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SlowJoe
06-30-2009, 08:27 PM
has anyone put a 351 in a explorer? i am looking to start buying parts to do this and have no clue what i need to look for.
QWKSNKE
06-30-2009, 09:38 PM
that would be interesting. What tranny are you thinking of running behind it
SlowJoe
06-30-2009, 09:40 PM
aod is what i am thinking unless someone has a better ideal.
QWKSNKE
06-30-2009, 09:43 PM
aod is what i am thinking unless someone has a better ideal.

not a stock one I hope.. LOL
SlowJoe
06-30-2009, 09:45 PM
maybe a little done to it just dont want it to jerk ur head of when it shifts.
EHardy1971
06-30-2009, 09:47 PM
Carb or EFI?
SlowJoe
06-30-2009, 09:48 PM
carb injected would be to much right know
EHardy1971
06-30-2009, 09:51 PM
Well,it should be fairly simple engine wise. You'd need some different headers,but it should be fairly easy. There's a few companies out there that make a lot of swap stuff for Rangers,which is the same thing as the Exploders.
waypastcrazy
06-30-2009, 09:52 PM
Put that 472 in it I have a c6 with n205 transfer case lol I would think a 94 95 donor truck 79f150 has a 351 motor n tranny from a 95 with ecm and wiring
SlowJoe
06-30-2009, 09:53 PM
Well,it should be fairly simple engine wise. You'd need some different headers,but it should be fairly easy. There's a few companies out there that make a lot of swap stuff for Rangers,which is the same thing as the Exploders.

thats good to know i have no clue about this thing.
EHardy1971
06-30-2009, 09:57 PM
Well,it's a lot easier than it used to be,since they started putting the 302's in from the factory in '95. Before that,you had to use Fox 'vert motor mounts,with the sides reversed (left on the right side and vice versa),trim the heater core box,get a tranny adapter from transadapt,etc.
Matt2105
06-30-2009, 10:27 PM
I have a 2000 Eddie Bauer Explorer. It comes with a 302 and a 4r70w.

You cant really go with a large motor in them because of the flywheel or something(Never really researched it enough to know why). The highest people go with is a 347 and there are a few of them out there.

You can research over on explorerforums.
evrae205
06-30-2009, 11:36 PM
cant possibly be very difficult.

like eric siad the rangers and explorers are dman near the same body so most stuff is pretty interchangable. and if your starting with a 5.0 explorer my god it should be easy.
evrae205
06-30-2009, 11:37 PM
I have a 2000 Eddie Bauer Explorer. It comes with a 302 and a 4r70w.

You cant really go with a large motor in them because of the flywheel or something(Never really researched it enough to know why). The highest people go with is a 347 and there are a few of them out there.

You can research over on explorerforums.

hmm i never really considered that as a possible issue.

Although a budget 331 with some trick flow heads would probably be plenty o power for a fun suv.
Matt2105
07-01-2009, 08:25 AM
hmm i never really considered that as a possible issue.

Although a budget 331 with some trick flow heads would probably be plenty o power for a fun suv.

From what I understand, you can only run a 347. It's supposedly due to the weight of the flywheel. It's not the same as a stangs so the only option is a 347. This might only apply to stroker kits though.

Chances are you'd need a few custom pieces done.

They do make a supercharger for the explorers though. Uses an eaton m90 iirc. They have longtube headers made by torquemaster as well.
evrae205
07-01-2009, 12:05 PM
well i guess a well built 302 with a m90 would be fun also.
EHardy1971
07-01-2009, 12:11 PM
From what I understand, you can only run a 347. It's supposedly due to the weight of the flywheel. It's not the same as a stangs so the only option is a 347. This might only apply to stroker kits though.
That's odd,because the 347 kits use the same flywheel as a 351W IIRC.:think:
93cobra1928
07-01-2009, 03:23 PM
That's odd,because the 347 kits use the same flywheel as a 351W IIRC.:think:

Yes, most of your stroker kits that you buy with the already balanced option will be balanced to 28oz, which is the same as 351W and early 302.

IIRC Ford went to the 50oz balance to produce the 5.0 cheaper,as it doesn't require as much machining to get to that value
Matt2105
07-01-2009, 03:33 PM
That's odd,because the 347 kits use the same flywheel as a 351W IIRC.:think:

Yeah. The explorer uses a heavier flywheel though for some odd reason. It's been over a year since I even researched it so I might be a little off on the reasoning behind only being able to use a 347.

