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Old Nov 6, 2009 | 05:59 PM
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1996 explorer 302

hi, i have a 1970 f100 4X4 with a fuel injected 1996 ford explorer motor and a zf 5 speed, the motor is all stock and i was wondering what could be done to get more power with out spending alot
 
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Old Nov 6, 2009 | 06:16 PM
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your first problem is that you have a 302.... the second is the heads. if you have the GT40P heads the spark plugs come out from the heads at a different angle then normal 302 heads, you headers could be a problem. You might want to work with the stock manifolds. Somebody else might have better 411 on that stuff.

THe best way to get more power is to go to a 351W......swap in a RV towing roller cam, then build a stroker.

I am guessing you are going to keep the EFI, which is good for the no fuss no muss aspect, but when you start adding cams etc, you usually have to swap injectors mass air meters that then increases the cost of the build.......

The best way to get more power from any engine in a truck is to swap the stock cam to a towing/rv cam, which will make power where you need it. A close second will be basic AL heads like motorsport X heads....
 
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Old Nov 6, 2009 | 09:08 PM
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what cam would you recommend and would i need anything besides the cam and gaskets
 
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Old Nov 6, 2009 | 09:10 PM
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also the heads are gt40 not the p's what headers could i use that would bolt to the explorer exhaust and cats
 
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Old Nov 6, 2009 | 10:35 PM
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All that motor needs is a cam and exhaust to produce 300hp. Any headers will bolt right up there's nothing special needed for the GT40's. What EFI system is controlling the motor? That will determine what cam you can upgrade to.
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 06:51 AM
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[quote=Boba Fett;8115008]your first problem is that you have a 302.... the second is the heads. if you have the GT40P heads the spark plugs come out from the heads at a different angle then normal 302 heads, you headers could be a problem. You might want to work with the stock manifolds. Somebody else might have better 411 on that stuff.

what is wrong with a 302? it's a few pounds lighter & there are a lot of parts out there for it and if you are not abusing it it'll last a long time!!
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 07:55 AM
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i have the factory distributorless ignition off the explorer with the explorer computer also
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by jb65542
i have the factory distributorless ignition off the explorer with the explorer computer also
OK then I guess you have the whole system moved over including the mass air meter and all. That's good this system will take just about any cam you could want, but of course the more radical cams will wreak havoc on idle and low rpm power. On the cheap side a used 5.0HO roller cam and 1.7 rockers will deliver more HP without affecting low rpm power much while something like the Comp Cams 35-320-8 will really wake it up. Both these will go in without any other valvetrain changes.. though a new timing chain is always a good idea.
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 11:13 AM
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would it be worth it and would i be able to notice it, how hard is it to change a cam in this motor
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 11:23 AM
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sorry for all the ??? will the comp cam that you recommend affect the idle and would you use 1.7s on that cam, i dont mind a little lobe but i dont want to much and since it is 4X4 i dont want to lose to much torque
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 11:38 AM
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The intake, water pump and timing cover and chain all have to come off, then the valve covers, rockers pushrods and lifters. Basically you'll be stripping it down to the bare longblock. All stock this motor is rated 210hp@4200rpm.. though a free flowing exhaust will free up 20hp or so. A cam like the one mentioned with the exhaust will make 290-300hp at 5000rpm and add 40ft lbs TQ across the whole powerband. For reference the F4TE cam in the Explorer motor produces 256/266 adv duration and 0.422/0.448" lift.

P.S. Can't use 1.7 RR with the 35-320-8 unless the valve springs, lock, and retainers are also upgraded, that's simply too much lift for the stock springs. With 1.6 rockers it produces 0.512" lift which the same as the slightly tamer version of this cam that I have(see sig), and that works fine with the stock springs.. that's how my 5.0 is setup. This cam pulls hard all the way to 5000rpm.. no falling flat at 4000rpm, LOTS more getup and go, and your motor has better heads than mine.

Oh yeah. Idle will be just noticable, mine is a little rough at cold start but smoothes out a bit better once warm.
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 02:33 PM
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is the 300 hp with aftermarket headers and stock explorer exhaust or is that replacing the whole system, would it help to get rid of the cats or do they need to be on there for the motor to run right
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 05:09 PM
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also would it help if i put 1.7s on with the stock cam i have now
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 05:21 PM
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Not to steal the thread, I just know Conanski knows his stuff.

Do most of the 5.0's really fall flat on their face at 4000 RPM? The 5.0 truck engines, that is (not the HO's in the foxes/early SN95's). I know I posted vids before, and that's what got me thinking on this. A couple people said I must have a different cam. Is it the carb engines that die at 4k? Or the EFI, also? Mine will pull great up to 5k RPM, and even feel like it wants to pull up until about 5200-5300. Only had it that 'high' a couple of times. Afraid to wind out a possibly bone stock engine. Or even with a cam, I dunno how many revs the flat tappet 5.0 truck engines can take easily.
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 09:52 PM
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Originally Posted by jb65542
is the 300 hp with aftermarket headers and stock explorer exhaust or is that replacing the whole system,
That's replacing the whole exhaust, the stock manifolds, Y-pipe and cats are a hugh cork. 1.7 rockers will allow a little more air through the motor but won't change the powerband.
 
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