Hey Guys, new to the board!!! Ready for more power!!!

[UKCat123]

Just wanted to say what up fellas! Glad I found this forum. Hopefully I can pick the brains of some of you and learn some things!

I just bought my first car/truck a few months back....a fully loaded 1997 Explorer XLT w/ SOHC engine. I couldn't be happier with the thing but am now ready to make some upgrades to bump up those 205 horses!!!

I am not going to sit here and say "what is the cheapest and easiest way to get more power." That's silly. But I would love any and all suggestions as to what direction I should go in first. The truck is stock...original exhaust etc. Cheap or expensive upgrades...I am an open book.

I guess if I had to tell you all what I had in mind to do first was to replace the "petering out" exhaust with maybe a flowmaster. My Dad's wanting to drop it in with me. Also, instaling a CAI is up there as well. Easy to do upgrade. With these upgrades, I am thinking a 20+HP increase....maybe?! ha

Anyways, thanks again fellas for reading. Yes, I am a newbie, but hope to learn a lot on here!!

 

[BBQ Bandit]

Welcome to the forum.

Just a precautionary note regarding the SOHC motor ... don't spend too much money on the engine.... known to have the propensity for what's known as "the death rattle" ... wheras the engine will self-destruct internally... only fix is a complete engine removal/teardown.

A 1997 with a 5.0 motor is the better and stronger direction.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hi and welcome to the site.
First I'm going to move your thread to a more appropriate forum, so the right people will chime in and give you lots of suggestions.
Second I would suggest that you kick back and relax and do a search on Explorers and speed and I'm sure that you will be able to find things that you didn't even think about yet.
I do have one word of caution.....Once you start modifying your truck, it don't stop. The mod bug bites you and sucks all your money out of you. Been there, done that. Good luck!!

 

[IZwack]

Welcome to that which is ExplorerForum.

Please suh, may I have s'more power?

 

[UKCat123]

I have heard of problems with the timing chain on the 97. Is this what you speak of? I have been told by one of my friends that is an Explorer enthusiast to get that swapped with a new one relatively soon. He said "if the chain goes bad, you are talking catastrophic engine failure." Although he did say that with only 96k (the milage on the truck as of now) I SHOULD be able to last a bit longer without any problems.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[Ray Lobato]

I have heard of problems with the timing chain on the 97. Is this what you speak of? I have been told by one of my friends that is an Explorer enthusiast to get that swapped with a new one relatively soon. He said "if the chain goes bad, you are talking catastrophic engine failure." Although he did say that with only 96k (the milage on the truck as of now) I SHOULD be able to last a bit longer without any problems.

You friend is right, the plastic timing chain guides are bad on the 97's more so than other years. I had mine done at about 92K.
Getting back to more speed. Have your considered better intake breathing, like a cold air intake? How about some headers? Headers and better breathing can add power, and are easy add ons. If you are thinking about a chip, get everything else before you buy the chip, because you will only have to program it once. There are a lot of guys here that can help you out with this.

 

[UKCat123]

Thanks for the info.!!!

 

[abbyroadkill]

excellent info. thanks alot to all who chimed in

and thanks to the question asker (is that a word?)

peace

 

[UKCat123]

To expand further on the timing chain issue....how hard of a fix is it? A do-it-yourselfer?

My buddy made a very vague guesstimate at the cost of such a fix and he said "Maybe anywhere from $500-800."

What are some figures for those who have "been there?"

edit: I bought the Explorer from a dealer...w/ 93k. What are some options on findoing out if the timing chain even needs to be replaced? Maybe the guy who owned it before me already had it swapped while under the warranty. Would I go to carfax.com for that information? Thoughts?