97 exploder for $350 good/bad year

[joshua]

I’m building a F4TE 351 I would like to run it on the explorer injection. I thought I heard some years were better than others. But I can’t remember.

It’s a complete 97 with a bad water pump. I don’t think it will be running. But I would have the heads checked anyway. So I’m not to concerned about the condition of the block. Hopefully the heads aren’t cracked. But for 350 I’ll chance it if this is an acceptable year to rob the injection off of.

So lmk if this is an acceptable year for the explore swap stuff.

O I do have the lightning lower. I’m sure that would come up if I didn’t bring it up.

 

[Broncobowsher]

'97 came in at least 2 flavors.
Early was the GT40 heads. My easy spot is the EGR has an internal feed from the intake.
Late was the GT40-P heads. My easy spot is the EGR feed is external from the exhaust manifold.

 

[joshua]

'97 came in at least 2 flavors.
Early was the GT40 heads. My easy spot is the EGR has an internal feed from the intake.
Late was the GT40-P heads. My easy spot is the EGR feed is external from the exhaust manifold.

Is one set of heads not usable or worth using? Sorry this was on the back burner but then this explorer popped up, so kinda scrambling.

 

[Timmy390]

The P's are the better head but have odd plug angles so you have to run special headers. Sanderson makes a set that fit. If running anything other than the stock Explorer cam you WILL need to upgrade the springs on the heads. Either set will need to be drilled for the larger 351W head bolts.

I run P's on W with Explorer EFI parts but SN95 EFI

Tim

 

[joshua]

Sn95 is the mustang injection vs the explorer correct? Well mustang ecu

 

[Timmy390]

Sn95 is the mustang injection vs the explorer correct? Well mustang ecu

It's 94-95 Mustang specific. OBDI MAF

I went that way as my 351W donor E350 van was a 96 speed density BUT that SD system is only a few wires off form the SN95 and uses all the same sensors. I reworked the harness myself. I run a 97 Explorer upper intake along with the T-body and MAF sensor. Heads are P's off a 2001 Mountaineer. I ran the stock Explorer cam for a while (from the van yes same cam). It ran very well....it's a long story as to how I got to a bigger Comp cam. Wasn't really a need more or a "because I can" kind of thing.

Tim

 

[joshua]

It's 94-95 Mustang specific. OBDI MAF

I went that way as my 351W donor E350 van was a 96 speed density BUT that SD system is only a few wires off form the SN95 and uses all the same sensors. I reworked the harness myself. I run a 97 Explorer upper intake along with the T-body and MAF sensor. Heads are P's off a 2001 Mountaineer. I ran the stock Explorer cam for a while (from the van yes same cam). It ran very well....it's a long story as to how I got to a bigger Comp cam. Wasn't really a need more or a "because I can" kind of thing.

Tim

Ok thank you. Only reason I’m even doing a 351 is because of the lower intake I have. I probably would have been ok ish with the 302 So the stock cam is probably fine.

I was thinking about going 408 Just depends on how big of a hassle it will be to get it all dialed in I guess. But I’ll have time to read up on that.

Thanks!

 

[Timmy390]

I run a marine version of the Lightning lower i.e. cast iron..... Heavy but it works

Tim

 

[joshua]

I run a marine version of the Lightning lower i.e. cast iron..... Heavy but it works

Tim

The lightning lower popped up on here awhile back for what I thought was a steal. Wasn’t looking for one. But I have pretty much let market place /(Craigslist back in the day) and for sale section here decide what my bronco will be. I haven’t really made any of my own decisions

I think the only new or from a vendor piece I have bought is the rear shock mounts.

 

[sanndmann3]

I would say it’s a good deal… infact I did pretty much the same except I bought a’98 with a blown trans. Took all the fuel injection stuff (already had Lightning upper/lower), trans & rear disc brakes and parted out the rest and made my money back and more…

 

[Jedeka]

I bought a 2000 Explorer and rebuilt the engine to put in my Bronco. I bought the Sanderson headers to work with the P heads. Later on, I bought a 97 Explorer that I got running, after I had key made. I paid $500 each, so you are getting a good deal. Some guys will want the transmission for their Bronco, if you don’t use it. The 8.8 rear axle is popular and you can sell easy on Marketplace.