Mornin' all
Still looking for a Fox, no luck yet, but I have a few questions (well, 1), upon my vast researching skills (Ok, so I went back through all the threads in this forum) here & elsewhere (mostly here), and I have been unable to find out a good method to tweak the 4-eyes without spending a boatload of cash. Now as a 302, they should have the capacity/potential to supply a bit more "oomph" then their rating, I also keep seeing about how Ford changed their rating method (or was that only 93?) and have heard that they always underrated the mustangs hp anyway. Now, I am partial to the 79-84 look with the eggcrate grille, but Any v8 fox I can find will do, my main curioisity tho like I said.. is it difficult to "wake-up" older ones? Or is it just a case of "they are-what they are"?

p.s. Now how's that for a run-on sentance?

 

Chris,

The pre-85 'stangs had two problems, no roller camshaft and not so good heads. Other than that, like if you dropped in a roller motor from a later model, with a carb, pretty much the only question is the age old one of how fast do you want to go, how much do you want to spend!! The only problem with going with a carb is making sure the cam and distributor gears are compatible. Also, it just occured to me, if you go big hp, you'll need to swap out rearends as the older cars had the 7.5, the 8.8's came out in '85. But the good thing is, that EVERY part made for the '87+ cars will pretty much just bolt up!! Btw, I've got an '84.5 for sale in the FOR SALE section.

 

MMmm.. I'd love to be able to take the 20th off yer hands, but my problem is lack of time to work on a project that requires any type of engine/tranny swap/replacement, so I am more in the boat of looking for 1 thats pretty much a git-n-go. As far as the speed question.. as fast as I need too.
I am not loking to rod one out, I like stock, and those base 302's arent exactly slouches...I might go as far as putting on some differant/chromed rocker arm covers or a new air cleaner.. but just little cosmetic details. A friend of mine owns a body shop so I can get a good deal on a new paintjob/minor work. But as far as "tweaks" I was refering to takin out the silencer, mebe a lil computer voo-doo, little things thart arent requireing me to break to far into her. What can I say. I like the quad lamps.

 

an 84.5 is 20th anniversary, not 25th, and I think '86 was the first year for the 8.8.

Heads, cam and intake will wake up any 5.0

 

why yes, 84.5 IS 20th...

 

'86 was the first year for the 8.8 and was also the first year that they came with true dual exhaust, '85's were dual into one then back to duals.

 

Well, may have a line on an '85 GT, more details as I get em, slow workday.. back to the forums.

 

go with rhoads lifters, a nice cam (to suite your own tastes, depending on your needs) and a set of AFR or TFS heads and you'll be all set. The tranny and rear end is up to you, but you have to do atleast a 8.8 or a 9 inch if you want to go that far.