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Junkyard Parts - Performance In the Junkyard

Think late-model salvage has nothing to offer? Not so. You Can find some great performance parts in the junkyard. We did.
By Terry McGean
Photography by Terry McGean
Performance In The Junkyard Junkyard Lineup
There's still good stuff to... 
   
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Performance In The Junkyard Junkyard Lineup
There's still good stuff to be had in the junkyard if you know how to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Performance In The Junkyard Ford 5.0L V8
The Ford 5.0L V-8 used in... 
   
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Performance In The Junkyard Ford 5.0L V8
The Ford 5.0L V-8 used in Mustangs from '85 to '92 featured a factory roller cam and forged pistons. It was adored by street/strip freaks and weekend warrior road racers alike for its responsiveness to upgrades and overall durability. It also makes a great swap engine for earlier Ford projects. Finding 5.0 Mustangs in the yard isn't too tough, though
Performance In The Junkyard Ford 5.0L V8 Engine
by now their engines are often... 
   
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Performance In The Junkyard Ford 5.0L V8 Engine
by now their engines are often clapped out thanks to years of abuse. However, the very same 5.0 H.O. can be found in '86-'92 Lincoln Mark VII LSC models, and these engines have almost always led much more pampered lives. Make sure your donor is an LSC though, as standard Mark VIIs use a lo-po 150hp 5.0.
Performance In The Junkyard 4.6L Gt Mustang
Later Mustangs are starting... 
   
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Performance In The Junkyard 4.6L Gt Mustang
Later Mustangs are starting to show up in the yards now, and they have stuff to offer even if they're from the post-5.0 era. This 4.6L GT was heavily picked when we found it; it still had its engine, but swapping single-cam V-8s from this period doesn't interest most motorheads.
Performance In The Junkyard Sn95 Spindle
But, the spindles from this... 
   
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Performance In The Junkyard Sn95 Spindle
But, the spindles from this SN-95 'Stang can be swapped back to a Fox-body version, enabling the use of the sealed hub, which accepts slip-on rotors. This in turn allows the newer Mustang's brakes to adapt to the Fox car. Use the stock GT pieces for a low-buck upgrade or step up to Cobra hardware, which bolts right on.
Performance In The Junkyard Chevy Caprice 9C1
For GM guys, another great... 
   
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Performance In The Junkyard Chevy Caprice 9C1
For GM guys, another great late-model parts donor is the '94-'96 Chevy Caprice 9C1, better known as a police package. These have Gen II small-blocks-some are 4.3L (265ci) L99 versions, but many have the 5.7L (350ci) LT1. The 260hp, iron-head B-body LT1 is a great swap for earlier

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