can a 430 motor be put in a 360?

I almost agree. The 430 is better in all objective areas. It has more power, better electronics, and if you lust for paddle shifters, has adequate ( not great ) ones. The 458 is the first one that I had to admit was pretty cool.

But, I still think the front and rear look like two different designs, both wandering somewhere around a spaceship. The 360 reminds me of rounded Ferrraris like the 250LM or my 275GTB/4. I can't say you are wrong for liking the styling of the 430. That's what you like. I just don't care for it and mechanically, the 360 is still a great car. If HP on the street was more important to me, I would just get a 458. It is vastly superior to either the 430 and the 360 mechanically and I love the look.

BUT, I want a six speed manual. Life is not often simple.

 

Anything is possible, heck you could put a jet turbine in there if you had the money.

Better investment to buy a mt430 at full asking price, than try to stuff a 430 engine into a 360. I understand you are not selling but the car will eventually out live you unless you total it. And the value of an original MT430 should hold up better. Your heirs will thank you, and I can’t imagine how narrow the market would be for a F395. Plus I could just imagine the headaches of the unknown unknowns.

 

Another way to look at the whole equation is a 360 being driven hard and well will always outrun a 430 being driven poorly. But, so will a Miata. Buy the one you can't park and walk away from without looking back.

 

A 430 is actually more than less a 360 with a 430 engine

 

If you are going to use anything 430 to me the way to go is the 430 scud engine and SF2 transaxle seems like it might be easier to buy a scud of course more money but should be able to switch sheet metal for the 360 look and if you. AlReady have the 360 sell it…
Of course this sounds crazy to me but the scud is a pretty cool car ..FWIW

 

Umm no.

 

Nope.. I use to think the same..