Problems with 94-95 5.0 Stangs?

[AjIsDope]

Hello all -
I am looking into some newer model stangs and thought about these model years because I would rather have the pushrod 5.0 rather than the sohc 4.6. Easier to upgrade, etc. My question is, have any of you owners experienced problems with these "transition" stangs, and if so, what are they? My main concern is the hybrid OBDI and OBDII systems that these cars have. I am always leery of the setup. I was always told to stay away from the 94-96 model years of any brand.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[OinkAodeOink]

Ah, they are the best year to have IMO, besides the computers, but then agian a good chip/tuner can fix that.

From the factory they are fine, besides the Balancers, which seem to go at 60k+ miles, some have fan issues, ( i never did), some have detonation issues, but usually is fixed with a tune up, and decent gas.

Aftermarket parts do cost slightlyt more then for the fox body 5.0's.. Thats about all i can think of.

 

[AjIsDope]

How do the balancers go bad? Is it difficult to fix this?

 

[OinkAodeOink]

from age, heat, stress, im not sure.. but the rubber slips out from between the inner ring and the outer ring. Simple to replace though, just remove the balancer and install a new one.

 

[AjIsDope]

These models have the live rear axle, right? The IRS did not come out until '99 I beleive...

 

[95StocK50]

overheating, fuel pump causes starting problems, pinging...

 

[Green 94 5.0]

These models have the live rear axle, right? The IRS did not come out until '99 I beleive...

the IRS only came on the 99- cobra.....

 

[AjIsDope]

Gotcha. Thanks for the help guys. Can you think of anything else? My ideal setup would be to have some good heads, intake man., good cam, and then a turbo kit, such as Cartech's. Any of you guys running a setup like this?

 

[Fast94Cobra]

they are very reliable, my cobra has 134,000 miles now, ive had to replace the balancer and water pump but overall it's done really well. the live axle is better foo drag racing as well.

 

[AjIsDope]

A Cobra would be nice from these years but they are selling for 10k+ around here and I'm looking for something around half that price. I guy pulled in with a 95 white Cobra at the shop the other day and it got me thinking about these model years.

I do like the fact of the live axle as I love dragging.

 

[LandonC]

Its all in the computer. Their PCM is different than the fox-bodied cars. I know the main problem is with the idle, but some cars get it and some don't.
I know it has to do with the MAF and WOT (wide open throttle).Apparently, in FOX cars, when you kick it there is no delay (or advance) in either timing or injector pulse width (can't remember). 94-95 cars have a "slight" delay. This can make them feel more sluggish off the line and possibly a little more. Also stock and Cobra intakes flow more cfm than 94-95 versions do. So beware when buying an intake, buy an aftermarket (all years flow the same cfm). WWW.PRO-FLOW.COM (Pro-M mass air meters) offers a kit to remedy this including: FOX style computer, harness, fan controller and BAP sensor. 94-95 cars don't have a BAP sensor, but word of mouth says it works great. You can get it in different kits depending on what you need. I'm about to run a FOX Cobra intake, Fox 70mm TB, E303 cam, 24 lbs. injectors, and a 76mm C&L MAF. All of which came off of a 92' LX. Thanks to this website's advice I have figured out how to work it out. The next purchase I make is going to be the kit from Pro-Flow. "Stick around and we'll learn you something yet! Hope this helps.

 

[AjIsDope]

Ah...so you are talking about this kit: http://www.pro-flow.com/Product pages/pihkit.htm

Would this create any probs with a smog test? (in a NA config)

 

[LandonC]

It should not unless you have modifications otherwise, Cats removed and etc.

 

[AjIsDope]

Thanks. Looks like a good setup. I'll read some more about it.

 

[KingDiamond]

I've had my mustang since 84,000 miles and it's been over a year now and I have almost 102,000 miles and the repairs I've had are:

-Balancer (replaced with SFI balancer)
-Rear axle seals leaked (whole rear end rebuilt and new seals and bearings)
-AODE tranny died at 90,000 miles (tranny rebuilt by ford, covered by extended warranty)

So it's just a couple mechanical repairs I have had in the 18,000 miles that I have owned this car. I'm surprised it's holding up this well. Pretty much all the money I spend on this car is for modifications and not for repairs.

 

[AjIsDope]

Stock block on yours, right? What kind of power are you looking to make with the Blowzilla?

 

[Nobody]

98k miles on my '94. Things that have broken:

Balancer
Throw-out bearing

Some shops think of the 94-95 as a step-child 5.0 since a lot of the more abundent 87-93 parts won't fit it. My only problem is that the power-weight ratio isn't as good as the fox body or the 99+ Mustangs. With $600 in mods, the fox and 99+ cars can run 13's. That won't happen with a 94-95. What you are getting with a 94-95 is effectively the chassis and comfort of the 99+ with the simplicity of the 5.0L. I like it for the brakes, chassis stiffness, styling and of course the 5.0L. It's not the fastest choice though but it's more comfortable than the fox body and cheaper than the 99+.

 

[Stump1000]

I guess the balancer is different on 94-95s?

 

[Road_Runna]

you guys forgot that our cars came with a factory recall.
Nothing big, I think it's overheat elec connections when the fan does not come on.

No biggy, Ford fixed mines for free.

 

[JJ95GTID]

Yes, the balancer is different. Also, the water pump is different. The serpentine belt is arranged differently. Just look and a 5.0 magazine and noticed all the 94-95 specific parts just to get an idea. Another good reference is a FRPP catalog.