Hi All,
I've owned my '71 bronco since 1996, but have never done much work on it myself. I really want to learn, and am finally at a point where my bronco isn't my daily driver and I have some room in my garage. But I am not at all mechanically skilled. I'm currently running a bored 302 (not 5.0) that is maybe pushing 260HP carbureted, with an NP435, detroit in rear, trac-loc in front, 3.5" WH lift.
Here's what I really want: engine at 450ish HP, an automatic with overdrive, a low ratio transfer case, and fuel injection. I don't like not having overdrive, dislike the long throw shifting, and I hate stalling out at angles. I do of course love the low ratio granny of the NP435. I figure I probably need a stroker, a built AOD(E) or 700R4, an Atlas T-case, and some sort of fuel injection. I'm assuming building this will be a monumental task for someone like me, and one that I shouldn't start with. I would think I'd need some aftermarket fuel injection computer, because adapting a Ford computer won't work, given the power I want. My goal is to have a good crawler but also something that will have mean street accelleration (I know the latter isn't a noble goal, but that's what I want). Now add to that the perhaps ridiculous goal of me doing all the work myself, except for building the tranny. Meaning, I'd like to build the engine and do all the install.
Seeing as how that's a pretty lofty goal, I'm thinking I shouldn't take all that on for the first major project. A friend's friend is parting out his 1996 Border Patrol bronco, and is willing to sell the 5.0 and EFI, the heavy-duty version (ribbed) E40D, and the transfer case (probably NP205 or NP208) for around $600. I think it's all in running condition, but will likely need a rebuild. I was thinking that perhaps a more reasonable project would be to buy the 5.0 and EFI, and the E40D if it will fit, and use the EFI and E40D, along with an Atlas. I might put the EFI on my existing 302 (I'd have to switch cams due to firing order, right?), and use the E40D till it dies. That way I'd have the overdrive and wouldn't stall out on inclines. I'd love input on whether the E40D would work for me, whether the 1996 5.0 SEFI and computer would be reasonable to install, and whether the price is decent. I figure maybe that way I can run my bronco for a while and build up the 5.0 block in the meantime. I figure I'll learn a bit if I do this, and be more prepared for the 450HP project.
I'd also love input on how I could get to my true end goal of 450HP. Some of my questions are:
302 v. 351W; stroker?;
Would I need an aftermarket FI computer and if so, what's recommended?;
What tranny could stand up to this abuse? Art Carr sells a built-for-off-road, locking AODE that sounds really cool, and I can buy a computer that will allow me to tune the shift points. That's quite pricey, and I didn't know what people think of Art Carr versus just finding a local transmission shop. I don't think I want to dive into building a tranny. I do want OD and want a super low gear that I can lock myself into.
I know there's a lot written about this, so be pls be gentle and feel free to point me to threads The guy selling the parts needs to know by Friday, so I thought posting would be more efficient.
Thanks very much,
Gray
I've owned my '71 bronco since 1996, but have never done much work on it myself. I really want to learn, and am finally at a point where my bronco isn't my daily driver and I have some room in my garage. But I am not at all mechanically skilled. I'm currently running a bored 302 (not 5.0) that is maybe pushing 260HP carbureted, with an NP435, detroit in rear, trac-loc in front, 3.5" WH lift.
Here's what I really want: engine at 450ish HP, an automatic with overdrive, a low ratio transfer case, and fuel injection. I don't like not having overdrive, dislike the long throw shifting, and I hate stalling out at angles. I do of course love the low ratio granny of the NP435. I figure I probably need a stroker, a built AOD(E) or 700R4, an Atlas T-case, and some sort of fuel injection. I'm assuming building this will be a monumental task for someone like me, and one that I shouldn't start with. I would think I'd need some aftermarket fuel injection computer, because adapting a Ford computer won't work, given the power I want. My goal is to have a good crawler but also something that will have mean street accelleration (I know the latter isn't a noble goal, but that's what I want). Now add to that the perhaps ridiculous goal of me doing all the work myself, except for building the tranny. Meaning, I'd like to build the engine and do all the install.
Seeing as how that's a pretty lofty goal, I'm thinking I shouldn't take all that on for the first major project. A friend's friend is parting out his 1996 Border Patrol bronco, and is willing to sell the 5.0 and EFI, the heavy-duty version (ribbed) E40D, and the transfer case (probably NP205 or NP208) for around $600. I think it's all in running condition, but will likely need a rebuild. I was thinking that perhaps a more reasonable project would be to buy the 5.0 and EFI, and the E40D if it will fit, and use the EFI and E40D, along with an Atlas. I might put the EFI on my existing 302 (I'd have to switch cams due to firing order, right?), and use the E40D till it dies. That way I'd have the overdrive and wouldn't stall out on inclines. I'd love input on whether the E40D would work for me, whether the 1996 5.0 SEFI and computer would be reasonable to install, and whether the price is decent. I figure maybe that way I can run my bronco for a while and build up the 5.0 block in the meantime. I figure I'll learn a bit if I do this, and be more prepared for the 450HP project.
I'd also love input on how I could get to my true end goal of 450HP. Some of my questions are:
302 v. 351W; stroker?;
Would I need an aftermarket FI computer and if so, what's recommended?;
What tranny could stand up to this abuse? Art Carr sells a built-for-off-road, locking AODE that sounds really cool, and I can buy a computer that will allow me to tune the shift points. That's quite pricey, and I didn't know what people think of Art Carr versus just finding a local transmission shop. I don't think I want to dive into building a tranny. I do want OD and want a super low gear that I can lock myself into.
I know there's a lot written about this, so be pls be gentle and feel free to point me to threads The guy selling the parts needs to know by Friday, so I thought posting would be more efficient.
Thanks very much,
Gray
