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

new to the mustang world

  • Thread starter Thread starter new2stang02
  • Start date Start date Mar 20, 2009
N

new2stang02

New Member
Mar 19, 2009
11
0
0
Mar 20, 2009
#1
  • Mar 20, 2009
  • #1
I want to build a 85 5.0 but the thing is, is I am new to the ford world. I have worked on every domestic but ford. I want to make it a 10 second car. I am wanting to keep the 302 that will already be in it. Is there any one that has any advice???
 

skunk21

Active Member
May 22, 2007
1,203
3
36
Taxachusetts
Mar 20, 2009
#2
  • Mar 20, 2009
  • #2
1. H,C,I

2. gears

3. boost

 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
9,391
3,538
233
Mar 20, 2009
#3
  • Mar 20, 2009
  • #3
Get an 86+ car unless you prefer carbs

If you want to keep the stock displacement then you are gonna need forged internals and FI like a blower/turbo/NAWZZ!.
Suspension and weight savings will also be a key factor.

Welcome to :SNSign:
 

ryan218

In just 10 years, I'll be old enough to drive!!!!
Dec 28, 2005
0
1
38
columbus ohio
Mar 20, 2009
#4
  • Mar 20, 2009
  • #4
trick flow hci and alot of spray. C4 and built rear.
 

bubba-dough

Active Member
Dec 28, 2004
1,044
2
38
Indiana
Mar 20, 2009
#5
  • Mar 20, 2009
  • #5
Welcome. There are lots of ways to get there, but the budget is the determining factor.
 

cenok is family

15 Year Member
Jun 25, 2003
1,409
69
79
Norman, Ok
Mar 20, 2009
#6
  • Mar 20, 2009
  • #6
a muffler and cold air kit should get you there


 

bubba-dough

Active Member
Dec 28, 2004
1,044
2
38
Indiana
Mar 20, 2009
#7
  • Mar 20, 2009
  • #7
cenok is family said:
a muffler and cold air kit should get you there
Click to expand...

Plus about 10 stickers.....
 

Strippt88

New Member
Nov 24, 2006
81
0
0
Cedar Lake, Indiana
Mar 20, 2009
#8
  • Mar 20, 2009
  • #8
new2stang02 said:
I want to build a 85 5.0 but the thing is, is I am new to the ford world. I have worked on every domestic but ford. I want to make it a 10 second car. I am wanting to keep the 302 that will already be in it. Is there any one that has any advice???
Click to expand...

There will be lots of advice- if you already worked on cars, you should be able to discern between the good/bad. 10 second 85? Doable, depending on your wallet. Heads, cam, intake, nice o/r exhaust, C4 for consistency, 3.73/4.10 gears, and some good spray, you're in!
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Mar 21, 2009
#9
  • Mar 21, 2009
  • #9
Welcome to Stangnet...

Not all of us know how to fix everything, but some of us know how to fix some things
with excellence!

If you want to do the fix up & power up thing, make sure that you have some other
form of reliable daily driver. That way the stang can sit while your wallet and hands
take a rest from the last project that didn't quite get finished on that 3 day weekend.
Things always cost more and take longer the first time you do them. Having some
other working vehicle makes life easier since it isn't the big crush to get it running
for the Monday morning drive to work or class.

Plan on spending some money on tools it you don't already have them. The stang
has both metric and american fasteners, so you really need two sets of wrenches.
A timing light, digital voltmeter, vacuum gauge, compression tester, fuel pressure
test gauge and fuel line coupler tools are some of the test & tuning tools you'll need.
Visit the pawn shops and sometimes you can find a deal on tools & test equipment
if you stick to well known name brands.

A sheltered work area is almost a must, someplace that you can leave the car in
pieces without upsetting anyone. Some guys here have changed a transmission in
the parking lot of their apartment in a rainstorm, but they will tell you it wasn't fun.
Depending on where you live, a warm dry garage is a nice place to do the winter
projects that stangs tend to become.

EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) Computer - every stang after 85 has or had one:
don't let it intimidate you. The computer based EFI systems are not hard to fix
and most of the time they tell you what's wrong with the engine. Here's a book
that will get you started with how the Ford electronic engine control or "computer" works.

Ford Fuel Injection & Electronic Engine Control 1988-1993 by James Probst:
ISBN 0-8376-0301-3.

It's about $25-$35 from Borders.com see http://www.amazon.com/ . Select b...d.php?t=643651"]Useful Technical Thread Index” sticky at the top of the 5.0 Tech forum.

Things that break often:
T5 5 speed manual transmission (syncros go bad, mostly 3rd gear)
TFI Module (Thin Film Ignition module - mounts on the distributor)
Ignition switches – they overheat and cause flaky wiper, radio, heater blower & turn signal problems.
Electric door locks (see the link in my sign for a cheap & easy fix)
O2 sensors(oxygen sensors) They are good for about 60,000 miles and start to go
down hill after that.
TPS Sensor (Throttle Position Sensor) causes flaky problems with idle & acceleration.
Fog lights They overheat the wiring and cause the headlights to flicker. The fix is
cheap and simple if you can do electrical stuff.
Harmonic Balancer – they separate between the hub and outer ring. A harmonic
balancer puller is a must have to change it. You can rent or borrow a puller from
most of the larger auto parts stores.

Things that are very durable:
Engine - as long as it hasn't been abused, it will run good for 150,000-200,000
miles without an overhaul
Rear axle other than an occasional case of worn clutches in the traction lock,
they almost never have problems.
Computer - believe it or not, the computers seldom have problems of their own.
Most of the problems are with the sensors and the wiring.
Suspension – the front and rear suspension has very few problems if the car hasn’t
been wrecked or seen a lot of drag strip runs. The drag strip runs tend to distort and
tear the mount points for the rear axle control arms. Revving the engine up to 4000
RPM and dumping the clutch with slicks or drag radials tends to break things.

Things that don’t break often but are hard to fix:
Water pump mount bolts – they corrode and shear off when you try to change the
water pump.
Rear oil seal on the engine – lots of parts to remove to get to a $20 seal.
Power steering pump – the pumps are noisy and the pulley requires some special
tools to remove and install. If you have the tools, they are easy to do. Again, the
larger auto parts stores will rent or loan the tools for the pulley.
Power Steering rack - it is hard to get the toe in set so that you can drive the car
to the shop to get it properly aligned.
Starter – the top bolt is hard to get a socket on if you don’t have the right combination
of socket, universal joint and extensions.

Everything considered, 5.0 Mustangs are not hard to work on. They just require
some patience and though before you get started.
 
N

new2stang02

New Member
Mar 19, 2009
11
0
0
Mar 27, 2009
#10
  • Mar 27, 2009
  • #10
thanks every one
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Intake
  • James S
  • Jul 10, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
10
Views
170
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 12, 2026
James S
J
J
SN95 Hello new to this app
  • James S
  • Jun 10, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
116
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 11, 2026
Habu135
B
Where to go from here on my build…
  • B0udreaux
  • Jul 14, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
180
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 18, 2026
AeroCoupe
8
87 lx 4cyl to v8 project 4 lug disc conversion questions
  • 87lx428
  • Mar 24, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
506
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 25, 2026
87lx428
8
A
Help ID - Turbo GT, SVO differences
  • aldoelmalo
  • Jun 2, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
86
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 2, 2026
aldoelmalo
A
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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?