Ok guys here it goes, I just picked up a 2WD 1994 Ranger 5 Speed with a V6 swap. It is lifted and rolls on 35" tires. After 5 minutes of idling the engine starts smoking pretty bad which might suggest bad rings maybe worse. I don't want to go through the hastle of rebuilding the current engine, I would much rather find a low mileage engine and swap it out. My dilema is That this is my first truck and my first V6, I'm used to working on V8 Mustangs, mostly 5.0 I have been debating wether or not to just start off my new project with a V8. I've been doing some research on the parts needed for the swap; oil relocator, swap headers, etc. I really don't want to drop in a V6 to later find out that for a close price I could have put a V8 on it. Now for the questions, what is the ideal engine and tranny for the V8 swap? I would like a 5.0, maybe a 96-97.5 explorer engine with the GT40 heads, I don't mind the GT40Ps since they flow better but I don't like dealing with the different plug angle. I'm open to suggestions on the engine years and models. Will I need eveyrthing from the Explorer concerning accessories? What about wiring? Wiring is the part that scares me the most. Other than the complete engine, the L+L swap kit (i'm open to any other brands this is the one I've reAd about the most),and a shorter drive shaft what else would I need for the swap? Any crazy fabrication? Thanks for reading and your help is appreciated.

 

As for an ideal motor that is pure preference IMO. I like that 89to93 302 HO motors, their is a huge aftermarket for them and the wiring is simple, not to mention all of the diagrams are easy to come by and free. The explorer motor is very popular on the site because it fits well on the 98+ trucks, but your 94 doesn't have the same clearance issues. I do agree the GT40 heads would be nice to start with, that's what I am swapping on to my truck. GT40P you would have to verify they are compatible with the swap headers. The L+L kit isn't bad but I do not like their motor mounts. They are solid and I broke both of them. You will have to do some fab to the tranny crossmember, but nothing to extensive.

 

So no explorer engines in the 94, what other kit do you suggest for the swap if not the L+L?

 

he's not saying DON'T do the expo motor in the 94, he's saying the 5L HO (mustang) motor, doesn't fit in the newer ones, not without issues, so most people go with the expo motor, which does not make as much power as the mustang motor, where as in yours, either would work... the HO motor has higher horsepower, where as i believe the expo motor is more geared towards torque.**

you should know that the HO (mustang) and expo motors are 2 completely different animals... they share the block and some parts, but don't take them as interchangable... the mustang motor does NOT run on the 302 firing order, it uses the 351W firing order. from what i have been told, it's the same crank, but different cam and different distributor arangement, which also means different cpu as the injector order is different the cam is more agressive, the heads are supposedly better for horsepower, and the intake is different, especially from the f-150 5L used in the early 90's


**best i can describe the difference, as i understand it, horsepower is the ability to get the motor spinning to a certain speed, under low or minimal load (resistance on motor, while floored) where as torque is the ability to do the same, with a load on it...

take for instance, a semi truck, put it in neutral, and stomp it, you can eat a burger before it gets to full RPM, but you put a fully loaded trailer behind it, and in gear, not a huge difference... high torque, low hp (relitively for that motor) take a ricer honda, RPM peaks in less than 1 second, but put it in gear and have 4 people in the car, it will take you 5 minutes to get out of first gear (high HP, low torque)

 

I don't know of any othe company besides L&L that sells an entire kit but advance adapters makes some nice motor mounts for the 302 in a ranger, and there are other options for headers.

 

Here's a quick comparison:

Mustang 5.0 HO (compared to the Ex 5.0):

• Better factory exhaust manifolds
• Higher performance factory HO cam
• Distributor ignition
• 60 pin EEC-IV

Explorer 5.0 (compared to the Mustang HO):

• Better GT40/GT40P heads
• Better GT40-style upper and lower intake manifolds
• Larger 65mm throttle body
• Larger 70mm MAF
• Truck cam (same as 94~96 EFB 302)
• Restrictive exhaust manifolds
• Coilpack ignition
• 104-pin EEC-V
• Compact water pump and accessory drive

93~95 Mustang Cobra 5.0 (best of both worlds)

• GT40 heads
• GT40 upper and lower intake manifolds
• 65mm throttle body
• 70mm MAF
• 1.7:1 factory aluminum roller rockers
• Better factory exhaust manifolds
• Unique Cobra factory performance cam
• Distributor ignition
• 60 pin EEC-IV

The Explorer 5.0L engine needs only cam, headers and 1.7 roller rockers to become a near Cobra clone. Many Mustang HO EFI owners scour the junkyards for Explorer heads, intake manifolds, MAF and throttle body for a budget performance upgrade.

The dressed Ex engine has a shorter overall length compared to all other 302s due to its compact water pump and accessory drive made especially for the Explorer bay. This shorter length can be an advantage for any Ranger swap regardless of year.

On the negative side, The 97 1/4 through 2001 Explorers used GT40P heads with revised plug angles. These are not compatible with most, if not all, 97-back Ranger aftermarket V8 swap headers. Other production 302 heads including the GT40's in the 96~97 1/4 Explorer do not have this issue with the swap headers. Torque Monster makes 5.0L Ex headers that are compatible with both the GT40 and GT40P plug angles.

BTW, the Explorer 5.0L uses the same firing order as the Mustang HO, Mustang Cobra, 94~96 EFB 5.0L and the 351W.

 

Bob you are the MAN