Hard to find info on this online

[Digits093dj]

So I have a stock 1998 Ford Explorer, V8 XLT.

I'd like to know what performance upgrades I can install onto it with and without tuning and/or upgrading the ECU. I cant hardly find any CAI's online that fit.

Not exactly sure why, but I LOVE this vehicle and want to upgrade things on it. This is my daily driver, however I also would like it to be be my FUN daily driver lol.

What I'm considering on upgrading and also fixing:

Cold Air Intake?
Exhaust Headers?
Fuel Injectors?
Add a turbo?
Suspension?

I have an exhaust leak and I am not sure where or how to locate it. My experience on mechanic work on cars consists of oil changes, brake/rotor/caliper changing, air filter replacement, and fuel filter replacement. I am pretty mechanically inclined , however I guess I just need some guidance and advice, thank you for you time and thanks for having me on this very informational site. I'll be browsing while I wait for some help/answers.

 

[C420sailor]

Exhaust manifolds choke this engine out. A set of headers gives you significant gains.

Removing the 1-2 and 2-3 accumulator springs in the transmission will firm up your shifts. Normal driving you won’t notice, but WOT shifts will wake you up for sure. Google the J-Mod for the 4R70W. Don’t drill your separator plate.

 

[Digits093dj]

I'm not sure exactly what you're talking about by removing springs from tranny and idk what a separator plate is. Also what does wot mean? Sorry not familiar with the terminology...

 

[allmyEXes]

@Digits093dj Click there> 4R70W "J" Mod

 

[Digits093dj]

And this will enhance performance? It seems simple, pretty much just drop the pan and replace? But you said DONT drill holes?

 

[C420sailor]

If you’re still somewhat new to wrenching, start with the headers.

WOT is wide open throttle...pedal to the floor.

 

[410Fortune]

1998 4r70w does not exactly need the J mod, by 98 they were already improved quite a bit from the old 94-97 4r70w
Although the transmission valve body can handle some nice upgrades to remove the stock "Lazy" shift settings

You might be surprised at what the stock PCM can accommodate, a cam, headers, intake, exhaust, gears, transmission mods, the stock PCM will still be happy.

 

[C420sailor]

Agreed, and I wouldn’t drill the plate. My 99 plate was updated so much that the J-Mod almost didn’t apply.

That said, these transmissions do tend to break accumulator springs, resulting in delayed shifts and similar. I pulled all mine, like the J-Mod calls for, and the shifts are just so much better and more positive. I love the feel. My truck is a true daily driver, and I love the shifts. Docile under part throttle, drag strip snappy when you stomp on her.

I did a bit of a bottom end refresh when I did mine. Replaced the check balls with the hard plastic balls, replaced all VB gaskets, replaced solenoids, replaced accumulators (rubber gets hard) and removed springs, and mounted a drain plug in the pan. Installed an external trans filter. Well worth the time and effort.

The 4R70W is a relatively bulletproof trans behind the 302, assuming you take decent care of it.

 

[Digits093dj]

Alright guys really good info glad I made the post on this site. Now where could I find online to shop for new headers for my first upgrade? That's what I should upgrade first yes? And I'll do the j mod upgrade for now as well , seeing how the above said it gives improvement as well.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

this is the only place you can find true bolt on headers

TorqueMonsterHeaders.com

www.torquemonsterheaders.com

you can take a chance with the obx headers, they are cheaper, but your getting what you pay for. as for mods that dont require retuning, a turbo and injectors would be out. im also not a big believer in the "cold air intake" because most of them suck in air from under the hood and you would be better off leaving the stock air box in it.
the other thing you can do is ditch the awd case and put a 4406 case from a f150 in. there is a write up here for that as well. the other thing we should ask is what are you after more? speed? handling? off road?

 

[Digits093dj]

this is the only place you can find true bolt on headers

TorqueMonsterHeaders.com

www.torquemonsterheaders.com

you can take a chance with the obx headers, they are cheaper, but your getting what you pay for. as for mods that dont require retuning, a turbo and injectors would be out. im also not a big believer in the "cold air intake" because most of them suck in air from under the hood and you would be better off leaving the stock air box in it.
the other thing you can do is ditch the awd case and put a 4406 case from a f150 in. there is a write up here for that as well. the other thing we should ask is what are you after more? speed? handling? off road?

Handling and speed. Also where could I find where to buy the jmod kit? If I leave the stock air box should I swiss cheese the box? If so, how could I do this?

 

[vroomzoomboom]

jmod isnt a kit, you need to read the link that another member posted, or you can find tons of information on it by doing a search at this forum

TCCoA Forums

A forum community dedicated to Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar and Lincoln Mark owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!

www.tccoa.com

also swiss cheesing the air box is just as bad as putting a open air filter under the hood because it will draw hot air in from under the hood and not the outside

as for handling you can lower it safely by 2 inches and replace the rear swaybar with a larger diameter one. helwig made them at one time but i am not sure anymore. same with explorer express.
speed is going to be hard to come by if you dont want to tune, and also dig into the motor. speed = money. how fast do you want to spend

 

[C420sailor]

The J-Mod consists of drilling the separator plate (which I don’t recommend on these 4R70s), and removing the accumulator springs. So don’t get too wrapped around the axle regarding the hole drilling.

There’s a good how-to video on YouTube.

 

[Digits093dj]

Thanks guys, all good info, I'll check out the video on YouTube. That link that was provided on the jmod said I could find the stuff I need for under 80 bucks. Idk if it is outdated or if I need to actually buy anything but I will look more into it. I have an exhaust leak I'm not sure where it's coming from, however I was thinking of going to piqua muffler shop over here in Ohio. Any ideas on decent exhaust?

 

[Cowboytrukr]

The “CAI” cult craze would have you believe they have the “holy grail” of engine mods. Physics doesn’t lie. Air temps inside the engine bay are much hotter than outside ambient temps. Hotter air is less dense than cooler air. Lower density equals lower horsepower. Save your money on that one.

Yes, there are side by side test that show some measure of increase at wide open throttle, but who among us constantly drives much more than about 1/3 throttle?

 

[jr230]

So I have a stock 1998 Ford Explorer, V8 XLT.

I'd like to know what performance upgrades I can install onto it with and without tuning and/or upgrading the ECU. I cant hardly find any CAI's online that fit.

Not exactly sure why, but I LOVE this vehicle and want to upgrade things on it. This is my daily driver, however I also would like it to be be my FUN daily driver lol.

What I'm considering on upgrading and also fixing:

Cold Air Intake?
Exhaust Headers?
Fuel Injectors?
Add a turbo?
Suspension?

I have an exhaust leak and I am not sure where or how to locate it. My experience on mechanic work on cars consists of oil changes, brake/rotor/caliper changing, air filter replacement, and fuel filter replacement. I am pretty mechanically inclined , however I guess I just need some guidance and advice, thank you for you time and thanks for having me on this very informational site. I'll be browsing while I wait for some help/answers.

some mustang and crown vic parts might fit everything i read cai is a waste of money and might mess with sensors and i have a 99 v6 5sp
yes i love it to its down slave cyl failed and its combined with throwout
but re,ember its 22 yrs old so increase power too much failure of trans might happen unless you can afford total rebuild
although that might be cheaper than a new one got sticker shock and local dealer only has the tubro small engine under 45k