New owner looking for performance tips and tricks.

[Gan]

Hi one and all,
I just got a 93 Explorer XLT with 84K miles and I wanted to get an idea of mods that will give better performance and make the car run smoother. I have heard about the KKM thing but am not quite sure as to what it is. How about plugs/wires and running mobil 1. I'm stationed in Turkey right now and the truck is a fun project to work on. Any ideas you guys can offer is greatly apprecaited.

Gan

 

[leenjen]

www.kustomz.com is the website for the KKM intake.
the KKM is probably the first mod you will want to do. then maybe a cat-back exhaust. i hear borla is probably the best, but is very expensive. most people seem to use Gibson or Flowmaster. any aftermarket exhaust will be an improvement. you could even get a high flow cat to go with it for even better performance.

 

[leenjen]

as far as plugs go, i think most people like Bosch (sp?) +4 or platinum.

i always use sythetic oil. i usually get Castrol Syntec full sythetic, but in the winter i like to get Mobil 1 (0W-30)

 

[Positive Vibes]

Hello and Welcome!

The KKM replaces the air filter and allows much more air to flow freely. This has added the most noticable power increase on my '94. Other mods would be to modify your exhaust (Flow master), new chip, larger throttle body. I know there are a few more mods just keep asking and you should get more info. Good luck. Bye the way how's the weather in Turkey?

Dekester

 

[aldive]

Welcomre to the world of Explorer improvement...

For some rather easy performance modifications, I would ( and I did to mine ) do the following:
(1)KKM intake
(2) Custome ( from your local muffler shop ). Don't ber fooled by the mystic of the so called name exhausts - they are NO better, only MORE expensive
(3) Bosh +4 plugs
(4) Magnicore wires
(5) Synthetic fluids all around - I use Mobil 1 only.
(6) Shine that truck with Zaino products

Good luck....

 

[glc8937]

I have the 93 XLT as well and here is my reccomendation:

1) KKM intake
2) New exhaust
3) Bosch +4 plugs
4) Synthetic fluids

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!
You say your explorer is at 84k. In case you didn't know the 91-94 explorers are FAMOUS for having the transmission go out any time after 70k. My homework has learned that you need to install a trans cooler and run synthetic fluids in the tranny! If you explore this site you will see over and over and over all the people who had to replace their trannies after 70k.

Hope that helps!!

 

[Gan]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the quick responses. First off the weather here is Hot, I mean 100 in the shade hot. For the synthetic fluids in the tranny, it's a automatic, how about redline? It's what I used to run in my Saab and it did great. Next, how about sites to get the plugs wires and the throttle body. Do you recomend someone who sponsors this site or any others I can contact. I know the plugs and wires are an easy install but how about the throttle body? How about the trans cooler for price and instalation. Thanks again for the input and I'll keep this puppy shined.

Gan

 

[aldive]

I can ONLY recommend Mobil 1 synthetic oil, transmission fluid and rear end lube.

The plugs are far from easy to change, my friend.

Look at Explorer Express ( http://www.explorerexpress.com/cata...ttp://www.magnecor.com/magnecor1/spelling.htm

You should be able to get the Bosch plugs from any auto parts supplier.

Good luck....

 

[glc8937]

Al......Your link is not valid.

Gan,

Al is correct in saying that the plugs and wires are not easy. I am not too familiar with redline but I do agree with Al in that Mobil 1 is a very good and trustworthy product to use.

You say you will keep her shined.....as Al will agree with me....ZAINO!!

www.zainobros.com

NOTHING beats their shine!!

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by glc8937
Al......Your link is not valid.

Oups... sorry about that, the link I posted was to a specific place in their online catalog, guess they dont hold up.

Well their main link is http://www.explorerexpress.com/catalog/

 

[pdqb12]

good luck gan!

To get that last plug, try going through the wheel well. Worked like a charm for my old 92' sport and my dad's 94' XLT. We struggled on those bad boys for 4 hours. After lunch and a football game, I went back to look at it, saw my lucky break from the side and had it out in a minute. It looks the trickiest, but it is actually the easiest one to replace. I would also try cleaning yourMAF and it could be time for a new fuel filter.

 

[glc8937]

Replacing the fuel filter...YIKES!! Do a search on this Gan and you will see that it is a real pain in the A$$!!

Just forwarning you

 

[pdqb12]

fuel filter

You can get the fuel filter changed at Jiffy Lube for $35. It is a heck of a lot easier than trying to do it yourself.

 

[aldive]

Re: fuel filter

Originally posted by pdqb12
You can get the fuel filter changed at Jiffy Lube for $35. It is a heck of a lot easier than trying to do it yourself.

I recently had my fuel filter changed at Jiffy Lube and the bill was $45. I thought it was well worth it.

 

[Jet Ski Puller]

Honest opinions wanted

I hear a lot of people mentioning KKM and I'm really interested in the performance gains.

I have a K&N conical and short ram intake on my Acura and it made it significantly louder than stock, especially at higher RPM's...which is great *on my car*.

BUT, I use the X for long trips and would prefer to keep it as quiet as possible. Currently, I have opted for a drop in performance filter. When I went to the high flow cat and free flow muffler, I went through 2 brands at the local shop...Flowmaster & Magnaflow...before I finally settled with a Dynomax which was much quieter than the other two. This gave it a nice sound (almost too quiet at an idle, though), *but it's border line too loud in the 2600-3000 RPM range*.

Can someone give me a detailed description of how much louder the KKM is than stock throughout the RPM range? I am most concerned about 2500-3500 RPM, since this is mainly where I run at pulling my trailer in Direct Drive on the freeway.

If I momentarily ran without the top of the airbox, would this give me a pretty good idea of how loud it would be?

Thanks.

Sorry to interrupt the thread...I've asked for info before and all I seem to get is "it's not too much louder than stock" and "it sounds really cool". Doesn't give me much to make a decision on.

 

[aldive]

Re: Honest opinions wanted

Originally posted by Jet Ski Puller
I Can someone give me a detailed description of how much louder the KKM is than stock throughout the RPM range? I am most concerned about 2500-3500 RPM, since this is mainly where I run at pulling my trailer in Direct Drive on the freeway.

The only time my KKM is louder than stock is when the foot is fully in the throtle. At cruising speeds, You hear nada.

 

[Jet Ski Puller]

Significantly louder, or only slightly louder? There are many times that I'm pretty close to WOT while pulling my trailer at 75 mph down the interstate.

Thanks.

 

[JulieEx]

Originally posted by Jet Ski Puller
Significantly louder, or only slightly louder? There are many times that I'm pretty close to WOT while pulling my trailer at 75 mph down the interstate.

Thanks.

What kind of trailer are you pulling that requires that much throtle at the speed you mentioned?

 

[ok89]

Judging by his name I'm guessing its the trailer that has his jet skis on it.

 

[TDG]

the 91-94 explorers are FAMOUS for having the transmission go out any time after 70k.

For the 91-94 with the auto tranny I would recommend having the trans rebuilt/upgraded before doing any engine mods. Reason being that once you get done with the engine mods you are going to drive it a little harder and I dont think the stock trans that is over 70k is going to stand up to the abuse of harder driving. Plus having a good trans will only make the engine mods work that much better in the areas of allowing the engine to rev out and shift firmer.