98 Ranger with 5.0 cobra help

[zippersdad]

I have someone who owes me some money and they have a 98 ranger with a 5.0 cobra engine swapped into it. The truck is a stepside. Very nice looking truck. I am considering trading for it but something does not seem quite right with it. It sound great and runs solid but it really feels like it is lacking on power. I am wondering if maybe they left the stock V6 tranny or rear end. Cause it is very sluggish to get up to speed. I feel as though it has a lot of potential to it. So I am thinking of keeping it as a project vehicle. If anyone can offer some assistance on some things I should look for before I take it in on trade. Thanks in advance.

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

check the comp. on the cylnders that will tell you alot,maybe a timing issue also.

 

[zippersdad]

It just seems like when you push the gay it should go. It is very sluggish like a turbo spooling up. It makes me think that it is a tranny issue or maybe it wasn't swapped. I am just not sure what to look for.

 

[281Ranger]

Try to find out what the guy used to do the swap. The '93-'95 Cobra 5.0s used an EEC-IV computer system (2 digit codes in '93, 3 digit codes in '94-'95). The '98 Ranger is an EEC-V computer and is only directly compatible with the Explorer 5.0 computer. It's possible that what he has going is running in limp mode causing the lack of power.

 

[zippersdad]

That would make sense. Unfortunately this guy is the second owner and knows little to nothing about it. I just assumed that the computer was swapped in the process but who knows. Do you have any information that would help me in determining the differences

 

[zippersdad]

I was just trying to do a google image lookup for the engine. I am seeing ones with the same intake but it is running off coil packs. I am wondering if it is actually a cobra engine or just some random 5.0 with a cobra intake. the intake says cobra 5.0 hd does anyone know what year that would be from

 

[zippersdad]

Here are a few pics of it. Any help on it would be great.

 

[Mac]

Well, I think GregR gets another gold star! That XDT2 is a '97' Explorer computer. Got the coils packs on it which would indicate Explorer ignition system. Got the Explorer intake elbow on it. Sure looks like the Explorer power steering pump/resevoir and front dress. Looks like a very clean installation of what I would guess is a stock Explorer motor, different intake plaque. Kind of hard to tell with everything installed and in the way but check the front or sides of the heads showing the GTP or the four bars. Pictures tell a lot, looks good, what I want!
Dave

 

[zippersdad]

I am taking it on trade the guy owes me 4,000 dollars so if I get it I am either going to sell it to get my money or maybe keep it and make it a project. Would you think that I would have any problems getting 4k out of it. It has 103k miles on the body.

 

[V8 Level II]

The 96~98 Explorer 5.0L PCM is calibrated to run 30~40 PSI fuel pressure and 19# injectors in a return fuel (2 line) system. Most injected 5.0 Mustangs were simlar except the mid 90's Cobras which had 24# injectors @ 30~40 PSI. Looking at the pictures, I'd have to guess that this one is probably an Explorer engine with a Cobra intake plaque added on top.

99~2001 Explorer 5.0L is returnless fuel (single fuel supply line, no return) running 65 PSI and 17# injectors. The factory 98 Ranger is also returnless fuel running at 65 PSI.

There is a good chance that the builder created a mismatch between the PCM, fuel system type and injectors. Example: 97 Ex engine and PCM with the stock 98 Ranger fuel system. If so, it would be contributing to the power loss.

 

[zippersdad]

Thanks for your help. I am starting to figure out exactly what this guy has. Now I just need to figure out if it is worth the amount of money that he owes me.

 

[zippersdad]

I am officially the proud owner of the truck now. Now I just need to get some power out of it.