The 5.0 SN Mustang had a very short production run from 1994-1995. Surprisingly there are a good number of aftermarket parts available despite the short production run of the car itself. The preceding port fuel injection Foxbody had a much longer run from 1986 to 1993. (Technically there was a CFI available on the 1985 Mustang, but it wasn't very good, so we aren't going to count that.) It was also the car that began the fuel injected domestic performance market. For this reason, an astounding number of aftermarket performance parts were developed for the Foxbody Mustang. The following data has been compiled to clarify some of the aftermarket parts that interchange between the more popular Foxbody Mustangs and the 5.0 SN Mustang.
The SN Mustang was developed quickly by Ford on a very low budget due to the concern that V8 performance cars were going to be less desirable. Ford spent a good deal of time developing the new model Mustang as a 4 cylinder front wheel drive car. Due to public outcry, Ford decided to maintain the V8 Mustang. The 4 cylinder replacement that they spent so much money developing was sold as the Ford Probe. With a short period of time and development budgets running lean, Ford replaced the outdated Foxbody with the SN Mustang. Due to the lack of development time and funds, most of the drivetrain and suspension was carried over from the previous Foxbody Mustang. There are a few key differences that need to be addressed so that the modifier can avoid buying the wrong parts for their SN.
The following is a list of the key differences.
The SN Mustang was designed to be tighter, safer, and more modern than the preceding Mustang. The 5.0 engine in both cars is essentially the same performance wise. For this reason all cylinder heads and cam shafts are interchangeable. One may also use any Foxbody fuel injection intake so long as a throttle body adapter is purchased with it. Due to the slant of the hood a few non performance changes had to be made to the engine. The most notable change is that the SN engine had to be shortened about 3” to fit. The accesories, timing cover, and water pump are not interchangeable. None of the aftermarket superchargers for a Foxbody Mustang will work either due to accesory bracket setup without the appropriate SN brackets. This includes all roots and whipple superchargers. The SN also came with an electric fan, and a 130 amp alternator.
The engine management system and fuel delievery systems between the two cars are very similiar. The computer itself is different, and not easily interchangeable. The SN uses a flange style MAF, which is not easily interchanged with a Foxbody MAF. On the SN, the ignition control module was relocated from the distributor itself to the passenger side inner fender. Therefore neither the distributor or the ignition control module is interchangeable. The SN uses different fuel rails. The SN also has an updated fuel pressure regulator that is not interchangeable. The fuel pump is interchangeable. The throttle body is not interchangeable without convterting a few other components.
The SN has 4 wheel disk brakes available with ABS. The rear axle differs from the Foxbody axle in several ways. Obviously it has disk brakes and 5 lugs. The track on the axle is slightly wider on the SN as well. Due to the 5 lug axles and the disk brakes, the axle shafts are not interchangeable. All items associated with the differential are interchangeable. The driveshafts are also interchangeable. there are no similarities between the front brakes and spindles on a Foxbody and the SN. None of the parts are interchangeable.
The Manual Transmission in the SN and the Foxbody are essentially the same. Ford used the same hardened gear set from 1993 to 1995. However, the distance between back of the crankshaft and the flange on the driveshaft is app. 5/8” greater on the SN. Ford compensated for the greater distance by using a longer bellhousing and a longer input shaft on the transmission. The clutch fork was different and relocated on the SN Mustang. The throwout bearing and clutch are the same. A Foxbody T-5 or Foxbody replacement transmission like the Tremec 3550 series can be used with a few minor items. Primarily, a foxbody Fork must be used, and a spacer must be added between the driveshaft and the rear axle flange. This spacer is inexpensive and available through several aftermarket manufacturers. One may also use a Foxbody transmission with the stock SN parts simply by putting an SN input shaft in it.
The location of the clutch fork makes Foxbody longtube headers incompatible with the SN. SN specific longtube headers must be purchased, or Foxbody headers may be used with a Foxbody style manual transmission. The rest of the exhaust is generally not interchangeable, mostly due to the locations of the hangers.
