• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Injector size?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Boydster
  • Start date Start date May 20, 2011

Boydster

5 Year Member
Apr 10, 2011
301
20
39
Maryville, Tenn
May 20, 2011
#1
  • May 20, 2011
  • #1
I'm in the process of rebuilding my 5.0. When all together (some of these items were already installed), it'll have 70mm MA & TB, Edelbrock 5.0 intake, Edelbrock 1.90 heads, Trick Flow Stage 1 cam, 1.6 or 1.7 roller rockers (depends on how the P-to-V clearance comes out), Keith Black 9.4:1 Hyper pistons, .030 bored, Pypes stainless headers & Pypes off road x-pipe. There's a lot more, but thats what applies to the question...

I have new 19lb injectors to go in it. Should I bump up a size? Or should the 19's be OK? I dont plan on having to do any dyno tuning because it's a pretty basic 5.0 setup. Already have an adjustable FP regulator and a 190 pump.

I know the safe call is to use the 24's. Just wanting to know if the 19's will be OK. I've heard the 19's are good to about 300 hp.

If I go to 24's, what's a good fuel pressure to start off with?

No plans for gas or blower.

Thanks.
 

giddyup306

Founding Member
Oct 22, 2002
3,041
2
59
May 20, 2011
#2
  • May 20, 2011
  • #2
How far does your AFPR go up to? If you can get 75 PSI there is no problem supporting 350 hp.

Injector Size Calculator

I had a similar combo to what you do, and 19# injectors worked fine.
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
May 20, 2011
#3
  • May 20, 2011
  • #3
Fuel injector sizing & injector photos

Revised 07-May-2011 to add flywheel statement & improve injector table

Injector HP ratings: divide flow rating by.5 and multiply the result by the number of injectors. This uses a 100% duty cycle. These ratings are for naturally aspirated engines at the flywheel.

Example:
19/.5 = 38, 38 x 8 = 304 HP
24/.5 = 48, 48 x 8 = 384 HP
30/.5 = 60, 60 x 8 = 480 HP

The preferred duty cycle is about 85% maximum, so for a safety factor multiply the final figure times .85.

19/.5 = 38, 38 x 8 = 304 HP x .85 = 258 HP
24/.5 = 48, 48 x 8 = 384 HP x .85 = 326 HP
30/.5 = 60, 60 x 8 = 480 HP x .85 = 408 HP

Remember that the above ratings are at 39 PSI. Increasing the pressure will effectively increase the flow rating. Example: a 19 lb injector will flow 24 lbs at 63 PSI, and a 24 lb injector will flow 30 lbs at 63 PSI.

See Automotive Performance Software / Interactive Calculators to get the calculators used in these examples.

Here's the duty cycle explanation. Duty cycle is how much of the time the intake is open the injectors are turned on. The 85% figure means that for 85% of the time the intake valve is open, the injectors are spraying. The idea is that you want some percentage of the duty cycle left over so that you have some room to grow the process.

If you are at 100% and you need more fuel, all you can do is turn up the fuel pressure. That means the whole fuel curve from idle to WOT is affected. Maybe you are already too rich at idle, and turning up the fuel pressure makes it worse. If you had some injector duty cycle left to play with, a custom tune could use that where it is needed. That would not over richen the whole range from idle to WOT.

Don't forget to increase the fuel pump size with you increase injector size or significantly increase the fuel pressure



Diagram courtesy of Tmoss & Stang&2birds


See the following website for some help from Tmoss (diagram designer) & Stang&2Birds (website host) for help on 88-95 wiring Mustang FAQ - Wiring & Engine Info Everyone should bookmark this site.

Ignition switch wiring
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/IgnitionSwitchWiring.gif

Fuel, alternator, A/C and ignition wiring
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/fuel-alt-links-ign-ac.gif

Complete computer, actuator & sensor wiring diagram for 88-91 Mass Air Mustangs
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/88-91_5.0_EEC_Wiring_Diagram.gif

Vacuum diagram 89-93 Mustangs
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/mustangFoxFordVacuumDiagram.jpg

HVAC vacuum diagram
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/Mustang_AC_heat_vacuum_controls.gif

TFI module differences & pinout
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/TFI_5.0_comparison.gif

Fuse box layout
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/MustangFuseBox.gif
 

NIKwoaC

中國製造
15 Year Member
Oct 31, 2006
5,525
943
214
Chengdu Province
May 20, 2011
#4
  • May 20, 2011
  • #4
Two things:

1. You can't change injector size without a tune or at least without a meter calibrated to the injectors. This is a common mistake that raises questions in here all the time. If you want to go from 19s to 24s, you either need a tune, or you need a new MAF meter that is "calibrated" to the new injector size.

