OHV to SOHC?

[tyler.lee132]

I'm sure it's been done but i can't seem to find anyone who has done it... I have a 2000 ford ranger with the 4.0L OHV engine in it. It's all stock. Looking to get more horsepower and torque and it seems like it'd be less expensive to do a SOHC swap into it and buy some mods for that. Cause stock the SOHC has what, 207 hp while the OHV only has, 164. Not sure about torque but i know it's got similar comparisons. So my question is, how extensive would this swap be? Would it be a plug and play kinda swap or would there be a lot of wiring changes and dash changes i'd have to make?

 

[swynx]

It has been done. He put a sohc into a b2 using a ohv computer. Has to be the early years of sohc to avoid pats. Only down fall was a sooner rev limiter.

 

[RangerSVT]

OHV is return style fuel system, SOHC is returnless. IIRC all 4.0 OHV's are non pats, and all SOHC's are pats, so you will need to either install pats components or get a tuner and delete the pats. Another option is changing the cam or supercharging...

SVT

 

[swynx]

It was bronkitis? He explains it (kind of) in his b2 build thread. I specifically remember using a first few years of sohc. There was something he was avoiding. I don't think it was an obd thing. Pretty sure it was pats. But that's why he used the ohv computer. Because the ohv computer will run the sohc without having to add pats to the rig. <<< this is what I remember.

And you'll have to do something with power steering hoses. There different. Other than that I seem to remember it being plug and play.

If I were going to do this with an early year sohc I would take it apart and put the new version guides in there. They are supposed to be an updated design that doesn't wear out like the early years did.

All sohc are interchangeable? As long as he uses a ohv computer it shouldn't matter about pats or what year sohc. As long as my info is correct. Which I'm pretty sure it is.

His thread in the whole swap didn't have a hole lot of explanation and he ignored alot of questions. Plus the swap was spread over some number of pages. Made it kind of hard to understand what all needed done.

 

[RonD]

This older thread has some links for "been there, done that" conversions
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101608

Yes, make SURE to update timing chains on SOHC before installation

 

[Snoranger]

The engine will bolt in.
Since you have an IFS truck, just use SOHC power steering hoses and cooler.
You need the right Y-pipe... The OHV is different. (at least the 95 Explorer OHV pipe is different from the '01 SOHC).
The SOHC A/C hoses will work fine with your HVAC system.
Your truck is returnless... Any '98+ SOHC fuel system will plug in.


I can't help you with the wiring... I put an 01 SOHC into a 95 Explorer, made my own harness, and used the 95 computer.

 

[tyler.lee132]

Would it even be worth it to do a SOHC swap? Or should i just go with a 302 or 351?

 

[RangerSVT]

... IIRC all 4.0 OHV's are non pats...

SVT

Just found out some OHV's were pats. I just bought a 00 explorer sport with the 4.0 OHV, it has pats...

SVT

 

[RangerSVT]

For a V8 swap, use a 99-01 explorer 5.0 as a donor....

SVT

 

[tyler.lee132]

It's a lot harder to find donor vehicles when you limit it to certain things...

 

[tyler.lee132]

I have the 5 spd tranny. Would that be a bolt in or would i need the transmission from the donor vehicle too?

 

[Mac]

OHV is return style fuel system, SOHC is returnless. IIRC all 4.0 OHV's are non pats, and all SOHC's are pats, so you will need to either install pats components or get a tuner and delete the pats.
SVT

One item I have saved and used many times is from the tech library on the differences tween Ranger and Explorer. Explains the haves and have nots.
Dave

 

[RangerSVT]

Nice post, Dave. Great info to have. I really need to put a spreadsheet together rather than going off memory.
Tyler, the stock 4/6 cylinder 5 speed wont bolt up or hold the power. If you want to stay manual, your options are the manual transmissions from a full size with either a 4.2, 4.9, 5.0, or 5.8...

SVT

 

[tyler.lee132]

Sorry i forgot to really finish my thought on that... whoops, i have the 5r55e tranny. So i'd have to find the whole driveline? Tranny, transfer case, and driveshafts?

 

[RangerSVT]

Yep...

SVT