Most of the suspension components are the same and interchangeable with a few exceptions. The subframe connectors must be for an SN. The front strut mount plates are different, so you will have to buy caster/camber plates specific to the SN.
The SN Mustang was developed quickly by Ford on a very low budget due to the concern that V8 performance cars were going to be less desirable. Ford spent a good deal of time developing the new model Mustang as a 4 cylinder front wheel drive car. Due to public outcry, Ford decided to maintain the V8 Mustang. The 4 cylinder replacement that they spent so much money developing was sold as the Ford Probe. With a short period of time and development budgets running lean, Ford replaced the outdated Foxbody with the SN Mustang. Due to the lack of development time and funds, most of the drivetrain and suspension was carried over from the previous Foxbody Mustang. There are a few key differences that need to be addressed so that the modifier can avoid buying the wrong parts for their SN.
The following is a list of the key differences.
The SN Mustang was designed to be tighter, safer, and more modern than the preceding Mustang. The 5.0 engine in both cars is essentially the same performance wise. For this reason all cylinder heads and cam shafts are interchangeable. One may also use any Foxbody fuel injection intake so long as a throttle body adapter is purchased with it. Due to the slant of the hood a few non performance changes had to be made to the engine. The most notable change is that the SN engine had to be shortened about 3” to fit. The accesories, timing cover, and water pump are not interchangeable. None of the aftermarket superchargers for a Foxbody Mustang will work either due to accesory bracket setup without the appropriate SN brackets. This includes all roots and whipple superchargers. The SN also came with an electric fan, and a 130 amp alternator.
The engine management system and fuel delievery systems between the two cars are very similiar. The computer itself is different, and not easily interchangeable. The SN uses a flange style MAF, which is not easily interchanged with a Foxbody MAF. On the SN, the ignition control module was relocated from the distributor itself to the passenger side inner fender. Therefore neither the distributor or the ignition control module is interchangeable. The SN uses different fuel rails. The SN also has an updated fuel pressure regulator that is not interchangeable. The fuel pump is interchangeable. The throttle body is not interchangeable without convterting a few other components.
The SN has 4 wheel disk brakes available with ABS. The rear axle differs from the Foxbody axle in several ways. Obviously it has disk brakes and 5 lugs. The track on the axle is slightly wider on the SN as well. Due to the 5 lug axles and the disk brakes, the axle shafts are not interchangeable. All items associated with the differential are interchangeable. The driveshafts are also interchangeable. there are no similarities between the front brakes and spindles on a Foxbody and the SN. None of the parts are interchangeable.
The Manual Transmission in the SN and the Foxbody are essentially the same. Ford used the same hardened gear set from 1993 to 1995. However, the distance between back of the crankshaft and the flange on the driveshaft is app. 5/8” greater on the SN. Ford compensated for the greater distance by using a longer bellhousing and a longer input shaft on the transmission. The clutch fork was different and relocated on the SN Mustang. The throwout bearing and clutch are the same. A Foxbody T-5 or Foxbody replacement transmission like the Tremec 3550 series can be used with a few minor items. Primarily, a foxbody Fork must be used, and a spacer must be added between the driveshaft and the rear axle flange. This spacer is inexpensive and available through several aftermarket manufacturers. One may also use a Foxbody transmission with the stock SN parts simply by putting an SN input shaft in it.
The location of the clutch fork makes Foxbody longtube headers incompatible with the SN. SN specific longtube headers must be purchased, or Foxbody headers may be used with a Foxbody style manual transmission. The rest of the exhaust is generally not interchangeable, mostly due to the locations of the hangers.
Most of the suspension components are the same and interchangeable with a few exceptions. The subframe connectors must be for an SN. The front strut mount plates are different, so you will have to buy caster/camber plates specific to the SN.
