86 5.0 questions

[redknight290]

hey everyone

In a few months i will finally be getting a 5.0 mustang. My favorite year looks wise is the 86 GT, but i've heard they had a few problems with them. First off i have heard that that the motor has no top end power due to the heads used that year and also that the higher compression pistons limit the cam choices. My questions are. What life cam do you think an 86 motor can take. and if i replaced the heads cam intake exhaust would it benefit as much as an 87-92 motor and have some top end to it.

thanks guys

 

[PUNISHER RACING]

Replacing your top half with an 87-93 top half will help you power wise the E7 head is a much better head than the E6. The 86 motor did not have valve notches in the pistons for bigger cams however I have heard of people running the Motorsport B cam with no ill results. It has more duration and .480 inches of lift. I would recommend that you check piston to valve clearance first and maybe even look for a set of GT40P heads to go along with that B cam.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

Your best bet is to buy an 89-93. They have more HP and they are tuner friendly. They are roughly the same price to buy, but you will be spending your first amount of money just to get it up to par with an 89-93. You might as well put that money towards mods on the newer 5.0L.

 

[Rdrcr]

Just like the previous posters have mentioned, the cylinder heads and the flat top pistons are the main issues with regards to aftermarket parts. Of course, SD (speed density) does not help with regard to tuning.

If you are planning on installing better heads and a bumpy cam a later model Fox might be a better choice.

The '86 5.0 GT was designed for low-end power and little else. The above issues are not a major concern for my GT. I plan on installing a supercharger and when the motor gets tired, it gets replaced.

Mike

 

[KAILUAZ]

Don't let the engine alone sway you, we all know 4 eyes are the best Mustangs out there!! 87+ are a dime a dozen.

 

[Vinnietbird]

I'm using an '86 engine,and have replaced the topend and cam (and Mass Air),and have had no issues with the setup I'm using.