4.0L Swap with a 5.0L in a 98 Sport....

[DrAgMaStA]

Swap a 5.0L/302 in a 98 Sport....? 86 my 4.0L...?

Ok after i finish the vette i want to work on the explorer because i luv this truck and would like some speed with it. The 4.0L just doesn't cut it anymore, so i'm going to upgrade to a 5.0L. Like i said before im not to familiar with the fords because i manly do performance work on chevys but i'm learning with the fords and this project with the X will sure boost my knowledge.


Now some questions. First off will the 5.0L fit in the 98 sport (i dont see why it wouldn't), second if i got a man. tranny with the 5.0 think i could fit it? And last how much should it all run?

Customizing shouldn't be a problem since my vette is totally custom so i could probably work out fitting the 5.0 in if there are any problems, but if anyone has done the conversion how did it fit? hows the performance? anwsers like that would really help!!! THANKS!

 

[SaleenEXP]

The 5.0 will fit with some work, I think there's only a handful amount of people that have done this on here, but it'll work.

As for the manual, I'm not sure, depends on what manual you get, theres a thread going on with I think RF1222 (don't think I got the screen name right) and he just did a 5.0 (bored to 306) swap and is looking at manual trannies - see whats going on in that thread b/c he listed some trannies to use.

Supercharge that 5.0 and in the light Sport and you will seriously haul some ass

 

[RFR2212]

um... yeah... it'll fit. electronics will be a bigger deal i believe in the newer style truck

manual... can depend on whether er not yer 4x4 er not.

Um my swap was/is a pain, but we'll see how much i like it when I'm done

Let ASP chime in, he knows that electronics thing, and hates me for it!

 

[DrAgMaStA]

I dont know what model 5.0 i should get, anyone have any ideas on the most powerful that will fit? I heard there was a high output one, but im now sure where to look for the engine!?!

 

[SaleenEXP]

Originally posted by DrAgMaStA
I dont know what model 5.0 i should get, anyone have any ideas on the most powerful that will fit? I heard there was a high output one, but im now sure where to look for the engine!?!

get a 98'+ Explorer 5.0, we have the GT-40p heads which Mustang guys are always after and a Cobra intake with larger ports. Somebody just posted a pic in some thread showing the difference of the ports. Just throw a cam (e-303 is about the best all around) and regular mods - exhaust, headers ect. and you'll have one hauling sport.

The 98's and up are the best 5.0 Ford has made, but they stuck a crappy cam in there that really holds back the engine.

 

[Yomie]

i'm thinking of doing the same thing also. i'm planning on doing a 2wd swap and a 302/T-5 tranny. i'll prolly get laughed at for this, but i'm thinking of going with a Carb setup so i woun't have to fool with all the electronic stuff on the Fuel Injected ones. I just helped my friend drop a Carb'd 355 in his S-10 and it wasnt' bad at all. i prolly won't get alot of power with the carb set up, but at least i'll have a bad ass sounding 302 in a sport

 

[DocVijay]

What about the newer 4.6 engines? There are plenty of power mods for those, and it's a great engine. WOuld that be easier or harder then a 5.0, or are both equally hard to swap in?

 

[SaleenEXP]

The 4.6 is awsome, but it's too wide to fit in a 2nd or 1st gen explorer. It's a very wide block, just look under a Mustangs hood or Lincoln Towncars hood and you'll see how wide it is. Thats one more reason why I'm getting an 02' Mounty, the 4.6 is sweet

 

[DocVijay]

Originally posted by SaleenEXP
The 4.6 is awsome, but it's too wide to fit in a 2nd or 1st gen explorer.

So in order to MAKE it fit, would it just be some sheet metal, etc... or is the frame in the way too?

 

[SaleenEXP]

not really sure, but this has come up before, b/c as good as the 5.0 is I think the 4.6 is incredible, and people we're asking about swapping in a 4.6 and the answer was basically "no way", I know it's a wide engine so you wouldn't have almost anyroom for anything else and I'm sure it would be hard to bolt up and you'd have to do some major cosmetic surgery, you'd end up with a wide and stretched front end on an 2nd gen Explorer if you want the 4.6

 

[DocVijay]

hmmm. Maybe if it were mounted transversely, like some cars have their motors mounted. Nah, probably too long to fit legthwise. Plus, you'd have to figure out a new gearbox...

 

[james t]

Originally posted by DrAgMaStA
I dont know what model 5.0 i should get, anyone have any ideas on the most powerful that will fit? I heard there was a high output one, but im now sure where to look for the engine!?!

use any 88-93 mustang motor. dont go with a explorer setup, go mustang. this will aid you in future mods. you will have a distributer (the way God intended) and will be able to run any supercharger that is offered to the mustang crowd. this will give you unlimited possibilities.

 

[tmsoko]

Get a 1998 Explorer V8 and plug it in. I put a 1997 Explorer engine in my 1999 Ranger and it was basically plug and play. I had to change only a handful of wires. It was amazing, when i went through the electrical manuals for my truck and the explorer engine. Almost every terminal lined up circuit for circuit.

I suggest 1998, since it has a different wiring scheme for the A/C and it is a return type fuel system s your truck is. Prior to 1997, the A/C wiring was different, but not a hurdle you can't cross. Also, from 1999 on, the explorer fuel system was returnless.

