EFI - Should I swap engines?

[hammer]

So here's the deal;

Wiring up my '89 mustang 5.0L. Realized the mustang serp won't work for me, start to source out an explorer setup. Turns out best option is picking up a whole 5.0L out of an explorer (heard it run). So do I pull the mustang motor and drop in the explorer motor or do i just leave the mustang motor in and do the serp conversion?

I think I have my answer but interested in bouncing it off you guys.

 

[Izzy]

Have you put any time and money into rebuilding the mustang engine? If so, then maybe you should stick with it. But if not, go with the explorer motor.

 

[bell55]

Why wont the mustang serpentine work?

 

[DirtDonk]

Agree with Izzy. Unless you've put serious time into the Mustang, go Exploder all the way.
More usable torque curve, better running down low, depending on year, better heads. All in addition to the better serp setup.
Plus, even if you've got all the EFI stuff already, most of the Explorer stuff is better tuned to an EB's running curve than a Mustang setup.

Paul

 

[hammer]

haven't done anything to the mustang motor, just dropped it in. Had to buy a flywheel that's about it.

I would have to swap computers I would assume. That would involve pulling the roll cage and dash that I just finished installing this week.

 

[hammer]

Why wont the mustang serpentine work?

Only leaves me 2" clearance between the water pump pulley and the rad.

 

[Pedestrian]

haven't done anything to the mustang motor, just dropped it in. Had to buy a flywheel that's about it.

I would have to swap computers I would assume. That would involve pulling the roll cage and dash that I just finished installing this week.

You will need to use the Mustang computer on the explorer motor anyway unless the Mustang was speed density.

 

[Steve83]

KISS If the Ex engine runs, try to keep as much of it together as possible so you have fewer "issues". And when it comes time to maintain or repair it, you'll know what parts to buy, and how to diagnose it.

 

[DirtDonk]

Mustang computer, change out some of the Explorer's sensors to match the Mustang, swap out the cam-position sensor for a TFI distributor (probably the same one you've got in the Mustang engine, but...) and a few other minor tweaks, and you're up and running.

Paul

 

[00gyrhed]

you have a lot of work to run the explorer, probably more than the serp belt issues.

But if both were equal milage/condition I would run the explorer engine just because it suits the way I drive my bronco better, however if I already had the mustang engine in the bay and on the mounts I would make the serp work.

 

[hammer]

you have a lot of work to run the explorer, probably more than the serp belt issues.

But if both were equal milage/condition I would run the explorer engine just because it suits the way I drive my bronco better, however if I already had the mustang engine in the bay and on the mounts I would make the serp work.

And this is where the dilemma lies. I'm already leaning to try and use the mustang upper cause I already have a BC broncos efi throttle cable. I've already built an egr plate.

I'm not crazy about having to drill and tap all the sensors on the explorer engine. Although I'm gonna have to do mods to get the explorer timing cover to fit the mustang engine.

Bonus's of pulling the engine would be ease of getting the smog stuff off the back of the heads which I didn't do before installing. I could also mod the crossmember on the frame to clearance the explorer pulley.

I'm leaning towards the explorer motor if it means I can leave the computer alone.

 

[hammer]

KISS If the Ex engine runs, try to keep as much of it together as possible so you have fewer "issues". And when it comes time to maintain or repair it, you'll know what parts to buy, and how to diagnose it.

Keep It Simple Stupid?

Your telling a guy in a 4.5 year frame off to keep it simple? lol, your funny.

 

[hammer]

You will need to use the Mustang computer on the explorer motor anyway unless the Mustang was speed density.

Why is this? Mustang is MAF.

 

[70EB]

And this is where the dilemma lies. I'm already leaning to try and use the mustang upper cause I already have a BC broncos efi throttle cable. I've already built an egr plate.

I'm not crazy about having to drill and tap all the sensors on the explorer engine. Although I'm gonna have to do mods to get the explorer timing cover to fit the mustang engine.

Bonus's of pulling the engine would be ease of getting the smog stuff off the back of the heads which I didn't do before installing. I could also mod the crossmember on the frame to clearance the explorer pulley.

