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Topic: 5.0 High output conversion and gt40 heads (Read 2361 times) previous topic - next topic

5.0 High output conversion and gt40 heads

Hi I want to know what I have to have in order to convert my 5.0 SO to a high output. I know I need a new Ecu and injectors. But what about the distributor? Do I keep the stock one and just change the wire order on the cap? Any help would
Be great. And also I want to put gt40 aluminum heads on but I don't know if there will be valve Clearence issues because they are flat dish pistons. THANK YOU to anyone who can help (:

5.0 High output conversion and gt40 heads

Reply #1 –
You'll have to check piston to valve clearance. It SHOULD clear with a stock h.o. cam, but chec it first.

Check out the coocats.net writeup under ending modes for the h.o. upgrade. It could easily be done in a weekend if you have all the parts already. Decide if your going mass air and what your doing with exhaust.

An yes, stock dist is the same as h.o. as is the lower intake. I'd go gt40/explorer intake if I was that deep into it. Goodluck and come back with any questions, and show us some PICS!!!
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

5.0 High output conversion and gt40 heads

Reply #2 –
Yep, you'll need the following...

H.O cam
H.O headers
ECU
injectors
install, at the least, E-7 heads (EFI Ford 5.0 pickup, Mustang H.O engine...'87 up)
change the firing order to the 351W order (reverse rotation)
Dual exhaust (the factory standard issue Thunderbird exhaust is )

Keep it Speed Density, and the ECU is plug and play. If you go Mass Air, then you'll need to do some wire work in the plug to the ECU. For an H.O upgrade, you don't need Mass Air at all.

I'd also swap the timing chain while you're in there. For hat you get out of this upgrade, it's a cheap bang for the buck.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

5.0 High output conversion and gt40 heads

Reply #3 –
Yup, do the double roller timing chain, i'd do the waterpump too while you have it apart.
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

5.0 High output conversion and gt40 heads

Reply #4 –
I agree with that. Also, you should swap the intake to an Explorer piece along with a 65mm throttlebody. The stock stuff is like breathing through a straw.
At least, the very least, get a Mustang upper intake, EGR spacer, and throttle body. The upper looks like the T-Bird's, but the Stang's is opened up more.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

5.0 High output conversion and gt40 heads

Reply #5 –
PM sent............
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

5.0 High output conversion and gt40 heads

Reply #6 –
What pound injectors should I put in? Stock h.os? I think they are 14lb or 19lb I'm
Not exactly sure. I am gonna put the biggers gt40 heads on so I might have to have better lb injectors but idk. But the install shouldn't take long with a buddy helping me out. I already have dual
Exhaust so that won't be a problem. I still have to put new headers on I was thinkin bbks or somthin along the lines of that. But thank you to everyone who helped (:
 

5.0 High output conversion and gt40 heads

Reply #7 –
Run 19# with stock h.o. stuff, or 24 or bigger if you go with a calibrated maf setup or a tune. 19's should work pretty well but may be close to maxed with a healthy setup and your gt-40 heads. I'd personally go 24#'s.
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