Build the 4.0 w/ C-4 or do a V-6/V8 swap??

[ProjectAviator]

I am looking to get more power off road. I am currently collecting parts for a SAS/SOA on my 95 XLT. But I am looking for more power. With my current 4.0 seeming a little lethargic then theres the transmission. I have thought of 3 options.

1: Rebuild and add some performance to the 4.0 then a c-4 swap.

2: Do a performance 3.8/4.2 V-6 swap with a AOD or C-4

3: Do a Hi performance V-8 swap. with a AOD or C-4


Thoughts ideas comments

Tim

 

[cybergasm]

Heck with it. If gonna do then do it right and get the V8 and you'll be much happier cheers

 

[HUA99XLT]

I second that. I would go with the V8. Do you have the OHV or SOHC engine? I have a 99 with the SOHC and I REALLY wanna do a V8 swap myself, sometime in the future. Just need a garage to do it in haha.

As Tim Taylor (from Home Improvement) always said: "More power argh, argh, argh."

 

[BWilliams]

Add another to the "do it right" tally -- quite a few people on here have done 5.0L V8 swaps.

 

[Gouky]

you forgot one option:

4) make the hi performance 4.0L as in option number one and put a full size transmission behind it.

here are the components you need to make it work: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189304

that'll adapt from a champagne bell housing patern to a small block ford patern.

you can then run any full size auto or manual transmission and never worry about breaking it again.

personally i used a np435 and np205 and it fit great with minimal interior modifications (the hole in the floor din't go far enough forward)

the only thing is the 2" exhuast that i'm selling with it will prevent you from adding much HP to your 4.0L. but send me an offer without the exhaust and it may still be worth my while

 

[R.J.]

in the end, you'll be happiest with the v8, but i voted for swapping in somehting out of the norm, just cause it would be interesting

 

[jah81592]

Drop in a sohc and a 5r55s with a Turbo.

 

[ezeedee]

if i were ever to swap anything to my explorer, it would be a diesel.

 

[IZwack]

I voted for the C4 swap cauz you'll have many off-roaders following this thread if you take this route

 

[Tbars4]

i too say c-4 but you don't have a choice for different tranny and 302...

 

[95offroadx]

1 One day here soon, i plan to do a mild build up on the 4.0(422 cam, ported heads, 988 valve springs, ported intake manifold, and then some bolt ons) after my tranny blows its gonna be c4 time.

 

[Tbars4]

hurry up someone and do 1 of each...i am going to be looking forward to the writeups...

 

[R.J.]

whatever you end up doing, just take ALOT of pictures!

 

[410Fortune]

all of the above have been done just FYI


the 3.8L is RARE but there was a Ranger or two running around with the 3.8L Souper Coupe SC version, the problem with the 3.8L conversion is why not just go with the cheaper to build V8 5.0L? same bolt pattern just two more cylinders

I believe the prerunner Ranger that did have a 3.8L SC eventually went 5.0L after battling the SC and custom setup for a bit, of course his engine was also pushed back into the cab for desert driving...

4.0L with C4 is a great combo assuming the C4/5 is built right
You will lose overdrive

Heck these days they are even doing the SOHC 4.0L with a C4/5 behind it in the So Cal 2wd scene

The AOD behind a 4.0L is questionable, the adapters you can get now are nice but IMO why not just go V8? Power loss would be a drawback. But thats just MO, with the right 5 speed and t case this could be an excellent setup

the v8 has been done from Carbed to turbo, heck even Ford put a 5.4L lightning drivetrain into a Ranger, anything is possible when it comes to V8 conversions.

When planning a conversion for a 4x4 I usually like to say pick a transfer case, then work forward from there. The t case you pick will likely drive your transmission choice, which can then drive which v8 choice to go with based on what (if any) computer is needed to control the auto transmission.

the Explorer GT-40p 5.0L with 4r70w is a VERY desirable setup IMO if you can swing it. You get a late model pushrod 5.0L with GT-40 heads and intakes, (roller lifters, the short front serpentine dress, DIS, MAS, and OBD-II) a computer controlled wide ratio auto trans that can take the abuse and can be adapted to many different t cases including Atlas, Dana 20, BW1350-54, BW 4406, and more.

Just my 02

 

[Tbars4]

410fortune, in case i missed it, what was the t/c match for the 4.0/c4 combo, just in case i want to swap later??? :scratch

 

[410Fortune]

the C5 was used in BII's and Rangers (2.8L, 84-85) It had a BW 1350 t case behind it

You can bolt a BW 1350 or 54 to this C5 output /tailhousing

I believe the dana 20 can also bolt to a truck version of the C4? But I am not sure on that I have never researched that far into it after I decided to go 4r70w

I am not 100% on C4/5 t case options, but I do know there are a few.
the C5 output shaft and tail housing is a sought after piece of stock equipment, I do believe they are being manufactured again because the demand for them was up....but I may be mistaken that might just be the C5 style bellhousing (needed to mount a C4 to a 60 degree cologne V6, 2.8, 2.9, 4.0, 4.0L SOHC)

 

[IZwack]

Look, you newbs who voted for "Screw the 6 V8 baby" -- you're vote won't count. ProjectAviator is going to do a C4 swap, I just KNOW it :

 

[Tbars4]

thanks, and i was asking for my first gen X....there is a guy out here in orange county that is a retired tranny guy and builds and sells a bell housing for this...i lost the info on him and when i find it i'll post it...

 

[Tbars4]

izwack, who you talking about and what happened to your post??? lol...

 

[IZwack]

Nothing happened to my post, what are you talking aboot?