Everything You Need To Know About 1979-1993 Foxbody Mustangs

Look below for all the information you need to know about the V8-equipped 1979-93 Foxbody Mustang. Full 5.0 engine and block specifications for all 5.0L V8 Foxbody Mustangs; from assembly materials to camshaft specifications, we have it all.

*California '88 5.0's were MAF
**Output ratings from 1987-1993 had slight variations due to slight changes over the years. Ford did not change their rating for these year to year ratings. Above is actual output. 205hp is the most realistic and closest to actual output.

1987-1993 5.0L V8 Foxbody Mustang Engine and Component Weights

5.0L Engine Block Specifications

1979-1993 5.0L V8 Foxbody Mustang Block Cast Numbers

1979-1993 5.0L V8 Foxbody Mustang Crankshaft Info

1979-1993 5.0L V8 Foxbody Mustang Pistons

1979-1993 5.0L V8 Foxbody Mustang Cylinder Head Specs

1985-1993 5.0L V8 Foxbody Mustang Camshaft Specs (Roller Rockers)

IO = intake opening BTDC, IC = intake closing ABDC, EO = exhaust opening BBDC, EC = exhaust closing ATDC

1986-1993 5.0L V8 Foxbody Mustang Intake Info

1986-1993 5.0L V8 Foxbody Mustang Throttle Body Info

75mm TB will suffice for pretty much any 5.0L engine. Bigger is not much use.

Throughout the production run of the Foxbody Mustangs (1979-1993), Ford implemented 4 different transmissions - 3 automatics and 1 manual. Use the links below to navigate the specifications on the SROD, AOD and C4/C5 automatic transmissions as well as the Borg-Warner (now Tremec) T5.

Foxbody Drivetrain and Transmission Diagrams

1979-1993 Foxbody Mustang Factory Drivetrain Specs
AOD Cutaway Diagram
C4/C5 Cutaway Diagram
T5 Cutaway Diagram

Foxbody AOD, C4/C5, SROD Automatic Transmissions

1979-1983 1/2 SROD Transmission Gear Ratios
1979-1982 C4/C5 Transmission Specs
AOD Automatic Transmission Gear Ratios
AOD Automatic Transmission Torque Converter & Stall Speeds

Foxbody T5 Transmission

T5 5 Speed Transmission Specs
Worldclass vs NWC T5 and T5 Limit
Clutch Specifications
Foxbody TKO-500 and TKO-600 Swap
Foxbody T56 Swap

1979-1993 Mustang Factory Drivetrain Specs

SROD 4 speed Transmission Specs (automatic)

C4/C5 Automatic Transmission Gear Ratios

C4/C5 Torque Converter

AOD Automatic Transmission Gear Ratios

AOD Automatic Transmission Torque Converter

T5 5 Speed Transmission Specs

*Lower number was factory rated torque number. Factory measurements were done at continuous load, not instantaneous. The higher torque rating is what real world application and 3rd parties have discovered the T5 to withstand.

Foxbody T5 Stock Clutch Specifications 

Even rolling out of the factory, the stock brake setup employed by Ford on the Foxbody Mustang was less than adequate to effectively control the power and speed capable of the accompanying stock 302 cu (5.0L) V8 engine. Comprised of cast-iron, centrally vented rotors up front clamped by single piston calipers, and a basic drum setup in the back, these brakes really weren't up to par to handle even a stock 225HP Foxbody. Listed below are the full sizing and material specifications of the brake systems installed over the Foxbody era.

1979-1993 V8 Mustang Factory Brake Specifications

The factory DuraSpark I and DuraSpark II ignition systems used on the late model Foxbody Mustang was actually an excellent ignition system for the time. Read below for all the information you need regarding the ignition and fuel system on Foxbody Mustangs. HO firing order, ignition timing, spark plug gap, fuel pump and injector specifications, it's all below.

Ford 5.0 V8 Cylinder Location
Ford V8 Firing Order
Foxbody Mustang Spark Plugs
Foxbody Mustang Fuel Pumps
Ford Fuel Injector specifications
1979-1985 Foxbody Mustang Ignition Timing
1986-1993 Foxbody Mustang Ignition Timing

1979-1993 Ford V8 Cylinder Banks (facing engine head on)
Left Bank | Right Bank
4 | 8
3 | 7
2 | 6
1 | 5

1979-1993 Ford V8 Firing Order
1979-93 truck V8's (non-HO) and 4.2 L V8: 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
1982-93 5.0 L HO V8: 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8

