'96 ford explorer 5.0

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 14, 2007 | 09:51 PM

Bulldawg1081

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 264

Likes: 0

From: Tulia, Texas

'96 ford explorer 5.0

ive just recently purchased a '64 falcon 2 dr sedan and it has a 302 out of a 96 ford explorer is this anything close to the HO 302? it also got the gt40p heads...whats the differences between this engine and the others? any info would be greatly appreciated

Jun 14, 2007 | 10:11 PM

Conanski

FTE Legend

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 31,930

Likes: 1,499

From: Ottawa, Ontario

Is it fuel injected? It has the heads that you already know about, and the F4TE cam(422/448 lift, 256/266 dur) which is a bit smaller than the HO cam(444 lift. 266 dur), and it would have the explorer intake which is a cast version of the tubular Cobra intake if it's still running EFI. With a decent exhaust it'll produce good HP, but with a cam upgrade would easily top 300 ponies.

Jun 14, 2007 | 10:21 PM

Bulldawg1081

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 264

Likes: 0

From: Tulia, Texas

thankyou for your quick response it doesnt have anything fuel injected on it,it has an edelbrock performer 289 intake with an edelbrock 600 carb,it has good power but what cam would you recommend? preferably that would still get good fuel mileage,this lil car is a daily driver but id like it to stand a chance to these kids little fast camaros and mustangs that are around town

Jun 15, 2007 | 10:10 PM

Conanski

FTE Legend

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 31,930

Likes: 1,499

From: Ottawa, Ontario

Look for a HO cam or something similar, total lift under 0.500" and keep advertised duration under 270 or so for better TQ and milage.

Jun 18, 2007 | 09:49 PM

baddad457

Hotshot

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 11,141

Likes: 25

From: south louisiana

If you want mileage, leave the F4TE cam there, you won't get better. If you want neck snapping accelleration, swap the rear gears for something like 3.55-3.73's. The HO cam specs are so close, it's not worth the swap. Just add 1.7 roller rockers to bump the lift to match the HO cam. That in itself will give it the HP gain to match the HO cam. I've got basically the same engine in my 89 Ranger with a 4 speed and 3.73's and have yet to run across a ricer that can hang with it.

Jun 19, 2007 | 09:32 PM

Bulldawg1081

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 264

Likes: 0

From: Tulia, Texas

thankyou baddad for your input,1.7 roller rockers huh? just a direct drop in? hmm maybe i should do that...dont get me wrong im not trying to make a blarin hotrod.just something fun to cruise and maybe stand a chance against the rich kids cars around here...i think the gears are plenty good,its got an 8 inch with 3.25's the car is light enough to make those work and still be able to run on the highway...thankyou very much for the help...

Jun 20, 2007 | 09:51 PM

baddad457

Hotshot

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 11,141

Likes: 25

From: south louisiana

Crane's "Energizer" line of 1.7 Pedestal roller rockers are the same thing here as what Ford installed as O.E. on the 90's Cobra 5.0 in the Stangs. Direct replacement for the stock rockers but give you .030 more lift at the valve, less friction from the roller trunions and a stabilized rocker ratio over the stamped steel units. Ford said they were good for a 15hp boost. Both can be had used too, I've bought two sets for $125. Replace the pushrods when you do the rockers. Roller rods wear more than the flat tappet ones, they don't get spun with the lifters as the engine's running. Ford Racing hardened replacements run about $30.