TFS or AFR heads and a Performer rpm intake? It's really hard to believe it ran just like a factory motor, I bet it had a lot of issues you either ignored or simply didnt know about. What was the A/F ratio with those parts? I know lots of mustang guys with those type mods on MAF motors and they need tuning to correct the A/F ratios, so how could an SD motor compensate without tuning?

 

Conan, did you see my prevous post? I want to know if SD will just not run period with an aggressive cam or if only idle quality will be sacrificed.

 

It will run and the idle will be rough and surge, but there can also be problems with stalling when slowing down or at throttle tip-in depending just how radical the cam is.

 

Hey Conanski,
I was wondering if i could borrow just a bit of your time? Could you recomend a cam and exhaust system for my stock 5.8l speed density controlled engine.... thanks in advance

 

So, to maximize performance, would you go to a carb setup? Or MAF?

 

That question is too broad really so the answer depends what your definition is. To some guys "maximiziung performance" would mean simply getting the most out of an essentially stock motor with a a few low $$ addons. To someone else it means a 427 stroker with a blower and nitros. I suggest you aim closer to the first one because the anything else will cost you a lot more than you think it will.

 

I was trying to keep it low budget, so would the truck run better with stock SD or a carb setup?

 

i like carb. i feel it is cheaper to built a carb motor and the preformance you can get is unreal. fuel injected is awsome to. it is very reliable.in my f-250 i swaped to carb and will soon be pushing about 475 out of my motor. i dont know your budget but ill throw out some add ons and try to keep it under 2 grand. (carb motor) edlebrock air gap intake. edlebrock preformer heads mild cam. victor jr. water pump. edlebrock carb. or demon carb. stay away from holley. headman or hooker headers. melling high volume oil pump. i can keep going but that will get you decent h.p
Edelbrock 2092 - Edelbrock Power Package Top-End Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

If your budget is limited then stick with the stock EFI system and add a cam and exhaust to start and see what you think. The motor will prodcuce lots more power once you get the stock cam out of there, it's the main reason the motor is so flat to begin with. Converting to a carb will cost you a lot of money up front just to make the motor run, you'll need the carb and intake obviously, a fuel pressure regulator, ignition system, and possibly a distributor too. That's all money you could put towards other things that would actually make more power.

 

Okay, so stock efi for now it is. Now, if I go with LT headers, I need to get rid of the AIR injection. I would like to take the entire pump and associated plumbing out. Can this be done and then use a shorter serpentine belt?

 

Its been done but ive heard its a pain in the a$$. I just took all the emitions stuff out and left the pump there. I forgetg if your truck is a 5.0 or 5.8 but i think they make this delete kit for mustangs you can use.

 

I would also recommend keeping the stock EFI setup.

Stay away from CAI setups with the open element filter and KN stuff. It just sucks in hot underhood air. Get the 460/I6 lower tube and keep the factory air box.

 

Ford racing makes a delete kit for the mustang that will work, it has an idler pulley that takes the place of the air pump ...Lew

 

Do NOT! go the short serpentine belt. I tried that and spent a lot of time shopping brands for odd size belts trying to find one that was just right. Removing the smog pump changes the belt's path and yields the tensioner almost useless. If i turned the steering wheel to fast, or if I used the AC I always had problems with the belt falling off. Since the tensioner didn't work, I became proficient at putting the belt back on with no tools.

If you remove the smog pump, do yourself a favor and get a replacement pulley.

 

I have been watching the thread trying to figure out what to do with my truck it's a 1990 f 250 ext-cab w/351w EFI zf 5 speed . 3.55 semi floater read end w/ 265*75*16 tires 212,000 mi ...whew hope I didn't forget something. I live in Nye Co. (no smog rules) due to be rebuilt late 2012. But now I need to bump up the mpg ...oh yeah I'm on a limited income for now. Things already done ...good tune up..K&N filter .. tires aired up ..changed driving habits. Need some reasonably priced Ideas ... don't mind gettin dirty please help !!!