1979-1993 V8 Foxbody Mustang Spark Plugs

1979-1993 V8 Foxbody Mustang Fuel Pumps (factory)

• Carburated Mustang (mechanical fuel pump): 1979:6.5 psi, 1982:8.5 psi
• CFI Mustang: twin electric: 60 lph @ 39 psi
• SEFI Mustang: 88 lph @ 39 psi

Ford Factory Fuel Injector Specifications

1979-1985 Foxbody Mustang V8 Ignition Timing 

1986-1993 Foxbody Mustang V8 Ignition Timing 
Simply add the amount of your initial timing to any point along the curve and you'll have the total timing for that point. For example if your running an A9L computer and 15 degrees initial timing and you want to know how much total timing you have at 2600 rpm. You would simply add the 15 initial to the 22.5 shown on the chart for a total of 37.5 degrees.

The VIN on any vehicle is a very useful line of characters and numbers. It tells us the year, assembly plant, body type and engine option that the car was factory fitted with. Below is how to decode these magical strings.

1979-1980 Mustang VIN:
ex: 9F04F100001 - 11 characters

1981-1993 Mustang VIN:
ex: 1FABP27M7EF100001 - 17 characters

* Body style codes depend on what body style was available for corresponding year.
ex: 27 = convertible, but GLX was not used for later years, thus if you have an 88, body code = 27, it can't be GLX.

Listed below are some full-text Ford technical service bulletins issued for the Mustang from 1987-1993. This is not by any means a complete list.

1987-1993 Foxbody Mustang TSB's

If there is an issue with your Foxbody Mustang (engine related), a good place to start is to check if the EEC-IV computer has registered any error codes. There are two ways to do so:

1. Code scanner: You can buy a code scanner from almost any auto parts store, just verify that it can indeed read the error codes from Foxbody Mustangs. Plugin the code scanner to VIP/DLC connector harness in the engine bay (right-hand, driver side for 86-93) and read out any error codes, if there are any.
2. Test light: For the procedure on how to pull the error codes from a Foxbody Mustang EEc-IV equipped car, please refer to: DIY KOEO/KOER/Cylinder Balance Self-Test Procedure

Listed below are the possible error codes thrown by the Mustang EEC-IV computer. Accompanied with each code is the potential reason why an error has occurred. Legend: O = Ignition On (accessory), R = Engine Running, C = Continuous Memory

Legend: O = Ignition On (accessory), R = Engine Running, C = Continuous Memory

Believe it or not, it is possible to check your Foxbody Mustang’s error codes without using a fancy or specialized automotive scanner. For 1986-1988 Mustangs, all you need is a test light or analog voltmeter and a couple of small gauge jumper wires.

On the driver side towards the back of the engine bay, you need to identify the VIP/DLC connector and jump the #2 SIGRTN (signal return) and STI (self test port) together (unfolding a big paper clip will work). Connect a test light or analog voltmeter to the battery and the negative lead to the STO (self test output) port. The ECU will then send two-digit codes, indicated by light flashes (each digit is separated by a 2-second pause, and each code is separated by a 4-second pause), which can then be looked up in a code chart to understand their meaning.

Instead of using a test light or voltmeter, 1989-1993 Foxbody Mustang owners can use the check engine light (it will flash with the codes). For more information on specific codes, refer to the above chart.

See below for basic Foxbody 5.0L V8 engine fluid capacities and general bolt torquing information.

Torque Lists and Diagrams
Foxbody Mustang 5.0L torque ratings diagram

Engine Oil

Foxbody Fuel Capacity (all engines)

General Torque Specifications

• LX Manual Coupe - 3,037 lbs
• LX Manual Hatchback - 3,102 lbs
• LX Manual Convertible - 3,238 lbs
• LX Automatic Coupe - 3,097 lbs
• LX Automatic Hatchback - 3,162 lbs
• LX Automatic Convertible - 3,298
• GT Manual Hatchback - 3,191 lbs
• GT Manual Convertible - 3,327 lbs
• GT Automatic Hatchback - 3,251 lbs
• GT Automatic Convertible - 3,442 lbs
• 1993 Cobra - 3,255 lbs
• 1993 Cobra R - 3,143 lbs

• 1980: Bucket seats, colored interior trim, window, and wide body moldings 
• 1981: minor interior changes, t-tops 
• 1983: Seat and door trim
• 1984: Saleen model (different trims altogether), front fascia, grille, flush headlights
• 1987-1993: exterior moldings, color-keyed rear bumper, hood scoop, rocker extensions (GT)
• 1989: T-top options removed