95 4.0 to a V8

[undertow999]

Hey, i have a 95 xlt with 139,000 miles on it. See i go to college in a couple of months and i have a question. my parents gave me the explorer when i turned 16 because they got an expedition and i needed a car for school and sports. they intended it to last we through high school which it has, and they where planning on trading it in for a newer car for when i go to college. but see the thing is i love my explorer. I love it so mcuh that i would never want to get rid of it. so my question is, is it possible for me to put in a V8 in place for my stock 4.0 V6? If so, how much would it cost and what kind of engine could i get. Would the 5.0 V8 that are in the 98's fit in mine. Please help me, for the sake of my explorer. thanx

 

[BislamJoe]

Yes, the 5.0 V8 from Explorers WILL FIT. I don't know of anyone who's done a V8 swap on a 95 or later Explorer, but (as far as I know) there are very minor, if any, changes to the engine compartment between '95 and '96 ('96 was the first year for the V8 to be available). You'll need a new transmission, and if you're 4wd, you may need a new transfer case. If it's a 4x4, do you want to keep true 4x4 with a low range, or go to an AWD setup? You could swap in the transmission and AWD t-case from a V8 Explorer, but if you're 2wd, I don't know how tough it would be to swap in an axle, probably not worth the effort if you don't 'wheel. :smoke:

 

[Alec]

It might be better to rebuild your 4.0 and put a supercharger on it. You'd end up with more power than the v8, it would cost about the same, and probably give you less headaches.

 

[BislamJoe]

Alec's right - in fact it'd probably cost a little less. I'm looking into a V8 swap right now. I found a 302 from Ford Racing that puts out 345 hp. I decided to go with a V8 swap because later on, if I put some real cash into it, I can squeeze a lot more power out of the V8 than the V6. Every so often, though, I glance out my window and look at my truck and think "Supercharge.........". There are a lot of things to think about though. You need to consider why you want to do a swap. :smoke:

 

[undertow999]

now, if iwas to do a V8 swao, how much would it cost? And where would i get a v8 for my explorer?

 

[pauley]

i have thought about this for my explorer (mine is a 93) i am also a mechanic and a transmission expert and my self have decided that even with the built transmission that i have that it wont handle the power (the stock a4ld is crap) so if its power you want and want to have your truck on the road more than in the shop then do the v8 also if you have the 5 speed tranny its just a a4ld with a extra planatary set for the 5th gear.

 

[dfb]

You are looking for headaches... First I personally would not opt for the 302. This engine is a "car engine".. It was use in the Ford Pinto, the Mavericks, and it really I don't think as good as the 4.0...You will be using more fuel to get a little more power... If it were a choice between the 300, the 302, the 351, 400 , 360 and 390 and the 460... The 300 wins hands down... Not much power but goes forever...; Someone on this site has done it and the CEL came on I think, .. he also had other issues... If you want the 5.0, just trade with someone.....with todays 3.20 plus gas prices, I am sure you'd get some takers...

 

[pauley]

the 300 is to long and the 5.0 is comming out of a 94 f150 4x4 (i have a hole truck)

 

[dfb]

the 300 is to long and the 5.0 is comming out of a 94 f150 4x4 (i have a hole truck)

I know the 300 six won't work, just making an observation... Anything can be done with enough money.... Good luck on the swap... Let us know how it turns out....

 

[Joe Dirt]

Best bet to find a cheap V8 is out of a junkyard. Should be had for a few hundred bucks, same with a tranny and transfer case. Rebuild it before you put it in for another couple hundred, and you'll have a stout engine that will run for a long time. How can an engine like the 302 be classified as a "car" engine or a "truck" engine? Never understood that- it's in everything- Stang's, Crown Vic's, Ex's, F150's, Vans, etc, etc... If it wasn't a good stout powerplant, it wouldn't be everywhere, and have the aftermarket following it does. As far as weights, the Ex only weights about 700 lbs more than a Mustang. Sure it isn't a racer, but anything you can to to a 4.0L you can do to a 5.0L- and so much more...

