How to get the most out of a 96 5.0 in a stang?

[v8only]

Hello all, my bro and I have just picked up a 96 5.0 explorer engine from a yard to go into his 88 mustang. This is a great engine, as it has only around 7k miles and is a certified reman from ford in 11 of 2001. I've been doing quite a bit of research on this topic.

From what ive gathered, the oil pan, and pump will have to be swapped, as well as the water pump, timing chain, accessories, cam, and springs. The heads already have thermactor holes drilled in them, and the intake has the egr on it, (as this has to conform to cali smog). Additionally, From what I understand, the act sensor can be relocated to our airbox.

I do have a # of questions still.

While this engine is out of the car, we had "planned" on ripping the heads and intake off, fully porting both, and mating with a good aftermarket cam, roller rockers, good springs, etc.

We also thought about selling off the explorer intake and get the typhoon intake (edelbrock china made ripooff) and full porting the typhoon intake, as they are known to outflow the gt40 intakes.

from what I've learned, these engines have lower compression than the mustang HO counterparts of the late 80's, and early 90's. For this reason, I was told that fully porting a lower intake, and the heads with a big cam would be a waste of time because I'd lose my low end torque from lack of compression.

I'm not about to rip the pistons out of a 7k engine for domed units, so my question is, what is the best way to make power out of this gt40 headed beast?

 

[performancenut]

Having the essentially same engine, I would suggest a cam swap, leave the heads and intake alone, and do a good header and exhaust. Obviously lots and lots of upgrades can be done but it sounds like a 7K motor in great shape so try it with a different cam only initially and see how it works.

 

[v8only]

thank you for your response.

my bro has some fms unequal ceramic coated shorty headers going on it, really, really nice headers, along with a 2.5 inch dual american thunder cat back exhaust. Likely an h pipe in the near future, but the stock 4 catted mustang h pipe for now.

We're kinda thinking of using the stock mass air camshaft out of my brothers 88 mustang. is there a better choice that is "known" to make power for these engines" Remember, of course, this will be in a 2900-3000 pound car, not a fully loaded truck

also, what do you think about the springs?? some people claim they're wortheless to rev past 5 grand and change or so. Are the springs an essential swap with a mustang cam? How fast can this engine be spinned before valve float with those springs?

 

[performancenut]

Stock Explorer 5.0 is made for lower RPM torque "low end torque"; might consider an E303 cam for higher RPM performance issues; probably go with roller rockers and upgraded springs at that point

 

[Bill MacLeod]

If I'm not mistaken, the FRPP short blocks are explorer motors, so I wouldn't be too concerned about the pistons. (unless your using a power adder)

There are several cams out there that could be considered. The E-303, Steeda 18, TFS Stage 1 or just the 88 cam with 1.7 rockers.

Sounds like you have the GT-40 heads with the motor (not P's) so a mild porting of the heads and the lower intake should add a few more ponies. The valve springs should definetely be upgraded to atleast .550 lift specs.