Fed initially by a 2V carburetor in 1982, followed by a Holley 4V carburetor, later by speed-density fuel injection, and ultimately by a mass airflow injection system, the 5.0 inched its way up from around 157 HP in 1982 to 225 HP in 1987. The 1985 and later engines feature roller tappet camshafts and factory short-tube headers; 1986 and later engines feature a ram-tuned intake system.

The 1993 5.0 Cobra featured SVO GT-40 heads and intake manifold, better flowing exhaust, and a recalibrated EEC-IV computer. 235 HP.

1982 -- 157 HP @ 4200

• Introduction of the 5.0 High Output engine
• Lighter (120 lb.) thin wall 302 block, with old-style 2-piece rear main bearing seal
• Reciprocating assembly changed to utilize 50 oz.-in. unbalance flywheel and 34 oz.-in. damper
• Cast pistons, 8.4:1 C.R.
• Heads with smaller "high velocity" ports and valves
• "1973 Torino" profile flat tappet camshaft, duration 260° intake, 278° exhaust, lift of .416" intake, .444" exhaust
• Double row roller timing chain
• Aluminum intake manifold
• 369 cfm Motorcraft 2-barrel carburetor
• Dual snorkel, high dome cover, low restriction element, air cleaner
• Cast iron exhaust manifold with a 2" outlet, 2.25" Y-pipe

1983 -- 175 HP @ 4200

• Same camshaft, exhaust manifolds, and pistons as 1982
• 600 cfm Holley 4180C 4-barrel carburetor and aluminum intake manifold
• New block and crankshaft to use a one piece main seal introduced mid-year

1984 -- 175 HP @ 4200

• Generally the same as 1983
• Redesigned choke, eliminating heat tubes from the manifolds

1985 -- 210 HP @ 4400

• Hydraulic roller tappet camshaft introduced. 266' duration, .444 valve lift
• Revised block (122 lb.) with two retainer bosses for roller tappets.
• New cylinder heads, revised to allow service removal of the roller tappets
• Distributor drive gear material changed to be compatible with steel camshaft
• Forged pistons with low tension rings and thicker ring lands. Compression remained at 8.4:1
• Holley 4180C carburetor, with improved secondary metering
• Water pump impeller diameter increased to 4.4" for increased flow
• Stainless steel tubular headers

1986 -- 200 HP @ 4000

• Stronger block (126 lb.) incorporating "squared bores" for better oil control.
• Compression increased to 9.2:1 with flat-top pistons
• Masked intake valve, high-swirl cylinder heads, casting # E6AE-AA. This head was also used on 1986/91 normal passenger car engines.
• Roller cam same as 1985
• First year for multi-port speed density fuel injection, 58 mm throttle body, 19 lbs/hr. injectors
• Dropped cold start exhaust control valve, header outlet size changed to 2 1/4"
• New water pump with exit scroll and more efficient impeller.

1987/88 -- 225 HP @ 4000

• Same Camshaft, exhaust manifolds, and block as 1986
• Truck casting wedge cylinder heads with revised combustion chamber, casting # E7TE-AA, used through '95
• 9.0:1 compression forged pistons with valve eyebrows
• Speed Density EFI with same intake runners, larger crossover duct, and 60 mm throttle body

1989/92 -- 225 HP @ 4000

• Same block, heads, intake and exhaust manifolds as 1987
• Introduction of the 55 mm Mass Airflow fuel injection system. Since this system measures the actual air flowing into the engine, high performance camshafts may be used.
• These engines offer the greatest performance potential of all the 5.0 H.O. series

1993 H.O. -- 215 HP @ 4200

• Mostly indentical to 1989/92 engines
• New cast hypereutectic aluminum pistons, lighter weight and greater hot strength
• Same performance, but advertised horsepower dropped due to new correction method

1993 Cobra -- 235 HP

• Same cast pistons as 5.0 H.O.
• Cast iron GT-40 heads
• Shorter duration, higher lift camshaft
• 1.72:1 ratio rocker arms
• Cast aluminum GT-40 style intake
• 65 mm throttle body, 24 lbs-hr injectors, 70mm mass air meter
• Special type exhaust manifolds
• Specially programmed EEC-IV

Automatic transmission flexplates have a welded-on weight plus a cutaway window on the opposite side. Rivets are used to fine-tune the balance.