CFI 5.0's

[EMB1230]

Any known issues with them? I might go check out a 85 Cougar for fun next week.

 

[bigmark303]

Its a reliable 5.0L as they all are. The CFI engines though do not share much in common with the popular SEFI 5.0L engines 1987 and on.

The only real issue is in a heavy car the 140hp they produce does not move the car. I used to be big into the Lincoln Mark VIIs and 1984-1986 models of those cars came with the CFI 5.0L. The car was a 3700lb car. Not huge but heavy enough that those CFI engines got horrible gas mileage because they struggled to just keep the car moving. The Cougars weigh 3400-3700lbs. Your 2.3L will drive better.

 

[EMB1230]

I used to have 2 MN-12's both with the 3.8L, talk about heavy car/weak engine!

I don't know, doesn't seem to be a huge difference in power, on the other hand the 5.0 they started getting in 91 was 200hp/275tq but at what rpm's, that I don't remember.

1985 CFI: 5.0 V8 302 4.00 x 3.00 TBI 8.4:1 140@3200 250@1600

1986 MPFI: 5.0 V8 302 4.00 x 3.00 MPI 8.9:1 150@3400 270@2000

 

[jrpdash9]

Always loved the mark7's. I have a mark 8 right now I have been saving for the motor.

 

[bigmark303]

I used to have 2 MN-12's both with the 3.8L, talk about heavy car/weak engine!

I don't know, doesn't seem to be a huge difference in power, on the other hand the 5.0 they started getting in 91 was 200hp/275tq but at what rpm's, that I don't remember.

1985 CFI: 5.0 V8 302 4.00 x 3.00 TBI 8.4:1 140@3200 250@1600

1986 MPFI: 5.0 V8 302 4.00 x 3.00 MPI 8.9:1 150@3400 270@2000

If you dont mind it being underpowered then there isnt anything bad to say about that engine setup. Just as reliable as any 5.0L and simple to work on and maintain. CFI setup was only around for 1-2 years so parts are out there but sometimes hard to find on the spot.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

1986 MPFI: 5.0 V8 302 4.00 x 3.00 MPI 8.9:1 150@3400 270@2000

I loved the powerband of that engine (with a 4bbl and shorty headers) in my Ranger, then I converted mine to an HO (HO cam and E7 heads) and it just moved its happy spot higher in the powerband and maybe made it a little bigger.

I don't normally wind it that high to really know how big of a difference it made, 4k is usually about it for me and now that is just about when it is really waking up.

 

[JoshT]

Those Cougars can be pretty nice cars if done properly. They're built on the fox platform so a lot of the suspension goodies for the fox mustangs will work. If you like the car, don't let the CFI stop you. It can be converted to MPFI and it's been done many times.

 

[EMB1230]

Not just the cfi, just not crazy about that body style, the 87-88's are ok though.

 

[JoshT]

Forgot that there was a restyling in there. You're right I was thinking about the later style. I wander if the later front end would match the earlier body, or if they changed the body enough that a swap isn't feasible.

 

[EMB1230]

He also said the tranny was rebuilt but still shift kinda hard sometimes, and that it also has a shimmy, whatever that means.

 

[EMB1230]

Well, after going back and forth on it, I got it last Tuesday!. had to haggle them, but even trade for the Mazda, gonna miss that truck but especially the 5 speed tranny.

The Cougar has 115K, original miles, has a rebuilt tranny with a shift kit, new battery, new heater core, new window motors, and the undercarriage is astonishingly clean. Emergency brake works However, it's gonna need new plugs, there's a woop woop woop sound that I can't pinpoint, I wanna say it's a tire, maybe a wheel bearing? Stops good, but believe it needs a wheel cyl on the driver's side, somebody said, might be the master.