200K....performance rebuild or add a BBK.

[Byrd91]

Summer is fast approaching and that means I'm going to have money to spend and am going to want to spend it on my Explorer. I've decided that my Explorer is going to be my after college project vehicle, but right now it is my daily driver and offroader. The engine runs real stong right now, doesn't use much oil at all, and doesn't have lifter rattle. I was thinking of getting a performance rebuild, but living in Maine I'm having trouble finding a real good performance shop. Also I don't know much about rebuilding, but I want to get more horsepower and more reliability out of the engine, and be able to possibly add a BBK instacharger. So then I thought, the engine is running good, I might be able to install the BBK by myself with a little help, and it won't be much of a hassle when I do go to get it rebuilt that the BBK is on there. This way I would have more time to do the research on a rebuild and find a shop to do it. If you do suggest a rebuild first, what do you suggest to make some more power and prepare it for the instacharger. My budget is around $3500 for just the engine this summer, and that leaves me plenty if something goes wrong with the tranny, and I have a backup tranny. I've used the search function and was overwhelmed with the results, could some one please point me as to what I should get, and what can be reused.

 

[Alec]

With that mileage, I'd definately get it rebuilt before you slap on the blower. Either get it rebuilt to stock spec, or go to www.vanir.com and get their hi-po parts. But installing an s/c on a very well-traveled motor isn't a good idea. You can probably get 220 hp out of the rebuilt vanir motor, add the s/c later and you're smokin! You already have filter and exhaust, I'd get headers and a larger TB before the supercharger. You can put those on during the rebuild. Rebuilding with vanir stuff usually isn't much more expensive than to stock, so go for it! You might be happy enough with it afterwards to not do the s/c install. Good luck!

 

[Byrd91]

Alec, that sounds exactly what I was planning on doing. So do you think you could help me with a parts list for my rebuild, and also what I need to tell the shop to do. That would be great. And you think I should go ahead with a throttle body, headers, and MAF this summer too?
Thanks a lot.

 

[Alec]

Just do all the 'bolt-ons' when you do the rebuild, they'll help. hmmmm, parts.....

"street" cam: the blower cam might be too aggressive for normal use, even with the blower installed. Install all necessary new valvetrain components. Don't use new heads, use old-style ones as you want to keep your compression low.

Vanir pistons, rods, etc. These will give you strength and performance.

For the rest, use the factory replacement parts. Either from Vanir, a parts guy, or www.fordpartsnetwork.com

Just look around the Vanir site and start ordering, LOL!!!

I'd go with the BBK 66mm TB, not the Vanir one. JBA ceramic headers are great, too. For the MAS, a Vanir 70 or 75 mm would work, as would one from Pro-m cause it might be cheaper. If definately doing the s/c also, I'd consider upgrading to 24# injectors and calibrating the MAS. You'll also want to install a hi-flo fuel pump. The s/c will come with a new, secondary FMU (FPR) and the stock FPR should be fine with the rebuilt motor until then.

ummmm, more later as I think of it.

 

[highball]

go with the rebuild. if you put the instacharger to it in the condition it is in now. you ll shrapnal just about everything important in your engine! But if you rebuild it see if you can charge it at the same time orshortly after that.so your new pieces seat well with it and everything else.

 

[Byrd91]

So here is my list so far: I know I'm missing things. Please help fill in.

Cam
Forged Pistons
Connecting Rods
Rocker Ass.
Valve Springs
Oil Pump

Headers
Throttle Body
MAS

I noticed vanir only has the new heads. Where can I find new 91-94 heads? Do I need new heads?

What about valves?

As you can probably tell I don't know much about this, I basically need to know what I need to order and what I need to tell the shop to do.

 

[jimbo74]

as to if you need new heads take it to an automotive machine shop...and ask them.....

 

[espnfreak]

I'd rebuild it, see how you like it, if it has enough power, say with it. If you want more, throw on that S/C

 

[Byrd91]

I'm sure the reason I can't find any other 4.0 performance sites is because there aren't any, but I thought I would check to see if anyone knew of any others. After reading some of the stuff on the board I'm a little worried about dealing with Vanir. Seems like they take forever to return calls and emails, and their shipping times are insanely long. 10-12 weeks on $1400 connecting rods makes me really nervous. I don't know what to do here because I want to have a nice motor, but for just the parts listed about I'm at about $3500 and thats with no labor and I know there are additional parts too. I'm not giving up yet, but I'm surely discouraged a little. But I'll go on researching.

If I can't get the Vanir heads with valves, were can I get new heads with aftermarket valves? The Vanir site has valve locks, springs and retainers, but no valves for the older heads or older heads, could I even make a Vanir setup work on an older Explorer? Sorry to be so long winded, but I don't just want to jump into a several thousand dollar project without knowing everything I'm going to need. Thanks for all the help.