Mods for 88 5.0

Mustang Forums Mustang Classifieds Photo Gallery Calendars Search Live Chat Contact MF Sponsors
Mustang Recalls Mustang TSB's News Timeslips Timeline Wallpaper Member List Register Login

Mods for 88 5.0

Printable Version

Mustang >> Ford Mustang Tech >> 5.0 Mustang >> Mods for 88 5.0

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Mods for 88 5.0 - 2/27/2003 12:24:14 PM

Copperhead

Posts: 1
Joined: 2/27/2003
From: United States
Status: offline

First: I'm real "cherry" when it comes to this kind of thing. So, like others, please bear with me. Just taking advantage of this research medium.

Here I go!

I am about to embark on a 5.0-based Cobra replicar project and have made arrangements to acquire the donor car. It is a '88 5.0 FI 5-speed with MAC. It is seemingly in good condition. Much of my research shows performance improvements that are geared (pardon the pun) for street/strip (traffic light to traffic light) performance.

I would like to rebuild the engine to around 320-350hp for rally and track (not strip) while remaining fully streetable. Of course, I would like to keep costs reasonable. What kinds of mods do you recommend?

TIA,

Marc

Post #: 1

Mods for 88 5.0 - 2/27/2003 2:22:46 PM

cougar

Posts: 40
Joined: 2/19/2003
From: United States
Status: offline

I am a drag racer but HP is HP. the first thing to know is ur heads are atleast 85% of what makes HP.No matter what else ya do ,if ur heads wont flow u aint gona make alot of HP. I would start with ur exhaust and then some heads or head work.Save changing your cam till after you get all the parts ur gona put on,then find a cam to fit the combo u will have.I am new to the fuel injected thing so prolly not the best to give advise on the hopups for that.Good luck with your project.

(in reply to Copperhead)

Post #: 2

Mods for 88 5.0 - 2/27/2003 7:44:54 PM

lloydchristmas

Posts: 708
Joined: 2/14/2003
From: United States
Status: offline

There are heads made just for circle track racing. Check into it. If youre a roundy-round guy then you better think suspension and worry about horsepower later.

(in reply to Copperhead)

Post #: 3

Mods for 88 5.0 - 2/28/2003 8:59:26 PM

spike306

Posts: 363
Joined: 2/15/2003
From: United States
Status: offline

i go for front and rear sway bars, bolt and weld sub-frame connectors, and a better rack and pinion to start you off with. then do all of your exhaust. you should always do that before you lower a car( you gotta know how much clearence you got). then start tweakin that motor

(in reply to Copperhead)

Post #: 4

Mods for 88 5.0 - 3/7/2003 6:01:02 PM

91GT5.0

Posts: 282
Joined: 3/7/2003
From: United States
Status: offline

Gears, exhaust, and subframes should be the first mods. Should always be first in any Mustang. Besides that, I would agree with suspension, as you want to be able to put power to the ground. What good is horsepower if you can't stop spinning? As soon as you get suspension to a good starting point, heads definately. Every mod after that will add so much more than if you were to keep the stock heads.

(in reply to Copperhead)

Post #: 5

Mods for 88 5.0 - 3/7/2003 6:42:52 PM

lloydchristmas

Posts: 708
Joined: 2/14/2003
From: United States
Status: offline

I wouldnt go too steep with the gears there killer... Rally or road racing isnt like drag racing..

(in reply to Copperhead)

Post #: 6

Mods for 88 5.0 - 3/7/2003 8:57:19 PM

91GT5.0

Posts: 282
Joined: 3/7/2003
From: United States
Status: offline

Still, 3.55's are a good gear for a road car considering he's N/A. Once he gets boost, 3.27's would prolly be better.

(in reply to Copperhead)

Post #: 7

Mods for 88 5.0 - 3/7/2003 9:00:54 PM

lloydchristmas

Posts: 708
Joined: 2/14/2003
From: United States
Status: offline

well said

(in reply to Copperhead)

Post #: 8

Mods for 88 5.0 - 3/23/2003 10:15:11 AM

mustangdave357

Posts: 156
Joined: 3/17/2003
From: United States
Status: offline

Convert to mass air asap. It was the best thing I ever did. It will solve many mnay problems you will have in the future if you do not do this. Dave

(in reply to Copperhead)

Post #: 9

Mods for 88 5.0 - 3/23/2003 12:03:39 PM

lloydchristmas

Posts: 708
Joined: 2/14/2003
From: United States
Status: offline

True Dat!!!! The speed density computer is not exactly mod-friendly if you get my drift.

