Engine swap ? - Mustang or Explorer

[Green '70]

Thanks in advance for the opinions that I know I will get. If you disagree with any of the thoughts and ideas I am about to express I want to hear about it. Please tell me if I am about to make a stupid decision. Here goes: I have a '70, with a '72 302 (tired) and three-in-the-tree. I have a 3 1/2' lift with all the necessary goodies to go with, I a almost certain that I want to do the NV3550 tranny swap and 1" body lift to go with. I like the idea of the F-100 PS box conversion. I do not think any of these things will be very controversial. I picked up a Holley Pro-jection stand alone TB FI set-up with idea of putting it on my current engine, however, that motor is so tired that I think I need a different plan. Here is where your combined knowledge and experience are going to save my bacon. I am thinking that I can get a 5.0 from a mid '90s Mustang or a late '90s Explorer, complete with serp drive and accessories, swap out for an HEI distributor, if needed, use my Pro-jection set-up, appropriate headers, etc. If this works, I would have a PS pump, A/C compressor, etc, all on appropriate brackets. Does this make sense? I know I will need to get a 50 oz, 164 tooth flywheel to make it work .
Any major issues I am overlooking? If this sounds viable, do I go Mustang with its stronger cam, or Explorer with its better heads and RV type cam? I am looking for daily driver reliability, go to the duck and deer woods capability. Please discuss! Thanks!!!

 

[Green '70]

Oh, reversed radiator too.

 

[rjrobin2002]

i would get explorer motor and auto trans and get an adapter to your dana 20 transfer case and get EFI guy to mod your harness and use all ford stuff.

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224697

 

[bmc69]

I've done three EBs with the '87-'93 Mustang engines, so that's where my vote is, but there are some advantages to using the Exploder engine..or at least the front dress.

I would not use a Pro-Jection setup in lieu of the stock Ford EFI on a stock Ford engine ...ever.

 

[73azbronco]

Why go projection if you are going to drop dime on a mostly complete stock EFI motor? Unless you plan to sell the stock efi intakes and such, and buy an aftermarket intake to work with projection.

 

[broncnaz]

Id vote for the explorer motor. It will be newer and less likely to have been flogged. the power output of both engines is the same with the edge going to the explorer with its lower RPM cam. That is about perfect for a street use and trail bronco.
Id also forget the projection

 

[Ourobos]

The explorer motor is the best bang for the buck. Get a pre-97 engine with the GT40 heads to avoid expensive headers. You can use the explorer serpentine setup also.

And I've built over 150 Mustang engines, crazy to be recommending an Explorer engine

 

[Green '70]

I do own the e-brock performer intake for use with the pro-jection set-up but I certainly could sell all of that and do the explorer efi. That being said, earlier explorer with the gt40 heads, or later with the gt40p heads? Still need the new radiator and flywheel to adapt to the bellhousing/adapter kit for the nv3550, right? BTW, thanks for the input.

 

[Green '70]

Thanks Ourobos!

 

[Green '70]

Ron Morris Performance recommends the following:
The Explorer uses a distributorless ignition system and EEC V fuel injection system. This EEC V system has a great deal of emission control devices and is difficult to work with in an EFI conversion.
I recommend changing this to a 89-93 Mustang ignition and EEC IV fuel injection system. The EEC IV system is easier to install and has a lot less emissions equipment.

Any thoughts?

 

[garberz]

Ron Morris Performance recommends the following:
The Explorer uses a distributorless ignition system and EEC V fuel injection system. This EEC V system has a great deal of emission control devices and is difficult to work with in an EFI conversion.
I recommend changing this to a 89-93 Mustang ignition and EEC IV fuel injection system. The EEC IV system is easier to install and has a lot less emissions equipment.

Any thoughts?

If Ron Morris frequented this site, he would know the the Explorer EEC V system isn't difficult to work with. There's been a few of us here that have done these installs, with the help of EFI Guy's EEC services. Don't rule it out, especially if you have access to the whole vehicle. Read more about how it works.

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224697

Mark

 

[broncnaz]

The EEC IV is a little better supported when doing a swap. Its pretty simple to convert the explorer motor to run the mustang electronics. If you so choose that route.

 

[ScanmanSteven]

While I did the Mustang EFI on an Explorer/351 setup, that was before EFIGuy offered the Explorer programming. There are probably less than a handful of people that have done the projection, hundreds the Mustang computer EFI and a growing number Explorer EFI, so staying with Ford would probably be your best bet.

 

[EFI Guy]

I'd stay with Ford EFI too, but I may be a little biased.

Since you want to run the NV3550, I'd go with whichever engine and EFI you found a better deal on, (Mustang or Explorer). I just wouldn't buy a Mustang motor from anyone that drives it the way I do.;D

 

[Green '70]

I appreciate all the input. I guess I am confused about what I thought I knew about the Pro-jection unit. My thought was that as a stand alone system, and living n TX, where a truck this old requires no emissions control whatsoever, I could take advantage of the roller motor, nice heads, in-place serp system and pumps, alt, etc. Essentially running a roller motor with a carb, only replacing the carb with a stand-alone TB set-up. I am not rejecting or disputing anything you guys have graciously shared with me, I just don't understand what I am missing. Thanks!

 

[Bferrari]

I think what alot of the guys are saying is that if you are going to purchase a complete EFI motor out of a Mustang or Explorer, why not use the factory EFI stuff versus changing it over to the Projection setup. There are tons of people who run the factory stuff on here and the resource is endless. There are also several threads on here of people not being happy with a TBI setup and swapping to a factory EFI setup. Just food for thought!

 

[broncnaz]

I appreciate all the input. I guess I am confused about what I thought I knew about the Pro-jection unit. My thought was that as a stand alone system, and living n TX, where a truck this old requires no emissions control whatsoever, I could take advantage of the roller motor, nice heads, in-place serp system and pumps, alt, etc. Essentially running a roller motor with a carb, only replacing the carb with a stand-alone TB set-up. I am not rejecting or disputing anything you guys have graciously shared with me, I just don't understand what I am missing. Thanks!

Thats kind of the issue with the projection its stand alone especailly when it has problems. Your alone because few people mess with it. Thats not to say it doesnt work or is problem prone but few people that have used it really like it or run it for very long.
Bascially we just figure if your getting a EFI motor your probably going to get 95% of what you need. So making what you have run may be a better bet than trying to install another system. The Mustang/explorer setups are basically stand alone just like the TBI. They just have more wires but overall tend to be much better systems.

 

[Green '70]

OK, so a 5.0 from a locally owned, 2-owner, early '97 explorer, full front dress and pumps, gt40 heads, with full uncut harness and 470RW attached, 116xxx miles, 45 minutes fr the house...$700. Should I have left to get it already?

 

[Bferrari]

I would say yes, that setup with tranny is going $1,100 to $1,500 in my neck of the woods.

 

[Bferrari]

Keep in mind, you will need to drop about $500 in the 4r to D20 adapter however if everything is from the same vehicle, the computer should control both engine and trans.