The Official Ford Mustang 5.0: Technical Reference & Performance Handbook : 1979 Through 1993 (Paperback)

by Al Kirschenbaum (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
... a book that will blow your mind away . . . Consider it a must-have for your Mustang library. -- Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords - May 2000

...one of the most comprehensive performance handbooks we've seen for '79-'93 Mustangs and Mercury Capris. -- Motor Trend, September 2000

...this book may never be equaled for its depth of detail and bounty of useful information on the mighty 5.0L. -- Hot Rod, December 2000

Al Kirschenbaum's 440-plus page tome is a comprehensive history . . . the definitive Fox Mustang fact source, and more. -- Mustang Illustrated - June 2000

If it has anything to do with [the Ford Mustang 5.0], Kirschenbaum goes through it with a fine-toothed comb. -- 5.0 Mustang Magazine - August 2000

If there's anything you've ever wanted to know about the Fox-body Mustang, it is in Al Kirschenbaum's new book. -- Race Pages, August 2000

The best book ever written on the subject of the Fox and early SN95 Mustangs. -- Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords Magazine - July 2000

The quintessential reference guide on 1979-93 5.0-liter Mustangs . . . a must for all Mustang fans. -- Popular Mechanics Magazine - July 2000

This is the bible for 5.0 Mustang and Capri owners. -- Ford Muscle Web Magazine, September 2000

[This book] now ranks as the definitive Fox Mustang fact source and more. -- Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords, August 2000

Product Description
The Mustang 5.0 Technical Reference & Performance Handbook is the number-one data source for V-8 Ford Mustang and Mercury Capri owners. It contains all the data you need to master a V-8 Mustang's major mechanical workings. Most importantly, the Handbook provides you with the crucial keys to your car's performance potential. And it features all the popular treatments and modifications that third-generation V-8 Mustang owners and tuners have found to be most effective.

Features
-Complete door tag and VIN translations, plus V-8 engine, transmission and rear end codes.
-A year-by-year (1979-93) review of what Ford built, with a breakdown of powertrain and driveline specs for V-8- Ford Mustang and Mercury Capri models. Restorers! Read this reference guide before you turn a wrench.
-Critical specs and detailed data on all production 5.0-liter H.O. and GT-40 engine hardware including, blocks, cranks, pistons, rods, heads, cams, intake, ignition, exhaust and cooling systems, as well as all factory-fitted transmissions and rear ends, plus suggested upgrades.
-Complete specifications on original equipment suspension, braking and steering systems, as well as popular improvement paths and equipment.
-Comprehensive coverage of the limited-production 1993 Mustang Cobra and the already rare 1993 Cobra R-Model.
-A complete review of Fox-body Mustang police cars, with detailed discussions of their Special Service systems and equipment.
-Parts and systems replacements include interchangability, conversions, and swaps. Hands-on tips and tricks reveal low-cost horsepower sources. Analysis of the most effective approaches to improving a 5-liter Mustang's output: supercharging, nitrous-oxide, turbocharging and increased displacement.
-Owners of 5-liter 1994-95 V-8 Mustangs and 1996-and-later Explorers and Mountaineers will find applicable cross-over data in the coverage of Ford's fuel-injected small-block V-8.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 468 pages
• Publisher: Bentley Publishers; 1 edition (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0837602106
• ISBN-13: 978-0837602103
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #305,387 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #54 in

  Books > Nonfiction > Automotive > Mechanics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh to have had this book about $3000 ago, March 27, 2003

By	Erich Weinfurter (Baton Rouge, LA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Now here is a book that can save you money. On the shelf behind me are about 15 books on Mustangs - Mods, Tuning, Rebuilding, Projects, Upgrades, and a complete set of Shop manuals. Many were not worth the time to read, much less the money, I took a chance and purchased a copy of The Offical Ford Mustang 5.0 book. Here is a book that covers all the years, and gives the good and bad points of each. What worked, and what did not.

A case in point - There is a lot of books out there that tell you to go out and get a set of 24# or 30# injectors as a start. This book at least give pros and cons, 19# will work just fine up to 300HP@39psi, or 330HP@60psi, using a larger injector reduces atomization of the fuel, and can cause problems with low speed driveability response, oscillating idle, and loss of fuel economy, without any HP gains.
In my case I am in the process of rebuilding a 1995 GT-40 Cobra engine for my 1986 stang, I do not expect more than 300HP with the mods I am using, so the injector may have been a waste.
This book is a gold mine of information on what went in which year, Ford Part numbers, and Ford Racing upgrade parts. There is a section on each component part, most with history, There was even a section on which parts I would need to change my '86 brakes for '87-later, with additional upgrades of which year/make Ford had larger calipers and rotors interchange with OEM brakes. This book will not tell you how to install a mod or rebuild, but at least you will know which parts you should use.
I would recommend this book to anyone about to start a project. It will save you time and money. I find I now have a lot of parts that I did not need, and should not use. The book is geared to people like me who are looking to improve their existing car/engine. but are not building a drag/strip car. A car that will perform, but still take a trip to the store, (if it make the trip a bit more fun, so be it).

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent source of reference info: 1979 through 1995, December 8, 2000

By	Paul Reubens (MI United States) - See all my reviews

Kirchenbaum gives a plethora of information on the 5-ohh mustang. Going as far as having a chapter for each year. Lots of technical data on all components too, from cylinder heads to brakes. The big problem with this book is that it seems a little general and does not focus on the performance minded. .... If you like knowing everything about a 5.0 mustang this book is a great reference. If your a motor head looking to get knowledge on how to get extra HP's then this book is not for you.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great reference for the high-performance Mustang fan!, November 20, 2001

By	Lee Herman (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After I read this amazing book, I realized that another "review" posted here on ... may be misleading for potential buyers.

Although reviewer Paul Reubens from MI United States states that this book is an "Excellent source of reference info: 1979 through 1995", he also states that "it seems a little general and does not focus on the performance minded." I beg to differ. Nearly EVERY subject covered, from cylinder heads to camshafts to brakes to tires, also has suggestions for performance-oriented upgrades to the Mustangs' stock components and systems. I know it helped me make my '91 GT more potent in every possible area of performance and it's made my driving more fun and satisfying.

I'd strongly recomment this huge book to beginners and experts alike. I'd also suggest that they take the time to read everything in it. Their own 5-ohh Mustangs will be glad that they did.