Modifying a streetable 351w
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Modifying a streetable 351w
I have 95 Bronco with the 5.8L. It is a stock engine. I want to know if I can add an Edlebrock Performer cam (or some such), timing chain, and a set of World 180 heads, bump the compression to 9.5-9.8 area, and add an Edlebrock EFI intake to this truck without missing up the computer and all the electronics. This is a daily driver that I use to pull a camp trailer with sometimes when I want something smaller than the F350 4-door. I replaced the factory 3.55 gears with 4.10's. I am running 32's. For what the truck is, it just seems to me like it should have more get up and go. I think part of the problem is the transmission shift points. They are soft and seem to come in too early before the engine is up to speed. But this is another project. Thanks for any help.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Is your truck Mass air? If is isn't I think you'll have to set your sights a little lower because a HCI combo will require computer upgrades and you need a mass air computer for that. I can tell you a cam and longtube headers alone on this motor really wakes it up, and even the SD system should be able to handle that along with some porting on the stock heads.
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It is a speed density I believe.
I am trying to figure out what the best course of action is with this truck. I can pour a ton of cash at the 351 with upgraded electronics, etc. That will only cause problems with the passenger car transmission Ford put in this truck. Maybe what I should do is find a mid 90's F250/350 that has been wrecked and pull the 460/tranny and computer and retrofit it. If this Bronco had the grunt my stock 460 F350 has, life would be great!! I will keep reading on here and elsewhere. Surely I am not the first one to do this project. Some here must have tried some of this and have experience to share.
Other option is to shell the stock system and build a killer carbed stroker.
I am trying to figure out what the best course of action is with this truck. I can pour a ton of cash at the 351 with upgraded electronics, etc. That will only cause problems with the passenger car transmission Ford put in this truck. Maybe what I should do is find a mid 90's F250/350 that has been wrecked and pull the 460/tranny and computer and retrofit it. If this Bronco had the grunt my stock 460 F350 has, life would be great!! I will keep reading on here and elsewhere. Surely I am not the first one to do this project. Some here must have tried some of this and have experience to share.
Other option is to shell the stock system and build a killer carbed stroker.
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Joined: Dec 2008
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if you want to stay street legal you can't go back to the old carb set up you could always get a cheap 60's or 70's model and stuff what ever you want in it after the emissions crack down it has to be an engine from the same manufacture and the same year or newer but no ci limit but I know some states are more leanyant on inspections
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
A mild RV cam, tuned headers, port matching your intake and a little port work on the heads will definitely wake it up while retaining a stock MAP/speed density computer set-up. I am willing to bet that it's a MAF setup you have, though, since it's a '95 - I don't recall any OBDII setup having MAP/speed density, but I could be wrong. A MAF setup is definitely a little more tolerant and forgiving for upgrades, but keep in mind you will want the computer reprogrammed for certain modificaitons. If I am not mistaken, you could probably find a Mustang ECU to use in either case, as they are more supported for 'tuning' the computer for mods. As for your transmission issues / woes, probably would be best to look into what you can do for building it up for intended use or swap in a built C4 or C6 and use a computer for manual transmission - unless you absolutely want to keep the overdrive.
