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Topic: how much more power? (Read 1637 times) previous topic - next topic

how much more power?

it seems like switching your stock 5.0 to a HO 5.0 is a fairly popular thing to do. but it also sound pretty difficult, i wasnt sure if its really worth your time, money and effort. how much more power does a HO make compared to a stock engine? just curious, its something i never knew.
1988 Thunderbird sport
2004 Ford F150 Lariat
2008  Chevrolet Cobalt Sport
2007 Suzuki DR-Z400S dual sport/Supermoto
1988 Thunderbird LX - sold
1988 Mercury Cougar XR-7 with GST kit - gone

how much more power?

Reply #1
i believe its  125 for the stock SO and 255 for the HO

someone correct me if im wrong

 

how much more power?

Reply #2
5.0 SO - 155 HP or less
5.0 HO - 225 HP
2005 Subaru WRX STi|daily driver

how much more power?

Reply #3
darkthunder is right. Don't forget too that the HO adapts well to power adders. There's not much you can do with the SO if you want to increase horsepower.
 
If you want to modify the engine in the future and your SO is giving you fits now, go ahead and swap up to the HO. If the SO is functioning properly and you don't plan on modifying the motor any time soon, stay with the SO for now. Don't fix it if it isn't broken.
 
As far as cost, a shop will probably charge you around $1,000 to swap the motors. You can save considerably by doing it yourself if you are mechanically inclined. No wiring or anything has to be changed. Unplug and unbolt the SO and bolt in and plug in the HO.

how much more power?

Reply #4
well thats something to look into. i dont really need it right now, but my engine is starting to act up a lil', just a bunch of little problems, but if it starts to throw a fit, thats something i should try. thats a pretty big difference, and if u dont gotta change any computer stuff, ill probably replace my SO with a HO. thanks, i wasnt sure of the difference in power.
1988 Thunderbird sport
2004 Ford F150 Lariat
2008  Chevrolet Cobalt Sport
2007 Suzuki DR-Z400S dual sport/Supermoto
1988 Thunderbird LX - sold
1988 Mercury Cougar XR-7 with GST kit - gone

how much more power?

Reply #5
oh, you'll have to change the computer too, but that's really a piece of cake...
Just get one from a speed density mustang, if you're using a seed density motor.
Mass air Stang computer if you're going to use a mass-air engine...
nothin to changing a computer, it's easier than putting in an aftermarket stereo.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)


how much more power?

Reply #7
that coolcats site said it would cost a lil' more than $600, is that true? i would think it would cost more for everything needed. how much did it cost for anybody else here to change it over? i'm really starting to think about changing it over sometime in the summer. also, how does this effect your gas milage? thanks
1988 Thunderbird sport
2004 Ford F150 Lariat
2008  Chevrolet Cobalt Sport
2007 Suzuki DR-Z400S dual sport/Supermoto
1988 Thunderbird LX - sold
1988 Mercury Cougar XR-7 with GST kit - gone

how much more power?

Reply #8
I depends on the parts you are gonna use.

It cost me $75 for the cylinder heads, prolly around $50 for head work.
$50 for upper intake manifold, $65 for throttle body. $20 for sstock hortties
$50 for a cam, $50 for a computer, $50 for injectors from a junkyard.

I have not finished mine yet, but I dont see why it would cost over $500.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

how much more power?

Reply #9
check ebay and stang boards (corral.net, stangnet.com...). mustang owners practically throw that stuff away.
2005 Subaru WRX STi|daily driver

how much more power?

Reply #10
For me, the conversion from 3.8 V6 to 5.0 HO was close to $4,000.  Your project should be under $1,000 if you don't rebuild the engine.

how much more power?

Reply #11
it looks like if i'm going to try to change it, its gonna be more then the $500-600 range i thought. im not sure why. also by doing this, will it help my gas mileage any? my cougar is my daily driver, so if im gonna spend this much i would like to kno im gonna save a little in gas.
1988 Thunderbird sport
2004 Ford F150 Lariat
2008  Chevrolet Cobalt Sport
2007 Suzuki DR-Z400S dual sport/Supermoto
1988 Thunderbird LX - sold
1988 Mercury Cougar XR-7 with GST kit - gone