Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: 4EyedCoug on September 04, 2013, 09:44:33 PM

Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: 4EyedCoug on September 04, 2013, 09:44:33 PM
Hey guys. I was just wondering if there is anything I can do to get some more power out of my 86 Cougars standard output 5.0. What would you do to get more power out of one?
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: jcassity on September 04, 2013, 10:03:56 PM
Ford Explorer upper and lower intake and a larger throttle body plus an HO speed density computer +19 pound injectors

Get An ho camshaft as well

BBK unequally exhaust headers and straight duel exhaust

Lincoln Mark seven fuel pump which is about 45% more gallons per hour than stock

A set of GT 40 heads off of a Ford Explorer as well

You could scroll through my engine build in engine tech and see what parts I put on my car but we are still working out a few bugs
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: beast50 on September 04, 2013, 10:04:42 PM
H.O upper intake (87-93 Fox Mustang), remove air box silencer, underdrive pullies, phenolic spacer, advance timing a little, fresh tuneup.  All this can be done to the stock motor you have without changing the computer, injectors, heads, etc.
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: TOM Renzo on September 05, 2013, 05:41:45 AM
I have a good GT40 UPPER AND LOWER for cheap if someone is interested!!
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: vinnietbird on September 05, 2013, 08:59:46 AM
A GT-40, or Explorer? If it's a GT-40, PM me Tom.
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: jcassity on September 05, 2013, 10:14:14 AM
Quote from: TOM Renzo;421279
I have a good GT40 UPPER AND LOWER for cheap if someone is interested!!


???????
ill get in line as well
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on September 05, 2013, 10:15:02 AM
The only worthwhile thing to do with an SO is to either swap it, of take the thing apart and make it into an HO (Cam, PCM, Heads, Upper and Lower Intake, Injectors, and Throttle Body) We all like the GT40 heads and the GT40/Explorer intake as a starting point for this.  Add headers and a good dual exhaust and you're taking about 265 to 280 HP.  Any 'little' mods like timing or under-drives are only going to net around 5 HP if that.  You won't notice that on an SO, and if you do, it's all in your head.  You WILL notice a difference from a timing bump on an HO.  Personally, I would avoid under-drive's as they don't make power, they reduce losses and they slow down things you don't want to slow down such as your (already barely adequate) alternator and your water pump.
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: jcassity on September 05, 2013, 11:34:05 AM
Quote from: TheFoeYouKnow;421289
  Personally, I would avoid under-drive's as they don't make power, they reduce losses and they slow down things you don't want to slow down such as your (already barely adequate) alternator and your water pump.


exactly,  i wondered why people reduce thier drive pully sizes knowing things would be slower... seems not worth it.
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on September 05, 2013, 11:51:40 AM
Quote from: jcassity;421294
exactly,  i wondered why people reduce thier drive pully sizes knowing things would be slower... seems not worth it.
With a 3g alternator and a high volume water pump this may be less of an issue, but I just can't imagine a reason why I'd want to slow them down.  I've made 1/4 mile passes where I've gotten a tenth and a half by running with the 3-pin alternator connector disconnected, but on the street, I'll sacrifice a couple horses to know I've got enough current and enough coolant flow.
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: thunderjet302 on September 05, 2013, 12:16:57 PM
Quote from: TOM Renzo;421279
I have a good GT40 UPPER AND LOWER for cheap if someone is interested!!


If it looks like this I'm interested.
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: mcb82gt on September 05, 2013, 01:02:36 PM
Quote from: thunderjet302;421300
If it looks like this I'm interested.


If it looks like that.............. we are all interested. LOL
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: 88turbo on September 05, 2013, 02:11:36 PM
Quote from: mcb82gt;421302
If it looks like that.............. we are all interested. LOL

Not me! :hick:
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on September 05, 2013, 03:06:17 PM
Explorer intakes (being all cast aluminum) can be opened up bigger.  In stock form, they're within 5% or less of the Cobra/FRPP GT40 intakes, much more plentiful, and much less expensive.  The tubular GT40 intakes are prettier, though.
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: jandmmustangs on September 05, 2013, 04:40:34 PM
Here's the lowdown on all 3. FRPP GT40, Exploder, and Cobra

http://www.andersonfordmotorsport.com/dmdocuments/media/intake.htm
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: TOM Renzo on September 05, 2013, 04:58:07 PM
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/proguns/001-104.jpg) (http://s740.photobucket.com/user/proguns/media/001-104.jpg.html)
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on September 05, 2013, 05:24:22 PM
Early build 97 Explorer.  96 was the same, but the intake plate said "Explorer V8".  You've been nice enough, I see, to drill and tap for the ACT.
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: a77cj7 on September 05, 2013, 06:33:18 PM
Actually, thats a 98-01 intake. No egr hole in the lower, as the p-code motors used an external egr setup. The upper will have no egr hole as well, and actually have a gap in the center of the lower , as evidenced by the marks on the gasket. Late 97's used external egr, but still had the older intake set.
Same style intake set I'm using on my car, works great if you don't want to retain EGR.

I learned some of this the hard way on my first 5.0 build in my ranger. I left the late 97 lower on the motor i used, and put a 99 upper on it. The lower had the egr hole (even though the motor was external egr), and the upper just had a gap in the casting there. Took me quite awhile to figgure out where the exhaust leak noise was coming from and why it was happening.

Chris
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on September 05, 2013, 07:05:42 PM
Maybe you're right.  There is a driled/tapped hole for the ACT, but there doesn't appear to have been a flat boss for it.
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: TOM Renzo on September 05, 2013, 08:29:35 PM
Just cleaning up before the winter. I have a lot of stuff to sort through. When JR was young he accumilated a bunch of HI POWER amps and huge speakers. I put some of them on the counter and they sold in an HOUR. I am glad JR is over the THUMPING RADIO THING. That used to burn my ass. I just found 2 more amps in the basp00get of the shop tonight. Will put them out tomorrow and see what gives.
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: 4EyedCoug on September 07, 2013, 12:43:16 AM
I thought I was limited cam and head wise because of the flat top pistons that the 86 5.0s had. Will I be able to use a H.O cam and GT 40 heads?
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: Haystack on September 07, 2013, 03:39:04 AM
you could always flycut your pistons if they don't fit. a few guys on here have gt40's and an ecam on a stock short block.
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on September 07, 2013, 06:41:45 AM
Like Tom would say, you'll have to measure it for yourself.
Title: 5.0 SO. More power?
Post by: TOM Renzo on September 07, 2013, 08:52:35 PM
Measure twice dont crash ONCE!!