5.0 swap- really worth the trouble?

[Cozmik]

Hey all. Been thinking about buying a donor truck and doing a 5.0 build/swap over the winter. After all the reading I've done here, I'm wondering if it's worth the time and hassle to actually do it. I'm interested in your opinions.

Also, I may have found a '96 donor. What problems may I face putting it in my '98 (if I decide to go ahead) ? Thanks for your input everyone!!

 

[CDW6212R]

If you keep the whole engine/trans package intact and don't try to add/modify parts, it is very feasible. When you choose to change engine combination parts, that adds considerably to the costs and labor.

The easiest swap is to use a matching 98 PCM, then you only have to program it to work with your existing PATS module and keys. That requires a special diagnostic tool(Ford service). I'm not sure if a 96 or 97 PCM would cause trouble in your 98-01 PATS truck, I think that it would. It's a communications issue, the 98-01's have a PATS module which requires a matching signal from a PCM and key code for each start.

Using a 98-01 PCM can be done by turning off the PATS system, and that requires a device like a flasher(dealer may be able to also).

Being a 98 truck, the best answer is to simply use a 98 PCM. It has to be PATS programmed anyway, and they can be had for about $50.

Contact Jamie here and ask him what wiring differences he discovered between the 96/97 and 98 Explorers. They may be exactly the same except for the PATS wires, most of which are in the body harness. The point is that the donor engine harness may plug right in, or it could need a wire or two for the PATS. Regards,

 

[MakingBoost]

Very worth while, if you plan on making some real power!
Also if you like to have a ton of aftermarket parts available its your best choice by far!
Good luck, its pretty straight forward!

 

[joecrna]

If its 4X4, there are some additional differences also. If not off-roaded, real power can be had via turbo. Just ask James Hensen. Cheaper moderate power with V8 and deffinatly easier power. Theres alot of overlap here, though when it comes down to it cubic inches are cubic inches.

If you plan on keeping all of your stock functions working normally, the V8 swap isn't all that easy. Unless you have to have every last HP.

 

[Cozmik]

Thanks for chiming in guys. I do off road the truck, and would like to keep it
4x4 rather than AWD. One of the reasons I decided to consider this is because a friend of mine has a Fox 5.0 that he's pulling the Novi 1000 supercharger off of to go turbo. If I have a 5.0 in the Ex I have a S/C for it. I guess what it comes down to is do I need 300+ HP in my Ex? Its a DD and off road toy. Lots to consider with this whole idea.

 

[CDW6212R]

There is what most people considering the swap are thinking, can I do a swap and add high performance parts at the same time. Don't do it any other way except stock Explorer 302 parts/trans, unless you know exactly what is going to happen. It has been discussed countless times before, and most people then do nothing.

Make it happen by doing it all stock 302 etc, then change it later if that's what you want. Good luck,

 

[Cozmik]

Is my current stock t-case compatible with the 302 engine/tranny combo? I've not been able to find a definate answer on that yet. Or conversley, how is the AWD off road?

 

[Jakee]

Very worth while, if you plan on making some real power!
Also if you like to have a ton of aftermarket parts available its your best choice by far!
Good luck, its pretty straight forward!

Real power eh? I'd love to be able to show all the v8 guys in here just how much power a 4.0 SOHC can produce with a turbo.

 

[Turdle]

Real power eh? I'd love to be able to show all the v8 guys in here just how much power a 4.0 SOHC can produce with a turbo.

I'd like to show you what a normally aspirated V8 can do

lol

 

[Turdle]

Is my current stock t-case compatible with the 302 engine/tranny combo? I've not been able to find a definate answer on that yet. Or conversley, how is the AWD off road?

No, but you will get all of that with the donor truck.

Then, once the bugs are worked out-swap a 4406 4x4 transfer case in-

 

[Cobraguy]

No, but you will get all of that with the donor truck.

Couldn't he use the Advance Adapter kit JT? If I had this to do all over again, I would go that route instead of the 4406.

To the OP, make good and sure you talk to your smog cops before you start this. Most places will not allow you to go backwards like you plan. You must stay with the emissions package of the car you are driving...or newer. It would suck to do all this and then not be able to register it. Maybe you guys up north have more lenient rules than most of us here.

