[bl_rdrgz]

alright guys i found a good deal on a explorer gt-40p engine. my question is its not an HO but i have read that its just the cam. well i have a E303 Laying around i could use for now. also the firing order but thats a quick easy fix. let me know what you think. i have read on multiple forums the explorer gt-40 heads and intakes are better than stock 5.0 so i figured why not get the whole motor. and put some 1.7 rockers 24# injectors and a 70mm MAF calibrated for injectors and since explorer already has 65mm tb ill basically have a cobra motor. correct? let me know what you guys think.

[fogged306]

Yea difference between the HO and non HO is only the cam and firing order. I could be wrong but I believe that the explorer motors used the HO (351) firing order. Either way, you'd probably get better results out of the e303 than the stock explorer cam, but that's not saying much. e303's aren't very good cams. Yes other than the cam, that's essentially a cobra engine.

[bl_rdrgz]

right thats what i thought. but i also heard that they have dished pistons causing the compression to drop. so if i were to get some stock flat tops that would fix that correct? and as far as how the engine sits. i could drop that right in?

[bl_rdrgz]

and yea im not big on letter cams. but i got one laying around. no sense in buying a new cam when i already have one. im just looking for something faster than what i have not by much but reliable. i understand my car wont be that fast considering i still have the stock auto and 2.73 gears. but i drive on the highway alot so i wont be changing gears anytime soon. i will also be installing a transgo shift kit. but my main thing is i want a little more power with good mpgs and reliabilty. thanks for any opinions.

[horsepowerjunkie]

Don't forget to put the Trick Flow spring kit on the heads before you do anything. The Explorer throttle body will also need to be modified. You need to take the throttle arm off of a 5.0 TB, remove the Explorer arm and weld the 5.0 arm onto it. The TPS will also need to be modified.

[ryanw]

Originally Posted by horsepowerjunkie Don't forget to put the Trick Flow spring kit on the heads before you do anything. The Explorer throttle body will also need to be modified. You need to take the throttle arm off of a 5.0 TB, remove the Explorer arm and weld the 5.0 arm onto it. The TPS will also need to be modified.

wouldnt it just be easier just to get a TB for a fox body mustang ? then to go through all this modifacations and welding ? just asking thats all

[brought_pain]

1.7 rockers don't usually do much because most heads reach max flow around .5-.55 lift. The e cam is so close to .5, 1.7 rockers would be a waste. They'll also be harder on your springs. The majority of the time 1.7s produce the best results is when they're used on the exahst valves, but even then, you need better springs and don't gain that much.

I'd say skip the rockers, get 30# injectors, 70mm tb, and 70 or 75mm maf, better springs.

[bl_rdrgz]

Alright guys thanks for all of the advice! Any other parts I should pick up while I'm there. Everything will be 50% off so I wanna take advantage.

[furreal302]

If you want to run an Explorer engine, change out the cam and the valve springs at least. Plus the obvious stuff like the timing cover, valve covers, exhaust manifolds, distributor. The Explorer has weak springs, a lame cam and a different firing order from the H.O. motor. Changing to a Mustang cam fixes the firing order.
I had a stock Explorer engine in my car at one point, the only change was my H.O. Mustang cam. Under high RPM or other heavy load (uphill) I had extreme valve float. Not cool especially when going fast and one of those valves decides to smack a piston. That's why I changed to stronger springs on my GT40P heads with my new engine.

If I could have used the Explorer throttle body on my SN95 I would have, but the bolt pattern is different. A little bracket switching and welding doesn't scare me But instead I'm out about $200 for a throttle body that fits and is adequate for my V8. If you drive on the highway a lot, changing to higher gears doesn't make sense. I like my stock gears. Low RPM cruising saves fuel, and I can do better than 140mph in fourth!

[5.0freak]

Originally Posted by brought_pain 1.7 rockers don't usually do much because most heads reach max flow around .5-.55 lift. The e cam is so close to .5, 1.7 rockers would be a waste. They'll also be harder on your springs. The majority of the time 1.7s produce the best results is when they're used on the exahst valves, but even then, you need better springs and don't gain that much. I'd say skip the rockers, get 30# injectors, 70mm tb, and 70 or 75mm maf, better springs.

I agree with brought_pain. You dont really need the 1.7s and i also agree with his reccomended upgrades. Changing to a 5.0 cam will fix your firing order problem, but i would reccomend finding a mustang 5.0 to put the heads and intake on, preferably 89-92 engine. This will give you the correct firing order and if you have the gt40p heads it will give you a bump in compression, i believe 10.2:1 which means more horsepower. If you still have that E cam and its not wiped out i would used that to, it would be a good match for this combo. no sense in buying another cam when you have one already that will work. It is VERY important that you upgrade the springs regardless if you use an aftermarket cam or not b/c stock explorer springs will not be good enough for a stock 5.0 cam or bigger, they WILL float. It would be wise to replace the hardware and seals while you're there. This combo with free flowing exhaust and noted upgrades should be good for about 300-320hp with a tune at the crank(if you have gt40p heads). I would unload the explorer rotating assembly because the pistons are cast and i think dished, keep the block for extra or sell it on CL.

[bl_rdrgz]

Awesome! Thanks for all of the advise guys. I will be changing springs and all hardware with a tfs spring kit. 5.0freak. Are you saying with this combo I discribed I should be making 300 or so HP at the crank?

[5.0freak]

yes you should, if you do the following upgrades mentioned and on a mustang short block. do you know what heads you have?

[bl_rdrgz]

Right now I have stock e7s. But I will be getting gt40p I am going to build this engine out of the car then drop it in. So I will have the required headers also. I need reliability so I'm not going to build an all out race engine. I have to drive about 60 miles a day. I will be starting g college soon so I need reliability. But want power. Also there is no way in hell I am giving up my baby for better gas Milage. Those are the best miles of my life. Thanks for all of the input guys I really appreciate it. Then when I pull the other motor maybe ill build that one right. For the 87 4 Banger I have in the back. Can anybody say SLEEPER?!