would you run a ford 5.0L in a buggy?

STROKERYOTA · Jan 28, 2013

al1tonyota said:
First off you didn't say what year 5.0 the new 32v coyote 5.0 is a bad dude and ford Motorsport makes one turn key with cut down harness and all! I'm a ford fan!

ya sorry bout that, i meant the original 5.0L. i know the new one is bad ass, but not in the budget lol

noracin · Jan 28, 2013

I started with a stock HO 5.0 in my yj with a rjm harness , worked perfect. It now has a 347 with moates qh piggy back, im having trouble data logging with it because of ground noise . Ls is going to be cheaper but a 5.0 workes just fine too.

patooyee · Jan 28, 2013

Isn't a 5.0 physically much smaller than an LS? If so I would imagine lighter also. Still, there's no replacement for displacement.

afd516 · Jan 28, 2013

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: would you run a ford 5.0L in a buggy?

ranger11 said:
Describes me to the t.

What are y'all using to tune? I know about moats and megasquirt. Not sure which one ia easier to use or which one is better

The one I am running came out of a 87. He had it in front of a tremec 5 sp, carbed with a huge cam. Iirc it was putting down 375 to the wheels. It had been balanced blue printed shotpinged, etc. Internals were h beam eagle rods w TRW forged pistons. I bought a comp Rv cam and swapped it in. The heads are cast dart 2 jrs. 202/160. I bought a ford racing harness, a fuel injection with a mass air and an a9l computer. This motor is very responsive. The computer is having no issue telling it what to do. I think the Rv cam I have in it is easily controlled. I have not went and had it dyno tuned. I would like to find out what I am getting out of it and if there is more to be had. I am betting that after the torque converter and 4 speed atlas I am around 300-15 to the ground. 3 yrs running and I have not touch the motor except for usual maintenance.

mikepotts · Jan 28, 2013

patooyee said:
Isn't a 5.0 physically much smaller than an LS? If so I would imagine lighter also. Still, there's no replacement for displacement.

yep, and ALOT smaller than the coyote... ford mod motors are HUGE!!!!

jeepdodge · Jan 28, 2013

Why no mention of a hemi ?

throttlejunkie · Jan 29, 2013

Im not sure why you would say the LS would be cheaper, maybe I misread. A stock 5.0 is torque nasty for its size, these engines in close to stock form have upset many of sbc, LS love to rev, have a few more ponies but the seat of the pants torque is close to the same. As far as building either, I dont think it would be possible to purchase then build a LS ( including harness and flywheel goodies) near as cheap as the ever so popular 5.0.

yankster · Jan 29, 2013

jeepdodge said:
Why no mention of a hemi ?

Here's the only reason no one runs a hemi. Would love to see some on the trails.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet+Performance/809/19259233/10002/-1
versus:
http://www.jegs.com/i/Mopar+Performance/312/P5249666AE/10002/-1
http://www.bouchillonperformance.com/P5153603_P5153604_P5153605.asp

Same HP but more than double the price and way more wieght.

jeepdodge · Jan 29, 2013

That jegs link is to a 472 big block and you could buy a whole truck with a hemi and a lot of performance for the price in the third link. I was thinkin pull one out of a wreck and have 350 to 400hp (depending on what year it was built) for a couple thousand. That would be closer to the price range his built Ford motors would be in.

drkelly · Jan 29, 2013

I've got a 5.0 HO EFI motor from a 92 Mustang in my Ranger cab truck. I think the truck is under powered, but the truck weighs 4,700 lbs and has a D60/14B with 4.88 gears and 42" TSL's. I paid $800 for the motor with all accessories, wiring harness and computer back in 2006 I think. Prices on 5.0 stuff has probably come down since then due to LS motor popularity. The wiring harness is simple to figure out, so that cost me nothing. I think in a buggy weighing around 3,700 lbs or less and with some mild mods, it might be a good motor to use.

KINGSNAKE · Jan 29, 2013

Re: would you run a ford 5.0L in a buggy?

onetoncrawler said:
Have you swapped yours for a Chevy yet? Lol

I don't have your money

mikepotts · Jan 29, 2013

drkelly said:
I've got a 5.0 HO EFI motor from a 92 Mustang in my Ranger cab truck. I think the truck is under powered, but the truck weighs 4,700 lbs and has a D60/14B with 4.88 gears and 42" TSL's. I paid $800 for the motor with all accessories, wiring harness and computer back in 2006 I think. Prices on 5.0 stuff has probably come down since then due to LS motor popularity. The wiring harness is simple to figure out, so that cost me nothing. I think in a buggy weighing around 3,700 lbs or less and with some mild mods, it might be a good motor to use.

that brings up a good point, weight and gearing can have a huge effect... i also had 42's and mine had PLENTY of power, BUT... i also had the rocks with 6.72 gearing a NP435 and a fairly lightweight bronco (chopped top no doors and hadnt gotten a cage yet).

ranger11 · Jan 29, 2013

Re: Re: would you run a ford 5.0L in a buggy?

My ranger has a full body 4.56 gears 40s and a stock 95 stang 5.0. It's a dog until 4,000 rpm. I picked up a set of Gt-40 heads and a doubler plan to install them soon. Also want to do a cam shaft and maybe a 100 shot of giggle juice. Not sure on the spray yet but seems like 100 is a safe level when used responsibly. I also plan to back half the truck and trim some weight else where.

When i first built it had an 80s 5.0 with a carb intake and cam and it was pretty peppy pulled it to put the f/I motor in.

drkelly · Jan 29, 2013

I should also mention that my Ranger was actually a Ranger cab on a full size Bronco chassis with an exo-cage, so that is where some of the weight came from.

The truck also has a C6, which I have heard sucks a lot of power from a motor.

ranger11 · Jan 29, 2013

Re: Re: Re: would you run a ford 5.0L in a buggy?

drkelly said:
I should also mention that my Ranger was actually a Ranger cab on a full size Bronco chassis with an exo-cage, so that is where some of the weight came from.

The truck also has a C6, which I have heard sucks a lot of power from a motor.

Mine has a c6 as well. I had an aod but went through 2 of them. Said screw it and put in a c6. I've heard they rob power as well.

mikepotts · Jan 29, 2013

C6 Is a power hog from hell! And the converter can have a huge impact on it as well.

ranger11 · Jan 29, 2013

Re: Re: Re: would you run a ford 5.0L in a buggy?

mikepotts said:
C6 Is a power hog from hell! And the converter can have a huge impact on it as well.

I'm looking to upgrade my converter , do you recommend a certain brand? Prob gonna stick with the stock range stall

mikepotts · Jan 29, 2013

Re: Re: Re: would you run a ford 5.0L in a buggy?

ranger11 said:
I'm looking to upgrade my converter , do you recommend a certain brand? Prob gonna stick with the stock range stall

YES! call alan here... http://dirtydogperformance.com/

SUPER nice guy, great work, very helpful... im getting ready to pull the converter from my mid 6 sec mustang's 4R to send him for a restall... hes gonna fix the junk i bought used.

remember... the converter is 80% of the performance factor with an automatic, also... good parts aint cheap and cheap parts aint good! ;D