4.0 Power?

[SpartanLim96]

Just acquired my brother's 96 Explorer. Unfortunately it's just got the 4.0. I would have a whole nother world open with the 5.0, and have considered a swap, but at this point it's not quite worth it. I see there isn't a whole lot of aftermarkter for the 4.0. I'm looking to be puching around 300-350rwhp, which really shouldn't be too hard with such a large displacement 6 cylinder. To start my way there I've found:
Hypertech III
Jet Module
K&N Intake kit
Gibson or JBA Headers
High flow/gutted cat
2.5" catback exhaust. I figure with all that i should be in the neighborhood of 250-260rwhp. I could always pull the heads and have them ported, along with running some moroso 11mm wires and getting a larger more powerful coil. so we're still at 300rwhp MAX. does anyone make roller rockers? i assume they are shaft style so would another engine's fit? anyone make camshafts for the 4.0? forged pistons? rods? crank?

For nitrous i think it should be fairly easy to put together a decent throttle body system, but might could try to customize a direct port injection system. So- who here has a real stout 4.0? Anyone got any ideas?


Before you ask why I want horsepower- I love it. Pretty simple.


Yes, I have highly highly considered a turbo setup, if i can get my hands on some forged pieces for the lower end- with my knowledge and a certain friend's aid I know I could rig one up. I would love to have a sleeper. I know this is an off road forum, and that's why i do, with my rig, but ya'll should still be able to help me out with a little engine info. Yeah, if i go 5.0 or 5.8, it'll definitely be raced, and probably eventually with this setup if i keep it. Thanks, just lookin for your thoughts.

 

[Robb]

Those bolt-on mods will add up to FAR less than 250rwhp. Remember, you are starting off with about 130-135rwhp.

If you are looking for 300rwhp, swap out the 4.0. It just isn't worth it to even attempt it, if it is even possible.

 

[jimbo74]

ah, thats a lot of stuff? what exactly are you looking for? track only? drag only? street friendly? i would think twice about nitrous, what condition is the engine in? how many miles?

 

[SpartanLim96]

Originally posted by Robb
Those bolt-on mods will add up to FAR less than 250rwhp. Remember, you are starting off with about 130-135rwhp.

If you are looking for 300rwhp, swap out the 4.0. It just isn't worth it to even attempt it, if it is even possible.

For a ford guy you seem pretty down about the 4.0. 300rwhp is NOT a lot of horsepower. I could pull 400 or 500 for $3000 in my blazer. Ok, headers should add around 15hp. remember, stock manifolds are incredibly restrictive. give another 10 for the the cat and such. airbox we'll say 5. so we're at 160ish, if you're numbers are correct. hypertech + jet should yeild 30 total so 190. porting the heads 15-20 if i clean the manifold up to handle it. so 210. maybe twin 58mm TBs to add 5-10. so 220 ish. new wires with ignition amp or 60,000v coil 10-15. so 235. ok, that's not FAR less than 250. i'm not stupid when it comes to engines, they are my specialty. and i've always toyed with the idea of a turboed 4.0. . . BUT the forged internals might be out of grasp.

So, we're left with the 5.0/5.8 swap. anyone done this. just pull the whole computer out of a 5.0 explorer?

I take that back, if go V8 I'll go 5.8, carbed. Now, a carbed 351W and a C6 trans and NP205 t/c... sterling 10.25" rear. . . HP60 front with king coils triangulated 4link. . .i could have a real bad rig. BUT the blazer will do just fine. So, if i do anything I'll keep my tranny, and bolt up a 302 or 351, carbed, and work out the computer somehow.

Has anyone done the EFI 5.0 swap?

 

[Alec]

Plain and simple:

For 300 rwhp from the OHV 4.0, you need all those bolt-ons + a supercharger + nitrous.

On a stock block, computer, intake, exhaust = about 150 rwhp if you're lucky.

 

[Robb]

Originally posted by SpartanLim96
So, if i do anything I'll keep my tranny, and bolt up a 302 or 351, carbed, and work out the computer somehow.

Good luck bolting that up!

I am not down on the OHV 4.0, it is a hell-a-strong motor and will last forever if properly maintained. It just isn't a race motor.

And yes, plenty of people here have swapped in 5.0s (only one 5.8 that I know off). Try a search for it.

 

[SteveVB]

Do a search of the site you will find all the information you need. Check 4.0performace.com for some info.

You need to learn about the engine- your mod list wont get you too far and is way way too optimistic. 11mm wires wont do jack, and BTW you have 3 coils. The ignition wont need to be touched. Do a seacrh and read up on Hypertech and Jet- not well respected here. Brain at Apten is who you want to see- when you get everything else worked out.

120 RWhp is stock.

300-350 hp is going to mean internals+ supercharger and lots of work- you are talking about an $8000+ engine.
I would start with a big cam- comp cams 422, or maybe a custom grind depending on tires gears. Bump up the compression to 10:1 or more. Clean up and balance the crank and rods etc. Port and polish the heads, add headers, MAF, TB , and then a N20 system, either Tb or direct port.

