5.0L V8 Swap into 99 Explorer Sport

[iBangKaty]

im gonna get a 98-01 sport

is this what parts i need / what i need to do to make this work?


1. Engine bay wiring has to be switched to v8 wiring.
2. Brake booster must be changed out with the V8 one.
3. Engine mounts must be changed to v8 mounts.
4. Drop the front axle a couple of inches to swap in the engine mounts.
5. swap out the v6 cooler for the v8 power steering cooler.
6. switch out throttle and trans cables
7. Swap the front flange from a V8 driveshaft onto the V6 shaft. This is done by pressing out the u-joint.
(is it better to shorten a 4door v8 shaft? someone on here said Quote: "The front driveshafts are different lengths according to my driveline shop. Make sure those stay with the drivetrain they came from. They may fit, but the lengths are optimized. I think the V6 front shaft is about an inch longer than the V8's.")
8. 5.0 engine (drop in)
9. 4R70W transmission

QUESTIONS.........

1. is that everything? or do i need more parts or anything else?

2. I dont want an automatic trans....
i would like a 5 (or 6 if its possible) speed manual.
which 5 speeds will bolt in to the 5.0 sport? / what do i gotta do to make
that happen?

3. I want the sport to be 2wd.
Is it easier to have a 2wd sport to start with? does it matter which donor
v8 x i get as long as its between 98-01?

4. Is it easier to have a manual trans sport to start with?

 

[iBangKaty]

can i put a 347 in there w/ out a problem?
will that drop in just as easy as the 302?


thanks for the help,..........

 

[Flippindabird]

the 347 is the same externally

 

[BonesDT]

2. I dont want an automatic trans....
i would like a 5 (or 6 if its possible) speed manual.
which 5 speeds will bolt in to the 5.0 sport? / what do i gotta do to make
that happen?

3. I want the sport to be 2wd.
Is it easier to have a 2wd sport to start with? does it matter which donor
v8 x i get as long as its between 98-01?

4. Is it easier to have a manual trans sport to start with?

The Mazda M5OD-R2 is the manual transmission of choice for the 5.0 in Ranger Based Vehicles. It is a bulked up version of the M5OD-R1, which is the bolt on trans for the 4.0 (which I have). Someone on here has a very nice post on swapping in the M5R2 - it looks like an almost bolt on, except for needing to fab a new trans crossmember (also, if you don't have a body lift, you might need to bang out the floor pan/gas tank brackets). I've been interested in the ZF S5-42 & ZF S5-47 transmissions too. These were Ford's choice behind the 5.8L+ engines. As far as I can tell, these bolt right up to and have a similar length to the M5R1 & M5R2, but even bulkier. The ZFs seem rarer (keep in mind you need the Ford internal hydraulic slave clutch ZFs as opposed to the GM ones) and are probably overkill for just the 5.0L.

It's probably easier to start out with the Auto trans because that's exactly how the V8 Ex/Mountaineers came so everything will be plug & play. When you mess with the manual trans, your going to have to worry about fabbing up the trans crossmember, splicing some of the engine wiring harness, and doing something (get a custom flash chip) with the engine computer since it's expecting an automatic trans and trying to give it shifting info. Not to mention, if you have an auto now, your also going to have to rig up your pedals and hydraulic clutch lines.

It's slightly easier to do a 2wd only because you don't have to install a t-case and you don't have to customize a front driveshaft. If you plan on ever going 4x4, definately start from the beginning. You can leave it front-driveshaftless for as long as you want. You will need completely different transmissions for 2wd & 4x4 too (it's not just the extension housing that's different, it's the length of the internal output shaft too) and you'll probably end up getting a custom rear driveshaft (especially since you have the 2-door) and you'll just have to re-customize it when you switch to 4x4. If you are going to start off with an auto trans, then your donor should be a 4x4. If you're going manual trans off the bat, then I don't think there is any difference between the 2wd & 4x4 5.0Ls.

 

[iBangKaty]

If you are going to start off with an auto trans, then your donor should be a 4x4. If you're going manual trans off the bat, then I don't think there is any difference between the 2wd & 4x4 5.0Ls.[/QUOTE]

so i should get an auto trans 2wd sport
and a 4x4 5.0 auto trans donor?

to build a 2wd 5.0 auto trans sport?

 

[iBangKaty]

and how much hp is too much for the 5.0 auto trans?
how much can it take?

 

[CDW6212R]

and how much hp is too much for the 5.0 auto trans?
how much can it take?

Double or triple the V6 trans limits. Take good care of it and build it with 1998 or newer parts, and get a 98+ to start with. There are tons of parts for them, hunt the Mustang sites to learn what is best to do for them.

 

[BonesDT]

so i should get an auto trans 2wd sport
and a 4x4 5.0 auto trans donor?

to build a 2wd 5.0 auto trans sport?

