How much horsepower is in a 1986 Mustang?
In 1986, the Mustang offered several engines, so horsepower ranged widely—from about 90 horsepower on the base four-cylinder to roughly 210 horsepower on the V8, with a dedicated turbocharged variant at about 205 horsepower. This article breaks down the horsepower figures by engine choice and notes how ratings were measured at the time.
Engine options and horsepower in 1986 Mustangs
Ford’s 1986 lineup included economical and performance-oriented powerplants. The figures below reflect SAE net horsepower as listed in Ford’s documentation for that year, which is the standard used for official ratings at the time.
- 2.3-liter inline-4 (non-turbo): approximately 90–105 hp (SAE net)
- 2.3-liter turbocharged SVO: about 205 hp (SAE net)
- 3.8-liter V6 Essex: approximately 140–142 hp (SAE net)
- 5.0-liter V8 HO: roughly 210–215 hp (SAE net)
Put simply, a 1986 Mustang could be powered by a range from the low hundreds of horsepower in the four- and six-cylinder configurations to just over 200 hp in the V8 and the turbocharged SVO variant. Actual output can vary slightly based on model, emission equipment, and transmission choice.
Notable variants and horsepower snapshots
Beyond the standard trims, the Mustang SVO represented the era’s high-performance option with a turbocharged 2.3L engine rated around 205 hp, while the GT commonly used the 5.0-liter V8 rated near 210 hp in 1986. The base 2.3L and the 3.8L V6 delivered significantly lower outputs, generally clustering in the 90–140 hp range depending on configuration.
Summary
For the 1986 Mustang, horsepower depended on the engine under the hood: roughly 90–105 hp for the base 2.3L four, about 140–142 hp for the 3.8L V6, and about 210–215 hp for the 5.0L V8, with the turbocharged SVO 2.3L at about 205 hp. When assessing a specific car from that year, identify the exact engine and trim to determine its horsepower accurately, keeping in mind the SAE net rating used at the time.
How much is a 1986 Ford Mustang worth today?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $12,100 for a 1986 Ford Mustang 5.0 in good condition with average spec. The highest selling price of a 1986 Ford Mustang 5.0 at auction over the last three years was $16,537.
How much horsepower does a 5.0 Foxbody make?
The horsepower for a stock Foxbody 5.0 V8 varied by year, ranging from approximately 175 hp in 1984 up to 225 hp in 1987 and later models. The 1993 SVT Cobra variant produced 235 hp due to its use of GT40 cylinder heads. Modifications can significantly increase this horsepower, with many modern builds exceeding 800 hp.
You can watch this video for a review of the 1991 Ford Mustang 5.0 "Fox Body": 54sZygreneYouTube · Mar 15, 2024
| Year | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 175 hp |
| 1985 | 210 hp |
| 1986 | 200 hp |
| 1987 | 225 hp |
| 1993 (SVT Cobra) | 235 hp |
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- Early years: The engine's horsepower was lower in earlier years, with the 1984 model producing 175 hp.
- 1985-1986: Horsepower dropped slightly in 1986 to 200 hp, but with the introduction of sequential electronic fuel injection (SEFI) in 1986, the car saw a significant improvement in throttle response and acceleration.
- 1987 and later: Horsepower was increased to 225 hp in 1987, making it the most sought-after version of the Foxbody 5.0.
- 1993 SVT Cobra: The final year of the Foxbody, the 1993 SVT Cobra produced 235 hp, thanks to its use of GT40 cylinder heads.
- Modified builds: It's common to find modified Foxbodies with much higher horsepower. Some builds can produce over 800 hp, with certain supercharged versions reaching close to 1,000 hp.
This video shows a modified 1990 Foxbody Mustang with over 800 hp: 56sThe Infamous ProjectYouTube · Jul 20, 2025
How much horsepower did the 1986 Mustang have?
200 hp
For 1986, Ford released the first multiport fuel-injected 302 cu in (4.9 L) V8, rated at 200 hp (149 kW; 203 PS).
Is the Mustang 1986 5.0 302?
Displacing 302 cubic inches (4.9 liters, though commonly rounded to 5.0L), the engine features a 4.00-inch bore and a 3.00-inch stroke.
