Just looking for easy upgrades. Say im at a junkyard and see a pile of 5.0 explorers can I take anything? Bigger injectors? TB's? Im new to the engine world... Dont neeed more power. But like i said, if im trolling the junkyards. Anything worth looking for?

Here what ive done so far:

Full recent tune up with good stuff Basically the 6ltr tune up
MSD coil
Synthetic oils
460 air intake tube
K&N air filter ( i know, i know)
Bumped my timing to 12*
Cat back exhaust (and deleted the cat 3" the whole way)

(not doing headers, just replaced stock manifolds with new ones)
(Running stock size tires)


Truck info:
1997 f250 HD
351
5spd zf
3.55 gears

THANKS GUYS!

 

There aren't any junkyard parts that will help this particular vintage motor unless you happen to find a Lightning from which you can take the intake(5.0 parts don't fit a 5.8), the next thing you need is a cam change or 1.7 roller rockers.

 

1.7 rr with long tube headers will be a world of difference. Manifolds are a known bottle neck along with those E7 heads. A set of headers are cheap and so are roller rockers. They'll get you a good amount of torque increase over stock

Something else I'd do is get some 4.10 gears rather than those torque killing 3.55s

 

good to know. Thanks guys.

The plan was to eventually do a 12v cummins swap after my d60. but i might just keep the gasser and do a mild cam (its sd) the roller rockers you suggested. maybe long tubes eventually.

Anything else need to be done for the roller rockers? Or they just pop in there?

 

Not sure if you call this an "easy" upgrade but.... I am always on the look out for 97+ 5.0L Explorers/Mountaniers for the GT40P heads. The earlier ones had GT40 heads. Yes the head bolt holes will need to be drilled to fit the larger 351W head bolts. Not to sure if they would mess with the SD computer. I snaged a set at my local yard and had them checked at a machine shop. Now I just gotta figure what to put them on.

 

Be aware that the GT40P heads are angled plug heads, and take special manifolds or headers. You can not put E7 or GT40 manifolds/headers on GT40P heads.

If you're running a larger tire than stock. Like 33" tires, you need to re-gear, ad it would cause the biggest difference.

Now, you can get MAF parts from a junkyard. Recommend out of a mustang, because they have the most aftermarket support. I am not sure what trans you have, its easier if you don't have a E4Od, but still doable.

 

96 will have a roller cam in it. Swapping out the rockers will give you what the biggest aftermarket cam for SD will.

As for heads, gt40s will be best bet. That combined with the rockers and long tube headers you'll be up to the limits of the SD system and fuel limits.

 

Awesome info guys. Really helps. Now would I really benifit to going to MAF over SD??

I mean im not looking to get huge power or anything but I do plan on having this truck for a long time.

Whats so good about maf of sd? Able to handle a more radical cam, and?? recognizes changes better?

just more aftermarket support behind it i suppose!!

 

That's about it. When you get above 325-350 hp, it starts to f get expensive real quick. You need bigger injectors, a maf meter custom tuned for your changes to cam heads and injectors. Then a fuel system to support that extra power.

Trust me, that combo I suggested will make you wonder why Ford didn't offer a package like that from factory, not just in a lightning. I can spin 33's on dry pavement with ease.

 

MAF can handle a more radical cam, and will also adjust your air/fuel ratio when you increase the engine's airflow; and also have a better air/fuel mixture than SD. Also MAF has 2 times the tuning parameters of SD, and mustang MAF computers have 3 times the amount of a normal MAF computer.

I want to convert from SD to MAF later. I plan on a Mustang EEC, and a SD to MAF conversion harness.

 

beauty info guys. When i can scrap some cash together probably getting a set of crane cams 1.7 rr's!

Might also try bumping my timing up from 12 to 14*

 

Cruise some of the Mustang forums. That kind of stuff pops up over there on a regular basis CHEAP!

 

If i were to go for some headers. anyone have good luck/bad luck with any options??

351 motor.

all ready have full 3" exhaust (no cat) I want to keep my EGR and all that stuff that hooks into the manifolds now.

Options??

Cant seem to find a straight answer on any of my searchs

 

Pacesetter long tubes. Has EGR bung in it already and fits best on 4x4 trucks

 

You may have a problem with the air injection if you have the tubes running into the rear of the manifolds. You can get some bungs welded in if you have that type of air injection