Thought I might run this past you guys

[jg09]

I'm considering going to a junkyard and taking off the turbos from a couple of inline 4 Toyota P/Us, buying additional components new, and building up my own system for my '91 Explorer 4x4. I'm thinking I want to run some pretty high boost numbers, so I'll have to upgrade the engine internals as well. What all will be needed? I think I have a good idea, but I'm sure there's something else I'm forgetting. Right now, I'm thinking new pistons and rods, new valves and cams, and better flowing heads. Not to mention a couple K&N intakes slapped onto the turbos. The biggest issue I see coming up is space under the hood. On the driver side of the motor, there's plenty of room. On the passenger side, though, it's really tight.

 

[sn0border88]

do you acually have the skills to do this, because the way you asked the question makes it sound like not.

 

[Willard]

I'm kinda with snoborder, you don't seem entirely confident and if you don't know what you are doing this is way too big of a project to get into. I personally know my limits and would never attempt building a custom turbo system.

 

[SBJ420]

if you can do it.... I have no idea, but a way to get more room under the hood is to do a body lift.

 

[TennTechMan]

Cams? I hope you're planning on swapping in a SOHC cam, and you forgot to tell us.

Research. Research. Think about it, and do a little more research.

I've considered the junkyard turbo build myself. Why worry about space under the hood? Find one larger turbo, and tuck it up between the frame rails. Attach the turbo to the end of the Y-pipe. Good luck figuring out how to get the charge line back up to the throttle body though. I might get around to trying it some day. Before that, I'm busy focusing on finding/purchasing my dream car (Cosworth Escort).

 

[j602]

brilliant. please post with results.

 

[jg09]

I’ve done some work with turbo systems myself a little bit, and I’ve got a friend who has killer turbo building skills (he just finished up putting a 6.0L Duramax Turbo onto a 1.8L Acura Integra motor). I know that I’ll have the tools, resources, and help to do the project because I can guarantee that it won’t be ONLY me who will do it.

I was considering using just one larger turbo from STS, but I’ve heard that you can get the performance of a larger turbo from two smaller turbos, but with a lot less lag in power delivery. Since my Explorer will occasionally see some slower wheeling, I want to minimize lag as much as possible.

And yes, I had a brain fart and said a SOHC had cam“s”.

 

[carlover]

Im thinking the transmission wouldnt last very long under any kind of boost. They are very weak and dont like extra power.

For explorers i still think that a remote mount turbo setup is the best bet. It can be done, but just dont think about beefing up the motor and calling it a day. The most expensive and often overlooked thing when people use forced induction on any vehicle is the tuning. It doesnt matter how strong your motor is, if your setup isnt tuned right you will blow your motor up.

 

[JMan689]

You don't have an SOHC motor to begin with, unless you did an engine swap.

 

[jg09]

Im thinking the transmission wouldnt last very long under any kind of boost. They are very weak and dont like extra power.

That was one thing I was concerned about. I don’t think that anyone makes stronger internals for the 4AT in the 1st gen. Explorer.

And I thought my motor said 4.0 SOHC on the top plastic cover. Hmmm-guess I’ll have to check it out. Thinking back, it might actually say 4.0 EFI. Now I really feel stupid with my brain farts.

 

[TennTechMan]

A SOHC 4.0L has two cams. Single Over Head Cam per bank. A V6 has two banks. The OHV (what your Ex has unless you've swapped in something else) only has one cam. I don't intend to sound harsh, just trying to get it straight.

I know the manual transmission is a little stronger, but does anyone know it's limits? I've just got a 2WD, so I was considering swapping in a T5 with a custom bell housing if I break the stock 5 speed. But, like I said initially, it would be a while before I start on a turbo 4.0.

 

[jg09]

...Single Over Head Cam per bank...

Oooooh...I get it now. I was getting confused there!

 

[Spdrcer34]

I am a little more than stock, as far as power is concerned....and I have broken my 5spd. 2x in 1.5 years.

It's not that strong!...I would do a T-5, if I could find a bellhousing for the 60deg. 4.0L

Ryan

 

[dewgod]

tranny

the 5 spd is junk, wait is there a worse word than junk to describe it? if you can think of it apply it. There is no way the 5 spd will stand up to any boost. It barely stands up to the power of a stock motor. I've been lucky and only grenaded one in 5 years of ownership, but my second one has problems shifting from 1 to 2. If your planning on increasing power, plan on swaping out trannies.

 

[Spdrcer34]

Shifting from 1-2 is the 2nd gear Synchro....it is the 2nd most common synchro to go bad....the Early Reverse Synchros are the are #1.

Good Luck!

Ryan

 

[dewgod]

No biggie the motor is now junk. I'm looking at a 302 with a C-6 to fix the underpowered engine/weak arse tranny problems.

 

[jg09]

That's crazy! I was thinking of scrapping the twin idea and going with a 302!

 

[atistang]

if you would decide to do this you really don't need to do anything with the heads, most of your concentration should be on fabricating the manifolds and boost pipes, as well as fuel delivery. Your gonna have to figure out a way to play with your injector duty cycle and pulse width. A turbo is just a big air pump, with all that extra air you need fuel, if you don't have that fuel then things are gonna melt(like your pistons) Basically you need to find someone who can dyno tune your setup after you get it running, i believe these explorers use a similar ecu as fox body mustangs. if that is the case then it will be like i did on mine, strap it down, burn a chip, make a run, adjust some things, make another. blah blah

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

the 5 spd is junk, wait is there a worse word than junk to describe it? if you can think of it apply it. There is no way the 5 spd will stand up to any boost. It barely stands up to the power of a stock motor. I've been lucky and only grenaded one in 5 years of ownership, but my second one has problems shifting from 1 to 2. If your planning on increasing power, plan on swaping out trannies.

Had a 91 Explorer sport with the 5 speed. It had over 300k on it and all I had to do was replace the clutch at about 350k. Then I gave the truck to a cousin and it vanished.