Project Old Spice... (engine combo) LONG

Topic: Project Old Spice... (engine combo) LONG (Read 1532 times) previous topic - next topic

Project Old Spice... (engine combo) LONG

October 08, 2009, 05:13:21 PM

I recently bought an 83 Tbird that is basically going to be a junkyard budget project. It has a 5.0 v8 with the throttle body fuel injection. I've dabbled in modifying other engines, mainly the 4.6 sohc in my 94 Tbird (which has been replaced with an 02 explorer engine with comp 262 cams), but this will be the first pushrod small block I've really tinkered with. I've been trying to find deals on newer/better parts and have been trying to research a little bit.

So far, I've picked up a set of E7 heads for $25 than I plan on porting out. I've already read a great deal of info on the diy porting website. I plan on at least doing a basic bowl and runner cleanup on these. They will probably keep the stock valves for now.

My buddy Jake (pegasus) gave me a performer 289 intake. I'll now be looking for a carb. I'm thinking somewhere around 600-650 cfm should suffice for this mild of a build, am I wrong? Is it difficult to modify a carb to work with the aod kick-down linkage?

Next up is a camshaft. I'm not terribly sure what specs to go with here, or how much lift and duration I should be able to run with the stock bottom end and E7s. I know I shouldn't go too crazy here because it probably won't make good power over 5000-5500 rpm with this mild/stock part build. What kind of pistons are in a stock 83? Cast, hyper, forged? Flat-top, dish, fly-cuts?

Ignition system: This is probably what I'm most unsure about besides the cam. I've noticed the ignition module under the hood said duraspark II, but apparently there have been many iterations of the duraspark system over the years. I've tried to find and read as many cfi to carb swap articles as I could, but this part still leaves me with questions. Apparently the stock dizzy won't allow timing adjustment? Is there another stock dizzy to use? Remember the budget is cheap or free. Can the stock ignition module and coil still be used? Is there anything else I should know about this?

Alternately, I know it wouldn't be ideal, but as a temporary set-up until I could afford new ignition components, could I use the stock ignition and computer? What I have in mind is leaving the ignition system intact and wiring resistors into the fuel injector wiring and 02 harness to simulate the proper parameters for the injectors and 02 sensor. I would think that should satisfy the simplistic ecu and allow the ignition system to work.

Exhaust: I'm certain I can find a set of headers for cheap on the local mustang board. After those, I'm thinking a crossover pipe, lers and dumps. I've read that there is a clearance issue with the column shifter linkage. Are there any headers that work, or is it necessity to go to a floor shifter? Is the clearance issue just with longtubes, shorties, or all headers?

As far as the rest of the combo, I will be on the lookout for a cheap mustang 8.8 rear-end. We have a used set of 3.73s to go in it. I should also have a little bit of goodwill with the local trans/torque converter builder who is also in our local Tbird club. I'm going to see if he can hook me up as far as the tranny and torque converter goes. I'm also leaning towards the trans-go shift kit and possibly a wide ratio swap considering I have an old 4R70W core taking up space.

Enough of the novel; I'd appreciate if you guys can shine some light on my questions. I'm also open to other suggestions/ideas. I know it's the little parts that add up in these types of projects, but the budget is still going to be cheap/free, because that's what I can afford, lol.

Thanks in advance for your help.

-Rob

Project Old Spice... (engine combo) LONG

Reply #1 – October 09, 2009, 08:45:30 AM

Ported, the E7s flow fairly well prob can pick up 20-25Hp fairly easily... The stock '83 head really isn't much different though, but are down in compression a half point or so...

A 600 Cfm carb is plenty if you don't plan on spinning it past 6000(and you probably shouldn't)... Pistons are no doubt cast, but should have valve reliefs as do all 5.0s prior to '86... All SO SEFI(passenger car) from '86-'91 lack valve reliefs as does the '86 HO engines...

To keep good bottom end torque, I'd stick with a cam of between 205* - 215* duration at .050 and around .500 lift...

You really need to ditch the Do Do SparkII used on the EEC-III computer system and go with a earlier system... Prior to '83 the system used vac/mechanical operation for advance(generally carbed systems from '77-'82 are OK)... I dunno if you can reuse the module or not, but I doubt it...

Different headers can have different issues, but I believe the Stock Stang's do work with the column shift, someone else will have to confirm... You're going to need a matching "H" pipe as well... The cast manifolds are shorter, so it's more trouble than it's worth to try to hack up the stock "Y" pipe... You'll likely have to find a double hump crossmember as well... Often over looked are the '87-'88 Tbird/Coug as a source for these(not the Turbo Coupes though)...

