I am building a 5.0 L from a 1988 Cougar to go in my 56 F100. I am shooting for the 350 h.p. range and am beginning to wonder what I am going to need for a computer. I would like to put a Mass Air Sensor on it, 24+ lb injectors, roller cam and possibly after market heads. I am wondering what type of computer I am going to need to hook my 5.0 up to. Will a newer Ford computer from a HO Mustang from 89 to 95 work on this set up? Will it "learn" to make the engine run like it should? If a factory computer will not work, where do I get one?
Thanks

George

 

You need a computer from an '89-'93 Mustang 5.0 with a 5-speed. I have done a few conversions in carbureted cars. This mass air system works good with cams, heads, etc. Make sure you get the right mass air flow meter calibrated for your size injectors.

Dan

 

George,

You might get additional input if you post this in one of the forums in the Performance, Engine Building and Troubleshooting Conference. Good luck with the project - sorry I can't help more!

 

George,
You should really check out this website.

http://www.coolcats.net/tech/index.html

there is a TON of information regarding the 5.OL mustang and cougar engines, differences between HO and non-HO engines, mass air conversions , computers, etc... If your engine is a not an HO like a mustang then you will have to change more things then just a computer and mass air sensor. The mustang HO motor had different heads (E7TE truck heads), a specific roller camshaft, sensors etc..

Mark

 

From what I understand each computer is different, even from region to region (ie: mustangs sold in high elevation areas have different settings than those sold at low elevation areas). Don't know if any of that is true, but to avoid any problems I'm going to go with a Ford Motorsport computer that's guaranteed to work.

Craig

 

 

You may want to visit a few 5.0 conversion sites before you attempt this. I don't remember any off the top of my head right now but there are a couple of good ones out there for the Broncos that come to mind.I did one for a guy with a 73 Bronco and everything went pretty good till I tried to convert his dual tanks. That part was a nightmare with several pumps and filters.The biggest thing that you need to watch for I is I believe that the wiring has to match the motor and the computer has to match the wiring.In other words get a computer for the couger. If you research it I think you'll find that the 5.0 in the couger and the 5.0 H.O. that is found in the mustang have a different firing order.I think that the wiring is pretty much the same except for the location of some relays and stuff, but in order to use the 5.0 H.O. computer you will have to swap the cam to correct the valve timing.Don't know if this helps or confuses you. Let me know. Rick :-X12

 

Rick:

Thanks for the info but since I asked the question the water has muddied a bit. When I pulled the engine apart I found a roller motor, which could only mean that my 5.0 is not the original cougar engine. Further research told me I have a 5.0 H.O. out of an 86 Mustang (determined by the head number castings) Long story short, I am starting from scratch, putting in a bigger cam, a pair of Roush 180 heads, balanced crank and a MAF Sensor.

I am still a bit confused on the computer system though. I realize I need to match my MAF Sensor and the pound rating of the injectors (19 lb. or 26 lb.) to the computer. I have checked out Ford Motor Sports which has the MAF Sensor Set up with a computer but (I know this sounds stupid) I am not sure if this is the entire Computer module or only the MAF computer that will hook into the computer module. My other question is if I use a Computer out of a 93, 94 or 95 Mustang will that work with a MAF Sensor Hook up?

I am a Points, rotor and Cap kind of guy and this computer stuff, which is very interesting to me, is also a bit confusing. Any help anyone can give me is greatly appreciated.

George

 

If you want to use a computer from a late model mustang on your 88 w a maf conversion, you need the following-

a9l(standard) or a9p(automatic) computer
you will need the harness from the computer into the engine compartment. You will need some injectors and a maf sensor that is calibrated to the injectors. If you go with bigger injectors and a matching maf sensor you should get a computer that is calibrated for the setup as well. As for computer years you will need one from an 89-93 EEC-IV, 94-95 5.0 is when the EEC-V was introduced and will be more of a hassle to get it to work. If you want to get in the 350HP range you'll probably need a better than stock intake (upper and lower). If you need wiring harness diagrams email me I have the 1989 mustang gt harness. I can email you a scan of the engine compartment diagrams. I would say some 24# injectors should be good for 350hp.