Time for an overhaul..

[dukeentdotcom]

So the 86 GT is burning a lot of oil now...

Last time I topped it off, it only took 250 miles to be down a quart...

What do you guys suggest on a budget? I do figure while I'm at it, might as well get some more performance at the same time.

Currently I only have headers, exhaust, smog and AC pullies...

I figure if I'm gonna have to get this motor overhauled, might as well do heads at the same time?

Or should I get a different motor altogether?

[sonic03snake]

If your on a budget, maybe pick up an explorer engine to rebuild. They have decent heads, and a decent intake manifold.

[dukeentdotcom]

Does the trans and other stuff bolt right up?

[svo6]

Get a low mile explorer engine from a J Yard, throw a cam in it and have about 300 ponies! everything will bolt up!

[dukeentdotcom]

Nice...what year range Explorer motor do I need to be looking at?

[86GTConv]

Get a low mile explorer engine from a J Yard, throw a cam in it and have about 300 ponies! everything will bolt up!

Subscribing...please explain "throw a cam in it".

So, your saying a 5.0 explorer engine can be swapped fairly easily with 300 hp?

What years and any idea a good price range?

[horsepowerjunkie]

Subscribing...please explain "throw a cam in it".

So, your saying a 5.0 explorer engine can be swapped fairly easily with 300 hp?

What years and any idea a good price range?

Most junk yard Explorer 5.0's(96-01)are going for around $300-$400. He means install a cam of your choice(I would recommond the Comp XE258HR or XE264HR) with matching valve springs and easily have 300+ flywheel HP. Also remember you will have to change over to Mass Air EFI for the vehicle to run properly.

PS. The 65mm Explorer throttle body can also be modified for use on a fox body, you just need a 65mm TB Spacer!

[middle school]

explorer motor is not bad if you want to stay n/a and under 300rwhp

[opntrk86]

exploder 5.0's are a great choice,
They have gotten much cheaper over the last few years, but obviously low mileage engines are getting harder to find.

I few things to keep in mind though:

96-97.5 : GT40 heads & internal EGR port (good if you are planing on using the intake, its the same as the cobra just a different casting for the upper)

97.5-2000 : GT40p head (need special headers) & external EGR port (can't use intake unless EGR is deleted)

and new valve springs are a must w/ anything other than a stock cam.

I got a 96 engine about 4 years ago with 60K on it for $500, it makes 283 RWHP with a B-cam, 1.7 rockers, TFS Street Intake and 65MM TB

[dukeentdotcom]

well today my crankshaft broke...so I guess I gotta get a motor... :/

[dukeentdotcom]

I was asking my mechanic about the explorer motor, and he has doubts...saying it's tuned differently, 4 wheel drive, etc...he's not thinking it's such an easy job to do..

[horsepowerjunkie]

The motors are physically identical. If you want a simple bolt in, just put your 86 cam, oil pan, & timing cover on the Explorer motor and drop it in. If you modify your orignal motor it won't run right with your stock speed density system anyway. I would look around for a Mustang knowledgable person in your area, to help you with the do's and don'ts of such a swap!

[86fiveoh]

Your mechanic is incorrect. Its a pretty straight forward swap that many have done. $wheel drive has nothing to do with it if your just using the motor

[Curtis]

Sounds like you need to change mechanics

[dukeentdotcom]

I spoke to him again and referred him to this thread. He then did some research and is willing to do it. Let's see...

[lil86hatch]

GOOD LUCK HOPE EVERYTHING WORKS OUT

[Syco Stang]

The Explorer engine is always a viable option. I would personally still change all the gaskets and at least check the bearings, change if necessary.
Heads should definitely get a rebuild, upgraded valve springs, shave the heads 0.030", 1.7 roller rockers, Crower 15511 cam and notch the pistons. If funds permit, I'd have Tmoss port the lower intake. Match that with a set of long tube headers, 5 speed, and a 3.55 gear and it'd be a solid 300rwhp setup with a broad torque range.
Lots of fun, and the mild characteristics still allow you to have decent fuel economy. If you can keep your foot out of it!!! Could potentially work well with speed density, you could either get a tune or upgrade to mass air flow.
SS

[dukeentdotcom]

Another question my mechanic had was regarding the computer. Since my computer is speed density and the Explorer motor is Mass Air, will I need to change the computer?

I have a 93 Cobra computer that I never used...can that be used?

[horsepowerjunkie]

Another question my mechanic had was regarding the computer. Since my computer is speed density and the Explorer motor is Mass Air, will I need to change the computer?

I have a 93 Cobra computer that I never used...can that be used?

If you put your stock 86 cam in the explorer motor you may be able to run it as is. If you change the cam to an aftermarket one, you'll have to do a Mass Air swap, very simple to do, I've personally done it several times.

[Syco Stang]

It's not always necessary with the right cam. The baby Crower I suggested has always been speed density friendly, and a few guys I know have managed to make it work with the B-303 (junk). I find speed density cars are usually faster when the cam has lots of vacuum signal. Mass air is worthwhile if you use anything but a stock MAF sensor, as the stock unit is a huge restriction.
The Cobra computer will work with the appropriate mass air meter and 24# injectors, which would work well with your setup.
SS

[dukeentdotcom]

I was looking at the explorer engine to fox swap FAQ http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...+fox+body+swap thread and have a question:

it says:


3.-You will need to put a fox specific timing cover on the explorer 5.0 , along with a damper, crank pulley, fox water pump, and a distributor, please remember that the distributor needs to have the drive gear that is compatible with a billet roller cam, if not you can destroy your engine at initial start u, not good.

how do I know if my fox distributor has the drive gear that's compatible?

So here is where I am:

-I have a 1996 explorer motor coming this THURSDAY with 88k on it

-I have the 93 cobra computer.

-i'm ordering the Trickflow stage 1 cams http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFS-51402000/

-I'm ordering the valve spring upgrade kit http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFS-2500100/

-My timing cover broke on my stang motor, so ordering a new one http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RNB-635-102/

timing cover gasket http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FEL-TCS45449/

timing cover bolts http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ARP-454-1504/

What am I missing here?

[dukeentdotcom]

One more question - should I change the timing chain, and if so can I use this one? It says up to 1992 ford 302 motors so not sure if it applies:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CC...n/?prefilter=0

[dukeentdotcom]

anyone?

[dukeentdotcom]

Sorry to keep adding to this, but questions keep coming up. My mechanic asked me to find out if I need a harness for the motor to computer.

He is saying that the 96 motor is obdII and the 93 cobra computer I have is obdI

[80Notch]

ive got an 87 mustang roller motor with an F cam comletely rebuilt.....that might be easier for you