thunderbird upper intake? did I get screwed?

covrace · Aug 17, 2005

hey gang

I bought a 5.0 upper intake from a local speed shop. I wanted to maintain the stock upper intake but replace the upper with one that was nicer in condition. the speed shop got me one, cleaned it up in a glass bead machine and painted it. I paid 45.00 for it and than came home. I ran the part number on the bottom, and found out this particular intake came off of a 1986 thunderbird 200 horse 5.0l. I have read that the 1986 intake was more restrictive that the 1987-1993 intakes.
DID I GET SCREWED HERE??? please let me know. thanks.

p.s. it also appears that there are more vaccuum line on the underside of this intake than on my stock 1990 gt intake.

thanks

Jake

emagdnim · Aug 17, 2005

I took a upper intake off of a crown vic 5.0 once and thaught it was the same because of the outside but once i measured the ports they are actually a tiny bit smaller inside... im not to sure about the 86 tb upper intake but my guess is if its not off a HO 5.0 then its gonna be a bit smaller.

89MustangGX · Aug 17, 2005

The 86 5.0 Mustang intake ports are smaller all around, I would imagine any other 86 that is similar will also be.

donsbad68 · Aug 17, 2005

much smaller then the 90 gt HO piece.

seijirou · Jul 29, 2006

Yes it's smaller and flows less volume.
No it doesn't matter.

On the stock intake, the lower manifold flows far less than both the 86 or the 87+ upper manifolds. Like an hourglass, it doesn't matter how big the top bowl is when the bottleneck isn't getting any bigger.

Theoretically, the 86 will have greater port velocities than the later larger versions which should make the throttle snappier. I don't know if it's enough that it will actually matter.
But as far as power potential is concerned, unless you modify/change the lower intake manifold so it can flow more than the 86 upper you're not going to lose anything by going with the 86 upper.

Vinnietbird · Jul 29, 2006

Also,the '86 T-Bird made less than 200 horsepower.There wasn't an H.O T-Bird except for the 4 cyl. Turbo Coupe until after 1988.

thunderbird upper intake? did I get screwed?

covrace

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thunderbird upper intake? did I get screwed?

covrace

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