Throttle body/MAF/intake mod questions

[Derek]

I have a 1998 ford explorer sport 4.0L and the stock filter was a panel and when i went to get the replacements i can't remember if it was SOHC or OHV when i looked the filter up in the book at the store, I have a K&N cone in there now so if someone could give me that information that would be great since i have found some throttle bodies only work with SOHC. Well I want to add more HP by adding a throttle body, mass air sensor, and intake kit. Maybe a throttle body spacer and chip, depends on how crazy i get with this. I came to you guys for help because when researching i found many different sizes for everything so i could use some help on max. sizes or recommended sizes and what brands are reliable, that would give me the most HP and also give me better mileage. Right now i only have a K&N cone filter and a flowmaster exhaust just to let you know what i'm working with.

 

[aldive]

There are no aftermarket TBs for the SOHC.

 

[Derek]

Well are you saying i have a SOHC or is it not even possible to tell by what i gave?

 

[aldive]

Of course you can tell..... what does it say on the motor cover ( plastic )?

 

[Derek]

Well my engine was rebuilt when i bought it so maybe the guy forgot to put that back on there is just a cover over the throttle body but behind that not on the plastic (intake manifold i believe) all it says is 4.0 EFI

 

[aldive]

You then have the OHV motor. The SOHC says SOHC on the cover.

 

[Derek]

ok that was a big problem solved now to recommendations on what i can put in it

 

[jimbo74]

pretty much anything .... the 4.0 ohv hads tons of goodies you can put on it

 

[karl_burns]

I have the same truck and I remember the book was wrong.

First, rip the air box out and either
a) put in a KKM for $100, or
b) but the open filament cone K&N air filter ($60) and buy the attachment bracket for the MAF ($15-30).

Second, check out Truck Performance for a BBK throttle body ($200.99).

Third, while installing, check the voltage to your TPS. (use the search function for a huge thread on this free mod)

Fourth, check your throttle cable (again, use the search function for a free "mod").

Fifth, either spend $115 from www.ifab.net or make your own 3" intake to replace the plastic arm/elbow thing in your engine.

Sixth, go to a local (not Midas) exhaust place and get a cat-back kit with a 2.5" tip and your choice of mufflers. Flowmaster 40 Series is significantly louder than the 50 series, and the Delta versions of both models are the quieter versions.

Seventh, replace the sparkplugs and wires (optional $40).

After that, it gets more comlpicated, more expensive, but a LOT more results. These mods will give you some improvements, but will be a great base for anything else you do; ie chip, cam, supercharger.

I don't vote another MAF, and DEFINITELY don't get the throttle body spacer.

Good luck, keep us posted, and take pictures.

Karl Burns

 

[Derek]

How come you don't recommend a MAF all i hear is its better to get an aftermarket which has better flow.

 

[karl_burns]

Did you know:

The stock opening of your MAF is 70mm. The only difference between the stocker and the Granatelli or Pro-M MAFs are the electronics.
But I've also seen plenty of people remind this board that the stock MAF is adequate up until your engine produces 300+ HP.
I'm not there, nor anything near it.

Also..... I've seen ONE GUY on here take the stok MAF from a Mustang (for $20 or somehting at a slavage yard) and put it on his Explorer. This guy claimed he saw great results. It would be the same size, but just with different, performance calibrations is all I can think the difference would have been. Search under "Mass Air trick".

Karl

 

[aldive]

An aftermarket MAF IS a good investment; I have the Granatelli.

 

[Rhett]

aldive is right a MAF upgrade is always helpful. Note that the MAF is a more significant mod on a 1st gen, since 1st gen MAF's have a considerably smaller diameter than the aftermarket MAF and 2nd gen maf.

Ifab tube: I'm not a big fan of these chrome jobbies, they are heat soak city. I'm waiting for KKM to come out with their intake tube.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by Rhett Browning
I'm waiting for KKM to come out with their intake tube.

Don't hold your breath.....

 

[dnellans]

Until just recently on my 92' (first gen) 4.0 i had a 2.5" cat back exhaust and a kkm open airfilter. while the performance was a noticable upgrade from stock, going from 235r15's to 32" All terrains resulted in weak performance =/. (i have 3.73 gears with a limited slip in case anyone is wondering).

i found a member through the forums who sold me his granatelli MAF, ifab intake tubes, and bbk throttle body as a whole package for $450 because he was selling his truck. and i have to say that the performance enhancement of doing all these at the same time was VERY noticable. i would say that running the 32's now my performance feels just a bit better than it did with stock wheels. the mods were very easy to do in about 30 minutes total and worth every penny of my money.

if you have already done mods like the filter and exhaust every mod you do seems to almost compound their effects for better performance! i am very happy with doing the whole setup and am pissed i waited a year before doing it all because the performance is that noticable. on stock tires you would have significantly increased performance.

overall i'd say the truck has more torque to get the rig moving on 32's but the major improvement is that it will rev out much much faster and has much more power above 3000 rpm so at highway speeds hills make much less of a difference when towing.

if you have any questions feel free to email me since i have basically the same setup you are thinking about! my email is dnellansATcs.utah.edu

dave

 

[Rhett]

Originally posted by aldive
Don't hold your breath.....

Do you know somethin' I don't?

 

[Derek]

thanks for all the help, i just did the TPS trick and it wasn't to far off so i adjusted it and it does run a little smother but that was only driving a little bit ill take it out for a longer trip and see how it does.