I had seen that alot of the 5.0 ford explores have GT40 heads and Cobra intakes, do they have noticiably more power then the 90s 5.0 truck engine? Anyone know the hp # for the explore?

 

I have a 96 5.0 Explorer. A lot of horsepower depends on your reference. They are about 210 HP with loads of torque. Mine is noticeably quicker and more powerful than my 91 Bronco and 92 F150 were. Better technology and lighter weight likely being the reason. After 115,000 miles it still runs like a solid Ford 302. It is however much faster and more powerful than my Father-In-Laws 2000 Explorer 4.0. You can really notice the difference climbing steep hills on the country roads. No downshifts.
I tow about 5000 lbs of horse trailer and horses with my explorer and can say it does tow with less effort than my Bronco or F150 did. Keeping in mind you have a shorter wheelbase and additional risk.
Chuck

 

I say yes. I like mine a lot. I bought it to tow my boat and boy does it ever! I pulled it over a 4500 foot pass with half throttle and didn't get below 50 mph. I hit the gas towards the top and it zipped up to 60. This isn't a little fishing boat either, it's an old heavy jet boat (3500 lbs).

 

I think the 5.0 truck was 195hp..

 

Are you looking for more power?

The 302 in the Explorers are a great engine to build off of because they come with good heads and intake setups. The weakest links are the cam and exhaust manifolds. Change those and you can notice a ton of difference.

 

I had an older 1993 F150 with the 302 and that was a gutless motor, wouldn't get out of its own way. I had awesome oil PSI, a rebuilt trans, new plugs/wires, etc. I never 'beat' the truck and it still was a wimp. I might have gotten a Monday or a Friday built one. It was horrible on gas and you felt every little stone in the road.

Now, my 01 Explorer with the 5.0...rocks and has the old Ford beat by all aspects. IMHO, If I where looking for an older F150, I'd look for a 351 truck and stay clear of the 302's. No, it is not the same engine as in the older gen F150's...

Good Luck,
Jeff

 

Thanks for the replys so far!

I am not lookin at buying one but was just wondering how them 302s compared to the truck 302 since the explore had better parts in it.Most every thing should be interchangable between the 302s huh?

I have a 96 f150 with a 5.8 now and it has decent power. I have a friend with a 94 F150 302 though and he is looking to get a little more power out of it. The 302 should have never been put in a 4x4 chassis IMO

 

He can use most of the parts from an Explorer - with the exception of the electronics. Heads, intakes, cams, etc, etc will be interchangeable without any problems. Only difference will be if he was to get an Explorer 5.0 from mid 97 through 2001 model. THey have the GT-40 P heads. He would have to use a different set of headers for those...

 

So what is the difference in the P heads?

 

GT40P heads have all the hookups for emissions and GT40s dont..That how I understand it anyways. Correct me if im wrong.

 

Besides the emissions, the P heads breath a little better than regular 40's. That and the spark plug angle is different (reason you have to use different headers)...

 

I disagree with the bashing of the 302. My 302 has some *****, don't know about you guy's. Just have exhaust done, 1994 F150. Gotten 17mpg out of it, 15mpg regularly. I must have gotten a Wednesday truck, I guess. I have never felt truly disappointed by the power of my truck. Just wish my uncle's Tahoe 350 Vortec hadn't beat me, but that was just because of my oversize tires.

It's a good motor, and a GREAT motor for those who don't want a stump pulling 300. It leaves more desired if you try to tow alot with it, but its NOT A TOWING MOTOR. You have to look at things in context. You don't race with a 300, or a truck. You don't tow with a 302, or a car.

Another thing is gearing. 3.08's and a couple inches bigger in tires will make a 460 feel like a *****cat.

 

Oh contrair, I'm towing with mine all the time!

 

HAH! Make me LOL Saurin! A Wednesday car. Haven't heard that in a while but often think of the term. How many out there know what that means? But these days, can you really kick out an entire car in a day?

302 is a great motor. I built one for my 71 mustang. Totaled that. Put it in a 67 Cougar. Totaled that. Put it in a 68 Cougar and sold it before I totaled it or myself. With 2.75:1 rear gears and 245-60 series street tires, it got low 14's in the quarter. Wonder what if I had 4:11's - mid 12's?