Horsepower Question?? March 30, 2013, 06:33:03 PM I have an 85 with the stock 302 and I'm new to the forum. Just curious if there is anything you can do to squeeze a few more ponies out of this engine. I've heard that this engine is almost impossible to "tune" but I'm hoping someone might know otherwise?? I would be happy with a gain of 30 to 50...not looking to hot rod and not wanting a major overhaul. Is this possible or just wishful thinking?? Quote Selected
Horsepower Question?? Reply #1 – March 30, 2013, 07:55:38 PM Exhaust, heads, cam, and intake. Those are the basics. You can find factory parts from either a. Explorer or a ho mustang. Is your motor cfi or sefi? Quote Selected
Horsepower Question?? Reply #2 – March 30, 2013, 08:28:02 PM Quote from: 87thunderbirdBlackJack;412158Exhaust, heads, cam, and intake. Those are the basics. You can find factory parts from either a. Explorer or a ho mustang. Is your motor cfi or sefi? Thanks. It's CFI and I think that's part of the problem? I've heard about the best you can do with this engine is K&N filter and dual exhaust because the CFI/Computer set up isn't that adaptable to cam/head mods? I don't think you can do anything to change the fuel/air setup much? Was hoping this was wrong and that I might be able to do the filter/exhaust mods with a computer flash and get my 30 to 50hp increase? Quote Selected
Horsepower Question?? Reply #3 – March 30, 2013, 08:47:20 PM Cheaper in the end to just engine swap with an HO cammed explorer motor and an HO PCM. On that note, anyone in Michigan want to buy a 70k mile 5.0 SO? Quote Selected
Horsepower Question?? Reply #4 – March 30, 2013, 08:49:19 PM Very tough to do with that setup. Basically it has to much pumping losses. But good luck any way. Quote Selected
Horsepower Question?? Reply #5 – March 30, 2013, 09:28:17 PM Quote from: TheFoeYouKnow;412163Cheaper in the end to just engine swap with an HO cammed explorer motor and an HO PCM. On that note, anyone in Michigan want to buy a 70k mile 5.0 SO? Thanks. Unfortunately I've also heard the swap was about the only answer. I have the anniversary model and want to keep it as stock as possible so I won't be doing a swap. May just do the air filter/exhaust and maybe get 5 to 10 increase? Still wish there was a simple way to tune. Quote Selected
Horsepower Question?? Reply #6 – March 30, 2013, 09:30:22 PM Quote from: TOM Renzo;412166Very tough to do with that setup. Basically it has to much pumping losses. But good luck any way. Thanks. Quote Selected
Horsepower Question?? Reply #7 – March 30, 2013, 09:41:59 PM Why can't you go with an H.O engine (or H.O upgrade with the cam and exhaust), and do a 4 bbl carb? Like the '85 Stangs? Quote Selected
Horsepower Question?? Reply #8 – March 30, 2013, 09:55:12 PM Do the HO conversion. That engine is not hopeless by any means. There is tons you can do to increase hp and not doing a swap. The only thing really holding you back from what I can see is the type of fuel injection. If this engine can be converted to efi or carburation than doit and it will make a world of a difference. Quote Selected
Horsepower Question?? Reply #9 – March 30, 2013, 11:35:16 PM Quote from: vinnietbird;412171Why can't you go with an H.O engine (or H.O upgrade with the cam and exhaust), and do a 4 bbl carb? Like the '85 Stangs? Quote from: 5.0thunderbird;412173Do the HO conversion. That engine is not hopeless by any means. There is tons you can do to increase hp and not doing a swap. The only thing really holding you back from what I can see is the type of fuel injection. If this engine can be converted to efi or carburation than doit and it will make a world of a difference. Thanks for the suggestions! I'll have to look into the HO upgrade. Sounds like the current fuel injection may be the biggest issue. Any idea what kind of HP increase there would be with the HO conversion. I think stock is around 145 for this engine...pretty anemic but about it for the day. Again, I'm not looking for a hot rod but just want to up the fun factor of driving. These are great riding/handling cars its just too bad they had the 80's power. If I could reach 200 horses for this car it would make a world of difference. Thanks. Quote Selected
Horsepower Question?? Reply #10 – March 31, 2013, 10:02:37 AM You would probably be in the 160-200hp range. I'm not exactly sure I've never dealt with a CFI engine before butI'm sure it's within that range. If I were you I'd go carburation if possible because it's a lot more simplistic than efi and would be an easier conversion for what you want out of your engine. I'd suggest Holley or edelbrock 4 barrel carbs. Quote Selected
Horsepower Question?? Reply #11 – March 31, 2013, 10:08:47 AM Do a full header back dual exhaust and you will notice a huge difference. My 83 was a stock 5.0 with CFI with an AOD and all I did was put a full exhaust in it (granted this was back in 93ish) and I remember it being a huge difference over stock. Even though your car is an anniversary edition car these cars do not have much of a monetary value to the public like the Mustangs so keeping it stock typically only brings an appreciation from the owner and a very small crowd of people. Read this thread as we are currently helping another member (at least I hope we are helping) figure out what to do with his SO setup:http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?35557-Talking-cylinder-heads.Yours would be pretty much the same but like someone else already mentioned just get a carburetor (600 CFM with vacuum secondaries are easy enough) and a good intake and you would be set.Darren Quote Selected
Horsepower Question?? Reply #12 – March 31, 2013, 10:38:12 AM Read coolcats.net on the h.o. conversion/swap. He touchest on the 83-85 engine setups. If you found the right parts, you could do it in a weekend.. Quote Selected
Horsepower Question?? Reply #13 – March 31, 2013, 10:52:02 AM I can appreciate your wanting to stay stock appearing on a 30th anniv, I would want to do same....There are three major ways to do this, all would include a full free flowing exhaust system of at least 2.25" and headers... Heads on pre '86 engines are similar to the E7, I would not swap those unless you're going GT40 or similar...#1 swap to a more HOish cam(This isn't a roller engine so all you guys forget stock HO cam) and a HO CFI setup from a '84/'85 LSC or AUTOMATIC Stang... I believe those were rated at 165Hp, and the exhaust system should add another 15-20Hp... Except for the exhaust system, stock appearance is retained... Bad the stock HO CFI is hard to find and 30 year old electronics can(maybe will?) be buggy... #2 would be same as above but use a 600 CFM or so carb and decent flowing intake, would still be close to stock appearance... You would also need to swap to a low pressure fuel pump to feed the carb... #3 Full SEFI swap to a '87 up system, still could use your heads but would still have to figure out a cam as I stated prior this isn't a roller engine... Note there is a possibility it is a roller block(anybody have a list of the casting numbers?), I've seen late '85s that used them but the spider hold down was not drilled and tapped... Quote Selected
Horsepower Question?? Reply #14 – March 31, 2013, 10:56:59 AM A head swap would help greatly the heads that came on these cars absolutely suck. If you go carb which is what I did get you a nice dual plane intake a decent cam and follow up with exhaust. It wont be too hard to eek 200hp out of it. If you do a bone stock ho upgrade youll be looking at around 220 right there. Quote Selected
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