im looking to buy a 1986 -1990 stang

jyake2 · 03-05-2003, 04:38 PM

hey im thinking about buying a 1986-1990 mustang 4 banger if i get one how will the car handle a 302 or 351 engine ?

Dark_5.0 · 03-05-2003, 06:28 PM

The car will handle it just fine. Alot of parts have to be changed though.

Motor mounts
Tranny
Rear end is a 7.5 you will have to upgrade to a 8.8
etc...

Good luck,

jyake2 · 03-05-2003, 07:28 PM

ok thanks i thought it would handle it ok just what im worried about is if i punch the throttle is it gonna twist the chasis from all that power ?

84LX89GT · 03-06-2003, 02:06 AM

If i were you i'd just buy a 5.0L LX.

The 2.3L's are fairly simple to swap an engine into, but there's alot of tedious tasks you have to do, plus you have to get the exhaust hangers, 2+ core radiator (instead of stock 1 core), the rearend is the weak 7.5", the springs are softer (good or bad depending on what racing/driving you're into) with no rear sway bar, smaller brakes you would seriously want to upgrade, you'd also need to put in a new trans since the A4LD and 4 cylinder T5 manual are weak, plus rewiring depending on if you're installing an EFI engine or carbureted engine.

A 5.0L LX is cheaper than a GT and already is engineered for a V8, all you have to do is improve on what you want.

Basically for the cost of changing a 2.3L over, you will probably exceed the cost of 5.0L project car ready to modify, plus all the time you put into it, unless you have a parts car available.

Just something to think about, good luck on your project.

jyake2 · 03-06-2003, 12:24 PM

ok thanks 84LX89GT i'll think about buying a 5.0 LX instead of a four banger then all i have to do is modify whats there not upgrade everything then modify

03-05-2003, 04:38 PM	#1
jyake2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: guelph, ontario, canada Posts: 3	im looking to buy a 1986 -1990 stang hey im thinking about buying a 1986-1990 mustang 4 banger if i get one how will the car handle a 302 or 351 engine ? __________________ JAY

03-05-2003, 06:28 PM	#2
Dark_5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Staging lane Posts: 4,337	The car will handle it just fine. Alot of parts have to be changed though. Motor mounts Tranny Rear end is a 7.5 you will have to upgrade to a 8.8 etc... Good luck, __________________ 92' LX-Big brakes, Lots and lots of suspension, GT40X heads, Ported cobra intake, stock cam, Vortech SC trim. 00' Lightning-Stock 88'CRX-13 second ego killer

03-05-2003, 07:28 PM	#3
jyake2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: guelph, ontario, canada Posts: 3	1986-1990 stang ok thanks i thought it would handle it ok just what im worried about is if i punch the throttle is it gonna twist the chasis from all that power ? __________________ JAY

03-06-2003, 02:06 AM	#4
84LX89GT Mustangs Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 1,938	If i were you i'd just buy a 5.0L LX. The 2.3L's are fairly simple to swap an engine into, but there's alot of tedious tasks you have to do, plus you have to get the exhaust hangers, 2+ core radiator (instead of stock 1 core), the rearend is the weak 7.5", the springs are softer (good or bad depending on what racing/driving you're into) with no rear sway bar, smaller brakes you would seriously want to upgrade, you'd also need to put in a new trans since the A4LD and 4 cylinder T5 manual are weak, plus rewiring depending on if you're installing an EFI engine or carbureted engine. A 5.0L LX is cheaper than a GT and already is engineered for a V8, all you have to do is improve on what you want. Basically for the cost of changing a 2.3L over, you will probably exceed the cost of 5.0L project car ready to modify, plus all the time you put into it, unless you have a parts car available. Just something to think about, good luck on your project. __________________ 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300-R 1980 Ford Thunderbird - 255 V8 ported heads, 5.0L ported stock headers, O.R. H-pipe and Flowmaster 2-chambers, dual roller timing chain hi-po Mack Truck hood emblem 1985 Mustang GT 5.0L T5, F-303, GT40p, headers, off-road h, flowmasters, MSD stuff, etc. Sold 02/06/04 1989 Mustang GT ET: 13.304@102.29 mph (5-24-03) Sold - 1998 Mustang Cobra coupe, 1/4 mile - street tires: 13.843@103.41 (bone stock)

03-06-2003, 12:24 PM	#5
jyake2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: guelph, ontario, canada Posts: 3	86-89 mustang ok thanks 84LX89GT i'll think about buying a 5.0 LX instead of a four banger then all i have to do is modify whats there not upgrade everything then modify __________________ JAY

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Car Audio System in a 90 LX V8 stang convertible	ziggy_2k	Windsor Power	2	05-21-2002 12:33 AM
Car Audio System in a 90 LX v8 stang	ziggy_2k	Audio, Security, & Electronics	0	04-30-2002 11:48 AM
I Got A Stang!!	bobtodd	Blue Oval Lounge	7	04-04-2002 07:09 PM
Stang Review by Fbody guy? Why not =)	SkarodoM	Blue Oval Lounge	7	10-27-2001 02:39 PM