How much will upping HP affect computer?
Senior User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 198
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From: Baltimore USA
How much will upping HP affect computer?
I have an '86 Bronco 351w 5.8L HO carb model. I was looking at a 351 tweaked up to about 400hp. I heard that going up to this hp would just drive my computer crazy. What effects would going to an engine like this have on other existing parts? Everything else is pretty much stock.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 2
From: Auburn,Al
How much will upping HP affect computer?
it has a computer?, i woulda sworn that the 351 ho's all had the holley/motorcraft 4 bbl on it..with all vacume operated stuff and only thing electronic was the ignition? u sure its not the 2 bbl model or sumthin?
1985 F-150/351Ho/4wd
1979 f-250 429(stout 460 on the way)/4spd/6in w/36's,Dana60/44hd,3.54 gears~4.11's comin soon
on a quiet night your can hear a chevy (lol,you can watch a dodge) rusting away
1985 F-150/351Ho/4wd
1979 f-250 429(stout 460 on the way)/4spd/6in w/36's,Dana60/44hd,3.54 gears~4.11's comin soon
on a quiet night your can hear a chevy (lol,you can watch a dodge) rusting away
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1
From: Lee's Summit MO
How much will upping HP affect computer?
What ignition does the 5.8HO have? Is it a dura-spark 3? My 1983 F-150 had no computer, but it did have emissions control that choked it. I assume that the HO has the same, which might be a problem for you, if you live in a emissions state.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 2
From: Auburn,Al
How much will upping HP affect computer?
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 07-Jun-01 AT 01:17 AM (EST)[/font][p]i dont know which dura spark, it seems almost the same as the ignition on my 79? its very simple, it has the module, the coil and all the wires that hook to it, along with the distributor of course. i have stripped everything off my motor, and put an edelbrock intake on it, all i have are the basic vacume lines for the air conditioning idle solenoid, vac advance, power brakes, and tranny, everything else is gooooone =) it really woke my lil 94000 mile motor up, sittin at a dead stop, when u punch it, it will spin my lil 31 inch bfg allterains a few feet, hehe, i dont know wut kinda power i got?maybe 220, 230? 330 ft lb?
1985 F-150/351Ho/4wd
1979 f-250 429(stout 460 on the way)/4spd/6in w/36's,Dana60/44hd,3.54 gears~4.11's comin soon
on a quiet night your can hear a chevy (lol,you can watch a dodge) rusting away
1985 F-150/351Ho/4wd
1979 f-250 429(stout 460 on the way)/4spd/6in w/36's,Dana60/44hd,3.54 gears~4.11's comin soon
on a quiet night your can hear a chevy (lol,you can watch a dodge) rusting away
New User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
How much will upping HP affect computer?
I do believe that the '86 probably had CFI. Looking like a carb but with one injector in it. If it does then you can change some but not a lot. Those computers were speed density. Even when they switched to EFI they were speed density (excluding mustangs in '89 and up). You might be able to change heads and exaust but dont mess with the cam.
