Mods before install?

[Nightbiker07]

Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2

Vehicle Specs

(Original Poster)

v8 recommended performance mods?
I am swapping a 98 5.0 Explorer drivetrain into my ranger, and I dont want to drop it in completely stock.

I am assuming the motor is already set up with roller lifters?

I was thinking a Cam, valve spring kit and some 1.7:1 Roller rockers would suit this motor nicely, but I honestly have no idea. When I search for roller rockers for the 5.0, I find several different options and lots of conflicting info. I know I will have to measure the rocker stud/bolt, as there seem to be 3 different sizes it could be, but as for the specific style of roller rocker, I am unsure of what to use.

Cam- I am lost here. Heard it doesn't like cams with a LSA less than 114 degrees, and most cams for this motor seem to hover around this.
Many people have suggested use a stock 5.0 mustang cam, but I figure if Im going to spend the money, why not buy something even better, if theres something out there you guys would recommend? Im not looking for 4000RPM power, but something that will mainly keep the power and just add to it everywhere. I dont need a 4x4 torque monster, but I dont want to give up all the torque in favor of high-rpm performance- this thing will be my DD, and fuel economy must be preserved somewhat.



I will have a tuner available to me, But I have no idea who to talk to about the 5.0 tunes. My tuner is an SCT X3.


Anyone have any other suggestions before the motor gets installed?

Thanks!!

 

[stegomon]

super charger or twin turbo

 

[Mac]

Welcome to the site!
Lots of options on cams, what works good and what doesn't. Some like the stock Explorer or Mustang cam with the 1.7 rockers. Even some of the guys with 94-95 Mustangs have problems with the "E" cam with it's 112 LSA. Any thing with a higher lift than the "E" cam and the 1.7 rockers is going to cause piston to valve interference.
http://forums.corral.net/forums/94-95-tech/270079-e-cam-idle-problems-jerking-help.html
As far as the stock rocker arms, they have been the pedistal type that bolt down since 1978.
Dave

 

[shane96ranger]

I have the 93 Cobra Crane Cams 1.72 rocker arms on my GT-40P heads. I also had them on my E7TE heads. No issues swapping over whatsoever. I would suggest valve springs, and a cam. If you are using 1.7's you may not get to go much over a cam comparable to an E303. It will, as you know, probably need a tune with the Explorer ECU.

Your motor does have roller lifters. If it's been sealed up, you can probably just keep using those without issue.

EDIT: Looks like Dave was typing when I was.... didn't mean to repeat

My rockers (still on my E7TE's in the pic)

 

[Nightbiker07]

That thread was a good read. Seems that the only way to get the low LSA to run properly is to "rig" some things. Seems like some, but not all had success with a tune, as the problem actually lies with the PCM and the rest of the computer system, rather than in the actual tune.
I definitely want to stay within the 114 degree LSA so as to avoid potential problems. Cant have my daily driver behaving strangely, I make 700+ mile trips often enough that this swap has to be as reliable as what I am removing.



A lot of info on Comp Cams website lists cams for 85-95 5.0's, and I was not understanding that at all, I thought they were all interchangeable up until they stopped using that engine. (headers and other gt40-gt40P differences aside)



The rockers- so pretty much any roller rocker for an 85-01 5.0 will work, provided the stud/bolt hole is the same size, correct?

I have an x3 SCT, just dont know who to talk to about getting it loaded with the tune files. Currently loaded with V6 tunes from Rogue Performance.

 

[shane96ranger]

You can fix all of that ECU nonsense by running an 89-93 Mustang ECU.

As far as I know, there wasn't a change in the rocker bolt size. Pedestal mount is all the same size on the E7TE, GT40, and GT40P. Know that for a fact. My rockers came off GT40's and I personally have had them on E7's and P heads.


Sent from a Commodore 64 using a 300 baud modem

 

[Nightbiker07]

You can fix all of that ECU nonsense by running an 89-93 Mustang ECU.

As far as I know, there wasn't a change in the rocker bolt size. Pedestal mount is all the same size on the E7TE, GT40, and GT40P. Know that for a fact. My rockers came off GT40's and I personally have had them on E7's and P heads.


Sent from a Commodore 64 using a 300 baud modem

What size are the rocker bolts then? because there are 3/8, 5/16 and 7/16 sizes of rockers for the 5.0 all over the place. I just figured I had to measure mine and order accordingly.

Dont really want to get into swapping electrical stuff over and around until I get this swap up and running. I'll have enough variables and problems to chase around without introducing other parts into the equation. Figured a known-useable cam and rocker arms would be a good upgrade off the bat, without introducing other problems except maybe a little off-running due to needing a PCM tune.


It will eventually get a S/C, but that is a long ways off.

 

[Mac]

I did say that what you have are the pedistal type rockers and take the 5/16" bolts as what you see in Teddy's picture. The 3/8" and 7/16" rockers are for the stud mounted type, completly different set-up and require guide plates.
Dave

 

[Nightbiker07]

So then something like this would be what I am after
http://www.ebay.com/itm/302-Ford-5-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item53ecb57571&vxp=mtr

 

[Nightbiker07]

Settled on a CompCams Magnum 270HR
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=1049&sb=2

Any reason to think this one would be a poor choice?

 

[Nightbiker07]

Any thing with a higher lift than the "E" cam and the 1.7 rockers is going to cause piston to valve interference.
Dave

Settled on a CompCams Magnum 270HR
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=1049&sb=2

Any reason to think this one would be a poor choice?

Also, the "E" cam has .311 of lobe lift, .498 valve lift with 1.6 rockers.

The Magum cam has .333 lobe lift and .533 valve lift for Intake
and .342 lobe lift/.544 valve lift for the exhaust. Presuming with 1.6 rockers (comp cams site doesnt say). I would assume that the stock rocker is a 1.6 ratio? or is it lower than that?

What I'm getting at, is I dont want to deal with piston-valve interference. Since this cam lifts higher than the "E" cam, I am presuming I dont want to touch on higher ratio rockers than 1.6, correct?

Or, are the stock rockers even a lower ratio?