1986 5.0 Mods

[DRW1000]

Has anyone done anything to their 86s? I have the option of getting a pair of ported heads form an 89 FT7E (I think). I am also considering the 60mm intake as opposed to my stock 58. I have heard 2 versions of whether the heads will clear the pistons or not. Just wondering if anyone had tried it.

Has anyone simply tried to improve the airflow with the original 86 setup? Perhaps Extrusion honing the intake and/or porting the heads? Perhaps a slightly larger exhaust? I would be happy with about 25 more HP but even happier if I could bolt on the FT7E heads and intake and then work on improving.

Any ideas?

[Muscletang]

I have an '86 as well but haven't had the money to really do anything. The most I've done is take the baffle out and put in a K&N. I've already seen a difference with that though. It isn't very much but it sounds better and seems to run a little smoother.

I want to replace the throttle body like you and get a size bigger. Once that's done I'd like to put a Trick Flow manifold on it. With that set up I think it'd be good for 20 to 30 horsepower.

As for the heads that's a little while away. I'd like to get some GT-40 heads but I don't know. I've seen some good sets from Trick Flow for a little better price and a little more performance.

[spy604]

youll have to change pistons if you swap heads, 86s dont have flycuts, and if youre going the route of heads, why not buy new pistons anyway, and save yourself the stress of the old ones not working

[DRW1000]

Originally Posted by spy604

youll have to change pistons if you swap heads, 86s dont have flycuts, and if youre going the route of heads, why not buy new pistons anyway, and save yourself the stress of the old ones not working

I am aware that the 86 Pistons are not fly cut and I can't imagine any other reason for adding the fly-cut when they changed the heads in 87 than for valve clearance but I heard that the flat top pistons do not interfere with the valves on the 87-90 Heads.

I thought about changin pistons but I am unsure of the cost factor. My factory pistons are forged and the last few years of the 5.0 were Hyperutectic (sp?) which I would not desire.

I also considered having mine cut. I don't know about the cost here either.

[tturnpaw]

Originally Posted by DRW1000

Has anyone done anything to their 86s? I have the option of getting a pair of ported heads form an 89 FT7E (I think). I am also considering the 60mm intake as opposed to my stock 58. I have heard 2 versions of whether the heads will clear the pistons or not. Just wondering if anyone had tried it.

Has anyone simply tried to improve the airflow with the original 86 setup? Perhaps Extrusion honing the intake and/or porting the heads? Perhaps a slightly larger exhaust? I would be happy with about 25 more HP but even happier if I could bolt on the FT7E heads and intake and then work on improving.

Any ideas?

My bro had a '86. He put on 3.73s and a cone air filter and SVO exhaust and the sucker hauled. Buying an aftermarket intake/heads is almost always a better decision- besides money. If money is an issue, I would buy an aftermarket intake and plenum, and port the heads. I would consider a 65mm TB after that. Jumping up 2 mm isnt much unless the parts are there and free. I used '82 heads on a '92 engine and it cleared fine, and vise versa. I think they are all the same (5.0s) not 302s.

[GTStang]

86 5.0's had the flat-top pistons and different heads. You might be able to get away wit E7's and have enough piston to valve clearance but most people junk the 86 pistons for a new set so they can run any head and piston set-up w/o worry. So it's not well documented....

If you did it I would use the old clay trick to measure piston to valve clearance first. If your not gonna changed slugs I think you'd be better off just porting the stock lower and adding a full exhuast should get you the extra power your looking for.

I'd say port the heads too but unlike the E7's most people toss the 86 heads in the junk so there are no tryed and trued methods of porting them and you could end up just hurting power.