Best engine mods for a 98 4.0SOHC?

[Magicfan25]

its a 98 sport..I think it has 3.33s or 3.55s, but I'm not sure...how can I check that first off....

It already spins 3grand @80mph and I'm on the highway alot, not sure I wanna get different gears... So what can I do to the engine thats worthwhile?
I'm plannin on a conical filter setup and a cat back. Not sure where to go after that..

It ran a 16.03 in the 1/4 which surprised me, but thats still slooooooooooooooooooooooooow to someone like me. I'm thinkin about nitrous but I'm not sure how much the engine and tranny can handle.

 

[SaleenEXP]

unfortunatley the SOHC doesn't have a lot of potential which is really weird when you compare it to other ohc engines such as the 4.6 in the mustang and cobra. Your basically limited to exhaust, intake enchancements and a chip, there aren't even headers available for it. Do a search on here and you should find any info on the nitrous, but I don't think any one has used n.o.s. on the sohc because of it's high compression, I could be wrong but try the search bro .

EDIT- Also I don't think ford ever had an option for 3.33 or 3.55 on the Explorers. The new 02' Explor/Mounty have an option for 3.55's though. You should either have a ratio of 3.73 or 4.10's which is most likley what you have if you ran that time which was pretty good.

 

[Alec]

Firstly, tell us your axle code, which is on the driver door sticker. Sounds like your gears are pretty good though.

There are a few members who've done nitrous on the SOHC, and their posts are around. The safest consistent shot is about 75. But otherwise, it's pretty much intake, exhaust, and chip. good luck!

 

[mosinman]

Sounds like you have the 4.1 rear if you are running 3k at 80 mph. Mods are pretty much intake/exhaust/chip for the SOHC like everyone says. Fact is, the SOHC is pretty much a high performance V6 as it comes from the factory. It makes 45 more horses more than the old OHV of the same displacement! It does a pretty good job of lugging around 2 tons of EX while still getting decent gas mileage. Of course, it was never meant to be a speed demon - and never will be.

 

[Robert]

Since Magicfan25's '98 is a 2WD it is entirely possible that he has 3.55, especially if he has the smallest size tires offered on the 2WD which should be around 215 75R15. There is a thread on the Need For Speed forum titled "NOS on a SOHC" or something like that. It is towards the top so it won't be hard to find. I've seen at least two people post that they have NOS on their SOHCs so it can be done. A supercharger can be made to work if you are in to custom fabrication.

 

[Magicfan25]

Ok, first the nitrous post is me lol.

This might not be the axle code, but it said 46 right under axle... if thats wrong lemme know what I need.

Tires- P235/75 R15

That 3k @ 80mph is the overdrive ON
At 55mph with the OD on I'm right at 2k..with OD OFF I tach right above 2500.

I do know the right poeple to do a custom SC install but for the price its not worth it. I've estimated out to about $2500 including the blower... Nitrous is much cheaper (I'm not gonna need to fill a bottle all the time....) The lack of parts just leaves me dumbfounded... How many of these engines are out there in Explorers and Rangers and nobody makes anything? Maybe I'll have that race shop fab up some custom headers for me (they do custom headers, specializing in turbo setups). I also know where to go for a dyno tuned chip (I'd rather pay $100 more for that than a generic chip that wont do much)

I wouldnt be soooooooo tempted to sell it for a new GT if there were actually some go fast parts... At least I have a modded 300EX when I need an acceleration fix. I really do like the way my X looks, and see alot of potential but the lack of options makes me wanna rip my hair out.

On edit...I just had a terribly sick idea.. any idea if a 4.6 SOHC from a GT will fit in the bay of my X? (obviously the tranny would get the boot too)

 

[focbl]

OK will the mustang 5.0 fit right into the EX and haul arse. You can get anything and everything for the 5.0.
It could be worth changing it out.....
What do you all think....

 

[Magicfan25]

That was my other thought if the stang 4.6 wouldnt fit. I wont swear to it, but i do think there was a 5.0 offered in the sport before the round shaped front end.. i think after that the bay is too small...Alec says a 4.6 will in no way fit...too big all the way around...but on OHC engine is gonna be wider and talled than an OHV...not sure on the length issue

 

[Jason_25]

Originally posted by Magicfan25
That was my other thought if the stang 4.6 wouldnt fit. I wont swear to it, but i do think there was a 5.0 offered in the sport before the round shaped front end.. i think after that the bay is too small...Alec says a 4.6 will in no way fit...too big all the way around...but on OHC engine is gonna be wider and talled than an OHV...not sure on the length issue

Actually that's not right. In the 91-94 (square) the only engine offered is the OHV 4.0 L v6. The 5.0 was not offered in the 95-01 sports either. However, the 5.0 will fit in a 95-2001 alot easier than a 91-94.

 

[Robb]

The 5.0 was not offered in the 95-01's either.

I am so confused right now!

Robb

 

[Alec]

clarification: the 5.0 was never offered in the sport. and a late model swap is a lot easier than a 91-94 swap.

 

[Robb]

ahhhhhhhh....thx alec

just a bit confused (so what is new?)

Robb

 

[SaleenEXP]

I was always curious about the V8 being in the Sports. I know Ford didn't have an option for the V8 in the Sport, but I saw something that goes against that. I'm suprised that no one ever mentioned this, but if you look in the 1997 Car and Driver Magazine for SUV'S, look at the Explorer review and guess what you'll clearly see on the next page?? A black 2dr Sport w/ V8 bages! I emailed Car and Driver a long time ago and asked them about that picture, they emailed me back and told me they indeed had a 2dr V8 in their fleet, wtf gives??? Did anyone else notic that?

 

[Alec]

prototype? special thing to get good reviews? dunno. never been a v8 sport sold mass-market though.

 

[SaleenEXP]

confuses the hell out of me, Every other truck in there was stock like no protype or anything yet why in the hell would they put in a V8 Sport, I seriously doubt that they just put the badges on b/c I've never seen them do that to any car, but they had pictures of the the different types of Explorers and theres the 2dr V8. All they told me in the email (like 2yrs ago) was that they ordered it from Ford and they indeed drove it around as part of their fleet and that it was very fast and that was basically it. I was actually suprised they sent me all that info instead of saying "yeh we drove one or something like that". I actually think Ford should have placed the V8 in the sport to stand up to the SPORT name although your truck Alec definetley stands up to it hehe. But Ford easily had the capacity to put 5.0's in the Sport, and I bet if they did they would sell even better than they do now.

 

[SaleenEXP]

Ford Ranger Low Rider Concept Vehicle: Making its debut at the Texas State Fair is the all-new Ranger Low Rider Concept Vehicle. Aimed at the youth market, the concept features a lowered suspension, ground effects, a cloth-like tonneau cover, 17-inch Cobra chrome 5-spoke wheels and high performance tires. Interior changes include a new steering wheel, seats, instrument panel cluster and center panel finish. Under the hood, this concept version of America's best-selling compact pickup features a supercharged 4.0-liter SOHC engine producing more than 255 horsepower.

I found this from Ford-Trucks.com click on this link:
Dead Link Removed

Maybe Ford will produce this because if you look at the other vehicles below it that they showcased they have already been selling them, So maybe Ford is interested in the sohc, but I'm not sure they would produce one for the sohc, they must have used low-boost to only get around 255hp though. It's also dated from 2001.

EDIT- Alec I'm still baffled on that V8 2dr, if you can find a 1997 Car and Driver Suv Buyers Guide/Review with the suvs and pickups and minivans, there it is along with the other models of Explorers, a 2dr V8 sport, I can't beleive nobody ever noticed this on this forum unless they never looked at that issue.