building 5.0 for work
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Freshman User
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building 5.0 for work
My 95 150 4x4 with 225,000 on it is starting to show its age lol. I lifted it and it has 35s and 331 gears so tht doesnt help. I plan on changing te gears and rebuiling the AODE trans whch is straight forward enough but i need help with choosin on the rite route for the 5.0 motor. I use the truck for work and it has a trailer hooked 2 it several days week so I woul like a few extra ponies but nothing extreme, I was thinking a cam, exhuast n stroker kit? Im focusing more on torque even though the motor isnt a real torque producer, wht size cam and stroke kit would b the best? any other ideas or opinions? thanks in advance
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,571
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From: Oxford, Indiana
Cubic inches aid production of low RPM torque which it sounds like you need as much of as you can get. If you're going to go to the expense of stroking it (and I think that's a good idea), then go all the way out to 347. There really isn't any difference in cost. Your EFI system in a '95 should be mass air, so it will deal with the extra cubes without any changes or problems. There are a lot of good cams that would work. The stick that you've got in it now was the same one that was in the roller cam 351W's and is a high torque grind, so it wouldn't be absolutely necessary to change it. I'm sure Conanski will be along shortly with a couple aftermarket cam suggestions. He's got a knack for that stuff. I personally feel like stroking it for more cubes and a good set of shorty headers and a cat-back exhaust system will do you more good than anything.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Agreed.. go all the way to a 347 and then add some decent heads to it, GT40's minumum or whatever you can find/afford up to and including AFR 185's. The stock 5.0 intake is actually sized much better than the stock 5.8 intake for this displacement(one argument against simply swapping in a 5.8), so that's something you don't have to buy, and add a cam like the Comp 35-320-8 and a full exhaust system with longtubes.
And when you do the gears you want 4.56's, that may sound like a lot but the reality is the right gear for a 5.0 with the tiny little factory tires is 3.73, so you're really not going much steeper.
And when you do the gears you want 4.56's, that may sound like a lot but the reality is the right gear for a 5.0 with the tiny little factory tires is 3.73, so you're really not going much steeper.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 774
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From: East Tennessee
Agreed about the 4.56's. Without the right gearing it will feel like a pig with those tires and all the engine work won't really be able to shine without proper gearing. And if you are building it to be hard on... hard 4x4ring or hauling and heavy towing you'd probably want to build that aod up tough. I'd recommend a np435 or t18 but that's a little more work with the conversion. Plus you would lose overdrive... but these 4 speed granny trannies are practically bulletproof.
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Freshman User
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thanks for the tips, but is it worth it 2 get new heads or would it b better to just p&p the stock ones, im just curious becuase my funds have 2 b spent on the rest of the truck aswell as the motor. If I decide 2 go ahead and get heads which ones will acheive the best low end power? And i figured a shift kit new aftermarket torque conveter and replacing any worn parts will b enough 2 make the tranny hold up, am i rite? tanks for your imput so far.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Chicago area
You could R&R your stock heads but if you have to have a valve job & gudes done what are you going to have to spend?
Or you could search out for a set of good used GT40 iron heads. Look for a 96 Explorer or the 93,94, or 95 Cobra Mustangs. I picked up a pair from a 93 Mustang which the seller claimed had 60 K miles on them. The seats are go to go and the guides have no slop in them at all. I picked them up for $300.
Having owned 3 Mustangs I know that in the search for more power and better handling most Mustang owners find the answer is aluminum heads. Which means the iron GT40 heads can be had cheap. I have seen parts yards selling these heads from $75-$125 each. I went with the ones I bought as I trusted the seller more then some recycling yard as to the condition of their used heads.
Or you could search out for a set of good used GT40 iron heads. Look for a 96 Explorer or the 93,94, or 95 Cobra Mustangs. I picked up a pair from a 93 Mustang which the seller claimed had 60 K miles on them. The seats are go to go and the guides have no slop in them at all. I picked them up for $300.
Having owned 3 Mustangs I know that in the search for more power and better handling most Mustang owners find the answer is aluminum heads. Which means the iron GT40 heads can be had cheap. I have seen parts yards selling these heads from $75-$125 each. I went with the ones I bought as I trusted the seller more then some recycling yard as to the condition of their used heads.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
The stock heads are too small for a 5.0 so they're WAY too small for a 347, the motor will make more TQ and HP with better heads. As already stated GT40's are usually cheap on the used market.. much cheaper than porting and refurbishing the stock heads.
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Freshman User
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Okay, so if i stoke it to 347, get a set of gt40 heads and a cam, and do a full exhaust on it how much h.p. do u think the motor will b makin? Im just concerned abot the tranny holding up even with a rebuild.....
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Elder User
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From: East Tennessee
Yeah getting more horsepower is going to be in the heads with what you will be using. Maybe you could work the gt40 heads a little more. I think 300hp is shooting a little low for the setup you listed. Depending on cam it could be, but could also be more around the 330-350hp mark. Torque sounds about right if not a nice bit more.
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