Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

Topic: Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0 (Read 4352 times) previous topic - next topic

Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

February 23, 2005, 12:30:30 AM

I'm attempting to get more HP out of my 87 SO 5.0. I have shorty headers and Hpipe from an LSC to put on. Plan to put on 4x9x14 Magnaflow lers. Don't want to wake up the neighbors each night, will this be a problem? I believe I need to divert gas lines from side rail next to passngr side ler area (got 88 TCoupe lines to put on) and remove brake line to hose bracket to flatten the brake line against the frame rail. It seems to stick out too much at the bracket (I flattened out a bracket so it can come closer to rail at brake line to hose junction). Is this necessary? What have others done? Will the stock HO shorty headers from LSC interfere with 87 TBird engine mounts or console shift linkage?
Part two is to put on HO upper intake and 60mm throttle (also from LSC). Will this cause driving problems at higher RPM's (4000+) such as too lean condition? Please share your experiences Would SO computer handle 19 lb injectors?
I would like to convert to HO cam, 19 lb injectors and Mustang 86-88 SD computer later on. I'm worried E7 head valves would come too close to SO non relief cut pistons with SO or HO cam. So I may stick with low end torque E6 heads (maybe better off this way with the stock AOD). I know this is beginning to sound like a lot, but I just need a some advice before I start tearing things apart and get too deep!

Re: Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

Reply #1 – February 23, 2005, 12:36:31 AM

The 60mm throttle body will bog down alot. YOu should still be pretty much set for the duel exhaust. I think the only thing that you will need would maybe be the double hump cross member. Instal should be pretty easy. The e7 heads will give you a bit more power. If you want to go with the bigger injectors and larger throttle body you will need to get the h.o. camshaft. the exhaust should clear every thing. As long as you have the s.o. camshaft in there you shouldnt hit anything over 4500 rpm, and you will actually make less power over 4000 rpm anyways. At least that is how it is in both of my cougars. check out cool cats tech section. There is alot of helpful info on everything that you are looking at doing.

Re: Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

Reply #2 – February 23, 2005, 01:40:13 AM

I had to do some modification to the motor mounts in my cougar to get the LSC headrs to fit without hitting anything. I used a large hammer and a crow bar to bent the mount a little.

Everything else for the exhaust should bolt right up no problems.

I also used the LSC upper with the larger throttle boby on it and I don't have any problems with it, but I also installed the mass air at the same time.

Re: Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

Reply #3 – February 23, 2005, 02:17:37 AM

I didn't have to modify the motor mounts to fit mustang stock headers on my 88 Tbird, but I did have to modify the transmission linkage (AOD column shift)

Re: Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

Reply #4 – February 23, 2005, 02:22:43 AM

I should say the the clearence between the motor mount and the header was not alot, about 1/8 in or so. So I gave it some more room so just incase the engine rocked back and forth it wouldn't smash anything.

Re: Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

Reply #5 – February 23, 2005, 07:33:03 AM

Your '87 should already have the relocated fuel lines, it was '86 and down that get in the way. :)

Re: Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

Reply #6 – February 23, 2005, 07:59:31 AM

The 60 MM opening on the upper intake on the HO shouldn't bog you down. Especially with an exhaust that flows better. The bottleneck in the intake system is actually the lower portion. With a good port job on the lower you can get a lower and UNPORTED upper to flow about 90%-95% as well as a stock cobra intake. As Cougarman stated above your fuel lines will be fine. Iv'e read in some posts on the old board that some people have to modify the engine mounts to get the Mustang/LSC headers to fit and others do not. It's a shoot. The better shape your mounts are in the less problems you should have. E7 heads with flat tops and a Mustang Cam should clear.
I've been told by a Ford technician that this setup will clear .500 valve lift. Always check to be sure though. Your compression ratio would be slightly higher than an HO with this setup. As far as 19 pound injectors working with the stock SO computer yes it can be done however you would need to add an adjustable regulator as well. With an HO upper and exhaust mods only you would not need to do this. There are performance roller cams on the market that have the SO firing order. If you ran one of these with say E6 or E7 heads then I could see the need, but with the stock cam and JUST the intake and exhaust mods it would be overkill.

Re: Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

Reply #7 – February 23, 2005, 01:44:49 PM

On my '87 Sport, since it had the 7.5 rear, the brake and fuel lines were still "in the way", but I didn't change anything when I put my duals on. The TC's on the other hand were routed a little differently, I'm guessing because of the 8.8 rear with the brake splitter mounted on the diff. and with the option of factory "duals" they moved the lines.

Thats just what my experience was with my sport and my TC parts cars.

Re: Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

Reply #8 – February 23, 2005, 01:56:35 PM

Quote from: Warbird9

On my '87 Sport, since it had the 7.5 rear, the brake and fuel lines were still "in the way", but I didn't change anything when I put my duals on. The TC's on the other hand were routed a little differently, I'm guessing because of the 8.8 rear with the brake splitter mounted on the diff. and with the option of factory "duals" they moved the lines.

