Long time listener first time caller ie 1992 Ford Mustang v8

Thanks for taking my call.  For background I've looked into some of the Mustang websights but many seem to focus on modified engines rather than stock.  Plus I trust whats said here at GRM more than anywhere else.

I haven't owned a vehicle with a manual transmission for over 30+ years.  I found a '92 Mustang LX for sale that has the 5 speed.  It also has the 5.0 v8.  From the description it appears to be all stock. This car seems like it could be fun in that I usually have had boring slow vehicles most of my life.  I'm trying to change that!  A manual transmission with a factory v8 and rwd in a fairly lightweight package could make a fun driver.  Maybe even Auto-X stuff some day.  Anyhow I'm unfamiliar with this generation vehicle from an engine management perspective.  This is still an OBD1 system I believe?  So if it has driveability issues I couldn't just hook up a code reader to at least narrow down what a potential issue could be (ie rough idle, hesitation under load, etc).  

From an engine management system perspective is there anything in particular to look for in this vehicle?  

And any other info/advice is much appreciated!

The FOX bodied cars have had a long tradition as Inexpensive, Fun cars.

There are a myriad of posts on this site, here is one example:

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/is-the-fox-body-mustang-the-ul/252984/page1/

Enjoy

 Do a search like this:   "Fox  body Mustangs site: Grassroots Motorsports" and you should get a list of threads on the Fox Mustang on this site, but the format works for any site.

The engine management on these in stock form is fairly simple and robust.  On top of that there are decades of resources and many suppliers of parts for these.  

Corral will help you with any questions.

https://www.corral.net/

I just bought a Foxbody Mustang earlier this year and the aftermarket support is nothing short of amazing.

I have a 90 LX hatch 5 speed car.  It has the 5 lug conversion, Koni shocks, H&R lowering springs, Steeda sway bars and Bullet 17" wheels.

The motor is mostly stock; it has a CAI, Headers and a catback exhaust.

I'm getting ready to install the Cobra brakes on the front.

These cars are tremendous hooligan fun. I've already autocrossed mine and will be using it for a couple of track days and some Friday drives.

The car is also cheaper to hot rod than the Datsun I vintage race.

Engine mods are limited if you want to keep the EFI. The Moates "Quarterhorse" piggy-back system is no longer sold, so other than small cam bumps, you are off to carbs if you want big power. (300+)

Wiring harnesses are famous for being hacked up. 

Check for rust in the frame at the base of the shock towers. Both inner and outer. Engine-out fussy job to repair  if you are up to it and few shops will do it. Rust happens in other places but this one is a car killer.

Suspension is primitive at both ends. Lots of aftermarket to help. Or just hoon and smile.

Heater cores fail a lot and suck to replace. If it ever needs a fuel pump, cut a hole in the trunk to do the job; life is too short.

They work really well with Ls swaps and go really fast.

As Tom_1200 noted, they are a HOOT to build and own.

We started with the FOX Body in 1983 with a Competition Delete SVO Mustang and have had 6 since then.

Currently finishing up a 2005 S197 Street and Weekend Track Car Build

They are FLEXI-FLYERS in the chassis department, so the more you can STIFFEN the chassis, the more consistent it will handle.

Steeda, Late Model Restorations, Maximum Motorsport, American Muscle and many many others have the "bits and bobs" to make then fast,

Let your wallet be your guide.

Enjoy

NOHOME said:

Engine mods are limited if you want to keep the EFI. The Moates "Quarterhorse" piggy-back system is no longer sold, so other than small cam bumps, you are off to carbs if you want big power. (300+)

Wiring harnesses are famous for being hacked up. 

 

Check for rust in the frame at the base of the shock towers. Both inner and outer. Engine-out fussy job to repair  if you are up to it and few shops will do it. Rust happens in other places but this one is a car killer.

Suspension is primitive at both ends. Lots of aftermarket to help. Or just hoon and smile.

Heater cores fail a lot and suck to replace. If it ever needs a fuel pump, cut a hole in the trunk to do the job; life is too short.

They work really well with Ls swaps and go really fast.

man back when I played /w these cars (granted this was in the late 90's early 2000s) you didn't need any aftermarket engine management to run these things.  You could trick the system into using larger fuel injectors by adjusting the MAF, timing was managed by twisting the distributor a few degrees and setting initial timing.  I added a supercharger, larger injectors, much more fuel pump and fuel pressure.  My car had the old vortech a-trim and made something like 320 to the tires through the factory iron heads, aluminum heads and an S-trim would easily have made another 100 hp still without the need of an upgraded computer.  

The chassis on these is super floppy, big power and sticky tires would smack the doors into the unibody on launch...  

for the cost of a fox body you can probably pick up a S197 3v 4.6 car (10k should get you a nice GT) and have a far less capable motor but a fairly capable chassis and for around $8k build a CSM car for SCCA which i have seen run pretty competitive times.  

In reply to ClearWaterMS :

The floppy chassis is easy to fix. 

The S197 is a better car in every way except one; it lacks the hooligan factor.

The hooligan factor was the other major factor in my decision to get a Foxbody.

A 5 speed V8 LX is a hedge against inflation. Desirable car, only going up in value. Heed the earlier warnings about rust, though. The front structure is rot prone and not easily repaired.

