where to find a 5.0

[cak1298]

im looking to turn my 2.3 slow as can be into a 5.0 sleeper till i recover from the debt ill be in from getting it together. then prerunner the shit out of it.

i was looking on sites to see where the best place to get a brand new 5.0 is. kinda hard to find one. so looking on craigslist i can find a couple mustang gts with a 5.0 of a simmilar year but thier all used engines.

which is a better option. buy a car with a 5.0 and swap or try to find a brand new engine?

 

[brinker88]

You'd be better off finding an explorer with a 5.0. You've got everything you need that way. Wiring harness, ECU, motor, manifolds, etc etc etc.

This site has an amazing tech library you should take a gander at. It has a detailed writeup on swapping the explorer 5.0 into your ranger.

Also, I'd like to welcome you to TRS. Post a build once you figure out what direction you'd like to go.

 

[cak1298]

thanks a ton man. but what about a f150 5.0. would i be able to pull all of those parts from one of them? i would just like to keep my options open for what to pull it out of

 

[adsm08]

The difference between an Explorer and an F-150 is that you can rip EVERYTHING, engine, trans, wiring, and dash out of the Explorer and bolt it into your Ranger.

Also, the Explorer has the better heads.

The F-150 is very doable, but the Explorer is the ideal donor for the beginner.

 

[JoshT]

Beginner or not the 5.0L Explorer is the ideal donor, especially for anyone with a 95+ Ranger. It comes from the factory with the tightest accessory package of any 5.0L equipped vehicle which makes it excellent for fitting within the tight engine bay of a Ranger. It has the shorter intake manifold like the car rather than the tall giant that's on the trucks which makes it better at fitting under the hood. As ADSM suggested it has better heads than any of the truck 5.0L engines, and if keeping EFI easy to wire in on the 95+ Rangers. It's also the last Ford production vehicle to run the 5.0L Windsor, so it's much more likely place to find a complete low miles donor.

If as Brinker suggested you find a complete donor Explorer and plan to keep it's EFI, you'll also have a great automatic transmission already bolted to it (assuming it has been taken care of). That transmission is only good if you plan to use Explorer EFI or a $400+ aftermarket control box for it.

Even if you plan to run a carburetor, aftermarket EFI, or Mustang EFI system the Explorer engine is still your best basis because it just fits better than any other 5.0L available. Check you local emissions regulations because that will make a big difference on what you are able to run.

If an Explorer is absolutely not an option look for one from a Mustang, they are probably the next easiest to fit.

 

[RangerSVT]

Welcome to TRS, do yourself a favor and read the first post of my ranger build, it will answer most if not all of your questions...


SVT

 

[aspevacek]

96 to 99 Explorer v8 models should be able to be had for about 3 grand . That is the idea I am toying with currently for our ranger. My thing is I have to go thru plug in emissions testing and am wondering what the state will say when an explorer vin comes up in the system instead of the ranger vin. But the explorer has everything you need in 1 location and is about the perfect match for a ranger.

 

[adsm08]

I have to go thru plug in emissions testing and am wondering what the state will say when an explorer vin comes up in the system instead of the ranger vin.

It may not be that big of an issue actually. AFAIK the machine doesn't actually read the VIN. It really just looks for codes and monitor status.

On the other hand, it also asks what engine is in the vehicle. You may have to get special registration and/or find a guy to do your testing.