SGR1600's '97 XLT

[SGR1600]

PM Rick if it hasen't taken effect yet.

[SGR1600]

My next project will be to work on the engine. My goals are to get more power out of the 4.0 and make it more efficiant at the same time. My plans are to urgrade the intake and exhaust, as well as add an Apten computer chip.

I'll talk about the chip first. The nice thing about the Explorers (they're aren't too many when it comes to mods) is that the computer controlls the shifting (on autos) so the Apten chip really improves performance. I intend to get a dual program chip, one for 87 and one for 93 octane gas. On either setting the shifting as well as overall performance will be imporved, and on the 93 setting there will be even more power added. A truly worthwhile mod.

The other end of my project is the intake and exhaust. For either one of these mods to really do its job, it must be done in conjunction with the other. So I have ordered a KKM intake, and I'm still searching for an exhuast system that satifies my needs. I chose the KKM over the K&N for two reasons. The first is that the KKM costs less than half what the K&N does. The second is that the KKM is made of a better material, so really is better quality. For the exhaust I want a more free flowing system, but not one that will make my v6 sound like a bumble bee. In general v6 exhaust does not sound good, so mufflers that work well on v8's tend to sound tinny and generally poor on the back of a v6. At thid point I'm still searching for what I want.

I've signed up for the upcomming Apten group buy and I've ordered the KKM. I'll pick an exhaust system by this weekend, so all of the new mods should go in sometime soon. I look forward to the results and will update here when I pick and exhaust, and when the new parts go in.

[Stomper]

If you install the KKM, Apten, and a catback exhaust all at the same time, you will be SURE to suffer from what I call "permagrin!" Makes a great difference for sure.....but I do miss my nitrous kit a little. :p

I listened to several exhausts on Explorers before buying a Borla. Everyone who has heard it thinks I have a V8.....pretty throaty, super easy to install, and you can't go wrong with the quality build and stainless.....especially in our region.

Good luck and enjoy!!

[SGR1600]

hmmm... I've heard good things about the Borla, so you like it I guess. Throaty is good, but would you call it "loud"? I guess thats hard to say yes or no, so what differences do you notice from stock? Inside and outside noise, and do you notice a droning noise at highway speeds? I just don't want it to be too "in your face" if you know what I mean...

[SGR1600]

I went ahead and updated the original post on this thread to reflect some of my recent changes including the new tires, upgraded headlight harness, and swich to synthetic oil. More on the way...

[Stomper]

I was going to send you an email or a PM, then I thought maybe some others who have wondered about Borla would like to hear more 1st hand.

I am not an obnoxious person whether it's looks or sound, so I personally think it's on the loud side, buuut only under heavy acceleration. I have a remote car starter, and I ALWAYS know when it starts from in the house, but when it idles it's just sitting there with an awesome non-intrusive low 'burble' (is that a word?).

At highway speeds, there is a droning comperable to a set of winter tires. Took me about a week to get used to, and I also ended up added some sound deadening material. Buuut, the Borla sports a low pitch all the time (i.e. throaty ), even on my 4.0 SOHC.

Outside sound is always going to be loud when you get into the gas. Inside sound was easily tamed by using sound deadening material on the hatch door, floor, and walls by simply removing the plastic panels, sticking and cutting to fit. I didn't buy expensive dynamat, just something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2456221107

Never hurts to do a little more research and find out what other people think of their systems. I personally prefer the deep&mean sound and can live with the increase in noise. Take care!

[SGR1600]

Great, thanks for your reply. Sooner or later I'm going to have to make a final decision about which system to get, but until then it's nice to hear about all of the different options. I feel like my decision is getting harder and harder to make, as I hear good things about so many different models. I apreciate your help, and Borla is probably right up there with Gibson for my first choce. Thanks again.

[SGR1600]

Well I put my KKM in today. Nice job, took about 10 mins. It fits well, and looks pretty good too. I reset the computer and took it for a spin. Sounds pretty cool under heavy acceleration. I'm happy with it. Now I'm just waiting for my exhaust to arrive from Summit sometime this week. Once it's in, I'll have a report.

[Stomper]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet! The Apten is gonna be an awesome addition, and I think you'll be very happy with the Gibson exhaust. The Borla is great, but there are times when I wish it had a volume knob.

[SGR1600]

A little update: I removed my rear sway bar this week, I'm happy with the result. Not too much body roll at all. I'm right now in the middle of installing my new cat back. I got the old system out, and I need some bolts for the new one. I'll update tomorrow with the results of the new exhaust setup.

[SGR1600]

Well the new exhaust is on (pics on http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...threadid=99018 ) and it's great. The install was fine and the new system is just what I was looking for in terms of both volume and tone. It's louder than stock but not too loud. And the sound is deep and throaty. Very nice.

There is a small leak at the connection between the muffler and the tailpipe, but I'll just tighten the clamp down some more.