Need advice on starting point for 86 Mustang project.

[racingdl19]

I have a rolling 86 Mustang.Well,to make a long story short there is a standard output 5.0 in it now but it's coming out and I'm starting over.Not just because of the standard output motor in it,but because whoever put it in rigged the wiring so I'd rather start from scratch than try and figure out their mess.I've been looking for another motor to put in and was thinking a carb setup would be easiest.I have the chance to pick up a 5.0 out of an 84 Mustang bored .030 over,e7 heads,e303 cam,Edelbrock intake,less carb and distributor for what I'd call a decent price.I know the guy and he told me you can still see the crosshatch in the cylinders from when it was bored.He has been keeping it for a project but told me he'd sell it to me.I was thinking Holley 650cfm carb on it just because that seems what a lot of guys run.Does that sound like a decent starting point?

I'm on a somewhat limited budget so just looking for a good starting point with decent power.I'm also very new to the actual "building" side of things.I can figure out to fix things,but I know very little about putting together good combos.It will be the first time I've actually had to do anything to a vehicle other than replace parts so that's why I thought a carb setup would be easier to start with,less wires and sensors to worry about.Also,it will just be a weekend cruiser not a daily driver.I would also like to use a t-5 trans.Will there be any problems with that setup?

[Mater]

LSX it!:D

[sutyak]

Might start off by telling everyone your power goals, how much 1/4 mile time it will see, etc.

[Stangman701]

I have a rolling 86 Mustang.Well,to make a long story short there is a standard output 5.0 in it now but it's coming out and I'm starting over.Not just because of the standard output motor in it,but because whoever put it in rigged the wiring so I'd rather start from scratch than try and figure out their mess.I've been looking for another motor to put in and was thinking a carb setup would be easiest.I have the chance to pick up a 5.0 out of an 84 Mustang bored .030 over,e7 heads,e303 cam,Edelbrock intake,less carb and distributor for what I'd call a decent price.I know the guy and he told me you can still see the crosshatch in the cylinders from when it was bored.He has been keeping it for a project but told me he'd sell it to me.I was thinking Holley 650cfm carb on it just because that seems what a lot of guys run.Does that sound like a decent starting point?

I'm on a somewhat limited budget so just looking for a good starting point with decent power.I'm also very new to the actual "building" side of things.I can figure out to fix things,but I know very little about putting together good combos.It will be the first time I've actually had to do anything to a vehicle other than replace parts so that's why I thought a carb setup would be easier to start with,less wires and sensors to worry about.Also,it will just be a weekend cruiser not a daily driver.I would also like to use a t-5 trans.Will there be any problems with that setup?

Does the engine you have now run poorly? If not then you might just consider putting on better heads cam and intake on that shortblock. As long as you don't go to crazy with the cam then you should have enough valve clearance. You might also question the guy about the other engine. If it's actually out of an 84 then it wouldn't have a roller cam and the E303 is a roller cam. It's fairly easy to convert to a roller cam, but it would definitely be something I would ask about.

[racingdl19]

Might start off by telling everyone your power goals, how much 1/4 mile time it will see, etc.
I'd like to atleast start around the stock h.o. power wise.Being that the s.o only had 150 hp from the factory,I figured it'd be easier to just swap it out than build it to make up the difference.It'll just be a weekend cruiser or to have fun in on nice days.No real intentions of racing it but would like to have enough power to be able to run with others on the street.In other words nothing extreme.

Does the engine you have now run poorly? If not then you might just consider putting on better heads cam and intake on that shortblock. As long as you don't go to crazy with the cam then you should have enough valve clearance. You might also question the guy about the other engine. If it's actually out of an 84 then it wouldn't have a roller cam and the E303 is a roller cam. It's fairly easy to convert to a roller cam, but it would definitely be something I would ask about.

Any idea what heads,intake,and cam I could use on it?Between getting around the speed density and piston to valve clearance it really had me confused.That sounds better if possible since I already know what I have.

[Stangman701]

Any idea what heads,intake,and cam I could use on it?Between getting around the speed density and piston to valve clearance it really had me confused.That sounds better if possible since I already know what I have.

If you want to keep it cheap and simple you could still go with a carbureted intake and carb. If it's not a car you need to drive everyday it would probably be best to pull it apart to see what you're working with before you order parts. I'd say you probably have a roller cam motor, but you'd probably also want to check out the pistons to see if there's valve notches. As far as the other parts it would really pertain to your budget. If you look around and find the parts used it'll really help you out since you'll be more likely to get your money back if you decide to sell them down the road and of course they'll be cheaper in the first place.

