I have an 85 with the stock 302 and I'm new to the forum. Just curious if there is anything you can do to squeeze a few more ponies out of this engine. I've heard that this engine is almost impossible to "tune" but I'm hoping someone might know otherwise?? I would be happy with a gain of 30 to 50...not looking to hot rod and not wanting a major overhaul. Is this possible or just wishful thinking??
Exhaust, heads, cam, and intake. Those are the basics. You can find factory parts from either a. Explorer or a ho mustang. Is your motor cfi or sefi?
Thanks. It's CFI and I think that's part of the problem? I've heard about the best you can do with this engine is K&N filter and dual exhaust because the CFI/Computer set up isn't that adaptable to cam/head mods? I don't think you can do anything to change the fuel/air setup much? Was hoping this was wrong and that I might be able to do the filter/exhaust mods with a computer flash and get my 30 to 50hp increase?
Cheaper in the end to just engine swap with an HO cammed explorer motor and an HO PCM. On that note, anyone in Michigan want to buy a 70k mile 5.0 SO?
Very tough to do with that setup. Basically it has to much pumping losses. But good luck any way.
Thanks. Unfortunately I've also heard the swap was about the only answer. I have the anniversary model and want to keep it as stock as possible so I won't be doing a swap. May just do the air filter/exhaust and maybe get 5 to 10 increase? Still wish there was a simple way to tune.
Why can't you go with an H.O engine (or H.O upgrade with the cam and exhaust), and do a 4 bbl carb? Like the '85 Stangs?
Do the HO conversion. That engine is not hopeless by any means. There is tons you can do to increase hp and not doing a swap. The only thing really holding you back from what I can see is the type of fuel injection. If this engine can be converted to efi or carburation than doit and it will make a world of a difference.
Thanks for the suggestions! I'll have to look into the HO upgrade. Sounds like the current fuel injection may be the biggest issue. Any idea what kind of HP increase there would be with the HO conversion. I think stock is around 145 for this engine...pretty anemic but about it for the day. Again, I'm not looking for a hot rod but just want to up the fun factor of driving. These are great riding/handling cars its just too bad they had the 80's power. If I could reach 200 horses for this car it would make a world of difference. Thanks.
You would probably be in the 160-200hp range. I'm not exactly sure I've never dealt with a CFI engine before but
I'm sure it's within that range. If I were you I'd go carburation if possible because it's a lot more simplistic than efi and would be an easier conversion for what you want out of your engine. I'd suggest Holley or edelbrock 4 barrel carbs.
Do a full header back dual exhaust and you will notice a huge difference. My 83 was a stock 5.0 with CFI with an AOD and all I did was put a full exhaust in it (granted this was back in 93ish) and I remember it being a huge difference over stock. Even though your car is an anniversary edition car these cars do not have much of a monetary value to the public like the Mustangs so keeping it stock typically only brings an appreciation from the owner and a very small crowd of people. Read this thread as we are currently helping another member (at least I hope we are helping) figure out what to do with his SO setup:
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?35557-Talking-cylinder-heads.
Yours would be pretty much the same but like someone else already mentioned just get a carburetor (600 CFM with vacuum secondaries are easy enough) and a good intake and you would be set.
Darren
Read coolcats.net on the h.o. conversion/swap. He touchest on the 83-85 engine setups. If you found the right parts, you could do it in a weekend..
I can appreciate your wanting to stay stock appearing on a 30th anniv, I would want to do same....
There are three major ways to do this, all would include a full free flowing exhaust system of at least 2.25" and headers... Heads on pre '86 engines are similar to the E7, I would not swap those unless you're going GT40 or similar...
#1 swap to a more HOish cam(This isn't a roller engine so all you guys forget stock HO cam) and a HO CFI setup from a '84/'85 LSC or AUTOMATIC Stang... I believe those were rated at 165Hp, and the exhaust system should add another 15-20Hp... Except for the exhaust system, stock appearance is retained... Bad the stock HO CFI is hard to find and 30 year old electronics can(maybe will?) be buggy...
#2 would be same as above but use a 600 CFM or so carb and decent flowing intake, would still be close to stock appearance... You would also need to swap to a low pressure fuel pump to feed the carb...
#3 Full SEFI swap to a '87 up system, still could use your heads but would still have to figure out a cam as I stated prior this isn't a roller engine...
Note there is a possibility it is a roller block(anybody have a list of the casting numbers?), I've seen late '85s that used them but the spider hold down was not drilled and tapped...
A head swap would help greatly the heads that came on these cars absolutely suck. If you go carb which is what I did get you a nice dual plane intake a decent cam and follow up with exhaust. It wont be too hard to eek 200hp out of it. If you do a bone stock ho upgrade youll be looking at around 220 right there.
Thanks for pointing me to Coolcats. Interesting read on the CFI to Carb mod. Linkage mods for carb and AOD shift linkage could be beyond my skill set. Sounded tricky and alot of trial and error to get them right. However, considering the potential hp gain and the fact that it would retain "stock" appearance it is worth serious consideration.....likely take me a little longer than a weekend but no hurries here. Thanks.
Thanks. I like the sound of option 1 but want to make sure I understand. Are you saying by swapping the stock cam to an 84/85 LSC/Mustang HO cam that I should see around 165hp or about a 25hp gain over stock? And then additional hp gains with the exhaust mod? I thought the 84/85 Lsc/Mustang setups included the dual exhaust set up so would the 165hp be total? Thanks for your help.
Thanks. Any idea what you gained in hp doing the full exhaust mod?
Yes the early HO cam would be the way to go...
None of the pre '85 HO had a true dual exhaust(actually '86 was first), '85 5-speed had headers, others had cast iron exhaust manifolds and single systems... Assuming the CFI HO setup made 165Hp, you should gain another 15Hp from the headers and free exhaust system... Problem is I don't think it's possible to verify without removing the heads... Problem is I don't think the head number can be verified without removing the heads...
BTW if your block casting number begins with E5AE, it is roller cam compatible, but likely the lifter spider hold down bosses are not machined or tapped for bolts... E5AE should also be the head casting number, which are the same ones used on the carbed 210HP '85 5-speed Stangs...