Explorer 5.0 engine swap?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
Explorer 5.0 engine swap?
Good afternoon all, I noticed a craigslist ad from a local boneyard saying they have a few of the explorer 5.0's in great running order for sale. My Question is, Do you think this would be a worthwhile swap into my 95 F150 2WD with the 300 inline six? I barely ever drive this truck anymore, since my wife and I share a cherokee and the 88 F150. So I have been toying with the idea of making it some sort of street bruiser or something like that. I feel like it would be a pretty straightforward swap as well, obviously I'd run into a couple issues with the engine mounts, wiring harness, and ECM. I can't remember for sure, but I thought I read somewhere that the bolt pattern on the M5R2 bellhousing is the same on the 5.0 and the inline 6. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Yes you need this motor for when(not if) the Jeep spits it's trans or t-case out on the ground in a million pieces. Yes this will be a fairly involved swap but even all stock that motor makes a lot more horsepower than the I6 and more peak torque too.. just not at as low an engine speed, and it can be easily upgraded into the 300+hp range.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
For sure. The boneyard says they have three or four of them on hand. I'm just a bit more attracted to them being OBD-2 and having distributor less ignition. I was a Toyota tech for a couple years so I am a lot more well versed in the OBD-2 stuff than fords EEC-IV. I'm going to assume the answer to this is not a lot, but what do you suppose the M5R2 can handle stock with a hopped up engine in front of it? If I can make this work Id be very happy. I love the old I6, it is my second truck with that engine but they're definitely not the fastest engine on the block haha.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
The M5 will work fine behind any 5.0 it just won't stand up to a lot of abuse.
As for the Explorer being OBD2 and upgrading your F150 to that level.. well anything is possible but you would need the whole vehicle make it work, but then you're gonna be changing a lot of wiring to put this motor in anyway.
As for the Explorer being OBD2 and upgrading your F150 to that level.. well anything is possible but you would need the whole vehicle make it work, but then you're gonna be changing a lot of wiring to put this motor in anyway.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
For sure. I mean this is just a thought I had when I got home from electrician school today, so it could go in any direction really. Would you suggest maybe a world class T5 or tremec trans to substitute? thanks for the replies btw. I know there are lots of these kinds of posts on here so I do appreciate the input. I just see all these newer chevy pickups all rodded up with 600 hp LS motors, it'd be nice to show them some competition haha.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,790
Likes: 450
Unfortunately, those hot rodded lsx trucks are gonna be very hard to compete with.
As for the swap, it'd be easiest to find obd1 speed density ecm and harness and call it a day. You'll prob need a truck intake for the egr and tps, but no power will be lost there. You can cam the 5.0 while it's out, and pair it with long tubes once it's in, and it'll run pretty good in the Ole 2wd.
As for the swap, it'd be easiest to find obd1 speed density ecm and harness and call it a day. You'll prob need a truck intake for the egr and tps, but no power will be lost there. You can cam the 5.0 while it's out, and pair it with long tubes once it's in, and it'll run pretty good in the Ole 2wd.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
89F2Turd, very hard doesnt mean impossible 
but in all seriousness I hear ya on the LSX trucks haha. yeah I suppose it would be less screwing around just getting an OBD 1 harness and ECM and going that route. That is my alternate option anyways, as this same boneyard I have been talking about has a couple post-94 F150s in the yard with the 302 (which come with roller blocks and MAF from the factory IIRC) If possible I would just purchase the whole truck as a donor vehicle. I was mainly wondering if it was a clear advantage using engine control from the explorer along with the engine, but from what I have read on here the EEC-IV isnt a hard system to master/tune. And obviously the heads are the strong point on the explorer engines, which of course are interchangeable with a regular 5.0. Either way I am very excited to start this project, hopefully within a couple months! If I get around to it I will make a build thread. Thanks for the input! Your F250 is awesome btw! My uncle had an 89 F250 that was indestructible and would tow damn near anything.
but in all seriousness I hear ya on the LSX trucks haha. yeah I suppose it would be less screwing around just getting an OBD 1 harness and ECM and going that route. That is my alternate option anyways, as this same boneyard I have been talking about has a couple post-94 F150s in the yard with the 302 (which come with roller blocks and MAF from the factory IIRC) If possible I would just purchase the whole truck as a donor vehicle. I was mainly wondering if it was a clear advantage using engine control from the explorer along with the engine, but from what I have read on here the EEC-IV isnt a hard system to master/tune. And obviously the heads are the strong point on the explorer engines, which of course are interchangeable with a regular 5.0. Either way I am very excited to start this project, hopefully within a couple months! If I get around to it I will make a build thread. Thanks for the input! Your F250 is awesome btw! My uncle had an 89 F250 that was indestructible and would tow damn near anything.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
nitrain03
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
8
Jan 3, 2012 10:18 PM
CarlsonCustoms
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
5
Oct 27, 2005 09:51 AM
Mudder
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
3
Apr 11, 2005 11:16 AM
