85 5.0 to 89 spec

[mustangGT85]

how hard, and what would i need to make my 85 5.0 AT into an 88(california)-92 type engine.
i know i would need the intake, throttle body, injectors, and so on....

would this project be worth doing? and does anybody have a complete 88+ engine for sale that was sold oringinally in california?

i have a lot more questions, but am i tight on time, will reply later.

~Steve

 

[battyice]

By the time you get done buying all of the necessary parts to make the conversion (intake, fuel system, etc) you might as well buy a complete engine at a junkyard. I don't know how things are out by you, but where I'm from 5.0's from that era aren't too difficult to locate at the wrecking yards. Get a junkyard engine, a summit racing rebuild kit, and you would be in business.

If you're still interesting in using your '85 engine, post back and I can fill you in on some of the other parts/modifications you'd need.

 

[mustangGT85]

nah, i think i'm going to just try and find a complete 5.0 to use. and sell my 85. it'd be too much work added to the project i'm doing right now. thanks though

 

[HappyG]

yup, but if its an 85ho, then its pretty much the same long block, by going fi, you could probably gain a little in torque, maybe mileage, but you could lose hp. most guys i know that went from fi to carb gained big time in hp/mph. not really worth the effort.

how hard, and what would i need to make my 85 5.0 AT into an 88(california)-92 type engine.
i know i would need the intake, throttle body, injectors, and so on....

would this project be worth doing? and does anybody have a complete 88+ engine for sale that was sold oringinally in california?

i have a lot more questions, but am i tight on time, will reply later.

~Steve

 

[maverick0716]

Your block is NOT a roller block (only 5 speeds with the 4 barrel carb had the roller motor)......therefore it would be well worth your while to find another engine.

 

[C.Harris]

Just to flip the coin on the other side....just because an engine is of a "roller" design doesn't necessarily translate into a superior powerplant or mean building an engine that isn't a roller a waste of time. There is a lot you can do with your existing engine. A roller set up is a great benefit, don't get me wrong, more power is usually made with similar cam profiles than a standard hydraulic and the loss of friction is a nice bonus.....but at higher prices.

There's a good bit of power you can make with a performance carb, intake, cam, exhaust and ignition! A little headwork done by a reputable shop, if you were wanting to go that far, would be a good investment and a power gainer.