Carolina Rebel

I was highly surprised when Dad rolled into the driveway the other day in an '86 notchback LX with a somewhat built 302. He's deemed it 'a family project' so therefore I'm expected to help with it, and as neither Dad nor myself has alot of experience playing with vehicles I figured signing up here would definitely be a good idea. I'm no stranger to the fox body mustang world, but the details will require learning.
The car is an '86 with a new motor--carbureted--with an Edelbrock Performer intake, Holley Street Avenger carb, Summit connector rods, FRP e-303 cam, other mild top end aftermarket components. Its also got an 8.8" rear end,and a full GT suspension which I'm told is an upgrade over what the LX came with stock.
Having taken it out a little I can say the caris strong, but I can definitely tell there'salot more potential. I've justabout got Dad convinced toreplace the stock 3.08 gears with some 3.55s or 3.73s, he's scared of the car so 4.11s are out of the question!Aside from this anda good aftermarket exhaust, whats the best bang for the buck as far as milking the most performance out of the carb'd motor? You really don't see much emphasis on carbed 5.0s.

90mustang5.8

LX and Gt suspension are the same

mattdel

wrong again

90mustang5.8

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mattdel

read closer... he has a 1986

LX's in 1986 came with V6's or I4's and a different suspension

1987+ V8's had the same suspension setup, while the 4cyl's were again different

93 LX FiveO

bump the timing to 14* degree's, run 93 octane, adjust fuel pressure.

mustangs love the "little things" and you will notice it.

its an 86 so i assume it has the stock E6 heads which.. nicely put are just pile of crap. GT-40 heads will wake that pony up.

Even the 87-93, E7 heads are an improvement but not by much.

Stanpower

Advance Your Timing for Performance !

Carolina Rebel

GT-40 heads are a strong possibility for this car. The motor's new, less than 1,000 miles on it, but it is carbed so I know its not a replacement motor from an '86+ Mustang and therefore I'm not sure what kind of heads are on it. Previous owner didn't mention aftermarket heads so I'm assuming they're stock. Searching the part # for the engine (car came with a receipt for it) I found it here, part # 196113: http://www.flitelineenginesupply.com/engines.htm
I'm guessing it'd be running E7 heads, as the engine is listed as being for '87-'93 FI cars.
The car's getting only 93 octane, especially since its not getting driven much. Will definitely be advancing the timing, thanks for that suggestion!

86 5.0L

there were '86 LX 5.0s [&:]

ddeaton66

He's carbed, unless it's way off fuel pressure won't change anything. The 86 was originally a SD FI engine so take some time to learn what has been changed. Timing as mentioned and 3.73's will give it a swift kick.

Welcome