Engine Configuration to Perform--or Not?

[jgonz727]

I'm looking for some expert advise from you guys. I decided to upgrade the performance on my 5.0, so I have done the following:
Keith Black Pistons .030" over
Ported E6 heads (unfortunately, didn't realize at the time the difference between these and the E7 heads--too late now)
Ford Racing 1.6 Roller Rockers
RV cam
Cobra Intake (off of a 5.0 Ford Explorer)
BBK Fenderwell Cold air induction kit
MSD BLASTER TFI COIL
Ford Racing 9MM Spark Plug Wires
MAC Underdrive pulleys
BBK Chrome shorty Headers
Mac 2.5" High Flow Catalytic H-Pipe
2.5" Flowmaster mandrel bent cat-back exhaust

I've gotten a hold of a set of 24lbs injectors, a used '93 Cobra X3Z computer, and matching mass air meter. Should I stick with the 19lb and the A9P setup I already have, or should I try this Cobra setup? By the way, it's an AOD I'm running with also, if that makes a difference to anyone.

By the way, this is my daily driver so I definitely want good driveability--with some green light get-up-and-go! I appreciate any helpful advice...

 

[TENGRAM]

i wouldn't bother w/ the 24s and cobra ECM, they're unnecessary with the limited mods you have. a good idea would be to get some gears and a shift kit. i've heard good things about Baumann's shift kit.

 

[90mustangGT]

I say not perform. A fresh bottom end would be a good start. You could pick up some E7's cheap. Even some GT40's. I just have never scene any E6's ported or not that performed well at all. Unless it's has some good combustion chamber work, otherise, all the extra flow is going to hit a wall when it tries to get out of the valve. Explorer/Cobra intake is a good choice. Shortie headers IMO are a waste of time and money. Catted H- pipe, if your going to go with shorties, might as well get a non-cat midpipe and just put the stocker on when emmisions time comes. RV cam? I would look into a better MAF and TB. Don't put in the Cobra computer.

Being an AOD, do you have a aftermarket converter? Shift kit? What's your gear. You could get more out of your car, and probally more stock like drivability with a lockup converter, a shift kit, and a 3.73-4.10 gear. The beauty of the lockup converter, such as a TCI Streetfighter, is that it will drive about the same as the stock converter, and on the highway, when the TCC engages, absolutly stock like, but when you mash on the gas, night and day difference.

 

[jgonz727]

I was assisted in compiling this setup by a professional race engine builder, who also is a trophy-winning drag racer himself. He also did the porting work on the heads for me. When I delivered the heads to him, I remember he made a comment about the heads being somenthing "6," but back then, I didn't realize what that meant. He did follow that up with, "we're definitely going to port this heads"...nothing more. I assume that he knows what he's doing. Same on the cam, except that I wonder if there could be conflict between the rv cam and EFI. (I believe the race engines he builds are all carburated.) Any thoughts on that...

It seems unanimous so far against the Cobra computer. Is it because it's a waste of resources given my setup, or would it actually harm the performance?

Also, what kind of MAF and TB would you guys recommend?
Thanks.

 

[TENGRAM]

the programming in the cobra ECM isn't as "aggressive" as a normal 5.0 ECM, like the a9l or a9p, so it probably wouldn't perform as well. plus the injectors might cause problems at part throttle low RPMs. if you already have them then keep them, you'll need them sooner or later. maf, i would go with something that utilizes the stock electronics, i'm thinking C&L 73 or 76mm. stock TB should be sufficient, or go with a 65mm. that'll support any future upgrades that you have planned, up to, i dunno, like 350-400hp

 

[25thmustang]

A race builder suggested this combo??? What does he say it should do?

 

[woodsy]

RV Cam? Find a new builder, you wont be happy

 

[z2o_what]

I say not perform. A fresh bottom end would be a good start. You could pick up some E7's cheap. Even some GT40's. I just have never scene any E6's ported or not that performed well at all. Unless it's has some good combustion chamber work,...

i agree... im running e6's on my engine that i unshrouded the valves on (took like 1/8" around the valves) and did some light porting to. i did notice a good increase in low end torque(which amazed me), but still nothing above 4500. imo they are not worth the effort.

but the fact that that was my first set and i didn't have any thing to go by could be my problem... maybe someone with experience could get better results with e6's.

 

[poneypower89]

sounds like a combo from hell IMO...


Nothing with that setup seems in good taste/knowledge except for the intake... geesh..

yet, im interested.

 

[srothfuss]

I've think I still have a set of E7's sitting in the garage.

What is an RV cam? All torque? And is it an HO or Non HO setup?

 

[ninety15.0]

Let me give you a couple pieces of advice that i have gathered while modding my stang. If it is fuel injected.....DO NOT bring it to a builder who only does carb cars. They simply dont know enough about fuel inj to make the right choices about the combo. Carb motors are generally less driveable and get WAY worse gas milage and part throttle performance....especially with a "performance" cam. You will be disappointed with the results if you continue along this path. Put the stock cam back in, keep the 19's and stock 'puter. The intake is a good choice and it will work awesome for low end TQ with ported E6's and the stock cam... Then get some 3.73's and a nice converter and you will have a decently fast 5.0. You need to pay to play and using stock heads and an unknown cam will not get you there. good luck man

 

[jgonz727]

I really appreciate all the useful advice you guys have given me. I should have come to you sooner. Unfortunately, I must take responsibility for the poor choices in this setup. I selected most of the parts based on my very limited knowledge. For instance, I read about the RV cam in Car Craft magazine and thought that it would give me the extra low-end torque that I wanted to pull of the line quicker...on my way to work! (maybe I won't be late as often) Again, I want this to me daily driver and perform well, that's it--NO racing whatsoever. To the engine builder's credit he suggested that I get a Cobra intake. The engine builder is a friend of a friend and he was just trying to help me out. I brought him the pieces for my short block and he put it together for me. Besides offering to do the porting on the heads (again, that I brought to him) that's all he did for me. I've been working on putting the rest of this engine together on my own with pieces I thought would work well.

So, with all this having been said, what would the RV cam do then?