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Topic: 5.0 Dress up (Read 1410 times) previous topic - next topic

5.0 Dress up

First off I hope I am posting this in the right place & I apologize if it is wrong.
I would like to know where I can get a engine dress up kit for a '86 5.0 EFI motor.
I am looking to get as much chrome as possible but of coarse with out it costing me an arm & a leg.
I have spent at least an hour using the search but I never found anything definite to go off of.
If nothing else could I get some recommendations on the best chrome paint for like the pulleys.
Thanks for any help.

5.0 Dress up

Reply #1
Just get chromed pulleys...paint will eventually flake and chip off.

Look in Summit  or Jegs, probably be the best place.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

5.0 Dress up

Reply #2
Check mustang dress up kits. Everything should basically fit with the same engine layout and all.
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 Dress up

Reply #3
I have contacted a couple of places on Ebay & I get the response: "this is for a Mustang" & my thought has been: what is the difference between a 5.0EFI for a T-Bird & a 5.0EFI for a Mustang?
If it is the same year 5.0 it shouldn't matter which Ford vehicle it is in.
Anyway I will look into Jegs I haven't checked there yet.
Thanks for the help.

5.0 Dress up

Reply #4
Most things are the same. Alt bracket is slightly different but interchangeable. Some of you fluid caps are different. If you just want to chrome it out, look at pictures on websites until you know where they go then make a calculated decision from there. However, basically anything for or from a mustang will work for the engine, many suspension and interior parts and some body, but not much.
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 Dress up

Reply #5
As long as the Mustang parts are for an EFI engine you're good to go. Carb valve covers aren't worth the time on an EFI engine, and are more trouble than they're worth. Look on Ebay under Mustang valve covers, Mustang pulleys, Mustang "whatever you're looking for". A new intake will add a lot of shine if you get a polished one. That's the largest single piece on the engine when you open the hood. Your budget is your limit.....items I know of easily had (but they do cost)...

polished intake
chrome radiator hoses
chrome or polished valve covers
chrome or coated headers
chrome or polished water pump
chrome or polished pulleys
chrome or polished brackets
Chrome strut tower brace
etc........

Some parts are pretty high priced. Shop around and you can find some deals. Learn to polish some aluminum and that'll save a lot, and can give good results for really cheap.

It all looks great, but remember, with lots of chrome/polished parts also comes a lot of cleaning. It gets old fast.Pick a few parts that compliment the engine without going overboard. It'll make life easier.
'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 Dress up

Reply #7
That's a lot of money for not much. Some of it is Stang only.
'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 Dress up

Reply #8
Most of those pieces individually are about $20 a pop, which is silly.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.