Explorer EFI swap question

[latrucker]

I'm in the process of piecing together everything I need to do the Explorer EFI swap on my 351W. Hoping some of you that have done the swap can give me some ideas on the fuel pump setup. I definitely want an in tank pump so what options does that leave me with a 23 gallon bronco rear tank? Can I modify the explorer pump, or can I use my return style pump that I'm using on my Fitech to work with the returnless Explorer setup?

 

[904Bronco]

Well what year Explorer are you using?

96-98 have a return line, and run about 40 psi with 19 lb injectors

99-01 are single line with the regulator in the pump assembly in the tank. They run 60 psi with 17 lb injectors.

 

[latrucker]

Motor is from a 2000 Explorer. Going with 30 lb injectors. Can I covert it to a return style system?

 

[904Bronco]

Motor is from a 2000 Explorer. Going with 30 lb injectors. Can I covert it to a return style system?

According to Garry, EFI Guy, you can run a pump that will deliver a minimum of 65 psi and then run it through an external pressure reg that returns the fuel to the tank so only a single line runs to the engine.

Not sure about the need for 30 lb injectors?
The higher pressure with the 2000 motor and 17 lb injectors equates the same fuel delivery as 40 lbs fuel pressure and 19 lb injectors

EFI Guy recommended this Reg:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/aei-13129/overview

Here is a stock replacement Explorer pump only: https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...n-fuel-pump/e16006/4615438/2001/ford/explorer

 

[DirtDonk]

Wow, 30lb injectors! Can't wait to hear what else you're doing to the engine to use those.
Supercharger by any chance?

Paul

 

[latrucker]

Wow, 30lb injectors! Can't wait to hear what else you're doing to the engine to use those.
Supercharger by any chance?

Paul

Its a 351W, no sc but it puts down some nice numbers. 330hp/400tq to the wheels on the chassis dyno. I'm just using the EDIS and fuel injection from the explorer 5.0.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Before you buy a single part have a talk with whoever is going to tune it. Each tuner has some parts that they know well and do a better job of tuning, and some parts they just can't tune.

I have used a returnless rail with a return system. Put a fuel pressure regulator just before (instead of after) the fuel rail. That was before anyone was tuning a returnless system.

 

[DirtDonk]

Ok, just sounded like a lot. I haven't been following what size injectors are used for what engine output lately though. Maybe 30 is normal?

Paul

 

[latrucker]

Ok, just sounded like a lot. I haven't been following what size injectors are used for what engine output lately though. Maybe 30 is normal?

Paul

Stock 351W came truck engines came with 24 lb 'ers and they were 300 ish on HP. Stepped it up one notch. Figured I was better off with a little too much rather than not enough.

 

[latrucker]

According to Garry, EFI Guy, you can run a pump that will deliver a minimum of 65 psi and then run it through an external pressure reg that returns the fuel to the tank so only a single line runs to the engine.

Not sure about the need for 30 lb injectors?
The higher pressure with the 2000 motor and 17 lb injectors equates the same fuel delivery as 40 lbs fuel pressure and 19 lb injectors

EFI Guy recommended this Reg:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/aei-13129/overview

Here is a stock replacement Explorer pump only: https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...n-fuel-pump/e16006/4615438/2001/ford/explorer

That sounds easy enough, gonna give this a try. Thanks

 

[latrucker]

Before you buy a single part have a talk with whoever is going to tune it. Each tuner has some parts that they know well and do a better job of tuning, and some parts they just can't tune.

I have used a returnless rail with a return system. Put a fuel pressure regulator just before (instead of after) the fuel rail. That was before anyone was tuning a returnless system.

Wondering how tunable the stock ecu is on a performance engine. Gonna look into it.

 

[904Bronco]

That sounds easy enough, gonna give this a try. Thanks

Well this is for a stock system. With 30 lb injectors you may need more than a stock Explorer pump will provide.

Definitely take BB's advice and chat with Garry 1st before spending a bunch of money.

 

[ZOSO]

yes you can convert the explorer returnless system to return style. Garry can tune what ever you need. I have way too much MAF and injector for my engine combo and he was still able to tune it and it runs great.

 

[BanditBronco]

Garry does have a specific injector that he likes to use, I know he has said which ones a few times around here. The lowest dollar or mid grade old style 30lb injectors are not the way to go, even their technology has come a long way in 20 years.

 

[Broncobowsher]

15 years ago the go to injectors were the 24 and 42Lb units.
Stock 351 still had the 19LB. The 24Lb were for the 460 big block and the '93 cobra.
I was building a planned 400 HP small block and the 24s were considered acceptable back in the day.

But that was 15 years ago. Technology has changed. Tuners have improved. Better stuff exists today.

 

[Timmy390]

My 96 351W came stock with 19# fat yellow tops. My W is warmed up and Gary tuned it just fine with the 19's.

Stock HP on the Van was 285 as I recall. Per DTD I'm up around 320 now......(cam heads blah blah blah).

Gary's tune is spot on......I will say data logging is the best way to tune and get the max out of your combo. Gary can do that to remotely as I recall....

Tim

 

[DirtDonk]

Wondering how tunable the stock ecu is on a performance engine. Gonna look into it.

Sounds like it can be tuned quite a bit with the right equipment and knowledge. Garry is the go-to guy around here, but I'm sure there are tuners around the country that can do crazy things.
Personally I'd support Garry any time I can, unless you just need it yesterday and he's too buried.

FYI, there are stand-alone ECM's available for us now too. Haltech, Holley/MSD and the Pimp-X from Stinger Performance sound like cool alternatives if you don't have a stock one handy, or don't want to disable a running vehicle while the computer is out being tuned.

The Stinger one is not inexpensive at $900-ish, but it's a Ford factory case with the Megasquirt internals that can be set up to run Speed Density, Mass Air Flow, with Distributorless Ignition, Coil-on-plug, boost and a lot of other things. Including controlling an automatic transmission.
So while we have more options than we've had in a very long time, use EFI-Guy when you can.

I'm not there yet, but sure am bummed that when I finally settle on a distributor (Holley/MSD e-Curve) they now have a Coil-Near-Plug system for us! Figures...

Paul

 

[ZOSO]

My 96 351W came stock with 19# fat yellow tops. My W is warmed up and Gary tuned it just fine with the 19's.

Stock HP on the Van was 285 as I recall. Per DTD I'm up around 320 now......(cam heads blah blah blah).

Gary's tune is spot on......I will say data logging is the best way to tune and get the max out of your combo. Gary can do that to remotely as I recall....

Tim

Very similar here. But I am running 39lb injectors, 95mm cobra maf and 75mm throttle body.(all over kill I know just what I had in the garage). Garry is local to me so he just sat passenger and we drove around and he did his thing.

 

[bigmuddy]

Good thread, great responses.

I still have to get back to my 351w engine install. I had a stockish 5.0 EFI that ran fine.

I basically built a copy of the old lightining engine including upper and lower intakes, but I want to retain the mustang ECM as I have a few laying around.
Still stuck on what MAF to use but I have a new set of 24lb Bosch injectors that will go on the truck.

Heartened to hear that basically most components can be made to work if you have a tuner worth his salt.