351W EFI Swap

[Jmjuhl]

I am slowly researching/pulling together parts as they pop up for a 351W EFI build for my 74 project. So far I have a line on a complete 5.8 motor/wiring harness/pcm from a 96 Bronco in decent shape. I know they were OBDII and mass air but electronics less desirable because of added emissions stuff in the pcm.

I have also had a GT40 Lightning lower/fuel rail combo sitting around and an upper from the 95 Mustang Cobra R which came with the limited 351W models. For all intents and purposes it is just like an SN95 Cobra upper but with the 5.8 badging cast into it…but also with the 45 degree elbow vs the 90 degree on the Explorer and Fox bodies. I know it may complicate the throttle linkage cable a bit as well as limit Throttle body/mass air selection possibly. The added benefit is it's slightly lower profile than the Lightning tubular and gains about 1/4-1/2” of hood clearance vs the other uppers.



Looking to build a warmish 351 with mild cam and 165ish AFR heads, or something similar. Probably 24 or 30lb injectors. Goal is 350ish HP. Will also run Explorer serp setup and leaning towards an AX15 or Tremec 4050 5 speed.

So here is my questions:

I am intrigued by the Explorer EDIS setup and know I will need to figure out the cam sensor…could Explorer efi be made to work?

Does this SN95 upper with 45 degree elbow complicate it, or make it not usable.

Which wiring harness/PCM?

With the Explorer/Mustang electronics getting up in age warrant looking at an aftermarket efi setup like the Terminator X, or Megasquirt?

 

[BanditBronco]

Okay, I will dive in and lay it all out.

The only thing that you can or would want to use from the 96 bronco is the engine it self, from the heads down. Neither of the intakes will do you any good. Others might say its possible, yes it is. Don't do it.

I am not an intake guru, but if that cobra intake you have is for a 351w and not a 5.0 then you are in good shape there. You can use those intakes on your 96 bronco engine. You should be able to deal with the 45 degree TB no problem, I wouldn't have it deter me from using that intake.

For fuel injection control you have a few options.
#1 89-93 OBDI Mustang harness and ECM, ron francis harness and which ever mustang ecm you can get your hands on. This set up will require a piggy back chip at the least and someone to tune it, either on the dyno or just by driving it.

#2 96-01 OBDII Explorer harness and ecm. The absolute best way to accomplish this is with a donor vehicle. It isn't a necessity but it makes it easier. There is a ton of info on this out there as well so do your own research. This will require either Garry EFI Guy to tune your computer or use a moates QH, SCT X4 and have someone else do the tuning.

#3 Holley Terminator X kit. Basically a complete aftermarket system that you can either use a distributor mocking a obdI mustang ingition style or EDIS with a cam and crank sensor. This is a map system so it does not use a maf sensor to read air input. Possibly would still require tuning to run optimally.

#4 Megasquirt PimpX mustang plug and play. This will require a mustang style harness, like the ron francis. This system will still use the TFI module and is a map system so it will not be controlled by a maf sensor either. base tunes are available but this set up will require tuning with a laptop and knowledge of how to use Tuner Studio software.

As far as I know, those are the 4 ways to direct inject a ford small block without throwing an electronic carburetor or using an edelbrock pro flow system. There are a few more aftermarket ecm options like haltech etc. but there is zero reason to dive into those.

 

[Jmjuhl]

Okay, I will dive in and lay it all out.

The only thing that you can or would want to use from the 96 bronco is the engine it self, from the heads down. Neither of the intakes will do you any good. Others might say its possible, yes it is. Don't do it.

I am not an intake guru, but if that cobra intake you have is for a 351w and not a 5.0 then you are in good shape there. You can use those intakes on your 96 bronco engine. You should be able to deal with the 45 degree TB no problem, I wouldn't have it deter me from using that intake.

For fuel injection control you have a few options.
#1 89-93 OBDI Mustang harness and ECM, ron francis harness and which ever mustang ecm you can get your hands on. This set up will require a piggy back chip at the least and someone to tune it, either on the dyno or just by driving it.

#2 96-01 OBDII Explorer harness and ecm. The absolute best way to accomplish this is with a donor vehicle. It isn't a necessity but it makes it easier. There is a ton of info on this out there as well so do your own research. This will require either Garry EFI Guy to tune your computer or use a moates QH, SCT X4 and have someone else do the tuning.

#3 Holley Terminator X kit. Basically a complete aftermarket system that you can either use a distributor mocking a obdI mustang ingition style or EDIS with a cam and crank sensor. This is a map system so it does not use a maf sensor to read air input. Possibly would still require tuning to run optimally.

#4 Megasquirt PimpX mustang plug and play. This will require a mustang style harness, like the ron francis. This system will still use the TFI module and is a map system so it will not be controlled by a maf sensor either. base tunes are available but this set up will require tuning with a laptop and knowledge of how to use Tuner Studio software.

As far as I know, those are the 4 ways to direct inject a ford small block without throwing an electronic carburetor or using an edelbrock pro flow system. There are a few more aftermarket ecm options like haltech etc. but there is zero reason to dive into those.

Appreciate the input...more what I was referring to was the differences in the Foxbody vs SN95 upper intake...the SN95s have air temp in the mass air plumbing and I think so there may be differences with wiring harness...was curious if anyone had used it with an Explorer EFI swap successfully. Not married to the intake but thought it was worth trying to use.

The Terminator/Megasquirt etc was just directed at the longevity of the Explorer/Mustang PCMs...wiring is getting up there and before I dump money in a build wanted to consider long term viability. I know its worth it now but wanted to ask.

 

[BanditBronco]

SN95's use a MAF sensor with IAT built in, So, don't quote me, I think they have 7 wires instead of 6. Unless you were trying to use all of the intake piping from an SN95 the upper intake shouldn't matter. You won't be using a stock MAF for the engine you describe anyway. Some tuners have a specific slot style maf that they prefer. Some people, myself included, use a stock lightning maf with stock bottom end, built top end 351w's. No harnesses out of everything that I have listed use a maf with built in IAT that I know of. You can pretty much install the IAT sensor anywhere in the intake piping that suites your build. I prefer the aluminum tubing and welded AN bung option, rather than the plastic twist lock style.

 

[sanndmann3]

I have the EDIS on my 351W and it works great! EFI Guy did the harness and computer programming. I have upper and lower Lightning intakes and Edelbrock heads.
The cam sensor will take some work. Use the longer shaft from a 3.8 liter engine. I think some one makes a collar to adapt the smaller diameter sensor housing to the larger diameter hole for 351 block. I welded mine up and turned it on a lathe...