V8 swap questions.

[lil_Blue_Ford]

The factory manifolds I've been seeing look a lot more like headers. Curvy tubular pieces making funny loops. Maybe not as good as welded up tubing, if done right, but they are more like headers than cast log style manifolds. Maybe some kind of hybrid compromise.

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Those look more like the Ford Racing set of headers my dad got years ago. The factory manifolds on the 98 Explorer I robbed parts off of and the Mountaineer dad did his swap from, those things are garbage. I’ll have to find the picture…

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Also, yeah, 98 Explorers had PATS with an older return style fuel system. 99-01 Explorers had PATS and a returnless system.

97 and older had GT40 heads, return style fuel system, and no PATS.

 

[JoshT]

You're looking to put this into your 93?

I think saying this is going to make me sick, but reconsider the LS swap.

Going into the earlier truck is going to throw out a lot of what makes the Explorer 5.0L desired for the later trucks. The engine mounts aren't going to work the same, you will need adapter plates or swap mounts. The EFI system isn;t a near direct swap in like on the later model trucks. Fuel system differences. ETC...

As noted previously you're actually better off with the earlier GT40 heads because of the exhaust options. The torque monsters are about the only thing made for and working with the GT40P heads (in a Ranger) due to the plug angle and the best fit for a 98+4x4 engine bay, but they are not cheap, the maker is difficult to work with, and there is quite the wait time. The GT40 heads have the standard plug angle and a lot more and better flowing exhaust options, even when sticking with OEM manifolds. The slight power gain is not worth the hassles of the "P" heads, and can likely be surpassed with good exhaust on the non "P" heads. As mentioned by lil_Blue_Ford above, the manifolds you pictured are not stock manifolds, those are uber rare FMS Explorer headers. The OEM manifolds, both styles, are much more restrictive.

If I were doing the swap on the earlier truck I'd use the 96-97 Explorer mostly for the short block, the intake, and the transmission if it had the right one. I might use the heads or I might order a set of aftermarket aluminum heads. I wouldn't spend any money on the GT40s aside from maybe valve stem seals, I'd lap the valves if needed, and install a camshaft and supporting valve springs. Given a do-over I'd say the same for the GT-40Ps. BT, DT, got the t-shirt (literally). I was way too focused on keeping factory heads. Instead of the Explorer EFI system, I'd install a Holley EFI system that has transmission controls if using the 4R70W. If I kept the GT heads for now, I'd be setting aside for aftermarket heads at a later date. I'd also pick up a second intake manifold and send it off for porting job to install with the new heads, or figure out what a good aftermarket intake is.

By the time you consider all of that, you're into the same money as an LS swap that makes more power. I hate it, really don't want to suggest a LS in a Ford, but it was mentioned and I'm being realistic.