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96 explorer 5.0 engine swap

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Old Feb 9, 2010 | 03:31 PM
  #1  
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firefdude
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96 explorer 5.0 engine swap

I have a 1978 f150 2wd with a 351m. threw alot of money at the 351m and still didnt like it. mpg was 8. rpms at 60mph were 2500. no power. so i took on the task of putting in a 5.0 ( tranny,computer and all) from a wrecked 1996 ford explorer.
This thing runs great, It took me 4 months but i finally got the bugs worked out. It now gets me 14mpg in the city (with a lead foot) i dont have the highway mpg yet. But i can cruise down the highway at 70mph at about 1900 rpm!(i can actually have a conversation with someone in the truck while on the freeway) The power is amazing! no cold start problelms!
Im hoping to get the O2 sensors( all 4 of them) installed in the next couple of weeks, i hope my mpg numbers come up. i need to mention also that i have 3.55 gears and 32inch bfgs ats.
Im gonna get these pics together and load em in my album soon.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2010 | 04:01 PM
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Blown 331
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Awesome swap. That engine has a TON of potential. In 1996 the Explorers had GT40 heads (not the Ps). Did you install any type of headers? If you use headers, dual exhaust and a cam swap they will make amazing power. The stock Explorer has very restrictive exhaust and a small-ish cam.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2010 | 09:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Blown 331
Awesome swap. That engine has a TON of potential. In 1996 the Explorers had GT40 heads (not the Ps). Did you install any type of headers? If you use headers, dual exhaust and a cam swap they will make amazing power. The stock Explorer has very restrictive exhaust and a small-ish cam.
correct on the cam and exhaust-my buddy has an explorer 5.0 with e303 cam,performer rpm intake,holley 600,headers-2.5 exhaust in a '74 f250 bulldog 4 speed,it will surprise many cars on the road,between shifts is it's only downfall, with a c4 or toploader trans it would run 14's easy
 
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