The best option imo was to simply throw on some trickflow heads, aftermarket cam, high stall torque converter and then spray it.

The supercharger kit was near 4 grand--too pricey imo.

There are a few rear mount turbo systems on some explorers though. Custom made, but easily done.
TheJeanyus
07-01-2009, 03:40 PM
As I read through this thread, one glaring question comes to mind.


WHY? :think:
EHardy1971
07-01-2009, 03:42 PM
As I read through this thread, one glaring question comes to mind.


WHY? :think:
Why not?:shrug:
TheJeanyus
07-01-2009, 04:08 PM
Why not?:shrug:
Well I guess it's your money to do what you want with...but unless I had nearly infinite funds the LAST thing I would spend money on is making an Explorer faster.
QWKSNKE
07-01-2009, 04:33 PM
If it were me, I would rather do a 302 based stroker such as a 331 vs going through the headaches to make a 351 work.
Matt2105
07-01-2009, 04:38 PM
Well I guess it's your money to do what you want with...but unless I had nearly infinite funds the LAST thing I would spend money on is making an Explorer faster.

I thought the same which is why I havent put anything into the Explorer other than regular maintenance and car audio.
coupe
07-01-2009, 05:05 PM
You can setup a 347 to go 50-oz imbalance... it's real easy for the machine shop in fact. A budget 347 would work WITH the stock flywheel, flexplate, whatever then. :nice:

That's the route I would go if someone was forcing me to "soop up" an Explorer. lol.
SlowJoe
07-01-2009, 06:07 PM
it has the over head cam v6 now.and i have a good 351. and i really do not like the 302 base motors. u can do a 351 and have more ci to start with stock. i just want to fix one up!:drool: maybe some 18:banghead:"cobra Rs and other small stuff
EHardy1971
07-01-2009, 06:15 PM
it has the over head cam v6 now.and i have a good 351. and i really do not like the 302 base motors. u can do a 351 and have more ci to start with stock. i just want to fix one up!:drool: maybe some 18:banghead:"cobra Rs and other small stuff

That would look good! Is this on your Explorer that you were in when we met up a few weeks ago? I was thinking there at one point about doing a Saleen XP6/XP8 clone of ours,but the parts are too hard to find.

http://www.ratemyride.com/uploads/34525.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/05/saleenxp8---01_450.jpg
SlowJoe
07-01-2009, 06:19 PM
yea thats it. i want to keep the green and i am not into the body kits that much. maybe a cowl hood
SlowJoe
07-01-2009, 06:49 PM
As I read through this thread, one glaring question comes to mind.


WHY? :think:

Y did u buy a vette?:jester:
TheJeanyus
07-01-2009, 07:00 PM
Y did u buy a vette?:jester:
I wouldn't expect anyone who wants to put a 351 into an Explorer to understand. :rofl:
SlowJoe
07-01-2009, 07:03 PM
i dont:shrug:
QWKSNKE
07-01-2009, 10:29 PM
it has the over head cam v6 now.and i have a good 351. and i really do not like the 302 base motors. u can do a 351 and have more ci to start with stock. i just want to fix one up!:drool: maybe some 18:banghead:"cobra Rs and other small stuff

Gotcha. I thought you were starting with a v-8 explorer.

Will the deck height of a 351 not cause problems?
SlowJoe
07-01-2009, 10:32 PM
Gotcha. I thought you were starting with a v-8 explorer.

Will the deck height of a 351 not cause problems?

i dont know:dunno:
EHardy1971
07-01-2009, 10:59 PM
Gotcha. I thought you were starting with a v-8 explorer.

Will the deck height of a 351 not cause problems?

Nope. The only major issues would be headers (which are aftermarket available),and the oil pan,which *might* have to be modified. I'm 90% sure a Crown Vic,or Ford van 351w pan would work. I was going to do a similar swap in a Ranger a few years ago and did a lot of research on it. There's guys out there with BBF's in Rangers,so it's doable in an Explorer.:yup:

http://www.mre-books.com/images/image36.gif
SlowJoe
07-02-2009, 09:33 AM
i cant find much on the explorers but i have read that a body lift is needed for the tranny tunnel to clear on a ranger. i just wonder about the frame mounts on the v6. i am sure we can make it work.
EHardy1971
07-02-2009, 11:29 AM
i cant find much on the explorers but i have read that a body lift is needed for the tranny tunnel to clear on a ranger. i just wonder about the frame mounts on the v6. i am sure we can make it work.
Shouldn't need a body lift on the Explorer,since they came available with a V8.