98 explorer v8??

[jdunlop77]

my friend totaled a 98 explorer with the 5.0, i want to do the v8 swap when my 4.0 dies (probobly soon), just wondering if this engine will be a good base for doing this since hes giving me the truck for nothing. if not what engne will work best, year out of what etc. i only want the 302 im not cramming anythig bigger in.

 

[Mac]

The motor is a great starting place, fits no problem, been done many times. Good heads and intake and a short front dress. Headers to fit(at a reasible cost) with the Explorer heads might be a problem but that's been addressed many times. You should convert the ingintion and fuel system to that of the common '93' Mustang. Running 4x2 or 4x4, auto or manual?
Dave

 

[jdunlop77]

the explorer is 4x4 and auto as is my truck, i want to do manual transmission, but i think i might as well take the whole engine and tranny setup and use it together

 

[Totalled]

Great platform. Arguably more potential than a stock 5.0 Ho.

I would run it off a 89-93 mustang mass air setup. Making the stock explorer OBD2 work in the non original application is a lot of work.

 

[gobe]

From what i have read and gathered the Explorer 5.0 is a very good
doner. due to the shortened front end package(water pump, timing cover.
Also just a note, the explorer 5.0l has GT-40p heads and intake
I have robbed these heads before and put them on some of my mustangs
they are a good flowing head. Also as Mac mentioned the exhaust can
be a problem. the gt-40p spark plugs point strait out insead of angled.
so either you will have to keep the choked manifolds or by headers for
these heads. The only place I have found them is Ford Motorsports.
I think there around 260.00. One other thing, if you are going to be 4wheel
drive, all v8 Explorers are AWD ( there is a viscous coupling in the transfer
case to deliver torque the front wheels when one wheel slips.)
with that in mind it could get a little tricky due to that part of the
system going through the ABS module.

 

[jdunlop77]

awesome, thanks for the input everyone, im going to pull it out and check its condition and then come up with a plan of action to get ready for my ranger.

 

[Mac]

I know of a couple who have done just the swap you discribe (keeping everything stock) and really love having the AWD. There are things to look out for, the Explorer trans is computer controlled so they had to use something like the "Baumann controller". Do a search for info on it. Keep the questions coming, you'll have them.
Dave

 

[bobbywalter]

if it were me in this situation...


sell the t case and get a real one...put the good hard parts from the tranny in a 89 aod case with a be valve body, and do the stang maf like mentioned.

run the torque monster headers after you save up some cash if you want...the the stock units will get ya by.

 

[Crashtest84]

I was just about to ask some of the same questions. But the computer issue was what I figured would be the biggest prob. I'm going to guess that using a mustang mass air system and a auto trans with a kickdown cable and manual transfer case would be a good way then. That is if your wanting to go with an auto trans