Sport 302 swap with manual trans

[Dave Habel]

Hi all, I have a 98 sport with a manual transmission. I’ve read the manuals have less horsepower from the factory. I could really use a few ponies what can be done to get that extra 15 hp?
I was also thinking of a V-8 swap. I could lose all the computer stuff and do a simple carbureted motor. I live in Florida where apparently you can drive anything with wheels on the road!
Has anybody done that swap? I’m guessing the transmission would need to be replaced also.
Been a member for a little while but this is my first post thanks in advance if anybody has any input!

 

[410Fortune]

manuals have less ponies? How did they pull that off?
Typically the power loss through the manual transmission is WAY less so you get more power to the ground. Auto trans rob power and generate heat, 5 speed slushbox does not!

Your 98 sport does it have pushrod 4.0 or SOHC 4.0?
Is it RWD?

Yes a 5.0 V8 conversion is totally possible using a 5 speed, Mazda M5OD R2 found in 302 F150 and 4.2v6 F150

 

[Rick]

Check this thread for info on a V8 swap:

How to: - So you want to convert to a 5.0? 5L swap for dummies

so years after doing my 5L swap in my sport (which you could NOT get a v8 in, no matter how hard you cried) i still see this question pop up lots. so lets look at a few things before diving in, and rip everything apart and haft way threw it you wounder why you did this to yourself. the main...

www.explorerforum.com

 

[Dave Habel]

manuals have less ponies? How did they pull that off?
Typically the power loss through the manual transmission is WAY less so you get more power to the ground. Auto trans rob power and generate heat, 5 speed slushbox does not!

Your 98 sport does it have pushrod 4.0 or SOHC 4.0?
Is it RWD?

Yes a 5.0 V8 conversion is totally possible using a 5 speed, Mazda M5OD R2 found in 302 F150 and 4.2v6 F150

I
Its a pushrod motor, I tow with it and when I go over a bridge I turn the AC off! It is a slug but its real clean and everything works, and its a stick and stick shift suvs are hard to come by!

 

[redavis460]

Been there, done that:

Another 1998 Explorer Sport V8 Project. . .Completed!

Hi guys; I wanted to share my project with you. It took three and a half years, but it is more-or-less 98% done at this point. A big thanks to all of the guys I’ve worked with on the forum; I haven’t made a whole lot of posts, but have benefitted from a ton of study and research from the...

www.explorerforum.com

 

[vroomzoomboom]

Been there, done that:

Another 1998 Explorer Sport V8 Project. . .Completed!

Hi guys; I wanted to share my project with you. It took three and a half years, but it is more-or-less 98% done at this point. A big thanks to all of the guys I’ve worked with on the forum; I haven’t made a whole lot of posts, but have benefitted from a ton of study and research from the...

www.explorerforum.com

and this thing is bad ass!