Project Old Spice... (engine combo) LONG

Reply #2 – October 09, 2009, 01:33:53 PM

before the new engine and transmission I had the same MAC shorty headers and a Pypes X pipe as i have now with my column shift auto. A little grinding on the shifter linkage brackets will allow enough clearance for these headers.

Project Old Spice... (engine combo) LONG

Reply #3 – October 09, 2009, 01:36:36 PM

Quote from: TurboCoupe50;294176

You'll likely have to find a double hump crossmember as well... Often over looked are the '87-'88 Tbird/Coug as a source for these(not the Turbo Coupes though)...

My car already had the double hump crossmember stock, so some '86 cars have them as well.

Project Old Spice... (engine combo) LONG

Reply #4 – October 12, 2009, 09:14:35 AM

rob, i have a extra dubble hump

Project Old Spice... (engine combo) LONG

Reply #5 – October 12, 2009, 02:49:46 PM

Quote from: pegasus;294514

rob, i have a extra dubble hump

You know how much I love shopping in your garage Jake!:burnout: I googled the part # on that carter carb you gave me. It's supposed to be a 600 cfm unit. It's seems like it already has the ford throttle linkage, but I will still have to rig up the kick-down linkage for the AOD.

Thanks for the responses so far guys. Does this car have a low pressure fuel pump in the tank and another high pressure pump? I think it does, but I'd like a confirmation. I'm thinking I can just remove the high pressure pump and run a regulator before the carb.

I'm going to try to track down a duraspark distributor and proper ignition module and port out the heads this week. If I can get that done and get a gasket set, we could be burning rubber in the next few weeks!:burnout:

My brother is a body man for a local Ford dealership and was straightening the pass. 1/4 panel this weekend. We're going to get that done, get the rust fixed on the doors, and throw some low-line paint on it so it looks respectable. No need to worry, it's going to be automotive paint, not rattle-cans or roller jobs.

-Rob

Project Old Spice... (engine combo) LONG

Reply #6 – November 23, 2009, 07:16:31 PM

Well, we're getting at least a little closer to getting the project underway. We have acquired the 600 cfm Carter carb, Edelbrock performer 289 intake, E7 heads (still need to port them), and a proper duraspark distributor and ignition module.

We still need a gasket set and I was looking at getting a cheap house brand cam from summit or jegs for $50. Do any of you guys have a recommendation as to which one? I may luck out and find one that will work at the super swap this weekend for cheap. I will be on the lookout for headers too.

My brother was able to put the car on the frame rack at work and straighten the dented 1/4 panel. I'm not sure when he'll be able to afford to finish the body work and spray it. Hopefully it'll be together so it can make its first dragstrip pass this spring.

-Rob

Project Old Spice... (engine combo) LONG

Reply #7 – November 24, 2009, 01:56:25 AM

I'd find a HO cam for cheap on Cl or the Corral..it'd be good with what you got I think.

Project Old Spice... (engine combo) LONG

Reply #8 – November 24, 2009, 02:05:38 AM

his engine is a non roller

Project Old Spice... (engine combo) LONG

Reply #9 – November 24, 2009, 04:48:45 AM

Quote from: Dougy_Fresh;300035

his engine is a non roller

indeed

Project Old Spice... (engine combo) LONG

Reply #10 – November 27, 2009, 08:07:00 PM

This one is a fairly good cam for up to prob 6200 rpms... Could likely run 1.7 ratio rockers without issue but will prob need better valve springs on those E7s with either rocker... With the 1.7s it'd be similar in lift and duration to the small Trick Flow cam I have...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-K3601/

Project Old Spice... (engine combo) LONG

Reply #11 – November 29, 2009, 10:20:52 AM

That cam does look like it would run well past the listed "basic rpm operating range". That's playing it safe if I ever saw it. The only thing that would concern me is the LSA...114* seems a little wide to me. Then again I have a 114* LSA on the cam in my 351 and it'll run strong to about 4800 with quite a bit less duration @ .050".

The price definitely seems right.

Good luck,
Don

Project Old Spice... (engine combo) LONG

Reply #12 – November 29, 2009, 09:03:03 PM

Quote from: TurboCoupe50;300352

This one is a fairly good cam for up to prob 6200 rpms... Could likely run 1.7 ratio rockers without issue but will prob need better valve springs on those E7s with either rocker... With the 1.7s it'd be similar in lift and duration to the small Trick Flow cam I have...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-K3601/

Thanks for the advice. I wanted to make sure that I didn't give it too much cam. From what I've read, the E7s seem to peter out at about 5000 rpm. I'm sure that may improve a little with port work though.

Thanks,
Rob