Just bought a Mustang and have ?s

ex-lt1-guy · 12-08-2001, 08:44 PM

Hi guys, I just sold my camaro Z28 for a 87 Lx 5.0, and I have some questions. First off, can you put a GT rack and pinion in an LX?? I wasnt sure if the mounting point was the same or if there was something special about the performance suspension package that wouldnt allow me to use a GT rack. Next, is there anyone that sells a 6 pc headlight kit, mine are broken and are rigged at the moment to stay in the housings, Finally, this is just a opinion question but my motor is basically stock with 210,000 miles on it, leaks more oil than it burns, and no motor noise, still as smooth as it was new. I was just curious, should I keep the speed density system or get mass air?? Currently with 3:73 gears, off road h-pipe, flomasters and pullies its hitting 13.9@96 with the high miles on it. Im used to modifying Lt1 MAF systems and i wasnt sure if i should bother converting to MAF, but every one of my friends believes i should with the 3:73 and a T5, just because of the potential of the 5.0L . Any comments would be greatly appreciated, I'm an ex-Camaro guy so be gentle ha. peace

TJR · 12-08-2001, 08:58 PM

Unless you're going to do a cam swap, I wouldn't bother with mass air. I would also rebuild the engine before doing any major mods. Have you checked the compression? As far as rack and pinion goes, I think they are the same (gt vs lx). Does yours not have power steering?

Unit 5302 · 12-08-2001, 09:44 PM

The racks just have different ratios. Yes you can put a GT rack into the LX, if it doesn't have it already. I believe the "sport suspension" package gave the LX the GT stuff.

I'd rebuild the engine as well. It's gotta be losing some compression and I'm sure the heads could use some cleaning up (although replacing them would be better). The factory SD system can be tuned to accept mods, so you can keep it if you don't want to spend the money to go to MAF.

dinomite · 12-09-2001, 09:47 AM

The ratio is actually the same, as the only differences between the lx and gt from 87-93s were aesthetic (http://www.mustanggt.org/87gtvslx.htm). Speed density will give you a very small amount more power than MAF, and you don't need to replace it till you start doing major stuff (heads, cam).

Unit 5302 · 12-09-2001, 12:35 PM

I don't know if I believe the registery on that one, Drew. I've tried getting parts from Ford before and they have a couple different listings in their computers for the 5.0's.

I've seen that page before, though.

NotchJohnson · 12-09-2001, 02:02 PM

I bought all my new headlights from texas mustang, they had the best deal I found and look great. John

BowTie Eater 5 Liter · 12-09-2001, 07:10 PM

stock speed density mustangs have been seen going in the 12s with suspension work, and slicks

you can do alot to a speed density motor(except forced induction, or a big cam), heads, intake, throttle body, nitrous, small cam(e-303)...

you could make the speed density system work with a blower or turbo, big cam.... but you would need a custom computer, and MAF would probably be better for that, but it all depends on how far you plan to go with the mustang.

you could probably make a speed density mustang run into the 11.5 with a little N2O and some motor work.

ex-lt1-guy · 12-10-2001, 02:32 PM

Thanks for the input guys, I've seen a few Speed Density cars run here at Gateway international in the St Louis area and they do quite well. So what your saying is I can buy a GT rack and pinion and with no modifications be able to put it in??? They have different part #s at the stores, I figure its just due to the different ratios, but I was just making sure. I think i'm gonna convert to the MAF because I have a harness, and since my bros converting to a Carb setup i'm gonna get his track heat intake and his ported 289 hi po heads, which will bump the compression a point i believe, but I think will 200, 000 shes about due for a rebuild. If it comes down to it, anyone ever use the Systemax II kit, i was thinking of getting that if he wont part with the track heat, i've heard good things but those guys are also running superchargers, anyone not running a supercharger and could give me a good clue as if i should spend the cash on it?? Thanks again guys

DRASTiK · 12-10-2001, 04:23 PM

I think Rick91GT is the man to answer that one. If I'm not mistaken, he's running the Systemax II kit without a power adder.

exgmguy · 12-10-2001, 05:11 PM

The Holley heads and the intake are great, but the cam sucks.

12-08-2001, 08:44 PM	#1
ex-lt1-guy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: O'Fallon IL Posts: 93	Just bought a Mustang and have ?s Hi guys, I just sold my camaro Z28 for a 87 Lx 5.0, and I have some questions. First off, can you put a GT rack and pinion in an LX?? I wasnt sure if the mounting point was the same or if there was something special about the performance suspension package that wouldnt allow me to use a GT rack. Next, is there anyone that sells a 6 pc headlight kit, mine are broken and are rigged at the moment to stay in the housings, Finally, this is just a opinion question but my motor is basically stock with 210,000 miles on it, leaks more oil than it burns, and no motor noise, still as smooth as it was new. I was just curious, should I keep the speed density system or get mass air?? Currently with 3:73 gears, off road h-pipe, flomasters and pullies its hitting 13.9@96 with the high miles on it. Im used to modifying Lt1 MAF systems and i wasnt sure if i should bother converting to MAF, but every one of my friends believes i should with the 3:73 and a T5, just because of the potential of the 5.0L . Any comments would be greatly appreciated, I'm an ex-Camaro guy so be gentle ha. peace

