First Explorer and need some info!

[Nate_V8]

Hi there

Just picked up my first truck which is a 1997 Explorer 5.0 Limited.

I have some questions regarding performance. I was looking to put this vehicle into the 14s. I was researching a bit, but didn't find the exact answers I was looking for.

a stock 5.0 explorer runs the 1/4 at around 16.8 correct? How much faster is it with the Torque monster headers and catback? I was thinking, a better intake, headers, catback, tune (don't know where to get one or what it is good for), roller rockers and underdrive pullies. Would those mods put me into the mid 15s? I think the limited comes with a 4spd auto and 3.73s? I'm picking it up monday.

Thanks

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved this thread to the modified 95-01 section.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome u got pics of ur limited

 

[celly]

I can't answer your questions re: times because mine is a daily driver and a family hauler only. I don't care about stuff like that. I do have the 4 speed auto and 3.73 LS rear like yours. I also have an air intake, upgraded exhaust, SCT programming and TM Headers. I can tell you that all these mods in combination do a GREAT job in waking up the 5.0 which is geared more to soccer moms in stock form.

I'm sure techieman33 will add his $0.02. He's more into 1/4 mile times etc and had the same mods in his old Mounty. He also ditched the front drive shaft to make it more fun.

Welcome to the site from another Canuck.

 

[99SportX]

Getting into the 15's is easy (relatively). celly's X will do mid-upper 15's right now with the mods he listed. Getting into the 14's will either require forced induction, internal motor work, or significant weight reduction.

 

[techieman33]

Bolt on's will get you to mid 15's but that's about it. A cam will help a lot, and might get you into low 15's. But for 14's you'll need a stroker or a blower. Here are links to my registry, and my drag strip thread, between them you'll get a good idea of what it will take to get you there.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181576
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188940&highlight=trip+drag+strip

 

[Nate_V8]

Thanks for the help, So bolt ons will put me into the mid 15s? that's not to bad.

I wasn't going to go with H/C/I, but I did find a m90 non intercooled on here running 5psi and gave an increase of 90hp.

Anyone know much about that m90 conversion? I have a 94-95 m90 just kickin around and it has the teflon coated rotors, which is better then the 89-93 m90s.

and I'll have pics after tomorrow when I get it.

 

[Nate_V8]

Anybody here know about the m90 swaps?

 

[Nate_V8]

nvrm I changed my mind.

I think I'll just stick to: Headers, catback, roller rockers, underdrives? (do they make them for these?) and a cam possibly.

BTW how strong are the transfer cases? can the AWD take the abuse well?

 

[techieman33]

nvrm I changed my mind.

I think I'll just stick to: Headers, catback, roller rockers, underdrives? (do they make them for these?) and a cam possibly.

BTW how strong are the transfer cases? can the AWD take the abuse well?

No underdrive pulleys are made for these. Don't bother with the roller rockers unless you going to put a cam in it. And yes the awd case can take plenty of abuse.

 

[Nate_V8]

ok no under drives then. sounds good for the transfer case though, plannong on some good beatings for it lol.

So where is a good place to get a tuner? can they use the SCT3 that I have? I'd just take the truck to get dynoed and tuned at the same time.

 

[techieman33]

Yes they can use the x-cal 3, that's what we recommend actually. James at www.hensonperformance.com is the guy that does most of our tuning. He's on the forum here goes by Jah81592.

 

[Carguy3J]

No underdrive pulleys are made for these. Don't bother with the roller rockers unless you going to put a cam in it. And yes the awd case can take plenty of abuse.

Really? No UDP? What about March Performance? I know they make pullies for the Mustang 5.0's. Why wouldn' they work for you guys?

 

[techieman33]

Yep no pulleys. The mustang pulleys won't work because of our ignition systems. There is a timing ring on the crank pulley that the mustangs don't have. And because of it a set of underdrive pulley's would be expensive to make.

 

[Shen2187]

I would say, yank everything out that you don't want/need. But that would be silly... Or would it? hehehe....

 

[techieman33]

I would say, yank everything out that you don't want/need. But that would be silly... Or would it? hehehe....

I've done it, it didn't help much, it's a fat heavy pig no matter which way you look at it.

 

[Shen2187]

Yes it is, mine weighed in at 5,453..

 

[meyek91974]

I don't build horsepower and american chrome and steel anymore, so I'm going outa my way on this one 'cause it's easy...so, "listen up" as Gunny would say. - - - (1)you want to change the cam to one that's for performance not grocery getting, (2)while in there, you want to port and pollish the heads for better air/fuel flow, (3) get a good set of headers; I said a good set so the largest fit diameter, gentlest bends, convergence to 3inch connectors, and ceramic plate for heat transfer, (4) continue with headers into 3" exhaust all the way back using only ONE cat. converter and a good performance muffler that's not based on sound but aerodynamic resistance and heat transfer, (5) have a cold air intake like what K&N makes with conic filters and the polished metal tubing, but you need to create better forced air intake to the filter as it might be able to breath easier but if it's still stuck in the box under the dirty, hot hood it's crap, (6) go to a place that can hook the computer up to reprogram/rechip/redyno that you'll see the difference in telling the computer to work for speed not grocery-getting-fuel consumption will get you, (7) if you're only rear wheel drive, you need to change the rear differential gear to suit the horsepower, torque, weight, & wheel size, (8) do NOT put larger diameter tires as you are asking for 0-60 pick-up-and-go speed; someone telling you differently didn't pay attention past the third chapter in basic Physics class, (9) change your radiator to an aluminum extracool; this will cool a lot better and weigh less, which brings me to... (10) cut weight- you realize that you're taking a steel loaf of bread of a brick and wanting a mustang, so you have to cut weight: no spare/doughnut spare, aluminum rims, factory interior redone to lightweight durable materials, have your gas tank cut to hold 40% less gas and only be able to drive 200miles per tank (I get 360 per tank), fiberglass fenders, loose the farings...........there's ten, twenty more things you can do.... Do this: go to a Speed shop where they work on Mustangs, old muscle cars, and such and what they do to make FAST cars is what you need to make your Explorer explore. - good luck and let me know if you have questions and how it goes.

 

[Nate_V8]

Thanks for the help, I know pretty much all of the above already. I know the exhaust bit too, I have a 97 mustang with a supercoupe 3.8L running dual 3" exhaust.

If I was going H/C/I I would just go with whatever my cam designer specified.

Thanks for the help though!

 

[Nate_V8]

So I love my new truck! except for the colour.....it's like mint booger so I'm gonna paint it black and get a saleen bumper on it! The limited it very pimp though! but it sits really low compared to my g/f's 1997 V6 explorer....guess it's the crappy air ride suspension, probably gonna pull it out and raise it.

But I just did an update on my truck for mpg and I'm pretty sure it's some kind of factory freak lol
64km/h - 26-27mpg
85km/h - 24mpg
90km/h - 23mpg
100km/h - 21-22mpg
110km/h - 20mpg
120km/h - 18-19mpg
city gets 16.7mpg
and thats with hilly terrain with the cruise on. Can't wait to see what happens with a full exhaust!! not bad for a vehicle rated for 14 city and 18 highway LOL