/cheaper than trying to switch it over later.

I think for a V8 powered car you need fans capable of AT LEAST 2700-3000 cfm. And fitment is REALLY tight. I use a diesel rad (24X16) with a contemporary 3-row, 16 fin/inch copper core and a SPAL dual 11" fully shrouded fan. It fits the rad perfectly. The only way to control an electric is with this -- www.dccontrol.com. Don't even consider relays/temp switches.

I used FRPP shorties - had the stainless units ceramic coated. What you'll have to modify/adjust you can't tell until you get the engine mocked up in the car. Every car/engine/motor mount set up is a bit different -- I had to dimple one tube for a bit of extra clearance around the steering shaft, and had to bend the pass. side header towards the block about 1/4" (heat and a hyd. press were involved) and cut the flange off and rotate it about 9 degrees to get clearance needed. You won't know til you try what yours will need. If it sits 1/4" closer on the driver's side you may have no interference on the pass. side, and a bigger problem with the steering shaft. And headers from different makers may interfere in different places. The beauty of a swap. Just try it - then fabricate.

On the accessories - the efi serpentine setups out of Explorer/Mountaineers/Cougar/T'bird have the whole accessory package sitting closer to the engine by about 1.5". But it's not just the water pump -- it's the whole package. Furthermore - the components are located differently -- fox body has the p/s on the bottom and a/c on the top; it's the opposite on the shorter exp/t'bird set ups. So you'll have to make a choice -- and that will impact how you plump up the accessories. You can make the longer accessory set up work - but it's tight.

Suspension - go to IPD. I have springs/Bilsteins/poly bushings everywhere/upper-lower strut bars/adj. Panhard and upper torque arms. You need the V6 front bar to clear.

On the tranny - if you keep the stock Volvo rear end, and don't do body work to allow much bigger/stickier tires -- you won't need to upgrade when you boost it. You won't have enough traction to hurt the tranny - and even if you get the traction, the rear end will break before the tranny. If you're serious about hard launches/traction - you'll need to completely re-think the rear end/tire situation. A 245 section tire is about the biggest I've heard you can make fit -- and you have to be very creative to make those work.

Good luck with it. If you'd like to see pics of mine - email me myount@senndelaney.com.