When did the 302 get fuel injection?
The 302 Windsor V8 (5.0 liters) first received electronic fuel injection in the mid-1980s, with the 1985 Mustang GT widely regarded as the starting point for factory EFI on the 5.0. Over the next few years Ford migrated the lineup to more advanced sequential multi-point injection, with broader adoption by the late 1980s.
Timeline of EFI adoption on the 302 Windsor
Below are the key milestones that mark how and when the 302 switched from carburetion to electronic fuel injection, including the typical configurations used across models and years.
- 1985: Introduction of electronic fuel injection on the 5.0L in the Mustang GT, using a throttle-body injection (TBI) system as part of Ford’s early EFI rollout.
- Mid to late 1980s: Ford began transitioning toward sequential multi-point fuel injection (SEFI) on most 5.0L engines, improving precision with per-cylinder metering and updated engine management.
- Late 1980s to early 1990s: SEFI becomes standard on the majority of 5.0L applications, with refinements such as improved sensors and fuel delivery management on a wide range of body styles, including passenger cars and trucks.
Across these years, the 302’s fuel-management electronics evolved from initial throttle-body EFI toward true sequential port injection, aligning with Ford’s broader move to more capable engine-control systems. The shift also accompanied sensor and intake changes, such as the introduction of mass-air or MAP-based systems depending on the year and model.
Variants and model details
While the core milestone was the move to EFI on the 302 in the mid-1980s, different Ford models adopted EFI at different times and with varying configurations. Enthusiasts often distinguish between early TBI setups and later SEFI MPFI setups, as well as changes in sensor technology and ECU platforms that accompanied the transition.
Notable early adopters and later refinements
Early adopters include the 1985 Mustang GT and some limited trims where the 5.0L was offered with EFI. By the end of the decade, most 5.0L engines across Mustang, Crown Victoria/police packages, and certain trucks employed sequential multi-point fuel injection, supported by Ford’s evolving engine-control computers and sensor suites.
Summary
In short, the 302 Windsor gained fuel injection in the mid-1980s, with 1985 marking the debut of EFI on the 5.0L in the Mustang GT and subsequent years bringing broader adoption of sequential MPFI. The transition from early TBI to SEFI occurred over the late 1980s, and EFI remained standard on most 302 engines through the early-to-mid 1990s as Ford refined the technology before transitioning to newer engine families.
