Customer Reviews

The Official Ford Mustang 5.0: Technical Reference & Performance Handbook, 1979-1993

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3 star:		(1)
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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).

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.

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.

When I saw this book offered in the back of the Ford Racing Perfomance Parts catalog last year, I wasn't sure what to make of it. After all, the Probst book on the EEC-IV seemed over my head...As the new owner of an ex-police '93 5.0 LX coupe, I consider the handbook a must-have for any 5.0 owner.

The section on Special Service cars like mine was excellent and cleared up a few things, while the illustrations scattered throughout were sufficient for all but the nittiest nit-picker. While I'm not sure Mr. K is correct in referring to the '94-current body style as a hatchback, the information contained in his pages probably couldn't be more accurate...you wouldn't believe all the folks he thanked for their help in the back of the book!

If you're still wondering about grabbing a copy, wonder no more: get it now!

For over 15 years, I have been modifying engines for more power. However, most of my experience is with turbocharged FWD Mopars and none of it was with anything by Ford. Recently, I decided to undertake a new project: buying an early Miata and replacing its engine with a Mustang 5.0L EFI V8. While I understand the general workings of a computer-controlled engine, I knew nothing of the peculiarities of this new-to-me V8 powerplant. Thus began my quest to learn about the 5.0L, and it ended with the purchase of this book.

To put it succinctly, if you want to know the ins and outs of any Mustang V8 from 1979 to 1993 then this is the book you MUST read. The first half contains individual chapters for every model year; each one goes into great detail to explain every minute change that took place to the Mustang's V8 engine (and the rest of its driveline as well). If the book contained nothing but these first chapters, it would already be worth every penny. (Indeed, it has already saved me untold hundreds of dollars by preventing me from trying to bolt together hardware which would have caused certain engine disaster.)

But that's not all. The second half of the book then breaks down the entire driveline, with individual chapters for each component in the system (and even brakes, suspension, steering and more). Each component is discussed in great detail; as the Ford hardware varied over the years, the different pieces are compared and contrasted thoroughly. Rather than simply saying "piece such-and-such is the best," the pros and cons of each item are listed so that you can decide which one best suits your specific application. The author does give occasional warnings about hardware combinations which will not work together properly (or perhaps not even work at all), and these warnings are based on years of experience.

If you're looking to become familiar with Ford's 5.0L V8s of the 1980s and 1990s, BUY THIS BOOK. You'll be very glad you did.

Being a first time Mustang owner, I went through 4 books in trying to teach myself about the mechanics of this automobile before I stumbled on this guide. It helped a lot and got me a date. (Finally.)

My boyfriend recently purchased a very shabby 1984 Mustang SVO. The next day he experienced buyer's remorse. He also explained that technical information for SVO Mustangs are hard to come buy. On a very hopeful whim, I purchased this book and gave to him as a gift. I had my doubts since there was not much SVO information I found in this book. Two days later, he told me he stayed up to read part of this book for an hour and a half and just had RAVE reviews for the information this book was giving him. He was so happy, this book went into great detail for the shock towers-which he all ready knew, the steering-which he was greatful for, and the extra-helpful aftermarket companies information to help people-like him, trying to restore (PROPERLY) a classic and rare Mustang.
Of course, now he spends all his time reading this book and working on the SVO, I really wish he had bought a Mopar so he wouldn't have to work on his car so much (lol).

This is a great book,however I did find some errors.On page 223 the author states that all OE 5 liter cams have five 2.081 inch diameter bearing journals.Sorry,all 5 liter cams have five different size cam bearing journals as stated in my official Ford Mustang shop manuals from 1989,1972 and 1966.Page 209 states that oversize valves up to 1.94"intake will work with OE notched pistons,while page 212 says valve reliefs in 87-93 production pistons will accomodate 2.02"intake valves.Which spec is correct?Page 32 and 268 states that the 83-85 dual snorkel air cleaner was used on mid eighties 429-460 v-8`s.1973 was the last year for the 429.And finally,the OE roller cam specs on page 228 don`t make sense to me.If the revised E8ZE-CA cam for late 1988 handicaps the engine by three horsepower compared to the original E5ZE-AA cam,why does the revised cam have better specs?

This is an awesome book. If you are looking to do any mods to your Mustang this is the book to have. How ever I just bought this book brand new for $27.95 with free shipping. I sure am not paying the $22 diffrence, and shipping on top of it.

i have a 1991 lx 5.0l i have done alot of engine work was going to buy new 24lbs injectors and other mods but after reading the book ive just saved 214.00 on not buying them i can pull up to 450hp on these. great book a must have for mustang owners