4.6L mod engine in a 2nd gen Eddie?

[Ohiocrewcab]

Has anyone tried this type of swap? I know the newer X's had factory mod motors but I have found nothing of the sort except a few Rangers. I've got one out of a cop car(well I have the whole car with a broken frame) and figured it'd be a fun swap. Not too worried about keeping 4x4 but I could make it work and do my solid axle swap at the same time.

 

[96ex5.0]

Sounds like a fun swap go for it, I haven't heard of it being done yet.

 

[Ohiocrewcab]

The 4.0 has 215k on the clock so I'm planning to do the swap when it finally dies, My luck it never will!

 

[2000StreetRod]

wider engine

The 4.6L engine is a 90 degree V8 while the 5.0L engine is a 60 degree V8. The 4.6L is SOHC while the 5.0L is OHV. The result is the 4.6L is wider than the 5.0L. Unless the vehicle is lifted there is insufficient room for decent exhaust manifolds with the 5.0L. The situation will be worse with the 4.6L. I suggest that you research the physical dimensions of the two engines and compare them to determine if the swap is feasible without custom exhaust manifolds, custom steering linkage, and extensive frame cutting.

The other consideration is the electronics. What PCM do you plan to use? You can't use the 4.0L V6 PCM with a V8. The 4.6L PCM will not be compatible with the rest of your vehicle. A 5.0L PCM will not be compatible with the 5R55S/W that mates with the 4.6L. I suspect you could sell your 2nd Gen with the 4.0L V6 and purchase a 3rd Gen for less money (and a lot less effort) than it will cost to do the mod you're considering.

 

[Ohiocrewcab]

Yes I know the 4.6 is wider and it would require lots of fab work but when the 4.0 dies I'll get a new daily and the explorer becomes a toy. The 4.6's in the early cop cars had the AODE behind it and then later the 4r70w. The easiest way to make it all work is with a pcm from a mustang 5 speed and put a 5speed behind it. The exhaust on the mods go straight down like a mopar hemi( the 5.4 in my wife's expedition does at least), where a 5.0 go out square off the head. I think the 3rd gens look ugly, a buddy has one and its hideous. Will this swap be a challenge? By all means yes but that's all the fun.

 

[delexploder]

Gut them both and just swap everything, it would be a lot of work but it would be cool, also if I was doing it I would ditch everything on the explorer chasis like the front diff and all the front suspension and the rear with the leafs and make the front suspension fit like people have done with the old f-100s and the rear setup, alot of the crown vics have watts link , alot of Fab and figuring but it would be an awesome sleeper

 

[2000StreetRod]

interesting swap

Obviously you have spent some time planning what will be an interesting swap. I had forgotten about the Mustang 4.6L/AODE/4R70W configuration. I agree that a manual transmission would simplify things further as far as the PCM and the shift linkage. I also think the 2nd Gen is more attractive than the 3rd Gen which is why I picked a 2000 Sport as my project vehicle. However, I don't do cutting or welding so for my 4 door project vehicle I decided to install a DOHC V8 in a 2002 or 2003 Explorer. Make sure the Mustang PCM you select supports an analog instrument cluster. Staying with a non-PATS PCM will also simplify things. Another consideration is the vehicle speed sensor signal source. On my 2000 the rear axle sensor feeds the 4WABS which generates the signal for the PCM. On your 1995 the VSS output goes directly to the PCM and the instrument cluster.

Edit: It looks like a 1996 Mustang GT has the same VSS configuration as your 1995 Explorer.

 

[kevinspann]

The 4.6L engine is a 90 degree V8 while the 5.0L engine is a 60 degree V8. The 4.6L is SOHC while the 5.0L is OHV. The result is the 4.6L is wider than the 5.0L. Unless the vehicle is lifted there is insufficient room for decent exhaust manifolds with the 5.0L.

The 5.0 is also a 90 degree engine. The SOHC is 60.

Clearing the HVAC plenum won't happen, I doubt the brake booster will clear either. If you're going 5 speed that should free up a little room in the trans tunnel. Exhaust shouldn't be too bad, you just need to figure out what manifolds work the best. You'd have to find an oil pan that clears the front crossmember, the second gen Explorer one might work.

 

[2000StreetRod]

Small block Ford

The 5.0 is also a 90 degree engine. The SOHC is 60. . .

Oops! Thanks for the correction.

 

[G0ldiE*99]

wider engine

The 4.6L engine is a 90 degree V8 while the 5.0L engine is a 60 degree V8. The 4.6L is SOHC while the 5.0L is OHV. The result is the 4.6L is wider than the 5.0L. Unless the vehicle is lifted there is insufficient room for decent exhaust manifolds with the 5.0L. The situation will be worse with the 4.6L. I suggest that you research the physical dimensions of the two engines and compare them to determine if the swap is feasible without custom exhaust manifolds, custom steering linkage, and extensive frame cutting.

The other consideration is the electronics. What PCM do you plan to use? You can't use the 4.0L V6 PCM with a V8. The 4.6L PCM will not be compatible with the rest of your vehicle. A 5.0L PCM will not be compatible with the 5R55S/W that mates with the 4.6L. I suspect you could sell your 2nd Gen with the 4.0L V6 and purchase a 3rd Gen for less money (and a lot less effort) than it will cost to do the mod you're considering.

that's funny my explorer has been running that transmission for 3 yrs now with no problem and I have it mated with a 5.0 and 5.0 ecm

 

[Blown]

Why?

Why not a Coyote 5.0?

Why?

 

[Mbrooks420]

Why?

Why not a Coyote 5.0?

Why?

Probably cost.