New V8 Conversion

[twinturbopantera]

Hello,
My name is Dave, I am new to posting here and just completed my V8 conversion. A 2000 Explorer 5.0 into a 99 2WD. It presented many challenges and I wanted to say thanks to the RangerStation for all the published information. I want to return the favor by adding to the tech information regarding some of the things I have learned along the way. Its winter and I cant really enjoy my new toy, so I am looking forward to warm weather.

Some mods I did were ported GT40P heads, comp 212/218 cam, ported intake, Sanderson headers and custom exhaust.

My goals of this conversion is to see how high of MPG I can get from a V8. First I will baseline with the 3.73 gears. Then start changing things, Gears, EFI tune, electric fan, lowering, belly pan, ground effects, Low rolling resistane tires, etc. I plan to document all my findings and post back here. My goal is 28mpg at 75 mph.

A bit on my background, I am a true gearhead that has done several engine conversions and custom cars. My pride and joy is a 74 twin turbocharged Pantera with upwards of 1000 hp. This ranger V8 will be a daily driver.

When I had started, I considered a 4.6 dohc conversion but due to the Explorer V8 chassis being so similar, I decided to go with a slightly faster conversion (or so I thought).

 

[Elutheros]

Nice job! I'm just getting to the end of my conversion and look forward to getting it on the road. I agree--lots of challenges--and mine is a 4X4 so I had some extra fun. I would love to see photos of those Sanderson headers and the clearance. I have GT40P heads and I'm interested in a little better breathing for them. Glad to see someone else figured out how to make the stock cooling fan work. Your engine looks even lower and farther back than mine (probably because I have 4wd.

 

[RonD]

Sweet

 

[twinturbopantera]

Elutheros,
Not sure how the Sandersons will work on your chassis being the twin-Ibeam. There might be some other type of block huggers that might work better. I have a couple pics, looking from the front but on my chasis, the steering is quite different so I am not sure it it would hit your steering box. The come quite close to my steering shaft on the driver side, and get into the frame on the passenger side, thus the notch. Again, the engine being lower and further back is a result of the 99 chassis. Since it is almost identical to the V8 explorer, things fit well.

 

[Mac]

Well, I'd like to see /hear just how well they do fit. Got a model number of them, lots looking for something other than the stock manifolds or the Torque Monsters.
Dave

 

[twinturbopantera]

Mac,
When I get the rest of the exhaust system on, I will take full photos and do a tech article on how they fit. I have a lift so I can take photos from many angles. Right now, here are a couple photos I do have. I Did have to do some mods to the frame, but they were minimal.

You will also notice, I dont use the Stock 5.0 mounts with the big plates on top. The wont fit. Since this was a 2wd, and the mounts from the Exp are made for a 4WD chassis, I had to fabricate my own mounts. I used F150 mounts with 1/2 spacers. Box tube under the mount welded to the frame. This could be done with the 4wd if needed.