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Explorer fuel injection or 351 fiteck

spap

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Looking at cost of both, and I know there will be total different responses. Not looking to add a coyote, have the 4r70w already. Amd a Lopo fuel injected motor

Just thinking cost wise and power wise the 351 with a fitek might be a good option compared to a explorer fuel injected motor.

Any ideas ?
 

hankjr

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I have explorer injection on my 351. It’s not complicated.

Hank
 
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spap

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That was my initial route
But the lower GT 40 intake is kinda tough to find
 

sanndmann3

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Yep, I did same as hankjr. Partedout an Explorer that I found cheap on CL and then searched for 6 mo to a year for the Lightning lower. So much better than carb, especially off road. Highly recommend.
 

garberz

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Have you considered the amount of issues people are having with the FiTech systems, vs. the amount of people having issues with the Explorer based OBDII EFI? I think you’d be much better off with a proven system that’s been developed over decades, instead of an electric carburetor who’s tech line comes with a 2 hour wait on hold.

Mark
 
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spap

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Thats what I wanted to hear I wasn’t sure about the issues, def don’t want a carb.
I agree I have a fuel injected 5.0 now that is so far after 10 years pretty worry free
When a billion dollar company develops something,it usually works pretty well just wanted a 351 but the $750 for the lower intake and finding one kinda sucks
Thanks
 

Timmy390

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When a billion dollar company develops something,it usually works pretty well just wanted a 351 but the $750 for the lower intake and finding one kinda sucks

You can sometimes pick up the cast iron version of the lightning lower for about half what you can get the aluminum ones for. I see both on Facebook market place not and again. Haven't looked in a while.

The cast iron version was used in marine applications. I'm running one. It's heavy but paid $350 shipped to my door back 3 years ago. They have black powder coating on them which I blasted off and painted it aluminum.

Tim
 

Broncobowsher

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35" tires, go 351.

Now how to feed it? Explorer EFI can be worked. Mustang EFI will also work. But the intake is a challenge. That 1" body lift isn't enough.

As for a throttle body EFI, Sniper has better engineering and better customer support.
 
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spap

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Thanks for input since I have a boat I have been looking for the marine version too all over Mohave bullhead and lake havasu
I didn’t know that 351 get 40 wouldnt not fit under the hood with a 1 inch body lift I’ll check out sniper
 

Dlish

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I have a 351 and FItech. Does the tech line take forever, yes. Unless there is a defect in the unit why call tech?

People have these systems dialed in, and are installed quite a bit. There is a massive Facebook presence for help and people on this board also run them. At first I used MSD to control timing, ran well for a couple a years then had issue where it wouldn't run at all, I was ready to trash the FItech. Then someone on this board who installs many FItechs told me to pull the distributor and check the pickup, sure enough, none of the issues were FItech, it was a bad pickup. When I put it all back together I set it up with FItech running timing. No problems, 351 and Fitech is a beast.

Did Ford pour money into developing a working EFI for the explorer. Yeah, sure did. And those computers and wiring are all 20+ years old now.

I did use the front serp setup from an Explorer on the 351, but I would recommend a getting an FItech or similar new product to run.
 
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Thanks Dlish, appreciate the input
 

Z Bronco

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I have 351W w Lightening lower and Explorer upper and TB with mustang sensors, no issues.
 

SteveL

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I've been slowly putting together parts for efi on my 351w. Got a good deal on the lightning intake. The more I see all the problems guys are having getting the Ford stuff or the bolt on carb style efi kits to work I'm thinking of just sticking with the q-jet. It's never let me down. Last weekend i found a real low profile lid for it to build a snorkel.
 

Broncobowsher

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There is a Q-jet form factor version of the Sniper, comes with factory progressive linkage. But you need an external pressure regulator. Which if I had known I would have done and just used an LS3 fuel filter.
 
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spap

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I have fuel injection for over 10 years and honestly to just turn the key and have it start is the best, I been also been in several situations on steep inclines where I wish I had fuel injection. Maybe save the money for AFR heads on an explorer motor haaa
Would love to have a 351 though
 
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spap

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Hey one question if anybody knows does the stock 351 / 5.8 non gt 40 fuel injection manifold bolt on the the mustang style upper manifold not as much flow as a gt 40 but pretty easy to get
Thanks
 

Broncobowsher

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Not following that question very well, but I think I know what you are asking...
351 truck lower with mustang upper. BC makes an adaptor.
Yes it works. But barely on a stock motor. Low RPM is fine but the 5.0 upper is rather limited on a 302, that is the reason there is the high flow GT40 on the 302. The airflow isn't there. It does not support any performance parts, just makes a drivable stock 351.
 
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