Which engine upgrade?

[Ed74]

Originally, I had this posted on on Vertex's roller cam in a flat tappet motor thread. However, I wanted to see what everyone had to think about my inquiry. Thank you la77 for offering terrific info regarding the pros and cons of choices a and b.

I would like to perform an engine upgrade in the near future. Currently, I am running a stock 302 with 160k and terrific compression. Unfortunately, all my seals are leaking due to there age.

After reading this thread and others like it, it seems that it is efficacious to simply pull a roller HO engine, with EFI and serpentine components, from a mustang GT or comparable donor and have it rebuilt. Versus rebuilding my non-roller stock block, in addition to replacing the cam to match the firing order. I can only assume that a roller assembly is much more efficient than its predecessor. Are my thoughts correct? If so, what is a good price to pay for a complete 93 HO EFI, with the intentions of rebuilding the block?

Also, which route would you guys choose if you are building a highway driven daily driver, with a good balance of low cost, reliability, gas mileage, horsepower, and torque. (ALL WITHIN REASON OF COURSE)

a. Stock 302 rebuild
b. mustang efi rebuild, as mentioned above
c. complete HD 5.8L/351-4V ford racing crate engine, with intentions of adding efi in the future

I am leaning towards choice b, though c is very enticing. However, I do not want to cut my hood, add a body lift, or search and/or pay for expensive intakes.


Thanks for the info!!

 

[SteveL]

Just have a 351w. built at a local shop. If you're near so cal call TG performance.
ps: use smaller words for us bronco folk

 

[cro_bronco]

If you are looking for fuel mileage go with option B. A 351W will get around 10 mpg maybe 12 if fuel injected. You can check around but nobody with a 351 brags about fuel mileage.

 

[trailpsycho]

Go with the 5.0, if you find you want some more power after a couple thousand miles, put some aftermarket heads on. I would angle toward the 96/97 Explorer motors if you can find one, steel GT-40 heads and GT-40 intakes make these a pretty nice stock engine; change the cam and it should run great. If you are looking for a new one do a search, there is a source or two that have NOS engines referenced earlier this year, that I believe to still be good sources.

 

[bigmuddy]

Or you could find a 94 and up 5.8/351w, 94 was the first year for the roller cam in the 5.8/351w and I would expect it to get comparable mileage to the 5.0 EFI. The only kicker is that to run EFI you will need to either get creative or pony up the bucks for aftermarket mustang style intakes for the 5.8. There are several guys running the 5.8 in front of an overdrive tranny that are getting around 20mpg on the highway with the bronco. I really am kicking myself for going with the mustang motor instead of the 94 5.8 I had in the garage at the time.

Ben

 

[ugly74]

If I were gonna go through the ordeal of swapping to EFI, I'd go find a newish big Bronco with a 5.8 to cannibalize. and then strip all the smog garbage off of it. I'd also try to find one with a manual trans, as the E40D automatic they used is absolute crap. My friends 96 taught me that.
that same 96 got around 18-20 mpg, and had plenty of get'up'n'go.

 

[Ed74]

Thanks for the responses ;D I noticed a slight discrepancy with the mpg of an efi 351. Is it more around the area of 12 or 20 mpg? Also, I think I would have to either run a major body lift or cut my hood to fit the 351 efi in my Bronco, unless I purchase BCB's new bracket, allowing a GT40 lower to be matched with a mustang upper.

What to do?????........I would definitely like to acquire an explorer motor, but price and availability seem to be an issue. Every time I scavenge the bone yards and discover an explorer donor, I run up to it, then notice that its engine has already been picked ?:? I think I remember the post on surplus explorer motors out of Ohio or somewhere near by. If this is the thread mentioned earlier? Are there still some motors left? This may be a good route to pursue.

I think I will go with a mustang or Lincoln 5.0 HO motor due to its lower cost, availability, and performance. However, I am always open to suggestions. Also, I read there is a slight difference in performance of a mustang and Lincoln HO. Is this true? If so, can someone please explain how?

Thank you,

Ed

 

[mtnkraus]

I just pull my 84 Mustang engine out for a 302 crate engine (lighter weight) to many problems with the electrical components during off roading so I am keeping for a new toy. But did run great on the street. You will need a body lift and different cooling as well.

After doing it once... Make sure you get the entire car not just the engine.
Was the all Lincolns rollers and only some Mustang.

 

[trailpsycho]

As of about 6-7 wks ago, he still had some of those Explorer motors. Good luck.

 

[70EB]

HD 351W/5.8L-4V Crate motor (Option C). Put SEFI on it.

Some things we don't do for mileage

 

[COBlu77]

Thanks for the responses ;D I noticed a slight discrepancy with the mpg of an efi 351. Is it more around the area of 12 or 20 mpg? Also, I think I would have to either run a major body lift or cut my hood to fit the 351 efi in my Bronco, unless I purchase BCB's new bracket, allowing a GT40 lower to be matched with a mustang upper.

As for mileage, my 5.8 (93 non-roller) with EFI gets closer to 12mpg, but I have 4.56 gears and no OD. You'd really have to have some high gearing and a tail wind to milk 20 out of a 5.8 IMO. My non-roller 302 with EFI got around 14 mpg.

Secondly, my 302 with EFI (stock Mustang stuff) required a 1" BL to get the stock hood closed. I was not using any kind of plenum spacer, just the standard gasket. To get my 5.8 to fit with the stock hood and GT40 lower and upper it required a 2" BL. It barely clears. Maybe 3/16" of room.
The stock Mustang upper is 5 1/4" tall and a GT40 upper is 5 1/2" tall. Any kind of adapter between the lower and upper will take up the difference.

As far as my opinion on which way to go on your engine choice, it's a matter of your budget. Ultimately you will be happier with the 5.8 and EFI, but it will take a few more bucks than your other two choices. To do EFI, either way, you're going to have to do a BL or cut the hood.

 

[Ed74]

mtnkraus: What electrical problems did u have? Can they be prevented if I use Ryan's harness?

trailpsycho: Thanks for the lead

70EB: DROOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

COBlu77: How are your body mounts? Could that have been the reason you had to use a 1"BL to fit the mustang engine? At worse case scenario, I would go with a body lift if necessary.

Thanks to all

 

[Ed74]

Trailpsycho: I just re-read the thread, then immediately realized that it was you that so kindly started it. I assume that you already installed the motor. How is it????? I am wary to purchase such a large and expensive item, especially when I cannot see the item. Though, if there are still some available, then I can't beat the price.

 

[bax]

I say pull the motor and put all new gaskets and seals and let her eat. Then save up for option 3 with the roller cam addition.

bax

 

[Ed74]

That thought had actually crossed my mind. Since my compression is good, I was just going to replace my rear main seal and possibly add EFI. Conversely, if I am going to go through all that trouble, I want to have a new motor in it. I will look into the surplus explorer motor and see where that takes me.