5.0 turd

[grandwagon]

I am new to the hole Ford game so please go easy on me!!OK I have an 88 MGM wagon w/5.0 and it move about as fast as tree sap in Jan. Now how much can I gain just from installing a Mustang tb and duals?? or would I be wasting my time and $$$$$ witch I am short on both?? Any help would be great!!! THANKS

[sly]

if you get the mustang throttle body, you'll have to modify it to get the proper cable connections and get the same size egr spacer, and the upper intake plenum. Just putting on dual exhaust and some high flow cats (or no cats if you're in an area that doesn't care about emissions) will do small wonders with that car.

[johnunit]

yeah, you're on the right track with duals. I believe the stock/parts store exhaust formula is something like: Mustang shorty headers, downpipes, catted (or non-catted, epecially if you're ditching the smog pump) H-pipe, and then 94-96 Impala SS tailpipes. Some persuasion may be necessary.


Going to the stock dual exhaust gave an extra 10HP according to ford, so figure on about a 15-20HP gain for a decent custom dual exhaust system, potentially more with the shorty headers.

If you're going mustang top-end (which is a common choice), search "HO swap" on here. The short version is: you can swap just the upper intake and see noticeable gains, or swap the cam, heads, the entire intake, computer, and firing order from an 87-93 mustang and see fairly serious (50+HP) gains. The computer has to be from a more specific car, I think the code is A9L but don't quote me on that.

[grandwagon]

OK so if i get tb for $30,EGR spacer for $6, upper intake for $25, the lower intake for $25, and the headers for $15 each at the yard then what do you yhink i would be looking at power wise??? with a cost of about $116.00.. PLus what ever I can work out on the exhaust!!

[sly]

lower intake is the same unless you go with the newer tubular explorer 5.0L intake. This wouldn't really make sense unless you're doing heads as well so you won't need the lower intake. Just note this... you will have to do some fabrication on the throttle body to get the cables to line up. I can't remember exactly what it is, but there's plenty of HO conversion threads around that cover that.

[grandwagon]

well what if i went with the heads to at $40 each, would that make a big diff. ??

[pantera77]

lower intake is the same unless you go with the newer tubular explorer 5.0L intake. This wouldn't really make sense unless you're doing heads as well so you won't need the lower intake. Just note this... you will have to do some fabrication on the throttle body to get the cables to line up. I can't remember exactly what it is, but there's plenty of HO conversion threads around that cover that.

You grind off the lopo TB throttle bracket, and the HO tb bracket, and throw the lopo one on the HO tb. Then weld it/j b weld it/ use a self tapping screw etc... to secure it.

[sly]

well what if i went with the heads to at $40 each, would that make a big diff. ??

I'm not sure... depends on the year for sure. What year mustang engine are you pulling from?

[grandwagon]

what would be the best one?

[1990LTD]

87-93

[grandwagon]

cool so now i know what to look for when i am cruzzin the junkyard!!!

[Mercracer]

I am new to the hole Ford game so please go easy on me!!OK I have an 88 MGM wagon w/5.0 and it move about as fast as tree sap in Jan. Now how much can I gain just from installing a Mustang tb and duals?? or would I be wasting my time and $$$$$ witch I am short on both??

You will not gain enough to make it worth your time and money.
.
.

OK so if i get tb for $30,EGR spacer for $6, upper intake for $25, the lower intake for $25, and the headers for $15 each at the yard then what do you yhink i would be looking at power wise??? with a cost of about $116.00.. PLus what ever I can work out on the exhaust!!

Save your money for a HO conversion. No sense putting lipstick on a pig... Even if you change your entire intake hardware and exhaust system you are still stuck with heads and a cam which are good for poor performance at best....
Don't bother with Mustang heads, intake, etc.. by the time you add up the cost, you can just get a complete low mileage Explorer motor for a little more. This will give you a better cam, shortblock, heads and intake...
.
Don't get me wrong.. if you have zero budget and just want to get the experience of bolting parts on your car with small incremental gains at a time with small long term goals, you can get Mustang parts for nearly free and you will see some improvement eventually..

[mcninetyone]

You will not gain enough to make it worth your time and money.
.
.


Save your money for a HO conversion. No sense putting lipstick on a pig... Even if you change your entire intake hardware and exhaust system you are still stuck with heads and a cam which are good for poor performance at best....
Don't bother with Mustang heads, intake, etc.. by the time you add up the cost, you can just get a complete low mileage Explorer motor for a little more. This will give you a better cam, shortblock, heads and intake...
.
Don't get me wrong.. if you have zero budget and just want to get the experience of bolting parts on your car with small incremental gains at a time with small long term goals, you can get Mustang parts for nearly free and you will see some improvement eventually..

He's right, save your money now and get a low mileage Explorer motor when you can, which will give you much more of a bang for your buck over junkyards Mustang parts. With an Explorer motor you get the whole package in one engine without having to break your back or your wallet pulling junkyard parts. Which will never be as good as what you'll get with the Explorer motor. I've already done this swap on a 91 CV, so I know all the problems you'll have with the conversion and how to fix them. It's not that hard at all and well worth it!!!

[91waggin]

Start with dual exhaust and shorter gearing in the rear end.

[grandwagon]

mercracer, ok so an explorer motor may be doable on the cheap! but what year should i look for?? 91 waggin, shorter gearing? what do you suggest!!!