The parts you need are available just harder to find than your run of the mill SBC.
Look for a book called V-6 performance by Sven Pruitt, has tons of good information on building the Cologne V-6's

Have Fun.

 

[Alec]

Haha, missed that!

Besides the fact that an A4LD family tranny won't bolt up to the 8s, it won't be able to hold the power. I blew my 4R55E partially from too much power.

 

[twomedicine]

Why don't you buy a 351 Bronco and pep it up? Like the OJ Simpson sized Bronco. It should have the transmission to relay more power. I think these Explorers have weak links for the power you are talking about.

 

[jimbo74]

alec had 300 hp from an OHV explorer... so he knows what he is talking about..... do a 302/c4 swap ....

 

[SpartanLim96]

Good info, I think I'll keep it stock for awhile until I can afford to do a 5.8/C6 swap.


But 120rwhp. . . good lord!!! talk about parasitic loss!!! 90hp lost to tranny, axles, alt, ps pump, AC, water pump and fan. . . . that's absolutely pathetic. Yeah, I think a built 351 with forged crank, rods, pistons, taller ratio rockers, brodix heads, 270ish grind cam, hardened pushrods, solid lifters, edelbrock intake, holley 800cfm thunder series avs carb, nice set of headers and a fogger system should put down 350-400 to the wheels pre nitrous. that'd be pretty decent.

 

[SteveVB]

Originally posted by SpartanLim96

But 120rwhp. . . good lord!!! talk about parasitic loss!!! 90hp lost to tranny, axles, alt, ps pump, AC, water pump and fan. . . . that's absolutely pathetic.

The 4.0 OHV only rated at 160 so its "only" a 40 hp loss - 25%

Dont know who told you its a 210 hp engine, but its not... the later SOHC engines are rated over 200 in various configurations maybe a little confusion between the two different engines.

 

[twomedicine]

Originally posted by SpartanLim96
Good info, I think I'll keep it stock for awhile until I can afford to do a 5.8/C6 swap.


But 120rwhp. . . good lord!!! talk about parasitic loss!!! 90hp lost to tranny, axles, alt, ps pump, AC, water pump and fan. . . . that's absolutely pathetic. Yeah, I think a built 351 with forged crank, rods, pistons, taller ratio rockers, brodix heads, 270ish grind cam, hardened pushrods, solid lifters, edelbrock intake, holley 800cfm thunder series avs carb, nice set of headers and a fogger system should put down 350-400 to the wheels pre nitrous. that'd be pretty decent.

Music to my ears...now you are sweet talking

Wonder if a 390ci could fit? That's a durable engine, if you can find one. Had one in my 1976 F-150 4x4 and it was never a worry, nor were the New Process trans, and transfer case + had guts. A very powerful and simple rig

 

[Alec]

hahaha, that explains a lot

 

[espnfreak]

You wanna do this u gotta swap in the 5.0. It will make your life a lot easier, find a rolled 5.0 for 2k, buy the whole vehicle, and bolt in everything to yours and sell the rest. I'm doing this to mine here in about a month, and its only setting me back about $1500 so far. But I think I can do it all under $2500. Thats having a 0 mile brand new 2001 Tranny, and a 40k engine, and converting to AWD.

 

[twomedicine]

not just a pipe dream

that sounds remarkable, I'd be up for that some day

 

[frickea86]

wow man....thats a hole lotta work for the ohv and a bunch of paper to boot....but it can be done....id just throw a supercharger on and headers and see were u go from there, u might like it u never know....peace...hope u figure what u want out....but these guys know their stuff...

 

[Robb]

Originally posted by SpartanLim96
i'm not stupid when it comes to engines, they are my specialty. and i've always toyed with the idea of a turboed 4.0. . .

I am not saying you are stupid, but for someone who specializes in engines, you seem to know very little about the 4.0.

 

[SpartanLim96]

i know exceptionally little about the 4.0. admittedly so. when i say toyed i mean just thought about it. had the car for awhile and always wondered what a turbo could do.

trust me, we start talking chevy engines and you'll believe me. i'm not a guru, no, but i like to believe i know a pretty decent amount.

 

[SpartanLim96]

Originally posted by twomedicine
Music to my ears...now you are sweet talking

Wonder if a 390ci could fit? That's a durable engine, if you can find one. Had one in my 1976 F-150 4x4 and it was never a worry, nor were the New Process trans, and transfer case + had guts. A very powerful and simple rig

i'd go 429 or 460 or 351 long before 390. 360/352/427/390/383? are FE engines, and are decent engines, however there is not much in the aftermarket for them. they use shaft type rockers which is sometimes preferable, however, from my experience with them (72 F100 with 360) the shafts cant be bent and on rocker replacement is a major pain. i'd just got for a more easily buildable engine.