I believe the car in question would have the old speed density EFI like my 93 Lightning. It limits what cam you can run, as that system can't tolerate very aggressive cams. A lot of L owners migrate to a mass air conversion. Nothing wrong with it if you don't plan on modding the engine internals though. I got a very cheap OBD1 reader off Amazon. You don't actually need a code reader, as you can count the 'flashes' on the dash, but it's annoying and ponderous to do it that way. It's a simple system, and I've had no trouble with it aside from a distributor that decided max advance at anything over idle would be fun. Brand new ones still available from Ford. 

Fox Mustangs don't handle particularly well stock, but there are plenty of parts to fix it, provided you don't mind spending the money. Having been a passenger in a track prepped one once, I can tell you a well set up one will make you giggle like a little girl. 

Anything 89-up should have mass air. Earlier than that if it's a California car, I think maybe 87?

ddavidv said:

A 5 speed V8 LX is a hedge against inflation. Desirable car, only going up in value. Heed the earlier warnings about rust, though. The front structure is rot prone and not easily repaired.

I believe the car in question would have the old speed density EFI like my 93 Lightning. It limits what cam you can run, as that system can't tolerate very aggressive cams. A lot of L owners migrate to a mass air conversion. Nothing wrong with it if you don't plan on modding the engine internals though. I got a very cheap OBD1 reader off Amazon. You don't actually need a code reader, as you can count the 'flashes' on the dash, but it's annoying and ponderous to do it that way. It's a simple system, and I've had no trouble with it aside from a distributor that decided max advance at anything over idle would be fun. Brand new ones still available from Ford. 

Fox Mustangs don't handle particularly well stock, but there are plenty of parts to fix it, provided you don't mind spending the money. Having been a passenger in a track prepped one once, I can tell you a well set up one will make you giggle like a little girl. 

the only cars that had speed density were the 87 and 88 non-california cars.  Being a 92 this car should be mass air.  Matt Farah built a dream build foxbody LX hatch around 8 years ago.  He admitted it ended up costing alot more money than he envisioned but was an amazing build and is a great example of what is possible /w the platform.

https://www.motortrend.com/features/matt-farahs-widebody-mustang-ideal-blend-power-balance/

Can always do a stand-alone and keep the EFI if it gets wild.  Carbs suck.  

I stand corrected on the EFI. I live in Truck World, where the gas mileage is terrible and the burnouts are easy. 

Carbs are awesome. People who hate them just don't know how to work on them. 

The biggest issue with the EFI isn't the electronics, it's trying to move air through that tortuous intake manifold with its tiny 2 foot long runners full of cramped bends.  Same issue that Chevy had with TPI, but worse.  #5 is particularly bad because it has to zigzag to get past the distributor.

The benefit of a carb isn't getting rid of the electrons, the benefit of a carb is getting an intake manifold that allows the engine to breathe.

There's something to be said, though, for not increasing the power all that much, because then you don't tend to run into the limitations of the rest of the chassis.  A bright-side point of view is that it works together as is.  Add power and you can't put it down, run out of brakes sooner, etc.

Awesome first post! Welcome. 'Course, just like them other forums... we need pictures! 

I've owned 3 Fox Mustangs including a '92 LX 5.0 Notch. I still miss the LX. I kept it mostly stock but with a set of shorty headers, 1.7 ratio RR, underdrive pulleys, and tuning the engine.  I also lowered it and repacked the diff clutches for more grip.  Nice Fox Stangs are going up in value, '93 Cobra models have  been selling for more then new for a while.

A set of aluminum heads, a better intake, a cam upgrade and you'll add 100 hp easy.  One of my Mustangs was a '93 Cobra, with Ford GT-40X heads, LT headers, ported intake,  it made 100 HP more than the factory rated 235 HP.  

Good Thread

I guess a question to be asked, daily driver, weekend queen, dedicated track car

All do able with the FOX bodied Mustangs

Let your wallet be your guide

I came here looking for exactly what you all posted! Great info thats specifically what I was looking for thank you! 03Panther if I am able to pick this one up I will post pics. 
 

And RacingComputers, preliminary plans (just looking planning ahead as I haven't even bought this specific car-yet) would be a daily driver in good weather. However its like many other aspirations in life in that once you start at home plate, you not only want to get on base you soon want to hit a grand slam lol (can't tell I'm a fan of baseball can ya lol) If that gives you some perspective into my future ideas. 
 

And thank you to everyone else, the tech specific info especially, is very much appreciated!

Lightweight aluminum flywheel, 3.73 gears, aluminum heads, cam and ratio rockers. This was my formula for fun back when I bought my 1988 LX 5.0 convertible. 

Codes can be pulled from the computer with a simple paper clip and a multimeter. There is a connection in the engine bay that you can jumper and then use the multimeter and count the needle sweeps and the number of sweeps corresponds with check engine code numbers. 

Semi-related since I use the same motor in the Zoomboni.  Bone stock engine can push around the car pretty well, and even better when it weighs less.  The factory clutch gave up a couple years ago so I called Kentucky Clutch and bought their stage 2 unit with a lightweight flywheel (Around $800 for everything but shaved 9 lbs off the assembly compared with factory and works great).

Blunder said:

Codes can be pulled from the computer with a simple paper clip and a multimeter. There is a connection in the engine bay that you can jumper and then use the multimeter and count the needle sweeps and the number of sweeps corresponds with check engine code numbers. 

Multimeter shmultimeter! You can jump the pins and the CEL will blink the codes out. 

In reply to Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) :

As I was typing that I knew I was gonna be close but not quite right. Much like most of my car knowledge. My forum name should have been Gist the tip. 

$34 on Amazon. My time is worth more than that to sit and count flashes or needle jumps.