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  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Difference in Fox Body 302's

  • Thread starter Thread starter 93GreenLX
  • Start date Start date Apr 29, 2005
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93GreenLX

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#1
  • Apr 29, 2005
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Hi, new to the 5.0 side of things. I am picking up a 302 tomorrow to swap into my 180K mile 93 LX 2.3. What differences are there between the 87-93 302's Thanks in advance and I look forward to the swap. I will be making an AOD setup.(Please don't flame me for that)
 

squeeeg

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#2
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89(or 88 in california) added mass air
late 92 started using hyper pistons

that is pretty much it.
 
T

tjm73

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Aug 3, 2000
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#3
  • Apr 29, 2005
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Other thanthe Mass-Air and switch to hypereutectic pistons they are all pretty much the same. I've heard that cars that got manual trannies got a little bit different camshaft. Not sure if that's true or not. And the '93 Cobra definitly got a different camshaft, I do know that for a fact.
 

I_AM_CANADIAN

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#4
  • Apr 29, 2005
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I think the only diff in cams are the speed density and mass air cars. I don't think standard and auto trannies made a diff.
 

93GreenLX

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cOOL SO i GOT THE FIRST YEAR OF mASS aIR Sweet
 

squeeeg

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I am pretty sure that the cams are all the same through the years. I could be wrong though.
 

dastang2

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#7
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the cobra cam is different, it's the same that the 5.0 tbirds had. i had a 91 bird. still got the cam
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
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#8
  • Apr 29, 2005
  • #8
dastang2 said:
the cobra cam is different, it's the same that the 5.0 tbirds had. i had a 91 bird. still got the cam
Click to expand...

Isnt that cam kinda wimpy compared to the stock GT cam? I've heard and read a ton about swapping the computer and cam out of a GT into a '93 Cobra for a little added tq+hp.
 

93GreenLX

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And I can't type
 

dastang2

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i never heard that.
 

87MustangGT5.0

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  • Apr 29, 2005
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93GreenLX said:
cOOL SO i GOT THE FIRST YEAR OF mASS aIR Sweet
Click to expand...
I thought that 1989 was the first year for it.
 

93GreenLX

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#12
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Yep, I have a 93, but the engine I'm getting is an 89
 

squeeeg

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Which computer are you using. Are you getting the whole thing, wiring and everything, from the 89?
 
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mpswirl

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#14
  • Apr 30, 2005
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The newer 5.0s didnt come with double roller timing chains either, not sure exactly when the change took place but i changed my motor in 94 and mine came with single tooth timing chain. The ford engineers said every engine uses them now.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
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#15
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SD had a different cam than MAF cars.

and IIRC around 90 or so (could be off on the year, but i dont think i am on the info) they changed the profile a little to make the valvetrain quieter or some mumbo jumbo like that.
 

93GreenLX

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squeeeg said:
Which computer are you using. Are you getting the whole thing, wiring and everything, from the 89?
Click to expand...
After inspecting the engine I will be getting a donor car. I have about 300-400 fox 5.0's to choose from Should I go with something specific?
 
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cheddarbacon

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#17
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Listen to me

1979-1982 carbarated with 130 hp

1983-1987 carbarated with 160 hp

then the 88 was the sn direct intake the fastest 5.0 made with swirl pattern heads

89-92 mass air to choke the 5.0 and not give it as much pull as the 88 225 hp 300 fpt

93 Stay away from 93 they use hyperthimc pistons to get better gass millage and for emitions. i also heard that the piston walls are not as strong.
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
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#18
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cheddarbacon said:
1979-1982 carbarated with 130 hp

1983-1987 carbarated with 160 hp

then the 88 was the sn direct intake the fastest 5.0 made with swirl pattern heads

89-92 mass air to choke the 5.0 and not give it as much pull as the 88 225 hp 300 fpt

93 Stay away from 93 they use hyperthimc pistons to get better gass millage and for emitions. i also heard that the piston walls are not as strong.
Click to expand...


I think you got some numbers mixed up there.... In stock trim, an '85 is no slower than an '87, and they were rated from Ford at 210hp. Also, hyper pistons had nothing to do with gas mileage or emissions, they're just cheaper to produce than forged pistons. Also....swirl pattern heads? The '88 heads are the exact same heads as an '87 and all the rest through '93, and are only slightly different from the '85s. Also, carburetion ended in '85, EFI started in '86. Oh yea, and hyper pistons came in '92.
 