 

[410Fortune]

v8 guys in here just how much power a 4.0 SOHC can produce with a turbo.

Oh geesh there is an old saying, there is no replacement for displacement
For every V6 guy out there with a turbo there is a v8 turbo that will beat him, for every small block v8 guy with a turbo there is a big block turbo guy who can beat him... etc
Always a bigger fish
Your SOHC kicks ass and I drool all over it, but honestly I have seen a SOHC conversion done, its nice but the V8 fits better, costs the same to get under the hood (basically) and you still have a weak transmission.


V8 conversion is worth it if you do all the work yourself and LOTS of research first.
Some V8's make the same torque as your V6.
IMO the big difference between the V6 and the V8 drivetrain is the strength of the transmission.

If I was going to do it again in my BII I would probably look at using a built dana 20 twin stick t case instead of the $550 Advance Adapter and retain the BW1354.
OR
go 1354 with doubler
or go
Atlas 3.8-4.2

For a 4x4 drivetrain conversion my vote is to start at the t case and work your way forward.

Picking a t case will narrow your transmission choices
picking a transmission will tell you what computer and 5.0L you can run in front of it

The big items to research are:
parts required and why
budget
emissions regulations

the question you ask yourself is:
what am I going to use this truck for? How long do I plan to keep it?
Can I afford this? What happens if I get it all ready to go and it doesnt start/run/work? can I fix that? Can the truck be down this long (plan 6 months to be safe IMO depening on your $$$ situation)

To me it was WELL worth it because:
parts required and why: got this covered, I have researched the 5.0L conversion for 10 years, helped in a couple and knew what to expect and why (I'm a Ford nut case)

budget (spend $2000 more then I expected, I would not spend $550 on adapter or $500on radiator again, everything else was great)

emissions regulations
for your area, my conversion is legal in all 50 states. I went from a 88 drivetrain to a 98 with all emissions equipment in place, so the emissions nazis like me

the question you ask yourself is:
what am I going to use this truck for? Sunday cruising, long road trips, towing toys to the trail, and hard core 4x4ing for the next 40+ years

How long do I plan to keep it? Gets buried with me


Can I afford this? No but that has never mattered with me and my truck/toys I make it happen best I can, I spent about $7000 total when she was done with exhaust

What happens if I get it all ready to go and it doesnt start/run/work? can I fix that? Yes I can, but this has and does happen to me, I have gotten quite good at diagnostics and also cursing very loud / throwing things

Can the truck be down this long (plan 6 months to be safe IMO depening on your $$$ situation)
My BII could because I had a 96 Explorer to drive daily now... bii retired as my daily driver after 13+ years. I still drive the BII more

 

[410Fortune]

oops sorry he has a 98 so the fitment issues I was talking about are null and void

Your conversion can be done over a weekend with very little $$$ (compared to the conversion I rambled on about in my post above, gen I truck)

The best advice I can give you is buy the entire donor 5.0L explorer, to make it easier on yourself get a 98-2001 version
If you dont get the whole truck you are going to nickle and dime yourself right out of making this practicle.
the PATS system needs to be thought out

You could put a 96 5.0L in there but you are going to have to update the fuel rail setup on the engine, the 96 also is not the best 5.0L (p heads, stronger trans) when compared to the 98+

I would consider the 4406 manual t case myself, I have this in my 96 Explorer and it straight made the truck into a monster... it was an AWD soccer mom truck and now its an actual 2wd street truck with 4low in the dirt attitude.

I have dragged home 3-4 V8 explorer's now that needed minor work to get going again or were just wrecked for under $2000 each. Buying one of these gives you every single part you need for your conversion, and if the trucks are sitting side by side this complete thing could be running in a weekend (plan a week-2 weeks if you want to clean every part, replace some stuff, etc).

The SOHC conversion can also be done in the same budget and time frame, but I just cannot get past the fact that the whole reason I went V8 to begin with is the weak V6 transmissions...

 

[Cozmik]

WoW!!

