Auto Racing: 5.0L Drag Racing engine setup, mercury grand marquis, electric water pump

Question
Ok I have a different sort of dilemma.  I own a 1988 mercury grand marquis with a 5.0L and i have been drag racing since the beginning of this season.  Havent missed a session as of yet.  However, I am sick of running in the 17.50's.  I realize it doesnt matter how fast you are because its bracket racing.. but faster is obviously more fun.  I would like to know if I could invest in some parts for my current car that I would be able to strip and re-use on a 5.0L mustang of the sameish year.  (88-90 is what im looking for) For instance, I have an electric fan id like to install to save some power, that can easily be removed/reused, but if I buy say, an electric water pump, will I have compatibility issues?  or maybe a new crank, rockers, cam?

Answer
Ted-

  I don't think the fan would work simply because of the mounting points and space differences under the hoods of both cars.  An eletric water pump is based more on the engine so there's a good chance that would swap between the two, but it'd be best to check for clearance issues just in case.  Almost all of the engine parts are interchangeable with the possible exception of the cam.  If the engine in the Grand Marquis is a 5.0L and not a regular 302 then it will work, although it's not a good idea to swap cams between two different engines (especially if you've got a flat tappet cam and not a hydraulic roller).  Roller rocker arms are always a good investment, but don't expect a ton of power there.  Higher ratio rocker arms just make your cam act a little bigger than it isso without things like good heads and a good intake it's hard to see noticeable results.  As for the crank, it'd really be pretty pointless to toss in a new crank unless you were going to install a stroker kit.  While that's definitely not a bad idea, it's a bit of a commitment because it's not exactly cheap once you factor in all of the machine work that will need to be done.  I'd start with small stuff like an intake and exhaust and go from there.  One important thing to consider also is whether or not the car has a speed density or mass air flow fuel injection system.  I honestly don't remember what would've been stock on an '88 Marquis.  If it is speed density it will severely limit your options for engine modifications and I'd say convert it to mass air before trying to anything at all.  Hope this helps.

Steve