How can you tell if a 5.0 was previously a four-banger?

[Aftrbrnr]

I just want to check to see if my car started out its life as a 5.0. I don't have money for Carfax, so are there any tell-tale signs that show? How does an 8.8 inch rear end look like? I know the suspension is also different with the four-bangers, too.

 

[leakyfaucet]

Well, if they didn't swap out the front springs, the front of the car would sit a couple inches lower. Smaller front disc brakes, smaller master cylinder, no quad shocks...

 

[cardudeusa]

http://www.mustanggt.org/main.htm That site has a vin decoder click the little drop down menu in the middle of the page. Then go to 82-93 Mustang Vin Codes. Scroll down to where it says Digits-8 Thats all the engine codes. Then all you need to know is the 8th digit of your vin.

 

[88stangmangt]

ya the vin says all

 

[NKau]

If the 8th digit in your VIN is an "A", then your car was previously a 4-banger. If it's and "E" then it's an original v8.

 

[mikeflys1]

yeah the only for sure way is the vin, everything else can be changed relatively easily.

 

[FoxChasis]

When the 2.3L Mustang engine changed from single-plug to dual-plug configuration, the engine code changed from A to M. The 2.3L M code engine was in the Mustang from '91 through '93.

 

[93mustang fox#1]

Not allways a bad thing if it has been converted. Possably a fresher motor and tranny. Maybe the car has an 8.8 with gears you never know. If it is a 7.5 rear it has either 3.73's stick or 4.10's if automatic.

 

[Asha'man]

Um, no. If it has a 7.5", it has either 3.45's stick or 3.73's auto.

Ash