[Stangman701]

Any idea what heads,intake,and cam I could use on it?Between getting around the speed density and piston to valve clearance it really had me confused.That sounds better if possible since I already know what I have.

If you want to keep it cheap and simple you could still go with a carbureted intake and carb. If it's not a car you need to drive everyday it would probably be best to pull it apart to see what you're working with before you order parts. I'd say you probably have a roller cam motor, but you'd probably also want to check out the pistons to see if there's valve notches. As far as the other parts it would really pertain to your budget. If you look around and find the parts used it'll really help you out since you'll be more likely to get your money back if you decide to sell them down the road and of course they'll be cheaper in the first place.

[racingdl19]

After finding the coolcats so to ho conversion guide,I think that's what I'll do.I already have a mustang computer.All I need is atleast e7 heads,intake,tb,19# injectors,and stock ho cam.As long as I stick with the ho cam or I've heard the b303 works,I should be fine.The motor runs so I know what I have.If I swap the pistons for a ho set and switch to mass air then I think I can run whatever cam and heads I want.Gonna pull the motor first and redo the wiring while I pick up the parts I need.The tb,injectors,and cam are really all I need to get started,but might as well do it right the first time.But now,I have a basic gameplan.Gonna leave it speed density for now,atleast until I get everything else completed on the car.Most of the stuff I figure I can pick up from guys who upgraded those parts.

So if anyone who has any of these parts laying around and wants to sell them,P.M. me.

[Mark Aubele]

Seriously, don't waste your money on the E7's. You can pick up GT40p's for next to nothing now, and with the matching explorer intake and bolt on's (exhaust, k+n with removed silencer) you are looking at 260 at the wheels. I did this to my 86 back in '01, made 258 at 5400 and ran consistent 12.70's on little 235 DR's. Piston to valve clearance was tight, but mine was fine with the stock cam and rockers. Leave it SD, and you will need an adj. regulator, I was at 46 psi with my car with a 155 lph in the tank. It was very fuel pressure sensitive. Good luck.

On edit: You can find 87-up HO shortblocks for near free. I just sold a complete 88 motor with short tube headers for 300. Just an FYI, they aren't worth anything, and be very wary of a "built" motor. I've spun a stock 95 shortblock to 7400 hundreds of times. No need for anything more than a stock shortblock for what you are trying to do.

[racingdl19]

Seriously, don't waste your money on the E7's. You can pick up GT40p's for next to nothing now, and with the matching explorer intake and bolt on's (exhaust, k+n with removed silencer) you are looking at 260 at the wheels. I did this to my 86 back in '01, made 258 at 5400 and ran consistent 12.70's on little 235 DR's. Piston to valve clearance was tight, but mine was fine with the stock cam and rockers. Leave it SD, and you will need an adj. regulator, I was at 46 psi with my car with a 155 lph in the tank. It was very fuel pressure sensitive. Good luck.

On edit: You can find 87-up HO shortblocks for near free. I just sold a complete 88 motor with short tube headers for 300. Just an FYI, they aren't worth anything, and be very wary of a "built" motor. I've spun a stock 95 shortblock to 7400 hundreds of times. No need for anything more than a stock shortblock for what you are trying to do.

My plan to begin with was to pull the s.o. motor,convert to mass air and pick up a gt motor.Everyone who has one wants $$$.Just saw a new ad for an 85 (I think) motor for $650.The prices I'm finding have me trying to find another way.I thought about rebuilding the block I have,converting over the ho stuff,and maybe even to mass air because I like the fact of being able to upgrade.Then I'd know what I have based on what I've done,not what someone told me.

I'm on a very limited budget.I know things like this are not things to really get into on a limited budget,but I've had the car for awhile just no income at all after I bought it until now.And that's when I thought about going carbed.It seems like that would be the cheaper way to go.The motor I posted about is set up for a carb,minus the carb and distributor.He wants around 300 for it.Cheapest I've found for the conversion parts without the cam is $250.And that's just getting to a stock motor.

I'm using everyone's advice here and still unsure of what would be the best way to do things.I think of the car as a roller.If you were on a budget,had a roller,and just wanted a fun weekend cruiser with enough power to give some cars on the street a run for their money,how would you do it?

[cwh19]

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/1967695910.html

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/1957457100.html

Here ya go. If you just want a block or a full motor here is both.

[Mark Aubele]

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/1967695910.html

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/1957457100.html

Here ya go. If you just want a block or a full motor here is both.

Beat me to it! Yeah, I couldn't give the GT motor I had sitting here away, like I said, ended up selling it for 300, and there are guys on here (if you want stock HO shit) who would probably pay you to take it. Post a detailed want ad in the classifieds. Noone has any use for stock parts anymore. If I had a stock intake I would give it to you.