I have a chance to purchase an entire 94 Tbird 5.0 HO (inc computer) to swap into the Stang. Any pro's or cons to using this motor vs. one out of a late model stang?
94 Thunderbird HO into 68 Stang
- Thread starter TampaStang
- Start date
steelhorse
Member
rhyno9
Founding Member
I don't think it and HO motor
To the best of my knowledge the tbird never got the HO motor. That basically means it won't have forged slugs and it will use the old 289/302 firing order. The HO motors use the 351 firing order which supposedly puts less stress on the crank. Also those are not mass air efi which means they require ecu reprogramming when modifications(swapping heads, cam, intake) are done to the motor. Are any of the above mentioned items important to you?
If not then it should be a fine setup for cruising around but for an all out performance build I would not use it. Basically the best late model motors are from mustangs to use for a performance build are the 88 (california only) and 89-92(entire US) because you will get forged internals and mass air. The 87-88 are forged but do not have mass air (can be converted quite easily though). In 93 they started using hypereutic pistons.
With all that said the trick is to determine what you are going to do with the car.
RV
TampaStang said:
To the best of my knowledge the tbird never got the HO motor. That basically means it won't have forged slugs and it will use the old 289/302 firing order. The HO motors use the 351 firing order which supposedly puts less stress on the crank. Also those are not mass air efi which means they require ecu reprogramming when modifications(swapping heads, cam, intake) are done to the motor. Are any of the above mentioned items important to you?
If not then it should be a fine setup for cruising around but for an all out performance build I would not use it. Basically the best late model motors are from mustangs to use for a performance build are the 88 (california only) and 89-92(entire US) because you will get forged internals and mass air. The 87-88 are forged but do not have mass air (can be converted quite easily though). In 93 they started using hypereutic pistons.
With all that said the trick is to determine what you are going to do with the car.
RV
Odd. It says 5.0 HO on the top (not that someone couldnt have changed it) and looks like a 94-95 Mustang GT motor. (curved upper etc). I found my 289 would not run due to rod sticking a nice gouge in the block and finding nice bits of schrapnel in the pan.
It also looks like it would be expensive to run EFI, although I will be getting an entire setup. I am planning on running a T-5 later, and I thought the roller cam features of the 5.0 would be great (swap in an E303) and if not using efi run an Air gap and a 570 Street Avenger.
It also looks like it would be expensive to run EFI, although I will be getting an entire setup. I am planning on running a T-5 later, and I thought the roller cam features of the 5.0 would be great (swap in an E303) and if not using efi run an Air gap and a 570 Street Avenger.
rhyno9
Founding Member
It is entirely possible that a HO motor has been swapped into it. The key is if you are planning on modifying it and using efi then it should be converted to mass air. The E cam probably won't run right due to the different firing order and changes in duration/lift. If running a carb it would be fine. None of the changes are that difficult to increase performance you will just have to do some more swapping. It's good that it already has the HO intake but to be sure you should pull the little plate and look for a casting that says HO. The other thing is to check the firing and verify the 351 order. It sounds like there may have been some changes in the motors life so it might already be mass air also. Just make sure you know what you are buying. As they say caveat emptor.TampaStang said:
BigDaddyCee
Founding Member
The 94 T-Birds were equipped with 5.0 HO engines from the factory. Essentially the block and heads are Identical to the 87-93 mustang 5.0 HO motors. They would have the 351w firing order aswell. If you are going to carb this motor then there is no reason not to take it and use it.
I am going back to take a peek this weekend, its in a buddy's lot and is running currently. The tranny in it is busted, and the car was in a wreck. It starts on the first try, doesnt puff smoke and if original has 95K on it. I assume I could theoretically pop this out, put an intake and carb on it and bolt it right on to the C4 as long as I had the 5.0 flywheel intact right?
If it is an HO motor, the heads will have a "T" cast into one corner near the valve cover. If there's an "S" there, then it's got E6SE heads, and the no- valve relief pistons. If it's mass air, just look for the meter inline between the air cleaner and throttle body. By the way, the only thing forged in the HO's ( 85-93) were the rods and pistons. The rods are the same for all 5.0's-- all have forged rods. You are correct that the intake is the same as the 94-95 Stangs, this low profile upper was necessary to clear the lower hood line in the SN-95's. Fostang's correct too, you will need a 50 once/inch flexplate. But I would add that you'll most likely need a 157 tooth one, the AOD's flexplate is a 164 tooth. Your C-4 could also need a 164 tooth flex if someone has swapped the transmission in the past to one with a 164 tooth bellhousing. Better check before ordering parts.
Please dont shoot me for asking so many questions, but if I were to have a shop rebalance my original flywheel to 50oz instead of 28oz, I would be home free right?
67coupestang
Founding Member
- May 31, 2002
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BigDaddyCee said:
yup only the 87-88's (i think) have a non ho 5.0, just like the marquis.
My vote is leave it fuel injection
68rustang
Active Member
this has been covered but...
The 5.0 in the later tbirds is an HO motor. It is in fact pretty much the same motor that is in the 94-95 gt mustangs. The computers are sligthly different. The bird computer is arguably better in some regards.
I am currently doing this swap using the 5.0 HO out of a 93 tbird and have researched this quite extensively. The only differences I have found from the <93 mustang motor are the locations of the coolant temp sending unit, the IAC sensor, and the hard heater core lines.
Drop me a message ifyou would like to know more.
Oh yeah I vote for EFI also
Later
The 5.0 in the later tbirds is an HO motor. It is in fact pretty much the same motor that is in the 94-95 gt mustangs. The computers are sligthly different. The bird computer is arguably better in some regards.
I am currently doing this swap using the 5.0 HO out of a 93 tbird and have researched this quite extensively. The only differences I have found from the <93 mustang motor are the locations of the coolant temp sending unit, the IAC sensor, and the hard heater core lines.
Drop me a message ifyou would like to know more.
Oh yeah I vote for EFI also
Later
golf4283
Active Member
TampaStang said:
As far as I can tell, '93 was the last year for a Tbird with the 5.0 engine. '94 and up use the 4.6. IIRC, Ford used the 4.6 in the Tbird and the Mercury Cougars before putting it in the '96 Mustangs. Are you sure it isnt a '93??? Not that it really matters.
68rustang
Active Member
golf4283 said:
The engine I am using is out of a 93 tbird. I think you are right about the 94's and up using the 4.6
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