More power?

Topic: More power? (Read 1030 times) previous topic - next topic

More power?

June 09, 2006, 07:15:47 PM

Ok just curious on this, for everyone who has been dealing with performance on 5.0 EFI engines.
What are some of the things that can be done to these motors to get more power out of them with very minimal spending?
I know bumping the timing up a degree or two can cause it to have more power.
But what other adjustents can be made to give a mostly stock 302 SO more power?
I'm trying to figure out what all I can do without spending alot to get a little more kick out of it.
The things different on it keeping it from being totally stock are these.
H.O. upper intake
H.O. throttle body and EGR spacer
Cold air intake setup
Mustang shorty headers
Dual exhaust without cats
Straight through lers ( glass packs)

The exhaust is still the stock size for what came out in an 87 Tbird. I didn't want to go to big and cause it to breathe to freely until I get the rest of the HO conversion done. Although with the stock size pipe it may be actually smothering it some.
The timing is the only other thing I know about adjusting to get more power which if I remember right doesnt really add that much.
Thanks in advance.

More power?

Reply #1 – June 09, 2006, 10:00:23 PM

Quote

H.O. upper intake
H.O. throttle body and EGR spacer
Cold air intake setup
Mustang shorty headers
Dual exhaust without cats
Straight through lers ( glass packs)

So that's what you have done to your stock 5.0 SO?
If so, I think you pretty much have done all you can. Only way to get more kick would be to do an HO conversion/swap.

Change your rear gears too. It will feel quicker.

More power?

Reply #2 – June 09, 2006, 10:07:56 PM

well I have the E7 heads to swap onto it but I have to get them sent off and cleaned and checked to make sure they're not cracked or warped the engine they were on got pretty hot. I'll change the valve stem seals and check the springs while I have them apart too.

I've notice larger fuel injectors and such on ebay for pretty cheap. is it possible to put larger injectors in without changing the computer?

I do still have the stock computer for an 87 5.0 tbird in it as well.
I'm kind of thinking possibly the ECU, Cam, heads and Mass Air are about my only smaller options without taking the engine back out of the car. Although I wouldn't exactly call the ECU a cheaper upgrade.

More power?

Reply #3 – June 10, 2006, 12:02:54 AM

You really don't need to do a MAF conversion on it...larger injectors are unnecissary unless you have the complete HO package...in which case it is best to plop in a new ECU for speed density. If you really want her to get up and dance, go with some 4.10 gears and an 8.8" rear swap, a shift kit, set the timing to 14*(they say it requires premium fuel, but I've never had a problem on 87 octane)...just for the ultimate in budget, set the TPS voltage as close to .99 volts as you can without going over...it won't make a big difference if you're already close, but if you're at .6-.7 volts, you'll notice it seems slightly more responsive. Also, you could stand for 2.25" dual exhaust(instead of the stock 2" pipes)...but 2.5" dual exhaust would be a nice upgrade in antition for your HO conversion.

More power?

Reply #4 – June 10, 2006, 12:20:15 AM

well Im not real sure on reading the TPS voltage I know to shove a stick pin through the green wire ground the black lead and put the red one on the stick pin. what do I set the voltmeter to to read 1 volt?
Also Ive bumped the timing up a little not sure where to I havent put a light on it yet but even with normal 87 octane it seems to idle alot better and has a quicker response to throttle movements.
At 10 BTDC the thing was rather doggy took a second to react to sudden throttle changes idled rough as hell and so on. for some reason my engine seems to be better overall with the timing advanced.
On the shift kit Im eventually going to a T5 as soon as I can come up with the funding so Im not really that interested in upgrading the tranny. I have a tranny at my other car that I could possibly get for it that just had a shift kit put in and was rebuilt like 5000 miles ago. Im not sure if my torque converter would work in it though I have an AOD and I believe its either a C4 or a C6.