OHV 4.0 Swap to 4.0 SOHC???

[BLACK95]

Do you guys know if anyobody has done it yet? I know it's possible, but how much do you think it would run to do it. New engine, transmission, xfer case, computer. What else do you think would be involved. Or would it just be cheaper to buy a new explorer. thanks

 

[Alec]

It's been talked about before, maybe it'll come up if you use the search engine.

Personally, I'd think it would be better to just rebuild your OHV with some Vanir parts and end up with the same hp and a better motor for the same cash and less headaches.

 

[BLACK95]

Vanir parts? What is that. Is there a website or anything where I can read up about it? If I can go that route to get more power that would be best. thanks man

 

[Jason_25]

http://www.vanirtech.com/

I second Alec's thoughts on that one. You could make your OHV into a beast.

 

[BLACK95]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna have to give them a call and see what they will charge me to hook it up. You guys rock!!

 

[Mitch_R_7711]

i have a 91 explorer and it has 160k on it and the tranny is as good as gone. i have the oppertunity to buy a completely totaled 98 sport with 65K from a friend for $500. Would it be cheaper to rebuild the tranny and motor, or to swap in all the 98 stuff?

 

[410Fortune]

For $500 I would do it.

You will have a wiring nightmare!
The SOHC uses a completely different setup, especially from 98 to 91.
Now the ONLY way to do this conversion without a huge headache is to buy the entire donor vehicle, which you are planning to get.
Look for issue's with the exhaust hooking up, underhood layout is going to be a huge issue, relocate the airbox, battery, coolant overflow, etc....

The engine, computer, and power distribution wiring will be a nightmare if you dont know anything about stuff like this.

All in all you could probably spend the same amount of $$$ when all is said and done and get a 5.0l

Also like mentioned above the OHV 4.0l can be built into a monster that will toast the SOHC, I know I have one.
The SOHC can likewise be built into a monster but there are no aftermarket parts for it yet, so its a do it yourself deal.

It would be neat to have, a HUGE job to do, and the end does not justify the means, if you ask me.

I have done several 2.9L to 4.0L conversions and touched on a couple 5.0L conversions. Mostly I handle the wiring stuff, but we have passed over the SOHC swap simply because the 5.0L is a proven option for same or less $$$$$.

 

[Jason_25]

LOL 410FORTUNE, that's great, how much HP do you estimate you have? And is this in an explorer or BII?

 

[410Fortune]

About 180 right now, but thats just with intake and exhaust. Thats with:

4.0l 4 core aluminum radiator
super cooing fan
180 stat
taylor spiro wires
Bosch plat +4's
Mobil one synth
Granatelli 70mm MAS
BBK 66mm TB
95 intake tube
7" K&N cone

JBA headers & Y pipe
2.5" high flow cat and exhaust

next comes a new engine w/rebuild, ported heads, intakes, forged pistons, cam etc....

 

[Jason_25]

Cool, 2 questions for you.

Did dou really notice any lack of backpressure with the exhaust setup?

And, were the TB and MAS worth it?

 

[410Fortune]

Well with mods like mine you always gain more high end then low end. The 2.5" single exhaust is perfect for a 4.0L. The headers were probably the single biggest improvement to overall power, and low end torque.
I have also switched to 3.73 gears with posi in the rear, so that helps.

I use my truck for towing my boat, that is the main reason for her buildup. The 4x4 ability is just an added bonus.

The MAS sensor improved throttle response a great deal, the engine is much quicker to respond to the pedal and rev's faster and smoother. The throttle body cost me a little low end off the line torque but the overall power increase made up for it.

These mods will allow your 4.0L to make power higher up in the power band, meaing instead of reaching it's peak at 4200 RPM it now keeps pulling hard up to 5000 RPM.

The intake and exhaust systems are only as good as your smallest bottleneck. I live in Colorado and the air is very thin. Up here the rule of thumb is a 20% increase in flow will get you back down to sea level. What this means is that my 88 BII will pull 75 MPH up Esienhour pass where as a brand new 5.9L Durango simply cant suck enough air to keep up.

Whereas if we were at sea level pulling the same hill the Durango owould probably have enough dense air coming through the intake to keep up and pass.

Make sense?