12-08-2001, 08:58 PM	#2
TJR Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Bowling Green, OH Posts: 270	Unless you're going to do a cam swap, I wouldn't bother with mass air. I would also rebuild the engine before doing any major mods. Have you checked the compression? As far as rack and pinion goes, I think they are the same (gt vs lx). Does yours not have power steering? __________________ 1989 lx notch 89,000 miles 5-speed, bolt-ons, 3.73, TFS TWs, TFS Track Heat, TFS Stage 1 cam

12-09-2001, 02:02 PM	#6
NotchJohnson Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 593	I bought all my new headlights from texas mustang, they had the best deal I found and look great. John __________________ 89 notch-finally not stock!! ported gt40's, ported cobra intake, 65mm tb, 75mm maf, mac cai, lt's,prochamber, fms 1.6 rr, 125 shot.

12-09-2001, 07:10 PM	#7
BowTie Eater 5 Liter Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Maple Ridge B.C. Canada, The Best Place In The World Posts: 871	stock speed density mustangs have been seen going in the 12s with suspension work, and slicks you can do alot to a speed density motor(except forced induction, or a big cam), heads, intake, throttle body, nitrous, small cam(e-303)... you could make the speed density system work with a blower or turbo, big cam.... but you would need a custom computer, and MAF would probably be better for that, but it all depends on how far you plan to go with the mustang. you could probably make a speed density mustang run into the 11.5 with a little N2O and some motor work. __________________ 1984 Bronco II, 36" Michelin Military Tires, 95 EFI 5.0, NP435 Tranny, NP208 Doubler, NP205 Transfer Case, Fill Size Solid Dana 44 Front End, WH Progressive Rate Rock Crawling Coils, Bronco 8.8 Rear, Skyjacker Softride Leafs, 5.13 Gears, Detroit Locker. Final Crawl Ratio Of 175:1 88 GT Best 60ft. 2.181 Best ET 14.350 Best MPH 98.01 ~WRECKED!!!!~

12-10-2001, 04:23 PM	#9
DRASTiK Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Yuma, AZ Posts: 536	I think Rick91GT is the man to answer that one. If I'm not mistaken, he's running the Systemax II kit without a power adder. __________________ Dave 88 GT - 13.4@106 on street tires (2.2 60ft) My Stang RHC member #75 My stang is FOR SALE!!

12-08-2001, 09:44 PM	#3
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	The racks just have different ratios. Yes you can put a GT rack into the LX, if it doesn't have it already. I believe the "sport suspension" package gave the LX the GT stuff. I'd rebuild the engine as well. It's gotta be losing some compression and I'm sure the heads could use some cleaning up (although replacing them would be better). The factory SD system can be tuned to accept mods, so you can keep it if you don't want to spend the money to go to MAF.

12-09-2001, 09:47 AM	#4
dinomite The Dude Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,262	The ratio is actually the same, as the only differences between the lx and gt from 87-93s were aesthetic (http://www.mustanggt.org/87gtvslx.htm). Speed density will give you a very small amount more power than MAF, and you don't need to replace it till you start doing major stuff (heads, cam).

12-09-2001, 12:35 PM	#5
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	I don't know if I believe the registery on that one, Drew. I've tried getting parts from Ford before and they have a couple different listings in their computers for the 5.0's. I've seen that page before, though.

12-10-2001, 02:32 PM	#8
ex-lt1-guy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: O'Fallon IL Posts: 93	Thanks for the input guys, I've seen a few Speed Density cars run here at Gateway international in the St Louis area and they do quite well. So what your saying is I can buy a GT rack and pinion and with no modifications be able to put it in??? They have different part #s at the stores, I figure its just due to the different ratios, but I was just making sure. I think i'm gonna convert to the MAF because I have a harness, and since my bros converting to a Carb setup i'm gonna get his track heat intake and his ported 289 hi po heads, which will bump the compression a point i believe, but I think will 200, 000 shes about due for a rebuild. If it comes down to it, anyone ever use the Systemax II kit, i was thinking of getting that if he wont part with the track heat, i've heard good things but those guys are also running superchargers, anyone not running a supercharger and could give me a good clue as if i should spend the cash on it?? Thanks again guys

12-10-2001, 05:11 PM	#10
exgmguy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Utica, Michigan Posts: 2,631	The Holley heads and the intake are great, but the cam sucks. __________________ 1988 Mustang GT stock bottom 302, C4 10.9 @ 128 with 8 psi of Novi 1000 boost!----STOLEN 1989 Mustang notchback Warmed up 306 with a Procharger.