Notices

1989 460 modification questions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 7, 2008 | 10:30 PM
  #1  
385seriesHemi's Avatar
385seriesHemi
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 2
From: Malvern, Ohio
Question 1989 460 modification questions

Is there anything I should worry about with the computer when choosing mods for this year of the 460? Will this computer system limit me to just exhuast system/porting of heads or will I be able to put a camshaft &/or intake manifold on it also if I choose?
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2008 | 07:02 AM
  #2  
hotrodmerc's Avatar
hotrodmerc
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Unless your truck is equiped with mass air you will need to stick to a very small cam. An rv style with around .500-.510 lift. Lobe seperation of at least 114 degrees or more. The batch fire injection is not very friendly to cam changes or overly ported heads. Without mass air you will not get to much of an advantage with the added airflow. I have a 88 FI 460 with factory electronics my cam is a 282/292 506/506 with a 116 lobe seperation. It is a factory Cobra Jet cam from a 70 CJ motor. It works very well. I would not want any more cam in it than this. Idle problems would probably be an issue.
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2008 | 11:54 AM
  #3  
385seriesHemi's Avatar
385seriesHemi
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 2
From: Malvern, Ohio
Ok, well I wouldnt be porting this thing extremely. I would just be smoothing everything out on the exhaust side. Thanks for the cam info. I am just checkin out possiblities with an early fuel injection system since I have read other posts the computer systems of early days don't like drastic mods so I wanted to make sure before spending moolah.

Thanks Hotrod, have a good one.
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2008 | 08:03 PM
  #4  
hotrodmerc's Avatar
hotrodmerc
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
No problem let me know if I can be anymore help..
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2008 | 11:41 PM
  #5  
stngh8r's Avatar
stngh8r
Senior User
15 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Idabel, OK
Originally Posted by 385seriesHemi
I have read other posts the computer systems of early days don't like drastic mods
It seems that sometimes they don't like any mods.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 06:31 AM
  #6  
hotrodmerc's Avatar
hotrodmerc
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Like I said in my earlier post. I have a very small cam the truck runs great with lots of power. If it wasn't for the price of fuel I would drive it daily. Any bigger cam and I think it would be considered a weekend ride. The factory FI on these models just isn't a happy camper with any modifications. You can only get away with small changes. Post how your project ends up.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 11:42 AM
  #7  
385seriesHemi's Avatar
385seriesHemi
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 2
From: Malvern, Ohio
Another question...... would putting aftermarket parts in a 90s 460 be just as cumbersome because of the computer or would the computer be more forgiving? again I assume it depends on the induction system but did they go to MAF system for all or not?
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 01:58 PM
  #8  
hotrodmerc's Avatar
hotrodmerc
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I have heard that some California models were Mass Air equiped, I have never seen a factory one. The short blocks are just about identical from the early to late models. The FI heads and intakes are completely different from the carb. ones. All FI computers that are speed density are about the same. There may be some slight programming changes from factory, they all run about the same.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-4

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-8

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 02:14 PM
  #9  
385seriesHemi's Avatar
385seriesHemi
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 2
From: Malvern, Ohio
Yeah thanks, keep on keepin' on man
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:26 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE