Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: mcb82gt on November 21, 2008, 07:47:28 PM

Title: 302 upgrade decisions
Post by: mcb82gt on November 21, 2008, 07:47:28 PM
Need some help with my 88 SO 5.0

Currently is all stock with 113K.  My goal is mostly driver with good performance, must have ALOT of torque and stock drivability.

I have most pieces for the HO upgrade, but E7 heads,

Do I  1. Use SO block and put on E7 heads (stock Mustang headers)  Do I do some home porting on the heads? Will this benefit with the stock HO cam?  Do I do any porting of the HO intakes? Again, will this benefit with the HO cam?

(I will be swapping to a 2.5" offroad H-pipe and some aftermarket lers also.)

Do I  2.  Buy a used 5.0 HO motor (notched forged pistons) and upgrade the heads to GT40/GT40P along with Cobra/Explorer intakes?

Should I spend money on shorty headers, or use the stock Mustang?

I guess it comes down to......what is the most torque/dollar way to go?  I plan on keeping this car for a long time and dont antite forced induction any time soon. LOL, but I would like to do it right the first time.

I plan on eventually going to 3.27 or 3.45 gears in the 7.5 rear.

I know this thread is long, I just need some advise from you guys who have done this before with these cars.  Thank you

Mike
Title: 302 upgrade decisions
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 22, 2008, 10:45:26 AM
Option 2 will get you more power but you will not be able to easily use stock HO headers with GT40P heads. The plug angle is different on them. Trust me I know ;)
Title: 302 upgrade decisions
Post by: mcb82gt on November 22, 2008, 07:23:43 PM
I guess I was asking if I use E7's, would aftermarket shorty headers make much of a difference?

I know GT40P's require a little different setup.
Title: 302 upgrade decisions
Post by: mcb82gt on November 23, 2008, 07:10:00 PM
What is the most power for the money?  Any advise
Title: 302 upgrade decisions
Post by: Haystack on November 23, 2008, 10:28:04 PM
I would get the e7's. They cost the same as a stock head at a junkyard. And almost if not all headers will fit it okay as long as you have a floor shift. The stock mustang headers will work fine with a colum shift. at the u-pull it yards around here, a set of heads is 40 to 75 dollars each, and a full motor is 125 to 150. With the H.O. upper cam and fuel injectors, you'll prolly be cheaper with the hole motor.
Title: 302 upgrade decisions
Post by: mcb82gt on November 24, 2008, 07:48:38 AM
Will the stock HO cam allow enough airflow to justify a more expensive setup? (cobra intakes/gt40 heads)
Title: 302 upgrade decisions
Post by: Haystack on November 24, 2008, 12:43:59 PM
Your motor is a big air pump. Lowering restrictions will gain you more power. The stock upper/lower is the worst flowing part of the H.O. setup.

You could always go for a different cam. They can be found used for a decent price.
Title: 302 upgrade decisions
Post by: vinnietbird on November 24, 2008, 06:18:59 PM
I have an H.O cam in the garage I'm not using.
Title: 302 upgrade decisions
Post by: mcb82gt on November 24, 2008, 07:58:38 PM
Ive already got everything but the intake tube and the E7's, thanks though Vinn.
Title: 302 upgrade decisions
Post by: vinnietbird on November 24, 2008, 08:39:28 PM
You can find CAI's (cold air induction) pretty cheap if you look around.