I have a 93 lx, but I cannot figure out whether its a 2.3l or a 5.0, it's a v8 engine. I'm not very knowledgeable about cars so help is greatly appreciated.

 

Count the spark plug wires, if you find 4, it's a 2.3.
If you find 8 it's a 5.0

 

Also, if it is a 5.0, it should have 5.0 badges on the body, unless the previous owner removed them. The only badge on a 2.3 is just the LX on the trunk.

 

Not true. 91-93 2.3L 4 cyl has 8 plugs. 2 per cylinder.

There were only 2 engine sizes available in 93- the 2.3L I4 and the 5.0L V8. With the 5.0L there were three variants- the base 5.0L in the GT, the upgraded 5.0L in the cobra and then whatever was special with the 5.0L in the cobra R.

 

The easiest way would be to look at the headers or exhaust manifolds. The 5.0 will have two headers one on each side of the engine connected to the heads. The headers then connect to the exhaust system. The 2.3 will only have one header and its on the passenger side of the engine then connecting to the exhaust system.

 

or you could look at the intakes. but a 2.3l has alternator usually on left and the block is small with lots of room in engine bay. the 5.0 alternator is on left side and there is not a lot of room in there to do much.

 

the cobra r's had 351 5.8l windsor motors

 

my mistake. i meant right side alternator on 2.3l

 

1995 cobra R had the 351ci, 1993 R had the 5.0L and the 2000 R had the 5.4L