From the aspect of wiring, the explorer engine beats the mustang hands down. For a supercharger, you could either use the powerdyne explorer or convert the accessory drive to SN95 mustang and use 995 mustang blowers.

Easy swap. Took me 3 weeks to get old out, new in and driving.

 

[james t]

but, you still have the stupid DISS ignition. i want a DISTRIBUTOR!!! it is completely un-natural for me to not be able to adjust my own timing as the mood suits me. and as far as swapping to 'stang accessories, you just might as well do an entire motor swap. dragmasta is having this work done, so wiring will not be an issue. yes, stock for stock swap you will be better off with an X motor, but im looking at the long run- high hp and high boost #'s. starting with a stang motor will allow one to very cheaply run whatever charger one desires, and have free on the fly timing adjustments.

 

[tmsoko]

Why would you need to do a complete engine swap to change the accessory drive plane? All you would need to do is space the passenger side forward, use the SN95 drivers side bracket, use the SN95 waterpump, and adapt the crank ring to fit on the SN95 ring.

I plan to start on this once I have finished my fuel system.

As far as long term high HP, why can't an explorer engine work? Troll did it. Another guy on the Ranger board has an Explorer DIS engine with powerdyne SC and just cranked 375 RWHP, before detonating his AOD.

The DIS is not a downfall by any means. Sure, you need to custom burn a chip to change it, but a dyno tuning session with custom buring tied in will yield the best results anyhow.

It can be done either way, just the explorer engine is quicker to install, cleaner, and just as functional. My $0.02.

 

[DrAgMaStA]

Ok i see what you guyz are getting at:

Explorer 5.0 in my 98 Sport = clean setup, easy install, and good HP

Mustang 88-93 5.0 in my 98 Sport = alittle difficult, somewhat a pain (will work though) and a **** load of HP.

If you ask me i'd rather go with the mustang, i've seen the stang 5.0's crank out 9s 1/4 miles at the track, IMAGINE AN X WITH TIMES LIKE THAT!!!!!!!!

Like i said i'm a pro mechanic, but i just never worked on fords so install, customization, etc. none of this will be a problem i just want to know if i have a 88-93 stang 5.0 and a 97-98 X 5.0 lined up side by side. Which one would give me the most of everything. (in my case i just want RWHP and SPEED!)?????:smoke:

 

[Crankcase]

Originally posted by DrAgMaStA
If you ask me i'd rather go with the mustang, i've seen the stang 5.0's crank out 9s 1/4 miles at the track, IMAGINE AN X WITH TIMES LIKE THAT!!!!!!!!

Just remember, a Mustang is ALOT lighter than an Explorer.....

Troll here on the board has the secret for fast times :drool:

 

[james t]

Originally posted by tmsoko
Why would you need to do a complete engine swap to change the accessory drive plane? All you would need to do is space the passenger side forward, use the SN95 drivers side bracket, use the SN95 waterpump, and adapt the crank ring to fit on the SN95 ring.

As far as long term high HP, why can't an explorer engine work? Troll did it. Another guy on the Ranger board has an Explorer DIS engine with powerdyne SC and just cranked 375 RWHP, before detonating his AOD.

you wouldnt need to do a complete engine swap, but in my mind, it would just be easier than swapping to an explorer motor and then swapping accessories. just by a totaled out 88-93 and rape it.

and BTW, Troll didnt "do it". Troll is running a 'stang motor with stang computer. at the time, there were no programming to allow the computer to rev high enough. now there is. i would just rather be able to hook up the light and adjust timing, rather than make a 200 mile trip to the dyno.

im not saying the X setup isnt the way to go. im just saying it would be better (in my mind) to start off with the stang setup. i know there is nothing actually wrong with the DISS, and it is an awesome factory ignition. i would just rather be able to screw with it in my garage, vs. having to use a laptop. if i had a V6 X, and were going to do a 5liter swap, i think it would be better in the long run to start with a stang setup. this way, you can use EVERYTHING offered to the 88-93 crowd. charger options would be unlimited. it is just a matter of personal preferance.

 

[tmsoko]

I do not believe a 88-93 mustang engine will fit. The accessory plane is to far forward and you will not fit a fan. The stock V8 explorer is 1.25" from radiator. The SN95 is .5" further forward, so clearance is ~3/4". I know the 88-93 mustang is at least than much longer.

So either way would work, SN95 (94-95) Mustang or Explorer.

With regards to the Mustang engine vs Explorer engine, they are basically the same thing. The only difference is the electronics and the fact that the Explorer engine has GT-40 heads and intake. (No big deal though, if you plan to build up an engine from the block). So, Mustang engine is no sure-fire path to more HP

Also, from what I remember, Troll (please correct me if I am wrong) used explorer setup until he got way high into the HP range. I remember DIS on his truck with Blower.

To me, once you start talking 450-500 RWHP, you are going to be really custom accross the board and you could custom work either Mustang or Explorer EEC. And, I wouldn't want to be tuning a 600 FWHP engine without a dyno.

 

[DrAgMaStA]

So what your saying is that between the explorer 5.0 and the mustang 5.0 i could get the same HP out of both of them?

But how come the 88-93 wont fit, just because there's 3/4" clearence?

There's got to be a way to fit it. But like i'm hearing there are limited parts for the explorer 5.0 and unlimited for the stang 5.0....

I need a definate anwser on which engine will fit, and witch will give me more power because im looking to get his engine b4 christmas, so i'll have alittle something to work on over the holidays!