5.0....what next?
 

Hey all just inherited a 1994 5.0. Car as it sits has gears, pulleys, exaust, suspension, cold air intake that was all done last year. Was wondering were to look next for more power.

Welcome to the site dude. Pretty wide open question - what's your budget?

I realize my question is wide open sorry. I'm no stanger to the 5.0's as I had 3 growing up 88' 89' 90. Never had alot to play with back then so I never had alot done to them beside exuast and air intake. I'm would like to stay away from supercharging or turbo's, why...really don't know alot about them. What kind of other mods to the engine can be done for around 6000.00. The car has 140,000km, but is in great cond. Runs great but wodering if a rebuild is in need, any info is appreciated thanks.

I'd go with a cam and heads.

^^^ x 2. Cam, Heads, Ported Upper and Lower intake.

Cam,heads,and upper lower intake from the aftermarket will greatly help out!:tup
Subframe connectors is another good investment.
If you have stick,a shifter from the aftermarket will help you get a longer life from your t-5 aswell giving you a shorter throw.

Lotsa wax to slide through the wind tehehe

With a $6000 budget, you could build a very nice motor. You have to decide what your goals are for the car and plan accordingly. If the bottom end is in good shape do a h/c/i package like the others have suggested and you're good to go as it seems like it's already got the basic bolt-ons. Good luck.

Any suggestions guys as to what products to buys in the way of heads, cam, intake. How many hours of labour should I budget for. One more thing thanks for all the help, is what make of frame connectors should I buy as I've heard some are better than others. Thank-you all I will post pics as soon as I can figure this internet out.

A lot of guys have had good success with edelbrock heads,and intake,for a cam,Ford alphabet cams have done well,but most would suggest talking to comp cams tech line on what you are looking for with your combo,use,ects.
As for subframes,maximum motorsports,kenny brown,or steeda ones are good.What ever you choose,just make sure you go with the weld on ones,not the bolt on style.

^^^ ok. You've given advise to go with welded sub frame connectors in the past. And you've voiced your concerns about bolt on sub frame connectors too. And your a pretty smart guy so I'm gonna listen to you (I temporarily cancelled my order for BBK bolt on sub frame connectors). But, why are the welded ones better?

The weld in ones give better support,the bolt ons allow flex through the bolt locations.They are not bad,but if your gonna spend the money,might aswell spend the extra on the weld ons.They act more part of the chassis with almost zero flex compared to the bolt ons.
Sorry to to have made you change your mind VAEM....without trying LOL,but i swear its for the better LOL!

you can get the bolt on ones and have a few welds added in critical areas to strengthen it even more and prevent the bolt holes from elongating from flex. and i know the op doesn't want a supercharger but i have to say a vortech is pretty easy to install and work great.i got one and i love it. get the v3 and you don't even have to run oil lines as they are selfcontained/ lubricated.couple that with a little more cam and better valve springs and hang on.

Hypertuspastic
 

Yes.... Hypertuspastic pistons.
Unlike the earlier years 5.0L engines, the 94 & 95 model years changed from Forged Pistons to Hyperuetectic pistons. These are obviously not as strong as the earlier years pistons.... so watch what you do so that you don't exceed the limitations of these pistons.

Thus, if you're going boost (ie Turbo or Supercharging) keep it a reasonable tune and 8-9 psi. My 94GT had BBk shorty headers, MSD Ign, 3.73 gears, Vortech blower at 9 psi, cold air kit, and an Anderson Methylhydrate chemical intercooler (a what you say ?). It dyno'd at DaSilva at 316 rwhp and 345 ft/lbs of torque. Doesn't sound like much, but it was not an aggresive tune as it was tuned for longevity and reliability.... don't get me wrong, when the blower comes on you know it ! It's all about torque.

The Anderson unit basically sprays Windsheild washer (50% methylhydrate/50% water) into the incoming charge of the blower, when under boost. What this does is cools the charge (as a standard Intercooler does not fit a 94-95 mustang) and adds octane in the form of the Methylhydrate to prevent undu knocking. Without this or soemthing like this, any kind of sustained boost (like drag racing or road track racing) will take out a piston and **POOF**... no more engine. The Anderson Kit is about $200.

The same thing can be said for adding aftermarket performance aluminum heads and cams and intakes.... etc etc. You can reach a point with that kind of power & stress where the pistons will fail.

With $6000 as a budget, I would rebuild the engine with forged pistons, H beam rods, steel crank and alum heads, cams etc and then just don't worry about it ! For that matter you might squeeze in a stroker kit and make it a 347... now you've got some torque !

And don't be hypnotized like most guys, by the almighty horsepower numbers.... it's torque that spins your tires and presses you into the seat when you accelerate... not horsepower ! And a stroker engine is a great way to get torque... or a blower.

my 2 cents... and I've only been doing this for for 34 yrs since I was 18

Mach1steve

gt-40 upper/lower intake with 24lbs injectors, e-303 cam and aftermarket head mention before in the discuss will match pretty well your current setup. Good luck.

Of coarse what FastEd says no doubt

so, true

Sounds like you have enough power already.

in today's world who has enough power tehehehe

Here are a few ideas for ya. This is what my 94GT has.
:tup

very nice list and thanks for posting +1

Your welcome. Hope you can find something on the list you can use to help build your ride.
Jim