Need some info on the explorer 5.0L

[FordTough]

Im looking to do an engine swap and looking information about a 98 and up explorer 5.0L really what I am looking to find out is will this motor except a manual transmission, the trans is a Ford T-18

Any information is greatly appreciated thanks.

 

[Cobraguy]

Yes it will...with a few caveats. The problem is, Ford never put a manual trans behind a 5.0 in an Explorer. that means you could have ECM problems where it's all integrated with the automatic trans. Will that cause an issue? Not sure. Can it be tuned out? Call James at Henson Performance. Another option would be to look for a 1996 Bronco or F150 that had a manual trans behind a 5.0 and see if you can get an ECM for that. The secret here is you have OBDII in the 98, so that limits you from going to something like a Mustang ECM which is OBDI (EEC-IV) Keep in mind using any processor that is earlier than the year vehicle you have is technically illegal. Whether that would show on an emissions check or not I don't know. Can they see the year and calibration of the processor? Possibly.

Next thing to worry about is whether or not the crankshaft is drilled for the pilot bearing. Believe it or not, manufacturers get cheap and if they know an engine will never receive a standard trans, they won't drill or finish machine the crank for a pilot bearing. I just had the crank out of a 99 and didn't look either damn it.

Then you have the problem of locating the shifter through the floor board. You will have to go probably get your hands on a standard trans Explorer and rob the tunnel cover, boot, etc. That part should be easy. You will also need a clutch activation set up. Rob from the same Explorer as the tunnel parts...or just hang a clutch master cylinder and pedals and use a McLeod bearing.

Finally, if this is a 4WD, you need to come up with the adapter for the transfer case, and you will have to swap out the transfer case for a different one...4406 would be my first thought. Drivelines, shifter, etc would be needed. This really should be a great swap. I want to see someone put a T56 in one.

 

[Cobraguy]

Ohhh...Lookie what I found! Standard Motor Products ECM EM1904. 1996 Bronco with a 5.0 and a standard transmission.

Now, the next question...what is the firing order of that vehicle? Is it the same as the Explorer? Of course, a camshaft change could fix that. Someone here told me that it was a DIS vehicle too. Need to double check that.

After looking some more, it appears they offer a different ECM for a 2WD manual trans. But the bad news is they also show both the F150 and the Bronco as having distributors. So another wrinkle...

 

[FordTough]

Well the vehicle this is going into is a jeep wrangler turned FORD, I have the T-18 trans and I have a A9L computer and wiring harness off a mustang my main concern is weather or not it will have the crank drilled for pilot bushing and both the motor and ecm are newer then the vehicle and they do not do OBD I emissions here in IL the vehicle is a 92 everything is going into

I was reading a post on here and guy said the motor can be converted back to ECC IV that was another one of my worries

Thanks for the response

 

[gijoecam]

Just thinking.... being that it's going into a Jeep anyways, wouldn't a Ranger ECU work well for it (out of one with a manual trans, of course)?

-Joe

 

[CDW6212R]

The OBDII computers(PCM) will allow more fine tuning in the same flasher device, but the Mustang PCM's are common and can do the job just fine. You will need the distributor to match the PCM, and for a manual it needs to be a manual PCM. The later OBDII PCM can have the trans functions turned off, with a flasher.

It sounds like you have it covered, just check on the pilot bearing hole.

 

[FordTough]

yeah I have been researching this for about 2-3 years now and just realized that the explorer 5.0 might work out been trying to find a mustang motor and everyone wants an arm and a leg for one and the explorer motor is just fine for what I want and I heard that some had GT 40 heads and saw somewhere that the intake on the explorer is pretty good too.

Yeah I found a motor going to go and check it out and see if it has a spot for the pilot bushing from the picture he has looks good so far.

 

[storlied]

The Explorers that came with the 5.0 were from 95-01, GT-40P heads started showing up in 97 I believe.

 

[CDW6212R]

All of the Explorer 302's(96-01) have GT40 heads and GT40 intakes, but avoid the 97.5-01 GT40P heads unless you deal with the special headers. The GT40P heads began in mid 1997 and have unique headers. There are a few Mustang GT40P headers, but they are hard to get compared to common Mustang stuff.

You can buy GT40 heads cheaply on eBay or the Corral, they are common now. So don't avoid a good deal on a GT40P 302 if you find one. The intakes are in high demand, they are the same in performance as any 302 Cobra intake. Those are also easy to find on eBay etc.

 

[FordTough]

the motor im lookin at is a 2000 my main thing is geting the egr hooked up but thats a battle to fight later on down the road

 

[CDW6212R]

For EGR you decide on the type to use and then make it work. If you use the header EGR point, then the 94/95 Mustang header may be the part. The Explorers had external and internal EGR, the GT40P versions being external. That's how to tell them apart, look for the EGR pipe on the right header.

 

[FordTough]

yes it does have the header pipe on the right side exhuast

 

[CDW6212R]

Yes see that's the "P" head, and you will have to find special headers for that. So for the EGR do you want to use the 94/95 Mustang style? I don't know if the 86-93 PCM you have will operate EGR like that. You might be better to get normal heads(non P) and then your header choices are easier. You can of course add the EGR bung to any header, that's no big deal at all.

I don't know how far the PCM you have has been taken for swaps. If it can't deal with the 94+ EGR then the head swap would be best, to avoid the "P" headers. Of course if finding the rare "P" headers is too much trouble, then you have to change heads anyway.

 

[FordTough]

Well I can get around the EGR. I now have a 2000 5.0L only thing is it has the wrong lower intake so I am looking for a lower that will except an ACT drilled or not drilled also I will be getting rid of some part of this motor and will let you guys have dibs on them if ya need them

 

[CDW6212R]

Some people have tapped the intake for the Mustang ACT or IAT, some others have literally let the sensor lay there protected. The old EECIV computer isn't very sensitive, it evidently is not critical at all where the sensor goes. Those PCM's basically see cold, warm, or hot, not much else. I think that the 96/97 intakes have more meat there to tap threads into. The 97.5-2001 intakes were redesigned, lighter and thinner. Don't ever over torque the upper intake bolts, the ears of the intake can break off.

 

[FordTough]

Looks like im going to have to look around for one, now you were saying some pcm's were not sensitive well I can tell you what I have maybe its one, I have A9L.

 

[CDW6212R]

That's the EECIV, for 86-93 Mustangs I believe. I don't know those codes well, just that you don't want the 94/95 PCM unless that's your car. So you should be able to use that intake if you want to.

 

[Cobraguy]

If this is in a Jeep, you don't care about emission compliance...so the A9L would be a great way to go for this application. It's a stick trans ECM for a 5.0 Mustang and is probably the second best PCM out there. (the Cobra calibration being the best) It most definitely is EEC-IV, but you can make it a stout performer. Just look at all the 12 second 5.0 Mustangs on the street running that ECM...

 

[CDW6212R]

Yes but will he need the aftermarket piggy back devices to tune it? I know that it can be done readily, but how much expense is it for a basic combination?

 

[FordTough]

yeah im not looking for a 300+ HP motor I need torque and my drivetrain is more then capable of producing enough torque with the 302 worries me about picking a good tcase dont need to blow one of them up

now I have talked with some mustang guys and they were saying that I could put my ACT in the air box or intake tube before the TB, I am trying to see if im going to have any problems with this my 5.0 EFI book doesnt go into detail other then saying speed density systems its very critical sensor for A/F ratios but doesnt specify MAF system. and the A9L is MAF need to find some more detailing on this