Explorer Motor

[94-302-vert]

OK,

I know this exists in the threads but I could not find a single best answer. So what year explorer motor have the best Heads? Best Intake? Best bottom end (are any forged piston vs Hyperutectic)?

Then what headers work best on the GT40P heads? Will my Mac's be OK?

 

[95GTAODE]

Well, '96-early '97 have standard GT40's, while mid '97 to '01 have the P heads. Either head will do the job, but the P's are slightly better. Everything else is the same, with the exception of the EGR holes in the intakes, but since you have an SN it doesn't matter anyway.
Late '92-'95 Mustang, and all Exploder/Mountanier 5.0's came with hyper pistons.

Any header designed for the stock 5.0 will fit with GT40's, while P heads need P specific shorties which are available from FRPP and MAC.

Both MAC and BBK LT's will clear P heads as well.

 

[95Vert]

95gtaode, pretty much covered it all. Any more questions?

 

[94-302-vert]

What would be the expected HP difference between the GT40 and a GT40p? ie what does slightly better mean in terms of HP or torque?

 

[95Vert]

i've heard that at best you could get about 20hp.

 

[95Vert]

FWIW, if you're going to spend your money on an explorer motor, might as well and get the gt40p. They're about the same amount.

 

[94-302-vert]

I am concerned about the headers.... I drive a lot so I don't want to have to pull my headers to change my plugs...

 

[95Vert]

Who told you that? I think that you have to do something to the spark plug boot if you use gt40p specific headers. I haven't anything about using the mac l/t.

 

[95GTAODE]

If you use P specific headers, you will not have to pull them to change plugs, or use different boots on the plug wires. That is why they are "P Specific".

If you use MAC or BBK LT's, you will need 90* boots on the wires, and you will have to cut down a spark plug socket to loosen or tighten 2 or 3 of the plugs, but you will NOT have to drop the headers to change them!

 

[95five-oh]

can u absolutely not use regular 5.0 headers on those p heads? or do u just need some kind of adapter to make them work? i want the p heads too but i spent a couple hundred on ceramic headers i'd hate to change them.

 

[Adam95GT]

spark plug angles...

 

[95GTAODE]

I have heard some claims that BBK shorty's will work with 90* plug boots and a cut-down socket to get the plugs, but don't take that to the bank...

You're best bet is to trial fit them for yourself.