(in reply to Copperhead)

Post #: 10

Mods for 88 5.0 - 3/24/2003 2:52:37 AM

LYTEMUP

Posts: 5
Joined: 3/24/2003
From: United States
Status: offline

DO NOT convert to Mass-Air. A speed density car is a lot easier to create HP with. All you have to do is do a little research that is all. I have owned 5 speed density 5.0 from 86-88 and I have found that it is easier to build with what you have. First of all is suspension. I have read about guys with about 800-1000 in suspension and gears turning 12's(MM&FF jan or feb 03) plus weigh reduction. Then go to the basics. Exhaust, Heads, Fuel and so on. Dont be scared to get a ZEX 125 shot to top it off. Hope that helped.

(in reply to Copperhead)

Post #: 11

RE: Mods for 88 5.0 - 2/9/2007 3:59:29 PM

1bad91

Posts: 68
Joined: 2/9/2007
Status: offline

I would go with gears and exhaust first. I it's a five speed go for 3.73's if an auto go 4.10.

(in reply to LYTEMUP)

Post #: 12

RE: Mods for 88 5.0 - 2/9/2007 6:32:13 PM

Chitown racer

Posts: 214
Joined: 1/26/2007
Status: offline

I think his question was how could he rebuild his engine to make 320-350 totally streetable HP while keeping costs reasonable.

(in reply to 1bad91)

Post #: 13

RE: Mods for 88 5.0 - 2/9/2007 7:39:18 PM

ih8chevy

Posts: 3271
Joined: 10/4/2006
From: west chester pa
Status: offline

+1 on everythin said here

quote:

ORIGINAL: LYTEMUP

DO NOT convert to Mass-Air. A speed density car is a lot easier to create HP with. All you have to do is do a little research that is all. I have owned 5 speed density 5.0 from 86-88 and I have found that it is easier to build with what you have. First of all is suspension. I have read about guys with about 800-1000 in suspension and gears turning 12's(MM&FF jan or feb 03) plus weigh reduction. Then go to the basics. Exhaust, Heads, Fuel and so on. Dont be scared to get a ZEX 125 shot to top it off. Hope that helped.

_____________________________

Ron Paul 2008. Revolution

www.ronpaul2008.com
not the same way, not the old way, a new way!!

(in reply to LYTEMUP)

Post #: 14

RE: Mods for 88 5.0 - 2/10/2007 1:59:53 AM

Chitown racer

Posts: 214
Joined: 1/26/2007
Status: offline

Its been almost exactly 4 years, ya think the guy ever figured it out?

(in reply to ih8chevy)

Post #: 15

RE: Mods for 88 5.0 - 2/10/2007 11:19:17 AM

88canadianstang

Posts: 311
Joined: 3/5/2006
Status: offline

quote:

Its been almost exactly 4 years, ya think the guy ever figured it out?

That's frickin hilarious, good observation!

I was going to post as I'm pro mass air, wish I would have 4 years ago.

_____________________________

88' notch, it was stock in 1988!

(in reply to Chitown racer)

Post #: 16

RE: Mods for 88 5.0 - 2/10/2007 11:30:33 AM

Jasperstang308

Posts: 9102
Joined: 2/9/2005
From: KY
Status: online

who keeps bringing these old as dirt threads back from the dead

_____________________________

crossed over to the dark side

(in reply to 88canadianstang)

Post #: 17

RE: Mods for 88 5.0 - 2/10/2007 12:21:52 PM

88MustangGX

Posts: 471
Joined: 5/26/2006
From: Budd Lake NJ
Status: offline

well i actually backed off from doing HCI to my 88 cuz i have SD not MAF. It would have been alot more money to dyno tune with SD. Not to mention ford racing said that without MAF the mods wouldn't do anything for me but hurt me. Im sure alot of you will say that is BS but i'm going by what the "experts" say.

_____________________________

Interceptor

(in reply to Jasperstang308)

Post #: 18

RE: Mods for 88 5.0 - 2/10/2007 1:04:23 PM

89gtsleeper

Posts: 335
Joined: 4/1/2006
Status: offline

Something you need to look into is suspension first. However, for your uses I will tell you fox mustangs have some really weak ass steering systems, and I would start there. This might also involve doing the front suspension now. Tubular K member and coilovers are a good start. Then move on to the gears and rear suspension and make sure you don't over gear your car prior to adding on more horsepower.

(in reply to 88MustangGX)

Post #: 19