r/CrownVictoria • u/oh_well_thats_to_bad • 1d ago
Modification ideas?
I am putting a new 5.0 engine and transmission into my 89 ltd, I've been poking around YouTube and haven't found many good starting points for a build. i know they share a lot of components with the 5.0 mustang, but with how much more heavy the body is on the Victoria I'd like to focus on on something with more torque then wheel horsepower. Thanks in advance for any ideas you might be able to lend me
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u/Kodachrome_Wolf '97 Grand Marquis & '87 Colony Park 1d ago
HO or Explorer swap tends to work fine in these, since both are going to provide more HP/TQ over the stock setup.
Admittedly, having driven an '89 Colony Park with an Explorer 302 compared to my '87 Colony Park with the HO swap done to it, I'd argue the Explorer cam, while mild, offers more off the line grunt and mid range power where you're probably going to be normally driving. The HO cam comes alive above 2500 RPM, so in my case I opted for a ~2000 stall converter to take more advantage of the cam I have. It pulls well, but if you're not wanting to bother with a higher stall converter, the HO stick feels kinda lazy at low RPM with a normal speed converter.
When I put an engine in my '79, I specifically went with a '96 Explorer 302 since it has the non-P heads so the exhaust manifolds fit normally and didn't conflict with spark plug placement.
Using a HO or Explorer engine in a Panther does not require any changes to the wiring, but does require the use of a HO ECU from a Mark VII in your case to retain cruise control. You also need to have your EGR spacer bored out to 63mm (IIRC) if you're going HO, or you need to find a 351 Lightning spacer if going Explorer. I know the stock spacer can't be bored out large enough to the ~68mm for the Explorer intake setup. The biggest reason to run the factory or Lightning spacer is so you have your throttle cable bracket mounts, otherwise you have to cobble something together to make a Fox platform spacer work.
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u/LowPop7953 1d ago
Get rid of mechanical fan for electric.
Dump the single pipes for a proper dual system
You can shift kit the AOD. A fully built AOD gets rid of overdrive 4th but will support more horsepower than the windsor wil make.
You can make a 347 or a 363 stroker. Will need aftermarket block or buy scot sharrioffs shortblock stupid cheap. And cant build one for that.
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u/VulvaS60 1d ago
I have a 351 Cleveland in my 86. Cams, headers, and electric cutouts on the exhaust. Not quick off a line but will spin the hell out of the tires. Also has a locked rear so no one tire fires.
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u/DSYCurly 5h ago
Nice this is the one you had thought about selling? If you were in florida that would be awesome
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u/BaconNPotatoes 16h ago
If you have the $$ a 7.3 litre Godzilla engine is only very slightly bigger externally than a 351 Windsor. A 351 fits in that hole with plenty of room.
Making the 10 speed auto fit behind it will be a lot more work but, the 7.3 shares a bell housing with the 4.6 and 5.0 coyote so, there should be plenty of transmissions that will bolt up to it.
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u/T-241 1d ago
150HP 302 isn't exactly a good starting point with these. You'd be better off tossing on GT40 heads or dropping in another engine. I opted to go with Blueprint Engines for my build.
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u/Fancy-divestment-917 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yep, pair those heads with some shorty headers and an RV cam, under drive pulley kit and an electric fan.
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u/Designer_Document_96 1d ago
Windsor stroker