No. Just get the 2wd 5.0 Auto donor to build your 2wd 5.0 Auto Sport. Everything will bolt in except for the rear driveshaft. You'll need the V8 transmission - the 2-door (V6) trannys won't hold up. Your also making it unnecessarily complicated getting all these donors involved and mixing and matching. The only thing I see you would want from that 2wd Sport (V6) Auto donor is the rear driveshaft, which may or may not fit anyway. I would just get prepared to get a custom driveshaft. Never done it before, but I've consulted with a local driveshaft shop. Apparantly, it's pretty easy and cheap for them to take your current driveshaft and shorten it and swap out the flanges.

(disclaimer: I have never done a V8 swap nor have experience with the 5.0 Ex's, but I've done a lot of research and I know my way around the 4.0 auto & 4.0 manual drivetrains pretty well)

 

[John Davidson]

99SportX

I have a 99 4 dr eddie bauer. I want to drop a v8 in mine and was wondering if the harness clips in or did you have to wire some things your self. I am not too good with wiring.

 

[blueka]

do you know if the engine bay wiring is the same from a 4.0 to a 5.0, with just the wiring around the engine is different? i'm doing the swap right now and the wiring around the engine bay was destroyed... but my 4.0 wiring is perfect... the wiring around the engine is ok except that the battery terminals have been cut off..

Congrats on getting yours to work though

Si

 

[2000StreetRod]

wiring differences

do you know if the engine bay wiring is the same from a 4.0 to a 5.0, with just the wiring around the engine is different? i'm doing the swap right now and the wiring around the engine bay was destroyed... but my 4.0 wiring is perfect... the wiring around the engine is ok except that the battery terminals have been cut off..

Congrats on getting yours to work though

Si

I've compared all of the drivetrain wiring for the 2000 SOHC V6 vs the V8. The only differences were the engine wiring harness and the transmission harness. I haven't investigated other years. SOHC V6 vs 5.0L V8 Wirelist

 

[CDW6212R]

There is a slight change for 4WD trucks. Those V6 4WD's have an extra wire or two, which may be in just the dash and body harnesses.

 

[jake hunt]

i have a 2wd 5 speed sport, '99 wanting to drop in a '01 5.0 2wd, will the drive shaft fit? it would be cool to keep it 5 speed with the 5.0, too bad the tranny wouldnt bolt up to it, what kind of quarter mile times could i see with the 5.0 in the sport? and how much does a sport weigh compared to a 4 door?

 

[AlwaysOnKill]

What did you use to clean up the intake manifold ?

 

[RedRapedEX]

I have a 97 explore wit the 4.0 sohc and i was wondering does anybody have a list of parts i need to do the swap cause i have the motor and wiring but nothing else and can i use my v6 trans behind the 5.0

 

[CDW6212R]

Welcome, and read this thread from the start, most of what you need to know is here.

You have to use the V8 trans, as mentioned. Pay close attention to the parts about the fuel system, you have to match the PCM with the fuel injectors/rail/regulator. You can use any 96-01 302, but the PCM etc, must be all 96-98, or 99-01 parts.

A donor vehicle is a huge deal, you need all the parts together, or access to all of the parts. You need the V8 radiator, the entire V8 AC parts, lines etc, alternator(front dress(all of it)), exhaust manifolds etc.

 

[Axial32]

Well basically you need all the parts from the V8 explorer... ideally you make your years of vehicles for the swap. I started with a 97 V6 sport, and transferred everything from a 97 V8 XLT. My V6 radiator works perfectly fine with the V8, even without a fan I have never overheated, though it is a newer style V6 radiator and is a dual core. The other thing that works from v6 to v8 was the trans. mount, it lined up perfectly. PM me if you need anything, or check out my threads.

 

[Axial32]

i have a 2wd 5 speed sport, '99 wanting to drop in a '01 5.0 2wd, will the drive shaft fit? it would be cool to keep it 5 speed with the 5.0, too bad the tranny wouldnt bolt up to it, what kind of quarter mile times could i see with the 5.0 in the sport? and how much does a sport weigh compared to a 4 door?

You could always use a T5 or something to keep it 5speed

 

[CDW6212R]

Well basically you need all the parts from the V8 explorer... ideally you make your years of vehicles for the swap. I started with a 97 V6 sport, and transferred everything from a 97 V8 XLT. My V6 radiator works perfectly fine with the V8, even without a fan I have never overheated, though it is a newer style V6 radiator and is a dual core. The other thing that works from v6 to v8 was the trans. mount, it lined up perfectly. PM me if you need anything, or check out my threads.

Did you use the V6 AC condenser then? The real difference between the radiators wasn't the core itself, but the mounting to the support, and the condenser mounting to it. I prefer the way the V6 condenser mounts compared to the V8 part. Are the line connections the same on the two condensers?

 

[blueka]

managed to get mine running, I'm just having issues with the oil pressure switch/gauge on the dash....


Si