Thanks for all of that!!! Thats a lot of very valuable opinion!!! I think one of the main reasons I was considering this is because, ready for this ? I'm a guy!! And as is the case with all you other guys, more is ALWAYS better right? I told my wife I wanted to do a V8 swap- she rolled her eyes. We chatted about it for a few days, she still rolled her eyes. I suggested leaving in the absolutely nothing wrong with it SOHC then doing an SAS. That, in her opinion was a much better idea. (She used to have a XJ- went postal when the Liberty came out all IFS-y and cutesy)

So what I've gathered is this:
1. Go 98 or newer
2. Buy whole truck
3. Give lots of time
4. Expect to spend more than you expect to spend
5. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

See, that's why I love this site!!! You help people foolishly spend money in a much wiser fashion!!!

 

[V8RangerBoy]

I'd like to show you what a normally aspirated V8 can do

lol

Gotta agree here. The SOHC's run really well for what they are, but undoubtedly, the 5.0's run better. And the array of parts available for a 5.0 is really tough to beat. Chevy 350's are probably the only thing with more (which even still, is questionable.)

If I had it to do over again? Well, I can't speak exactly from a Explorer -> Explorer V8 swap standpoint, but I can speak from an Explorer V8 -> Ranger standpoint. In hindsight, I'd stick with the SOHC. I played with the whole V8 swap first, then moved up to the turbo afterwards, and while it was fun, they're really not THAT quick. Don't get me wrong; it ran like hell. Never raced another Ranger that even came close, even with the 33's under the truck. But, the truck still weighed alot more than most cars. For anyone familiar with racing, weight is obviously extremely key. An Explorer, well, weighs even more than my Ranger. It'll scream like a banshee for an Explorer, but against a rig with similar mods, don't expect to hang right with 'em. It's simple physics.

I love the SOHC. Decent mileage, decent power, and very reliable. As fun as the 5.0 was, it's just not worth the tradeoff in my book. Perhaps you'd feel otherwise - you're the only one that can make that distinction. If the stronger trans is what you're looking for, there are various options for improving the strength of the trans. Compared to many rigs, Explorer's have the whole strength-durability situation of the trans pretty well handled. Any auto isn't going to take torture well, and all in all, the Explorers are quite a bit stronger than many people would like to give them credit!

 

[410Fortune]

I love the SOHC. Decent mileage, decent power, and very reliable. As fun as the 5.0 was, it's just not worth the tradeoff in my book. Perhaps you'd feel otherwise - you're the only one that can make that distinction.

great advice there
SOHC is a screamer, dropping a 5.0L in over the weekend would likely leave you dissapointed

the weak V6 transmission was the reason I went 5.0L, not the power...the old ohv 4.0L had enough power to pull my 20' boat to CA and back on 33" tires, through the rockies, etc.....I did the swap so I could get a strong auto trans and I never looked back.
My BII straight runs like a bat out of hell, but it still has a hard time keeping up with a Civic si on the street
If I was to install a shift kit, get a cam, and do some power adders to the 5.0L then we would be in business, but these things cost $$$$$ and if I had that kind of $$$ to spend on the BII it would be getting used for a roll cage and body work, not engine mods

if it aint broke, dont try to fix it! I broke SEVERAL V6 transmissions, a V8 drivetrain almost fell into my lap so I went for it... and never looked back!
if I had a V8 truck sitting there that was wrecked and a V6 under my hood... by Monday I would have a V8 under my hood... but then I'm a bit nuts and thats assuming I had a V8 donor already

 

[FROADER]

I'm going to do the swap, just for the sound.

Also, to get away from my high mileage engine and because I don't want to pay the money for another A4LD rebuild. So when my stock drivetrain is all blown up, I'll be doing the v8. oh, and because I'm a guy.

 

[WhiteLimited]

WoW every one replied with a lot! I skimmed through some of it, but by AK law you can only do the swap if the engine is from a newer truck. The engine has to be offered on that truck and it has to be that year or newer...

 

[Cozmik]

I'm of the opinion that at this point a 302 would be a waste of my time and money.
1. There is nothing wrong with my 4.0
2. It's not a street/drag truck
3. I live in Southern Ontario- not exactly on par with Moab or the Rubicon. Wheeling spots are limited and definately do not require big torque or horsepower to play.

I have however learned a lot from researching this potential project, so thanks everyone.

Now, what else can look at doing to my Ex......hmmmm , back to searching and reading!!!

 

[vroomzoomboom]

hmm, i wait to see wait else is said about this, cause i wouldn't mind doing this swap as well