I have a 89 5.0 gt it has the Ho motor and does not want to idle until its been running for at least 20 mins. thats 1 problem. the second problem is that it seems to lack power, maby im just over estimating the stock v-8 but i had a z28 that was stock and it seemed faster then my stang. if anyone can point me in the right direction that would be awesome. thanks.

 

have the injectors cleaned, standard tune up. 5.0's aren't that fast out of the box. Fortunately neither were older f-bodies.

 

Like R3D said, have your injectors professionally cleaned (not the cleaner you buy and dump in the tank from Autozone). I think Summit may still sell a kit to DIY. Do the basic tune-up, plugs, cap, rotor, new 02 sensors, plug wires. Clean out the IAC with some carb cleaner, clean off the MAF element with some elec cleaner spray. Then have some 3:73 gears put in the rear.

Go for all the freebies too, advance timing as far as it can go without pinging, throw on a KandN filter, make sure the air intake silencer is removed (but hang onto it for posterity).

 

a very common problem on all mid 90s early fords was wandering idle, most people will try to tell you idle air control motor, which it sometimes is, but most of the time its is your throttle position sensor. it develops a dead spot at closed throttle which makes the computer think you are at full throttle, so its dumping in fuel. this ultimitly could cause your lack of power. also if its been dumping fuel at idle it mightve burned out your cats and plugged those. im interested how this will turn out for you email me at mad_monkey63@hotmail.com with the results or any questions thanks

 

i'll have to try and hope that one of those things are whats wrong, i did do a cap and rotor and plugs and wires thats were i thought i'd start but now im stumped....

 

everyone forget to mention the FUEL FILTER, its located underneath the car in front of the gas tank. People forget about it all the time. Guarantee that will fix it. Hope it helps

 

i would also run an engen cleaner through it. it could just be gunked up.

 

I have a 1987 Mustang GT and it was doing the same thing. This car was in Ohio all it's life until I moved to FL. I took the car to Blue Oval Corral and they did all of the above mentioned suggestions with the exception of removing my cats. Since FL doesn't have an emmissions law, I yanked those off, put a set of BBK Shortys and the car LIT UP!!!