1992 Coupe Mustang Notchback 289 EFI build
Spec and ShortBlock Build
| Install the Engine! | Specification and Requirements | Press Damper
HiPo289HO
"Hi Po 289 H.O." essentially a de-stroked 1989 5.0 mustang engine to 289 cubic inches (using 1967 components), with the latest (2001) and greatest iron heads (GT40P) and Isky billet roller cam with more and quicker lift.
Furthermore, the engine has modifications supporting rev potential such as a windage tray, upgraded valvetrain components (upgraded springs, one piece chrome molly retainers, crane rollerized modified pedestal rockers), and upgraded fastener hardware throughout the engine.
What I want is a SBF, a pushrod V8 Windsor in my Fox Mustang at about 300hp getting best MPG for a SoCal Daily Driver 50% street - 50% freeway application. This also means of course its a 5 speed notchback. Lightest body most efficient transmission, and so forth.
I've brushed the engine block with a small can of Hi Temp Caliper Black paint I noticed at the local autoparts store. It was packaged with a spray can of solvent "caliper cleaner", a bush and some gloves. It was far cheaper than Eastwood POR15 or marine paints and I avoided spraying paint everywhere and got all the nooks and crannies easily. I recommend brushing an engine block!
The powder coated parts such as the intake and valve covers are actually grey but look white in the pictures.
Spec and ShortBlock Build
| Install the Engine! | Specification and Requirements | Press Damper
Choosing a clutch
Choosing a clutch, I wanted the lightest pedal feel. I found out that my car had the 1993 Cobra OEM pressure plate / clutch in it. It turns out that this is one of the lightest pressure plate / clutch combos available. It did feel great, one of the best I've felt, but it had a super light flywheel and I needed to pull the engine anyway, as it was a huge oil burner. I ended up going with a centerforce II clutch and pressure plate. There are two for fox mustangs, I was told by the Centerforce tech that CFT360057 pressure plate and the 381021 clutch was the way to go. I got these (the orange unit in the pictures) and a ford motorsports M-6375-A302B billet steel sfi certified flywheel
I believe 93 cobras used a dual friction-type clutch disc. Centerforce and Valeo combined to make this part for 93 cobra only. As there are not enough 93 cobra clutches in super condition for everybody wanting a soft feel clutch (that still bites) I did a bit of research on the best comparable current aftermarket and came up with the following after many questions I had a conversation with a Centerforce Tech:
Q: I have a 1992 mustang coupe with the 5.0 220 high output engine and borg-warner T5 transmission
Q: I would like to use the smoothest operating clutch possible with the LEAST effort ...
A: The recommend part numbers are as followed,
A: Pressure plate CFT360057
A: Disc 381021 (for use with the stock transmission)
A: Throwout bearing N1714
Q: Just wanted to verify: the Centerforce II will provide a lighter / smoother clutch feel - less effort on my leg than Centerforce I? Thank you much!
A: Pedal effort between stop lights should be the same.
A: If the engine was turning high rpm’s it’s possible that the Centerforce II may have a slightly stiffer clutch pedal.
Q: ...Why the CFT360057 and not the CFT360048 that summit and Centerforce.com shows as the Centerforce II Application for my car?...
A: CFT360057 has a slightly softer pedal and more clamp load.
Pre-Lube the engine drill on oil pump
Using an old distributor shaft and a drill I pre-lubed the engine. Counter-clockwise, I drilled slowly then moderately for 1 minute but no oil... the drill spun freely without much effort, I then maxed out the drill speed and within a few seconds the effort increased drastically. As the effort increased, the oil pressure gauge I screwed into an oil passage quickly jumped to 51 lbs and stayed there as oil dribbled from each and every rocker arm oiling hole.
HiPo289HO: Spec and ShortBlock Build
Install the Engine!
HiPo289HO Plan: outline requirements
HiPo289HO Plan: press on the harmonic balancer or torsional dampner with a 15 ton press and still fail!! ...and the grade 8 install rod exploded!