What are some cheap mods I could do to my '87 5.0 EFI?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 145
Likes: 1
Speed Demon,
I don't know the exact differences between mustang 302's and truck 302's other than a different cam and different intake manifold, but on mustangs the power limiters are as follows:
Pinched exhaust - solution: buy 1 5/8" headers (or 1 1/2")
small throttle body - buy a 65mm (or 70mm if you plan on a full H/C/I upgrade)
restricted heads - buy aftermarket heads AFR, TFS, whatever you like
cam - careful with a cam change on an SD car/truck though. You need to know what you're doing.
Since your setup is speed density, IMHO, don't even bother with a better intake duct, simply buy a K&N cone that fits over your throttle body and slide it on. The whole "cold air" idea is way over rated IMO.
Matter of fact, if you want to make more power look into swapping in a 351. They can still be found easily at the junkyards and the money you drop into a 351 swap will be much better spent.
Don't bother converting it to MAF, a well tuned SD system works perfect. You just need to be aware of SD limits. MAF has it's limits too and when those guys reach them, guess what? They go to SD.
I don't know the exact differences between mustang 302's and truck 302's other than a different cam and different intake manifold, but on mustangs the power limiters are as follows:
Pinched exhaust - solution: buy 1 5/8" headers (or 1 1/2")
small throttle body - buy a 65mm (or 70mm if you plan on a full H/C/I upgrade)
restricted heads - buy aftermarket heads AFR, TFS, whatever you like
cam - careful with a cam change on an SD car/truck though. You need to know what you're doing.
Since your setup is speed density, IMHO, don't even bother with a better intake duct, simply buy a K&N cone that fits over your throttle body and slide it on. The whole "cold air" idea is way over rated IMO.
Matter of fact, if you want to make more power look into swapping in a 351. They can still be found easily at the junkyards and the money you drop into a 351 swap will be much better spent.
Oh sorry. I was thinking about trying to find a HO mass air engine, but figured that's more work that I want to do to my truck. I am thinking about putting a K&N (probably drop in, but may think about building my own custom CAI or something) and true dual exhaust will probably come later.
Thanks alot for all of the replies guys!
Thanks alot for all of the replies guys!
Last edited by slo5oh; Feb 14, 2012 at 07:37 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 145
Likes: 1
An MSD Dizzy with do nothing for you that a stock one won't do... other than leave you stranded on the side of the road. They look cool, but they're know to have reliability issues. An MSD spark box will give you a stronger spark, better burn, etc though.