Newbie here with some questions

[TokyoJoe]

Hi all,

Tried to search but came up a little short.

I am looking into getting an older fox body and building a nice street/strip turbo beast and I have a couple of questions.

1. I've found tons of info. about the motor but none too much on the trans. what type of power can they sustain (5spd) ? What are some upgrades available (site links)?

2. What are some of the more common 5.0 specific problems that I need to look for when buying one?

 

[TokyoJoe]

bulletproof? Sweeet! ....

 

[71swing]

The stock 5 spd in good shape will withstand 300 hp. Not much, but plenty for the stock car. If you are going turbo I would go with a tremec TKO500 replacement.

It is a derect replacement for the stocker just requires a different bellhousing.
The TKO will withstand 500hp 500fttq. If that is not enough they have a tko600.

5.0 are know for the rust in the rear tire wells and on the rear of the hatch or trunk.

Broken asktray doors, you find one with a good asktray door it is most likley a keeper.

The heater core for the defrost/heater have a tendency to fail, but these cars are coming up on 20yrs old now.

Otherwise the stock short block can take a good beating in stock form.

I think the fuel pump and starter relay have gone out on all my 5.0L's, but you will have to replace the pump to add the turbo anyway.

turbo power you may want to think about upgrading the stock 28 spline axles to 31 spline.

All I can think of right now, Anyone else have any ideas.

Com' on guys help the man out.

 

[bloopbloob]

original ashtray door here! hahaha!
water pumps, fuel pumps, tires( the tread just seems to evaporate or something... ) tend to go bad quite a bit from what i've heard. the stock t5 is decent, but once you add much power it can't keep up. leaking rear main seals, broken a/c's, check the torque boxes!!! i'd also be a little cautious buying a modded fox, because it probably wasn't diven by a grandma if u know what i mean. (good luck finding one of those though!) unless you plan on doing an engine overhaul anyways! not saying buying one is bad, but you have to expect the car has been driven hard a few times for sure! Just some of my experience so far.... definately a great car though! took me a while, but now i'm right into it! love working on it, and love the huge aftermarket! Good luck!

 

[poneypower89]

you questions have pretty much already been answered..

but to add to it...

Know that the 87-92(mid i believe) were equipped with forged pistons while the late 92 and 93 modles had hyperutetic (sp?). Something to consider if you plan on forced induction.

Also, Mass Air started in 89 on non-cali cars and 88 for cali cars. MASS air respondes to mods better.

And last but not least, one more common problem is the headlight/foglight wiring. The faulty wiring causes several weird lighting problems and can cost a small fortune in new headlight/multi function switches if you dont fix it asap.

 

[71swing]

bloopbloob
original ashtray door here! hahaha!

How about the plastic clip for the center arm rest. If you can find a car with a working ashtray door and the center arm rest push botton clip that isn't broke, sna@ch it up, because that is mint stuff.

The forum won't let me spell out sna@ch

P.s I have also never had a working dimmer switch for the gauges in any of the foxbodies I have owned. It would either light up or off, no dimming action.

But I wouldn't have it any other way, I love my stangs.

bloopbloob
and love the huge aftermarket! Good luck!

Yea, sometimes I think it has even passed up the old small block chevy aftermarket.

 

[TokyoJoe]

Thanks fellas, just want I needed. Googled the Tremec, looks like some good hardware, not extremely pricey compared to some of the other platforms.

LOL, yeah my buddy has his 93 cobra swap out here in Japan and bitches about the ashtray thing all the time. He's actually the reason why I'm considering an old fox when I get back to the states. He used to get spanked by my GTR and all the chasers and then he got his subframe and DR's, now he launches like an AWD car and I can't catch him until almost 3rd gear but then it's all over

Good looking out guys:SNSign:

 

[mittjere85]

my dimmer switch works