2. Excessively raising fuel pressure is a band-aid fix for otherwise insufficient injector sizing. It is certainly a feasible option, but it tends to wreak havoc on part-throttle or idle A/F ratio. Again, bigger injectors with a tune or a calibrated meter is the better option.
 

Rick 91GT

Mustang Master
Nov 29, 1999
9,692
95
99
PA
May 20, 2011
#5
  • May 20, 2011
  • #5
I personally like a 24# inj in that combo.
 

Boydster

5 Year Member
Apr 10, 2011
301
20
39
Maryville, Tenn
May 20, 2011
#6
  • May 20, 2011
  • #6
giddyup306 said:
How far does your AFPR go up to? If you can get 75 PSI there is no problem supporting 350 hp.
Click to expand...

I have no idea if it'll go that hi. It's a Paxton unit thats been on there for 15 years...

I had a similar combo to what you do, and 19# injectors worked fine.
Click to expand...

Thanks...
 

Boydster

5 Year Member
Apr 10, 2011
301
20
39
Maryville, Tenn
May 20, 2011
#7
  • May 20, 2011
  • #7
NikwoaC said:
Two things:

1. You can't change injector size without a tune or at least without a meter calibrated to the injectors. This is a common mistake that raises questions in here all the time. If you want to go from 19s to 24s, you either need a tune, or you need a new MAF meter that is "calibrated" to the new injector size.
Click to expand...

I plan on a new MAF meter to match the injectors if I step up to the 24's. Thats partly the reason I'm asking, cuz it's a big cash outlay if I dont really need to.
2. Excessively raising fuel pressure is a band-aid fix for otherwise insufficient injector sizing. It is certainly a feasible option, but it tends to wreak havoc on part-throttle or idle A/F ratio. Again, bigger injectors with a tune or a calibrated meter is the better option.
Click to expand...

I've heard that before about raising the fuel pressure.
Thanks!
 

Boydster

5 Year Member
Apr 10, 2011
301
20
39
Maryville, Tenn
May 20, 2011
#8
  • May 20, 2011
  • #8
jrichker said:
Fuel injector sizing & injector photos
~snip~
Click to expand...

Thanks, lots of good info there, and if I knew my HP, it'd be a cinch!
 

Boydster

5 Year Member
Apr 10, 2011
301
20
39
Maryville, Tenn
May 20, 2011
#9
  • May 20, 2011
  • #9
Rick 91GT said:
I personally like a 24# inj in that combo.
Click to expand...

Guess it's time to step up.
 

giddyup306

Founding Member
Oct 22, 2002
3,041
2
59
May 20, 2011
#10
  • May 20, 2011
  • #10
Boydster said:
I have no idea if it'll go that hi. It's a Paxton unit thats been on there for 15 years...
Click to expand...

Yeah a lot of them max out at 60 PSI, but I've seen some that go as high as 100 PSI. I'm sure you can "get by" with the 19's, but you also have to realize that some calibrated MAFs (like C&L) do a not so good job of "tricking" the computer. On the flip side, you could probably run 30's if you turned the fuel pressure way down.

When I lived in Lincoln, I spent most weekends at a dyno shop. A lot of Camaros and Mustangs with H/C/I combos only made around 275 RWHP. You might not be at the horsepower level where it makes a difference.

There is several ways you can make it work, but the final call is up to you.
 

Boydster

5 Year Member
Apr 10, 2011
301
20
39
Maryville, Tenn
May 21, 2011
#11
  • May 21, 2011
  • #11
Thanks Giddyup. Still trying to make a decision... 19's at 40? 24's at 35? Hmmm...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

O
Good all around perfornace-ish tires?
  • optionizerSS
  • Jan 25, 2026
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
482
2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk- Jun 15, 2026
TPony
A
Discussion on mild budget build/ top end
  • Acesario
  • Feb 21, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
20
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 23, 2026
General karthief
I
Engine Insane fuel trims +25% LTFT Bank 1, -16% LTFT Bank 2
  • imw_stl
  • Aug 31, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
417
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Sep 19, 2025
Mustang5L5
Progress Thread Progress Thread- From6to8's 1994 Cobra Supercharger install
  • from6to8
  • Sep 25, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 20 21 22
Replies
420
Views
11K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 6, 2026
from6to8
Resolved 93 Mustang 5.0 - Cranks but does not start
  • dan50
  • Jul 18, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
6
Views
439
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 18, 2026
dan50
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?