351w vs 5.0 Explorer

[kawonuelauwit]

I recently purchased another bronco and it has a 351W in it. This bronco will not be my trailer queen and will be used on some trails, woods and obviously riding on the pavement. I want to have the motor rebuilt, place fuel injection on it, as well as the Serpentine system. I recently had someone tell me I would be better off selling the 351w and buying a 96 explorer 5.0 that already has fuel injection, computer, and serpentine system and have that engine rebuilt. For clarity this individual has no desire to buy my 351w as he lives 1000 miles away. I know the 351w are wider therefore create more heat but I've read where the Serpentine system cools them down nicely with the right fan. I plan on placing 37" tires on this bronco, changing the gears and adding a new suspension on it as well.

i have read so much that i have almost got a little of paralysis by analysis. If anyone has dealt with the 351w compared to the 5.0 explorer please give me your opinions and thoughts. I don't want to waste money but at the same the intent has always been to invest in the motor and suspension. Oh and by the way it might get driven 3,000 miles per year if that helps. thanks for any assistance.

 

[Apogee]

Lots of happy EB owners with 351W and 5.0's, but very few "upgrade" from a 351W to a 5.0 and plenty go the other direction. I personally run a 351W, and would love to step up into a 408W when time and funds allow, so the thought have having less torque seems awful to me. I'd build the 351W, add EFI and throw the serpentine at it...done.

 

[Rustytruck]

I think you should buy the complete 5.0 and add it to your 351. In reality you should just rebuild the 351 and forgo everything else fo just 3,000 miles its lasted 40 years so with limited use should last another 40 years. Keep the high end mods for daily drivers.

 

[SteveL]

I'm another fan of the 351w.. if building o ne today I would probably put the serpentine kit on but mine have been fine in LA traffic with the stock bronco front dress and the bc 3-core radiator. I've also been fine on and off road just running a q-jet carb. If you're set on the Ford efi you need to find a 351w lightning lower intake and bolt the explorer stuff to that. I couldn't imagine going back to the 302.

 

[sanndmann3]

Another vote for 351... I put built mine in 2005, did the serp drive in 2012ish and found a Lightning lower a couple years later. I would love to go 408 but engine runs so good just can't justify making the switch...

 

[blubuckaroo]

You should be able to take a ride with someone’s stock Explorer powered Bronco to compare with your stock 351W. Chances are you’ll find the 5.0 more fun.
I’m talking stock vs stock.

 

[BroncoChicken]

Or you use the explorer front serp and EFI system with the 351. Just the intake and a couple of other parts are different to make the explorer system work.

 

[JSBX]

Another vote here for a 351 W. That is what I have in my 74 and love it. It is a mild built engine with a Q-Jet carb. I have the explorer front dress and it runs cool. I have a 69 with a built 5.0, mustang fuel injection and explorer front dress. The 5.0 revs quicker but I love the torque of the 351.

 

[SevenT]

5.0 vs. 5.8

kawonuelauwit,

I have an EFI 5.0 in mine because that is what I had. I vote 5.8 as well. There is no replacement for displacement.

Edit: I wanted a 5.8, but could not find one at the time and could not pass up the $900 Lincoln with Mass Air 5.0. Miss my '93 Eddie Bauer with 5.8 and E4OD. That thing could get out of its own way.

v/r,

Mike

 

[kawonuelauwit]

thanks guys......i always had it in my mind to rebuild the 351w and your messages have confirmed that is what i will be doing. My next big decision is what EFI to go with.....Holly Sniper or OEM. I've been looking at a Ford Lightning Upper and lower, but the Sniper just seems so easy and it self tunes itself. My only reserve about the Sniper is i sometimes hear stories about guys never getting it to work right or it is a constant tuning issue.
I like the Ford Lightning, because i believe the mass air flow was advanced beyond its time, but it is a lot more costly to get it setup compared to the Sniper. Any feedback on this is appreciated as well.

 

[SteveL]

The lightning upper may be too tall. Most bolt the explorer kit to the lightning lower intake. I've never had good luck with Holley products. The fintech seems to be the popular kit on here.

 

[Boss Hugg]

I'll just add this in. I run a 3" body lift and my explorer 5.0 stuff has MAYBE 1" of clearance under the hood. I recall, long before I got my motor, reading that the explorer stuff fit without a body lift. Based on my truck, I can't agree with that. And the 351w has a taller deck height, so adding EFI to it may cause you to need more BL if you don't already have it.

 

[JWMcCrary]

Look at my signature.....some will say 302 is not a 5.0..but whatever. The 351w compared to the 302 is like having a longer pry bar on the low rpm end.

 

[kawonuelauwit]

Sorry i forgot to add there is already a hood scoop on my bronco so clearance shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Rustytruck]

you can use the 351 truck efi lower with a BC broncos Adapter plate and the mustang 5.0 upper to use mustang EFI I Dont know if it works with Explorer EFI I cant imagine there are many ford lighting lowers around or the marine version in cast iron. but if you find one go for it.

 

[sanndmann3]

I went E.D.I.S. Once I found the Lightning lower, EFIGUY made it plug and play, supplying the harness and tune. Ran great right out of the box.

 

[kawonuelauwit]

sanndmann3,

did you run a ford lightning upper as well?

 

[SavageBurro]

I've had multiple 351w and 302/5.0 rigs. Very much liked how great the explorer 5.0 ran but definitely enjoyed the 351w way way more. Do you wanna get from A to B with a smile or a kick-ass grin?

Yes, the 5.0 can be built for power too but if you're doing that then might as well go w the 351w you already have.

You might see what the 351w block needs for rebuild before making the decision. There are others on here that know waaay more than I do about engines, but I have read and heard that some 351w blocks don't like a .040 overbore. That said, years ago I had a 351w bored .040 over that never had a problem.

btw...I went with Edelbrock pro flo 4 on my 351w and love it, but..... a main reason I did that was to save time and hassle. In hindsight, I think I would not have spent much more time swapping in lightning lower and using explorer upper w EFI guy pcm flash and harness. 12 years from now, will I be able to get a replacement injector for my pro flo? I guarantee you'll be able to get an explorer injector. I recommend you stay w 351w and install pro flo 4 thereby increasing the pool of customers and increasing my chance of getting parts in the future.

Good luck.

 

[sanndmann3]

sanndmann3,

did you run a ford lightning upper as well?

Yes, I run the lightning upper as well...

p.s. its my understanding that the Explorer upper flows similar cfm compared to Lightning... but I think the tubular upper is sexier.

 

[BroncoChicken]

One other consideration is the cost of replacement parts. Ford parts are cheap from NAPA. Replacement proprietary O2 sensors from fitech or Holley I’ve heard are much more expensive. I’ve helped with a couple of Explorer EFI swaps to replace problematic TBI units.
You should be able to use the 351 stuff, but use the Explorer harness and computer and sensors. It doesn’t flow as well as the Lightning & explorer stuff because the runners are squared off instead of round. You’ll also still need to figure out the cam position sensor because the explorer one will not work with the 351. EFI guy was working on an adapter to make a stock unit from something else work, but I don’t know what the status is.
Plus, EFI Guy is a magician with tuning.