I'm leaning towards the explorer motor if it means I can leave the computer alone.

If you want to keep it simple and run the Explorer motor, then just swap your Mustang upper/lower intakes with all the injections stuff, TB, MAF onto the Explorer motor. Keep the Explorer serp intact on it, mod for the pulley (or buy a smaller idler pulley) and you are good to go. You will lose a tiny bit by not using the Explorer intake with better runners but it would be very minor to not really matter. You current computer, wiring, etc remain intact. Essentially you are just replacing the longblock.

 

[hammer]

Well I think we have a winner. Thanks for talking it out with me guys.

 

[DirtDonk]

Why is this? Mustang is MAF.

ECU's have different connectors and the Explorer is DIS. So you either use the coil packs and wire the whole thing accordingly, or continue with the simpler Mustang setup and use a distributor with the Mustang ECU.

Paul

 

[00gyrhed]

And this is where the dilemma lies. I'm already leaning to try and use the mustang upper cause I already have a BC broncos efi throttle cable. I've already built an egr plate.

I'm not crazy about having to drill and tap all the sensors on the explorer engine. Although I'm gonna have to do mods to get the explorer timing cover to fit the mustang engine.

Bonus's of pulling the engine would be ease of getting the smog stuff off the back of the heads which I didn't do before installing. I could also mod the crossmember on the frame to clearance the explorer pulley.

I'm leaning towards the explorer motor if it means I can leave the computer alone.

I FEEL YOUR PAIN BROTHER

I had a 92 bronco with nice running 351 and nothing much else good about it that I was going to put in my 71. The 71 wasn't running when I bought it but I went out one day and spent maybe an an hour getting it running. I started reading about everything I had to do to get that 351 in the 71 like new oil pan, new upper, etc and I decided you know that 302 really runs nice I think I will sell the 92 for cash and use it to finacne things like lockers, tire, wheels, paint etc. So far I haven't regretted. That old 302 with a stock 87 mustang EFI runs better than the 92 ever did even though I know I gave up some low end torque and HP. I am looking for a 351 but since the 302 is so nice I can just fiddle arround until I find what I want and build a 393 stroker.

My guess is yu will be like most of us anyway. If you drive on the street mostly you will want a biiger motor with some top end and if you offraod you will definately want more cubes and low end torque later as well.

 

[Steve83]

So you either use the coil packs and wire the whole thing accordingly, or continue with the simpler Mustang setup and use a distributor...

I'm not arguing; I'm genuinely curious: why would anyone WANT a distributor when the engine is already running fine with COP? It's not like you're saving money or time or effort, or making it more reliable or efficient or powerful. I don't get it... ?:?

 

[DirtDonk]

No problem. I get the question totally. Personally, I'd MUCH prefer the DIS to the old distributor. It's just that when your new bought harness is set up for distributors, or you're not wire-savvy enough to make an Explorer harness work in an EB, or you've got the distributor and harness and ECU already set up for an engine that's in there now...
Etc, etc, ets.

Not all great excuses, but legit enough for some, to ditch the coil packs and run a dizzy.

Couple of buddies have already gone the DIS route here, and I'm considering it at some point, but I don't even have an Explorer setup to use as a starting point. So in my case, it may just be parts availability and money that keeps me from updating mine to the newer (and arguably better) setup.
And when the old dizzy method actually works pretty well still, it's sometimes not even an internal argument. It just is...

Paul

 

[hammer]

Picked up the '98 explorer 5.0L yesterday. Got into ripping it down today on the stand and got the mustang 5.0L out of the bronco.

Okay, so i'm going with the explorer motor and serp, with mustang upper and lower intake.

I'm running Hedman Long Tubes, they fit okay with the gt40p heads but plug #6 is a snag for me right now. Not sure how I'm going to proceed. Waiting for a response back from barronj.

Should I use the oil cooler? I have new motor mounts. Looks like it fit on Viper's rig but he has his ports reversed on his rad. I'm gonna have to use a crossover tube or the 7.3L lower hose. Worth it or ditch it?