Thats just what my experience was with my sport and my TC parts cars.

Wow, on all my '87-88 Cougars, and my son's '87sport, the filter is in the relocated spot. :dunno: Must be luck of the draw with these cars...lol :)

Re: Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

Reply #9 – February 23, 2005, 02:29:06 PM

Check this thread for some more ideas: http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=1583
I'd say the basic idea to keep in mind, is to keep your upgrades in balance. If you do something that relieves a lot of backpressure (i.e.: better flowing heads), do something to counter it like keep the exhuast at 2 1/4 with 1 1/2 headers. Or if you put the H.O. upper with a 60mm or 65mm throttle body on it, counter with a plenum spacer to help keep some of the low end torque. Also acording to coolcat.net, the 65mm throttle body can be used without ill effect on an SO engine.

Re: Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

Reply #10 – February 23, 2005, 02:29:24 PM

I think he's talking about just the fuel lines themselves. You can wrap those in header tape if you're worried about them...that's been working on the convertible for almost 10 years with no issues.

The 1986 5.0 motor mounts allow virtually any header to be installed. The 1978-88 ones have the factory "shackles" that were supposed to lock together and keep the two parts intact if the rubber mount broke. That basically never works, and the downside is that they sometimes interfere with headers, even the stock Mustang/Mark VII ones. It's perfectly okay to cut the metal brackets off for clearance.

The cable bracket on the floor shift AOD may need to be gently massaged with a grinder if you have interference with the H-pipe. Not a big issue.

The 60mm throttle body and HO upper are great mods to any stock Cougar/T-Bird 5.0. They will absolutely not bog down the motor and you should actually pick up some additional horsepower (estimated at 3-5 at the flywheel). Really you're not likely to see that power on the street--just on a dyno--but most people notice greatly improved throttle response with it. It will also not have any issues with the stock SO computer.

Re: Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

Reply #11 – February 23, 2005, 04:16:25 PM

Okay myabe I was wrong about the throttle body.

Re: Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

Reply #12 – February 23, 2005, 05:22:31 PM

Nothin wrong with being wrong. I think we all have learned here :)

Re: Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

Reply #13 – February 23, 2005, 07:24:11 PM

Quote from: SRBird

Part two is to put on HO upper intake and 60mm throttle (also from LSC). Will this cause driving problems at higher RPM's (4000+) such as too lean condition? Please share your experiences Would SO computer handle 19 lb injectors?
I would like to convert to HO cam, 19 lb injectors and Mustang 86-88 SD computer later on. I'm worried E7 head valves would come too close to SO non relief cut pistons with SO or HO cam. So I may stick with low end torque E6 heads (maybe better off this way with the stock AOD). I know this is beginning to sound like a lot, but I just need a some advice before I start tearing things apart and get too deep!

The SO computer will NOT handle the 19lb inj... Just get a adjustable fuel pressure regulator, and crank up the pressure if it runs lean with the better intake, throttle body and exaust system. Also if you are gonna stick with the E6SE heads, you may want to think about adding 1.7 roller rockers. Even with a HO cam there will not be clearance problems..

Re: Hpipe dual + HO intake on SO 5.0

Reply #14 – February 24, 2005, 12:06:22 AM

Great, I wasn't expecting so many replies so soon! Thanks folks. I do have the double hump cross member. My gas filter is positioned sideways just outside the subframe rail (just as that 88 :ies: TCoupe I took fuel lines from the filter area to gas tank, these go up into the center hump and back across the other side). I was concerned because my 87 fuel lines and brake line run along the inside face of the subframe rail facing what will be the Passngr side ler. I haven't bought lers yet so I don't know exactly how much clearance there will be. I have just about everything else such as hangers etc. I have LSC mid pipes to hook up H pipe to lers, I hope these wont need too much reworking for 14" (20" overall) length 4x9 lers and stock 88 hangers.

I got a look at Eric's Cool Cats Tech center...COOL!!! I've got some reading to catch up on.

I read some threads asking about SO vs HO Cam lift specs. A great book that has this type of info is "The Official Ford Mustang 5.0 Technical Reference & Performance Handbook" by Al Kirschenbaum (Bentley Publishers, 2000). Available from Indigo/Chapters online, a little pricey but can be considered as the bible for 1979 through 1993
5.0 HO, with SO comparison thrown in. It was this book that warned me of valve interference for E7 heads and 86 HO flat top pistons. But if others have tried E7's with SO dished pistons without trouble, then I just may give it a shot next year along HO cam, Computer and injectors. (Would 1.7 roller rockers with E6 be just as good?)

This Spring /Summer I'll stick to Dual exhaust + HO intake/60mm TB and new tires for the GT Turbine wheels I bought in good shape. The adjustable fuel regulator sounds tempting too. How are these adjusted? Any special buttstuffyzing tools?