redavis460
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- September 4, 2008
- Messages
- 55
- Reaction score
- 82
- Location
- Atlanta
- City, State
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Sport
Hi guys; I wanted to share my project with you. It took three and a half years, but it is more-or-less 98% done at this point.
A big thanks to all of the guys I’ve worked with on the forum; I haven’t made a whole lot of posts, but have benefitted from a ton of study and research from the website.
1998 Explorer Sport (originally 4.0 OHV and 5-speed)
Engine:
I've been averaging around 16-17 mpg on the highway at 70 mph average ("according to the odometer") with several 300+ mile road trips under the tires. This weekend, it hopefully will make the 1200 mile round trip down to Palm Springs, Florida. The car is quiet, smooth, and with the cruise control, almost effortless. Of all the project cars I have ever done (which may not be many compared to some of you guys), this has definitely proven to be one of the best values ever, if judged by having something usable after you've spent almost four years of your life and enough funds to have bought a brand new car. But, I am definitely not complaining!
A big thanks to all of the guys I’ve worked with on the forum; I haven’t made a whole lot of posts, but have benefitted from a ton of study and research from the website.
1998 Explorer Sport (originally 4.0 OHV and 5-speed)
Engine:
- Ford FRPP 363 big-bore block (Dart blocks won’t work with Explorer oil pans)
- Bryant billet crankshaft (internally balanced)
- Oliver rods
- Diamond pistons (2618 alloy, 10.5 compression)
- Ed Curtis cam (0.608” lift, 236/244 duration at 0.050, 112 lobe separation)
- Ed Curtis CNC 203 Twisted Wedge heads
- Holley Systemax II intake
- Siemens Deka 60 injectors
- Aeromotive fuel rails
- Custom Headers (Exotic Exhaust and Fabrication, Hiram GA)
- Nitrous Express controller (max 150 shot)
- 75 mm throttle body
- 90mm MAF housing
- 3-1/2" single exhaust
- Mazda M5R2 5-speed
- Mcleod dual disc clutch
- Centerforce aluminum flywheel
- QA1 carbon fiber driveshaft
- 8.8” axle from V8 donor car (Motorsport carrier, 3.27 gearset, override traction bars retained)
- Explorer Sport steering rack
- Heavy torsion bars
- Thick V8 4-door front and rear sway bars
- 4-door multileaf rear springs
- Bilstein shocks
- 15x8 Magnum 500 wheels
- 275-60R15 Hankook Ventus H101 tires (44 psi max pressure)
- Fuel tank: @20 gallon capacity after modifying internal filler neck, removing stock baffling, installing Walbro 255 with Holley Hydramat and AN10/AN6 feed/return lines
- Cruise Control added (factory V6)
- Remote Keyless Entry added (pain in the ass!)
- NRT1 EEC-V tuning done by Decipha
- The 1995-2001 Explorers were the last body style for the pushrod 5.0 in the states (though they did continue on in Australia in the Falcons for several years, and goodies like nodular iron harmonic balancers were made for performance enthusiasts). While I’m not implying they will ever be collectible, they are a good option if you enjoy the small block Ford experience in a usable platform.
- As a teenager of the 1970’s that predated the Fox bodies, I enjoy the driving sensation of leaf springs, A-arms, and rack and pinion steering with 15” wheels and 60-series radials. For a Grand Touring – type car for American roads, these cars fit the (vintage experience) bill nicely without trying to spend a good chunk of your capital trying to source a restorable car from that era. They are about the same overall length as an AMX (but a 5” longer wheelbase).
- Compared to Ford’s car division, it was my experience that Ford Trucks provides superior corrosion protection and paint when put side by side with a Mustang from a similar era. This car sat in the woods for 8 years with no appreciable decay (mice nests and all). Admittedly, this was in Georgia, but many other platforms fare much worse.
- I made absolutely no attempt to shed weight during this project. I added the 3-part sound deadening system from the sadly now-defunct Sound Deadener Showdown company in Maryland, as well as 2000 watts worth of stereo equipment and subwoofers; I even kept the nerf bars on the side. Even with all that and the highway gearing, this vehicle has PLENTY of power for my amusement – and that is before hooking up the nitrous. I historically prefer the 351-based engine platform; however, a fuel injected, roller-cammed, and computer-controlled 302-based stroker with good heads is definitely nothing to sneeze at. Because of the clearance issues on the sides of the engine, as well as front-end dress fabricating issues, a 351-based engine is probably not going to fit in an Explorer without compromising the factory goodies. Luckily for me, everything went under the hood almost like it was meant to go there- even with the nitrous plate, there was a half-inch to spare at the a/c accumulator:
I've been averaging around 16-17 mpg on the highway at 70 mph average ("according to the odometer") with several 300+ mile road trips under the tires. This weekend, it hopefully will make the 1200 mile round trip down to Palm Springs, Florida. The car is quiet, smooth, and with the cruise control, almost effortless. Of all the project cars I have ever done (which may not be many compared to some of you guys), this has definitely proven to be one of the best values ever, if judged by having something usable after you've spent almost four years of your life and enough funds to have bought a brand new car. But, I am definitely not complaining!