 

[dfb]

Best bet to find a cheap V8 is out of a junkyard. Should be had for a few hundred bucks, same with a tranny and transfer case. Rebuild it before you put it in for another couple hundred, and you'll have a stout engine that will run for a long time. How can an engine like the 302 be classified as a "car" engine or a "truck" engine? Never understood that- it's in everything- Stang's, Crown Vic's, Ex's, F150's, Vans, etc, etc... If it wasn't a good stout powerplant, it wouldn't be everywhere, and have the aftermarket following it does. As far as weights, the Ex only weights about 700 lbs more than a Mustang. Sure it isn't a racer, but anything you can to to a 4.0L you can do to a 5.0L- and so much more...

What I am saying is the 302 was originally the 289.. This is NOT a Torque monster or High Industrial Strength engine...However; the 300 Straight 6 is a Commercial Grade Engine with alot of torque and goes literaly forever..Not to put down the 302, but face it, it is NOT a Truck engine... You cant even tow with the darn thing...(it won't pull a limp noodle out of a lard bucket), the 300 6 was put in 3/4 and 1 ton pickups, unlike the 302 which was only used in the Bronco and F-100 and F-150s... Very enemic on power and not much on longevity... It really is a "Light Duty" engine...Shoot, it was used in the PINTO for crying out loud!!! Also that dinky MustangII..... It is NOWHERE near a small block Chevy.... Or the 390.... It is what it is,,, a very small light application V-8...An f-100 and an F-150 is basically a Pickup body with Car running gear... Brakes, Tranny, Rear ends etc.... It is not the Superduty of today...I am not trying to put down the 302 or the swap into the Explorer which it seems like I am doing... I personally am plenty happy with the power in the 4.0 and the fuel mileage.. The V-8 will add to the performance but just because it can be done, the question is "should it be done?"" and at what cost??? Is the "bang for the Buck there?"...To me it would not be worth the money and time...but to others I am sure it is worth it...

 

[ohe_boy]

4.0L stock= 160HP; 220 Torque

5.0L stock= 215HP; 280 Torque


Am I right? If so, a swap sounds good to me!

 

[94 Crawler]

Wow I will give you the 300 "Buzzin' half dozzen" is probably bar none the toughest engine Ford has ever stuck between the frame rails. But it is too long for the engine compartment without some seriuos modification. Also thev sound like a tobbaco harvester (two cyl. wisconsin) when you put loud exhaust on them. Had to get my diggs in. My recomendation is get a 5.0l Ex for a donor because you need the trans, the brackets, water pump, alternator, harmonic ballencer, intake etc etc... f150 intake and pullys wont fit, you have to trust me on that. If I had it all to do over I would have found a donner ex or supercharged it by far the most cost and labor effective method.Of corse I never disliked the 4.0 but hated the transmission and transfer case. A super charged 4.0 in front of my drive trane would be awsome.

Some thoughts on the 302. In the early 90's a stock fox body mustang (302) would have no problem spanking the @$$ of any stock crabmaro (350 auto, 305 manual). So far as towing goes engines with a longer stroke will produce more torque which is better for towing. Engines with shorter stroke will turn up faster and are better suted for applications such as a passenger car that needs to get up to highway speeds and in and out of traffic. And on the note of power if you read Smokey Yunic's Power secrets there is a section talking abought a 400 chavy that had been destroked to 200 cid (custom billet crank) with twin turbos that made 1,000 hp. Granted that was at 10,000 rpm, but still at the end of the day it is all in what you want.

One more thought on towing if you need more gear to get up to speed I suggest going my route and putting a zf-5 behind that three-o-two since that granny gear is around 5:1.

 

[Glen4X4]

If I remember right, if you do the swap and your truck is 4wd you'll need to change the front axle because of clearance issues with the 5.0 oil pan and your center axle disconnect.

 

[firemechjeff]

You are looking for headaches... First I personally would not opt for the 302. This engine is a "car engine".. It was use in the Ford Pinto, the Mavericks, and it really I don't think as good as the 4.0...You will be using more fuel to get a little more power... If it were a choice between the 300, the 302, the 351, 400 , 360 and 390 and the 460... The 300 wins hands down... Not much power but goes forever...; Someone on this site has done it and the CEL came on I think, .. he also had other issues... If you want the 5.0, just trade with someone.....with todays 3.20 plus gas prices, I am sure you'd get some takers...

302 never came in the Pinto. I swapped a 300 for a 302 in my F-100 years ago and picked up mpg, power, highway speed and smoothness. 300 is a low rpm workhorse for sure, but the 302 is just as tough.