New performance 302 Project =]
 

So I am in the process of piecing together information and parts for a V8 swap. Im giving myself a december deadline. so 7 months. Basically i want to creat a hybrid mustang/explorer engine. Mustang based performance parts, switch to disdributer and coil instead of coil pack. run mustang harness/ecm, because i dont care about PATS and really dont want to mess with it, obviously need explorer accesoris, Torque monster headers.. I will be building the engine from block up, re-honing, new bearings and seals, porting/polishing heads, roller rockers. For gauges Im going to make a custom cluster in stock location and get an Autometer (or similar) Gauge kit. Im debating on running the AOD or the T5. I am 2wd and def not looking to go to 4wd. Both easy finds at a JY and cheap to rebuild. So now that the secret is out any suggestions?

i know they run a return lin too so i will have to switch over pumps and run a return like also. no biggie.

Sounds like fun. Keep us posted....and pics pics pics.

no interest huh ?

It sounds like you already have a very specific plan for your swap.

v8 radiator.. any mods to install it? diff brackets etc?

Also, few more questions. Since I am elimanating PATS all together, I can still use my current key and tumbler etc?

about the fuel system. Im asuming i can just replace my in tank pump with one from a mustang or 96-97 5.0 explorer. and then run a return line to "return line" on the tank side of my current fuel filter. oh and replace with a SI/SO fuel filter

don't you have an edge?

ya

why don't you want 4wd if your doing a v8 swap why not swap to 4wd i know i have seen your truck off road. and it would be an easy swap

Because he doesn't want too?

x2 dont need it dont want it

i didnt know i was j.w

I would suggest running a 150 LPH intake fuel pump. Plenty of flow with a little extra. Summit sells them for about 80, where as a stock mustang pump flows about 95 lph. If your still debating trans, I am personally against the AOD in every way. I blew up way to many of them in my truck. Many people run them with no problems, but I am not one of them. The TV cable is quite finacky, and any aftermarket mods to them are quite expensive. Also the over drive band has a tendancy to be quite weak and take little abuse. I swapped my truck over to a T5 and am much happier with the set up. Good stout little trans that is easy and cheap to rebuild with a large aftermarket. The biggest issue is the clutch setup for one. On a stock mustang they use a cable, where as the ranger uses a hydraulic. I'm told you can use the bellhousing and slave cylinder from a modern 4 liter mustang to keep the clutch hydraulic. If your looking for a mustang block, 91 and 92 had forged bottom end, and Lincoln Mark 7... I think it is, has the same HO setup, but typically experienced less abuse than a mustang.

Good luck with the swap.

no worries man!

thanks alot Rob. There is also a company called total performance (if they are still around) that has a hydrolic slave cyclinder and SS cable and mounting bracket that bolts right to the t5 bellhousing... My gf wants the T5 also.. i mean i already have a hole in the floor. How much are they normally from a JY?

You need to address the fuel regulator issue. Return less ranger is around 62, return style is 45. IIRC. So you need in tank regulator from the explorer too.


I myself just picked up a wrecked 5.0 sploder.

Yea i've seen the aftermarket setups but personally have stayed away from them because of the price. The ones I was looking at were running from 800 to 1000. I just couldn't justify spending that so I cut a hole in the firewall and ran a cable but that had its own issues.

As for the fuel regulator, i'm not sure about the explorer, but on the mustangs, the pressure regulator on the fuel rail does all the work, there isn't one in the tank.

thats what i thought, and im gonna be using the mustang harness and fuel rails

Don't use a mustang fuel rail. Get one off of a 302 F-150. The mustang fuel rail connects to the fuel rails on the front of the motor on the drivers side. Takes alot of plumbing to get it back to the rangers gas tank on the passengers side. Not to mention the nice hot headers it will need to get past. The F-150 Fuel rail fits right in place, but connects to the fuel lines at the back of the motor on the passengers side. Expect to spend a good amount of time on the mustangs wiring harness. Takes alot to get everything wired up and clean. You may want to consider using an Explorer harness just for the fact that it is OBD II, but that is up to you.

if i use the exp harness i have to use the explorer ECM which i dont want to do because the EXP ECm is programmed for 4wd AT only.

also, and even more of a reason. i dont want to deal with PATS. it sucks and is not worth it..UNLESS, possiibly if i use a harness ecm and rail from a 96-96 exp. but then i would have to get it reflashed for a 2wd, then i can use my reg gauges and just run a return line.. hmmm yes?

What is wrong with PATS? It completely disables the truck unless you have the keys or a NGS and an hour to burn while trying to steal the truck - good cheap insurance in my mind.

As for the trans pogramsing in the EXPLORER EEC, unless you are planning to go manual, the 4R70W controls in the EEC are blind to the AWD or 2WD. The Explore V8 had only a full time, fully mechanical AWD system.

Easy as pie swap with the explorer parts and electronics. Best bet is to use the explorer in tank regulator (42psi) and an aftermarket pump. Just size it to your HP levels - don't go larger, as it will just run more and heat up your fuel. You could run a return line and use the in tank ranger Regulator (62psi), but really not necessary unless you are supercharging or in some other way running big HP.

thanks.. no i meant nothing against PATS just my year its really no worth the hassel. and yes im goign manual with a T5.