5.3 Mustang HELP!!
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Teching In
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 7
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From: Birmingham Alabama
5.3 Mustang HELP!! Installing a 2002 5.3 from a suburban in an 87 lx coupe. Need recommendations on what trans to run? What cam to run? I'm using stock heads and truck intake. it is cable drive throttle. I'm looking for around 350-400 hp. Definitely want a overdrive trans. because this is going to be a street drivable car, with power to run when i want it to. Also i have the ECM and harness, looking to send it to someone to make it into a stand alone. Recommendations? Thanks for the help
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Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Ohio
Jegs sells them for less than $300. Single beehive springs work fine since it has less than $600 lift. RPM ranges that manufacturers post on their cams are pretty irrelevant. You should be able to take this cam to 6600 RPM or so in a 5.3 without power falling off at the top. If you're worried its a little too big, there is a slightly smaller 216/220 version that will make 375 on a mostly stock 5.3, 400 with a little bit of effort.
I'd get somewhere between 2600 and 3600 stall, it really depends on what else you're going to be using the car for. Lots of street driving, not a lot of track action, go with a lower stall. With the smaller cam I would personally go 2800-3000 stall. The larger cam, a 3200 stall would fit nicely.
4L60 or 4L80 are your two choices for easy overdrive transmissions. The 4L60e is the automatic that was in the LS cars. The 4L80e is basically the overdrive version of the TH400 and is MUCH stronger than the 4L60. It was behind the 6.0 in the trucks and even some of the smaller engines in the vans. It is a lot heavier, though.
I'd get somewhere between 2600 and 3600 stall, it really depends on what else you're going to be using the car for. Lots of street driving, not a lot of track action, go with a lower stall. With the smaller cam I would personally go 2800-3000 stall. The larger cam, a 3200 stall would fit nicely.
4L60 or 4L80 are your two choices for easy overdrive transmissions. The 4L60e is the automatic that was in the LS cars. The 4L80e is basically the overdrive version of the TH400 and is MUCH stronger than the 4L60. It was behind the 6.0 in the trucks and even some of the smaller engines in the vans. It is a lot heavier, though.
i sell about 3-5 LS7 cam shafts a week mostly to the 5.3 truck guys but then you would need to convert over to the 3 bolt cam.......
Stock LS7 cam with vary low miles.....there all excellent condition....no wear...$110 shipped each..
duration is 211/230 int/exh @ 0.050" Lift 0.591/0.591
120LSA...
Stock LS7 cam with vary low miles.....there all excellent condition....no wear...$110 shipped each..
duration is 211/230 int/exh @ 0.050" Lift 0.591/0.591
120LSA...
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 7
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From: Birmingham Alabama
Ok I came across a working 4l60e for $200. so I'm going to use it until it blows apart. then i will get the 80. so basically i have about everything i need. i have the engine, ecm, harness, and 4l60 trans. so my harness should plug right up with my trans, and all should be ok. any idea on a trans crossmember? will the factory one work?
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Teching In
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 19
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From: Beaumont, TX
will a 4L80 fit in a Foxbody mustang? I know a 4L60 will, but with the 4L80 being so much bigger, I can't help but think that between 'some' and 'lots' of pounding/cutting/massaging would be required for it to fit. Anyone have experience putting a 4L80 in a Foxbody?
I know some guys have put a 4l80e in their cars, I think it just depends on motor placement. I had a 4l60e in my car for over 9 years with a Yank 3600 and ran 11's all day on it and 10's with nitrous. I let the comp shift the trans as it adjusts the line pressure safely under load. I think that might have been key to my longevity with the trans. I still run a 4l60e but its a built tranny and I runs 10's na and use 2 stages of nitrous also with no problem. I still let the comp shift it for me at 6200 all shifts.
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 19
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From: Beaumont, TX
I know some guys have put a 4l80e in their cars, I think it just depends on motor placement. I had a 4l60e in my car for over 9 years with a Yank 3600 and ran 11's all day on it and 10's with nitrous. I let the comp shift the trans as it adjusts the line pressure safely under load. I think that might have been key to my longevity with the trans. I still run a 4l60e but its a built tranny and I runs 10's na and use 2 stages of nitrous also with no problem. I still let the comp shift it for me at 6200 all shifts.
My 4l60e came out of a 98 Trans Am with 68,000 miles, we added a basic transgo shift kit. One time we had to replace the front pump and one of the solenoids inside the pan. My cooler did always have a fan in front of it.
I have an 80e in my 95 mustang, same trans tunnel from what I understand. I did a little hammering on the drivers side for shift linkage and wiring harness clearance. Nothing major, no cutting or welding required.
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: Beaumont, TX