I recently bought an 87' Stang. It was originally the V-6 body and the previous owner dropped a 5.0 out some old Ford truck in it. I don't know much about the internals of the 5.0 at all, hence the reason I am posting these quesitons. I have heard from a buddy of mine that because the engine came from a truck, that it will not have near the power as that of a Mustang 5.0. Are these things true, or is he full of it? If so, what would I need to do to make the ole' pony come to life with the classic stang' rumble. I have a budget of about $1,500 and I'm only looking for about 200-275 hp. I ain't trying to build a race car by no means, I just want my stang to sound like a stang, and not a truck. I am going to have to pull the motor out anyways because of EXCESSIVE oil leaks, so, any mods I have to do will be easy as crap. What I really need to know is what exactly do I need to do to it, or replace to make it have the power of a stang vs. a truck?? Any help would be appreciated...Thanx
Truck 5.0 in my fox body....
- Thread starter Bigfootbuz
- Start date
welcome to the boards. 
i take it you dont have a HO motor in there now?
if so, the difference is the firing order, cam, etc. someone must have done some work to get it to work in your stang.
i might just pursue hoppin up the motor you have, rather than goin the HO route (if you dont have a HO motor).
good luck with it.
i take it you dont have a HO motor in there now?
if so, the difference is the firing order, cam, etc. someone must have done some work to get it to work in your stang.
i might just pursue hoppin up the motor you have, rather than goin the HO route (if you dont have a HO motor).
good luck with it.
The firing order might not actually differ. Depends on the year I guess. The 5.0 that used to reside in my truck used the HO firing order, but wasnt an HO. *shrug*
As to the power difference, I *beleive* the later model (early 90's) 5.0's available in the F-150's were rated at 190hp at the crank, vs the 225 crank rating of the same year 5.0 HO's. I dont know the torque ratings though. Some non HO 5.0's (out of Crown Vics I beleive) were rated at a measly 165hp and 220trq.
If the engine has to be pulled to deal with excessive oil leaks and you have a budget of 1500$, it might be worth looking around some for a 5.0 HO and just ditch the engine you have now. My trucks engine was ok, but lackluster. The 5.0 HO's are alot nicer in almost every respect. I dont know what all was changed in the Stang to get the truck engine to work though and it may turn out to be a pain in the ass.
If you do stick with the engine you have, Im pretty sure the GT40 upper and lower would do well for you. You'll need a new throttle body though if your running the trucks stock dual setup. You'll also have to find/buy/fabricate a new mounting brackey for the throttle cable.
edit.. Is the engine EFI? I know the 87 Stang and 87 F-150's were but I dont know what all was done to your car to get that engine to work properly.
As to the power difference, I *beleive* the later model (early 90's) 5.0's available in the F-150's were rated at 190hp at the crank, vs the 225 crank rating of the same year 5.0 HO's. I dont know the torque ratings though. Some non HO 5.0's (out of Crown Vics I beleive) were rated at a measly 165hp and 220trq.
If the engine has to be pulled to deal with excessive oil leaks and you have a budget of 1500$, it might be worth looking around some for a 5.0 HO and just ditch the engine you have now. My trucks engine was ok, but lackluster. The 5.0 HO's are alot nicer in almost every respect. I dont know what all was changed in the Stang to get the truck engine to work though and it may turn out to be a pain in the ass.
If you do stick with the engine you have, Im pretty sure the GT40 upper and lower would do well for you. You'll need a new throttle body though if your running the trucks stock dual setup. You'll also have to find/buy/fabricate a new mounting brackey for the throttle cable.
edit.. Is the engine EFI? I know the 87 Stang and 87 F-150's were but I dont know what all was done to your car to get that engine to work properly.
giddyup306
Founding Member
- Oct 22, 2002
- 3,041
- 2
- 59
Yeah they're rated at around 180 hp for most of the 80s and are turds. Plus if you get an 85-86 they have ****ty e5 and e6 heads.
I really don't know whether or not I have an HO motor or not. Like I said, I know very little, in fact, just enuff to be dangerous. I can, however, identify external parts though. It is carburated with a Holley 650 which is way too big for that engine, I am told. The only reason I believed it is because I drive the car every day and it floods out like a mofo. I was told by the same buddy who provoked my questions that I could look up the #'s off of the actual motor itself. But, I really don't know where to begin looking for an identification number on the engine. I want to stick with the same motor I have now and probably do some new heads, intake and cam, maybe go through and replace the rod bolts and bearings, like I said, I ain't looking to punch out no more than like 275 hp, max. I only have a budget of about $1500. So, do you have any reccomendations on what kind of heads and intake I should get...I have been told that I should go with a Holley 600cfm. I really am new to the Ford Hotrod sh**. I have been used to working on my 1970 Chevy Caprice, 4 bolt 350. So, the Ford 5.0 is totally different. All I really need is some suggestions for heads and cam and intake. Unless there are better things that can be done within my budget.... lata peeps
Funanin
Founding Member
With 1500$ to spend you could get some AFR 165's. Ive heard them well recommended and I *think* they come in around 1200$ off Ebay or something. I know I saw a set of 185's for 1300$ buy it now.
You wont be getting anywhere near 275hp with only 1500$ though. Personally I'd stick with the heads you have and get some headers, exhuast, better intake (I dont know much about carbed setups so I cant recommend a specific one..) the right carb for your needs and a set of gears. Gears seem to be about the best bang for the buck mod you can do. They wont up your horsepower numbers but they'll make ya faster.
Edit, What firing order are you using?
You wont be getting anywhere near 275hp with only 1500$ though. Personally I'd stick with the heads you have and get some headers, exhuast, better intake (I dont know much about carbed setups so I cant recommend a specific one..) the right carb for your needs and a set of gears. Gears seem to be about the best bang for the buck mod you can do. They wont up your horsepower numbers but they'll make ya faster.
Edit, What firing order are you using?
Asha'man said:BTW, there was no V6 in '87, so yours is a former four-cylinder car.
Ash
Oops, I had no idea that there was no V-6 body in 87, that's just what the guy told me. I guess I just believed everything he told me. Such as the linkage in the AT was reversed so where Park usually is it was Drive. Yea, it was fine until I actually listened to it and found out it only has two gears instead of three. I don't really care anyways, I plan on going to a T-5. Speaking of which....how hard is it to set a cable clutch for that mustang? I've heard the hardest part will be mounting the clutch assembly at the firewall, but I have no idea how it begins. I don't have much experience with transmissions. Can somebody tell me what kind of a B**** it's gonna be?Similar threads