A larger intake and exhaust in Colorado is a must, I may have been able to reach the same improvements with only a 63mm TB down at sea level. I mean your 4.0L only needs so much air, so if you can reach the max amount of air needed down at sea level with a ported airbox, stock intake tube, a 67mm MAS, and a 63mm TB, then the 70mm MAS and the 66mm TB may be overkill and actually hurt performance.

Too much intake is just as bad as not enough.

I would highly reccommed the headers and MAS at the very least. The TB and a ram air setup can also really benefit the high end power. The exhaust is also helpful, the stock systems are very restricitive.

 

[jssong]

410.. what do you recommend for my 4.0 ohv? for minimal cost.. im planning KKM and flowmaster exhaust in the spring. anything else?

 

[jimbo74]

Originally posted by jssong
410.. what do you recommend for my 4.0 ohv? for minimal cost.. im planning KKM and flowmaster exhaust in the spring. anything else?

yup do a superchip or a diablo chip...

 

[jssong]

any other engine modifications recommended?

 

[410Fortune]

Here's some good ones that dont cost too much:

Aftermarket MAS sensor for sure (70mm is good)
Taylor Spiro wires
Bosch Platinum +4 plugs
throttle cable mod
180 thermostat
Ram air setup (no more airbox, cold air feed tube to KKM)
63 or 66mm throttle body


More expensive mods:
Headers
Computer chip
POrted intakes
Head work
camshaft
Gears (3.73 or 4.10)

 

[jssong]

i heard u cant use the KKM with a bigger maf.. is that true?

 

[Speedfreak]

Why???


I have to admit that I an a little confused. Why put any money into an engine that is unreliable at best. It service its purpose as a grocery getter but anymore than that and the engine is in over its proverbial head. If your tranny is already toast then lose the engine too, you will have problems soon enough with it anyway. Modifing it to produce more power seems like a waste of money too, it adds to the wear and tear of the engine and doesn't do anything that you want for 4x4ing, increase torque. Displacement seems to be the only logical solution to the problem. I would much rather have an engine that has a long successful history like the windsor family than a short, poorly engineered and problematic history such as the 2.8L, 2.9L and 4.0L family. I dont want to start a hugh debate over this but I just wanted to express my views

 

[jssong]

doesnt your name kind of contradict what you just said? hehe

 

[410Fortune]

What in the world are you talking about?
The cologne 60 V-6 family of engine's is not problematic.
I had 190 HP coming out of my slightly modded 2.9L and with 200K miles on it it still would out pull a V8, it leaked a little bit of oil, but thats it.

The TFI module is the only drawback to the 2.9L.

The OHV 4.0L is a workhorse. Yes you are right it is not designed as a performance engine, but you can get well over 200K miles and still not see any signs of internal wear on the block.

I am incredibly happy with my 75K mile 93 4.0L OHV. It still gets 22 MPG, can keep up with any Chevy SUV on the road, pulls my Bayliner all over the Rockies, Starts on the first tap of the key every single morning for as long as I've had it, and it hasnt given me one single problem.

I just want to know what you are basing you idea's on.
How many 2.9L's or 4.0L;s have you seen fail? Aside from the normal wear and tear, like waterpumps, and TFI modules.

Is there a reason why the OHV 4.0L is rated one of the top V6 engines ever (Fourwheeler? I cant remember)

 

[Speedfreak]

My experiences are based on what I have seen with the engines. I worked at a respectable Ford only autowrecker for seven years and saw problems stemming from the valve train in the engines as early as 45000kms. I have seen well over 100 4.0L's in all sorts of vehicles (Explorer's, Aerostar's and Ranger's) and personnelly tested at least half of those. I have also seen countless 2.8L's and 2.9L's and can say with certainty that the good engines that are sellable are outnumbered greatly by the core engines. I also have friends in a Ford dealership that say the same thing. I will admit there are some problems with any engine but my experience has shown me that the 45 degree V-6 Ford(german made) engine is not something that I would spend alot of time, energy or effort on. The SOHC engines are also common to have chain follower problems that can be very destructive and expensive.

I also know lots of people that love the 4.0L engine. That post was nothing more than a point of view and I didn't mean to offend you in any way.