engine head questions
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Belgrave, Ontario
engine head questions
I have a 1988 f 150 with a 5.0. The engine has port and polished world j/r heads and an f 150 upper intake and lower intake that have been ported and pollished out also.
I would like to use these heads on my engine but don't know If they they will work on a stock engine set up or should i buy a cam or do anything else to the truck. I could also use the upper and lower intake if you think it is needed.
I am a 16 year old kid and i don't know alot about customizing but would like to learn. I want the truck to have lots of response and to beable to still get good fuel milage (16-19mpg). The truck dosen't have to be a speed demin but In the end i would like to be able to burn rubber and for it to be pretty relibile.
Other upgrades i have that i don't have to use are 3.5 rear end , dual exstost with headers, excel wireing set and a chip.
I would like to stay under 2000 dollars but want to do everything right. Thanks.
I would like to use these heads on my engine but don't know If they they will work on a stock engine set up or should i buy a cam or do anything else to the truck. I could also use the upper and lower intake if you think it is needed.
I am a 16 year old kid and i don't know alot about customizing but would like to learn. I want the truck to have lots of response and to beable to still get good fuel milage (16-19mpg). The truck dosen't have to be a speed demin but In the end i would like to be able to burn rubber and for it to be pretty relibile.
Other upgrades i have that i don't have to use are 3.5 rear end , dual exstost with headers, excel wireing set and a chip.
I would like to stay under 2000 dollars but want to do everything right. Thanks.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Your '88 truck has a speed density EFI system so you have to be careful with your modifications. The first thing you should know is that the 5.0 likes to rev and almost anything you do to it will increase high rpm power but won't do much to boost low rpm power. So as a result the truck will need gears first, what size tires and what transmission does it have? Look at the decal on the drivers door pillar and post the axle and trans codes. If the tires are stock size and you have no plans to install anything bigger then 3.55's will be OK.. no great but better than 3.08 or 2.73's.
The heads you have are a good upgrade but the ported intake is massive overkill, the stock intake isn't much better at just plain ordanary overkill, so a better match to the motor is the Explorer V8 intake or the Edelbrock Performer if you were to buy a new one.
If you were to swap the heads and intake on the motor as it is.. it would run fine but you won't be anywhere near maximizing their potential, that will take a cam upgrade and that's where you have to be real carefull. The best cam for a truck style powerband is the F4TE roller cam found in '94+ 5.0 motors, but if you want more of a racing powerband then look for a 5.0HO cam or pick one of a few SD friendly aftermarket cams, but if you go this route the truck will need 4.10 gears minimum.
The heads you have are a good upgrade but the ported intake is massive overkill, the stock intake isn't much better at just plain ordanary overkill, so a better match to the motor is the Explorer V8 intake or the Edelbrock Performer if you were to buy a new one.
If you were to swap the heads and intake on the motor as it is.. it would run fine but you won't be anywhere near maximizing their potential, that will take a cam upgrade and that's where you have to be real carefull. The best cam for a truck style powerband is the F4TE roller cam found in '94+ 5.0 motors, but if you want more of a racing powerband then look for a 5.0HO cam or pick one of a few SD friendly aftermarket cams, but if you go this route the truck will need 4.10 gears minimum.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,934
Likes: 0
From: iowa
speed density motors are not the best for upgrades, you want the mass air flow variety. I am confused as to weather you have the heads ported already or not.
And Conanski, is right on the money about the powerband and gearing. Cubic inches would also help.
And Conanski, is right on the money about the powerband and gearing. Cubic inches would also help.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Belgrave, Ontario
Well the truck isn't here right now but next time i am out at it i'll check. But i know its a 5 speed manual transmition if that helps and i have 15 in amarican racing rims with kelly tires that are around 3 inch's wider than stock tires. Also yes the heads are ported and you say about more cubic inch would help. So would stroking it help give me more low end power or is it not worth the extra money.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 6
From: Earth
Stroking a 302 will absolutely give it more low end power. There's no replacement for displacement.
The 5.0 isn't an ideal truck engine - depending on what you plan to do with the truck. If it's a daily driver and you're not going to do a lot of towing it makes plenty of power and gets decent mileage. Before you spend the couple of grand it will take to stroke a 5.0 you need to sit down and figure out how much it will cost to make that engine run well in your truck. Unless you're willing to spend upwards of $5000 - or get really lucky finding used parts - a stroker isn't going to happen.
A lot of this ground has been covered before, scroll back through 20 or 30 pages of this forum and you'll find lots of great info. Get yourself a good shop manual too. Check out this site - Ford Fuel Injection Go to a couple of shops in your area, tell them what you're trying to accomplish, and see what they recommend. Just throwing together parts usually doesn't work.
The 5.0 isn't an ideal truck engine - depending on what you plan to do with the truck. If it's a daily driver and you're not going to do a lot of towing it makes plenty of power and gets decent mileage. Before you spend the couple of grand it will take to stroke a 5.0 you need to sit down and figure out how much it will cost to make that engine run well in your truck. Unless you're willing to spend upwards of $5000 - or get really lucky finding used parts - a stroker isn't going to happen.
A lot of this ground has been covered before, scroll back through 20 or 30 pages of this forum and you'll find lots of great info. Get yourself a good shop manual too. Check out this site - Ford Fuel Injection Go to a couple of shops in your area, tell them what you're trying to accomplish, and see what they recommend. Just throwing together parts usually doesn't work.