93GreenLX

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#19
  • Apr 30, 2005
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http://home.pon.net/hunnicutt/history_79_93.htm
Looks like this site clears some things up. Had to search for a while to find it

1979
The Fox-body Mustang based on the Fairmont intermediate-sized platform was introduced with MacPherson-struts in front and a live rear axle. Although larger than the Mustang II it weighed less. Ford offered two performance options—a 302 2bbl and a turbocharged 2.3L four cylinder

1980-81
For fuel economy reasons the V8 was de-bored to 4.2L and only an auto tranny was available because of emission and fuel economy problems. HP and torque dropped significantly from '79. Only 5,000 V8 Mustangs were sold in '81

1982
The 5.0L was back for 4-speed cars only. The GT model returned for the first time since 1969. The GT had a more sporting suspension setup and a 3.08:1 rear axle. The return of the 5.0L was thought by Ford to be a temporary measure. The performance engine of the future was to be the fuel-injected turbocharged four cylinder.
Base price for a GT was $8400.

1983
Available late in the year the Turbo GT 2.3L four cylinder with EFI had 145 HP. The V8 came with a 4 bbl carb, better cam, and better breathing. The Borg-Warner T5 five-speed introduced. Tire size went from 185/75R14 on the '82 to 205/70R14

1984
A quad-shock rear suspension replaced the traction bars mid-year. Variable rate springs and gas shocks were introduced. Last year for the GT turbo four cylinder.

An SVO model was introduced with a 175 HP turbo four with throttle body fuel injection. It had Koni shocks, larger anti-sway bars, four-wheel disc brakes, 16-inch wheels, a Hurst shifter and Recaro seats. When Road & Track first reviewed the SVO in '83 they said, "This may be the best all-around car for the enthusiast ever produced by the U.S. industry."

1985
Roller lifters, new camshaft and a freer breathing exhaust with tubular headers were introduced. The last year for the carburetor. The 5-speed got tall 2.73:1 gears, but first gear was lower.

1986
EFI with speed density air intake, dual exhaust, but more restrictive heads. The 7.5-inch rear end was replaced by the sturdier 8.8 inch. The compression ratio went up from 8.4 to 9.2:1. Horsepower was down in ’86 compared to ’85, but torque increased.

Last year for the SVO. A total of 10,000 were produced between '84 and '86.

1987
The restrictive heads were replaced and a bigger throttle body was added along with cam, intake and exhaust manifold changes to increase HP by 25. An air silencer was placed upstream from the filter at the cost of a couple HP. Compression ratio was 9.0:1.
Bigger front disc brakes. Wheels were 15 x 7 inches.
The car was about 180 inches long, an inch shorter than the original Mustang.
Base price for a GT was $11,300.

1988
In California the Speed Density intake was replaced by the "smarter" Mass Air metering. This improved drivability, emissions, and fuel economy, but with a slight drop in HP. Mass Air has better flexibility for moderate to large HP upgrades because the computer can adjust to modifications.

1989-90
Mass Air for all 5.0’s. A minor cam change to quiet the valve train cost a couple of HP.

1991-92
16 x 7 inch wheels introduced in '91.
Generally, the '89 through '92's are considered the best for adding engine modifications. The combination of stronger block, MAF, better heads and forged pistons (pre-'85's and the'93's had cast pistons) make these easier to modify and more reliable

1993
The last of the Fox-bodied Mustangs. The published HP was now 205 though there was no specific change causing the drop, just an accumulation of changes from previous years and Ford decided to publish "honest" numbers. The GT-40 equipped Cobra was conservatively rated at 235 HP. A very limited edition Cobra R of 107 cars deleted A/C, the stereo and the back seat and added better brakes and a stiffer suspension.
Base price for a '93 GT was $15050.
 

93GreenLX

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#20
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HP ratings of the Fox-bodied V8 Mustangs

Year
Displacement
Intake
HP

1979 5.0 2 bbl 140
1980-81 4.2 2 bbl 120
1982 5.0 2 bbl 157
4.2 (w/auto) 2 bbl 120
1983 5.0 4 bbl 175
1984 5.0 4 bbl 175
Throttle body FI (w/auto) 165
1985 5.0 4 bbl 210
Throttle body FI (w/auto) 180
1986 5.0 SEFI SD 200
1987 5.0 SEFI SD 225
1988 5.0 SEFI SD, MAF (Calif) 225
1989-92 5.0 SEFI MAF 225
1993 5.0 SEFI MAF 205
5.0 Cobra SEFI MAF 235
 
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