Newbie with a 5.0 question

[ncranchero]

I've been looking for a 5.0 HO to swap into my 93 Sport. Most Mustang,T-bird and Mark VII motors are pretty high mileage. I keep reading references to the Explorer 5.0 as being the same as the older 5.0 HO's. Any truth to this? If so, what years should I look for? Thanks for any info you can give me on this one.

 

[boominXplorer]

the main differance between the explorer 5.0 and the mustang one is the way the accesories (PS, ALT ect) mount up. The explorer motor is actually like a 93 cobra motor with a different cam in it. They have motor mounts availible for any 5.0 to an explorer. Are you going to be 4x4 or 4x2? If 4x4 you would probibly want a c4 or c5 with a married transfer case. Im not sure what transfer case woudl work for you as i am a lowered/speed guy. If you are going 2wd a T-5 would be the best way to go

 

[ncranchero]

So, since this is a swap and not a Mustang replacement the acessory mounting would make no difference and changing the cam to a Mustang version would make it an H.O.???????? Is that correct?

Planning on doing a drop and some suspension mods to make her handle. Just have to get all my ducks in a row before I start. Thanks for thie info, I'll take all I can get.

Steve

 

[boominXplorer]

An explorer motor would be considered a HO. The heads are GT-40's or GT-40P's, the upper and lower intake manifolds flow the same as a cobra but the explorer has a more low end/ torq cam instead of a higher revving cam found in a mustang. The easiest way to do this would be get an explorer 5.0 and put an E303 cam in it with 1.6 pedistal mount roller rockers and you will have more power than a cobra. With the motor you need all acc. and wiering harness and computer. Then you have a tranny choice.... You can use a 4r70 (auto) out of an explorer or you could use a T-5 (5 speed) out of a mustang or something. Then from there you would need to get your driveshaft shortened. Its going to take some work but it can easily happen. After you get everything in you can get a chip burnt for the cam so you can move the rev limiter up that is found on a stock 5.0 in explorers and you will have a nice powerhouse

 

[ncranchero]

Fantastic! You've opened up a whole new series of vehicles for me to do my motor search on. If the Explorer has more low end/torque I may give it a try stock before doing the cam change. I have a new AOD, it will bolt up won't it? What year Explorers should I be looking for? I love the prospect of a newer, lower mileage motor! Thanks a lot for pointing me in the right direction.
Steve

 

[boominXplorer]

an explorer came with the 5.0 v8 in 96-01. The 98+ had the GT-40P heads and little higher flowing manifolds which squeeked out like 10more hp and 5 fp/tq. The AOD should bolt right up. It might be better to use the 4r70 just because of the computer and wirering harness from the explorer 5.0. have any more questions? you can also find me at lowxploher on aol im.

 

[ncranchero]

No more at the moment. You've put me on the hunt. But you probably haven't heard the last of me,
Thanks again, You're a wealth of info, an I need it!
Steve