Found an explorer engine, is it a good deal??

black95gts5.0 · Jul 19, 2005

I found a 1997 explorer complete engine that has 150 to 160 compression and is complete and running for $1200.00 cnd should I grab it up right now?? and can I just swap the engine?? and get more horse power or should I put the heads and intake on my stock 5.0 in my stang??? also should I cam it if I buy it????
thanks

BlownFiveLiter · Jul 19, 2005

Depending on when in '97 it was made, that engine could have either the standard GT40 heads, or the GT40P's. Either way, you'd probably want to go diving into the engine replacing valvesprings at a minimum, as those aren't performance springs, and really wouldn't support very many aftermarket cams. If you can justify the cost of $1200 on a used engine, I say go for it, if you want a "new" engine, but keep in mind that you may end up paying a fair amount more going with a new cam, valvesprings, lifters, rockers, etc. You could swap the engine as it sits now, just using your distributor instead of the distributorless ignition on the Explorer engine, and give yourself time to save for future mods. Just my opinion, but I'd put that $1200 toward rebuilding the stock engine, or buying heads, and saving for more later.

Venom351R · Jul 19, 2005

how many miles are on our engine you have now, is it running? If the motor you have now runs fine theres no sense in dumping $1,200 into an explorer motor.

black95gts5.0 · Jul 19, 2005

mine has 124,000 km 77,000miles on it runs great just not enough power. I would like to get 250-300 hp at wheels for a reasonable amount of money. any suggestions??

95Mustang302 · Jul 19, 2005

yeah, take the 1200 you probably have for the motor, SAVE it and get around 2000-2100 and get either the holley engine kit or the trickflow engine kit....

both will give you around 250-300 hp at the wheels...

black95gts5.0 · Jul 19, 2005

also what is a reasonable amount of money to pay for a set of explorer gt 40 heads and or intakes??? also how do I tell the difference between a GT40P and a regular GT40 in a 1997 explorer and could the wrecker find that out for me???

KamiKaziDK · Jul 19, 2005

Save up a little more money and buy a Trick flow or Holley engine package.....only 77k miles, you're spoiled! You can get powerdyne superchargers for around 2 grand too......is that 1200 in canadian or american btw??

black95gts5.0 · Jul 19, 2005

1200 canadian funds

Venom351R · Jul 19, 2005

black95gts5.0 said:
mine has 124,000 km 77,000miles on it runs great just not enough power. I would like to get 250-300 hp at wheels for a reasonable amount of money. any suggestions??

well forget the explorer motor then b/c you wont get 300 RWHP on GT-40 heads. Save up your money and get a nice Heads,cam, Intake package for your current motor that will push you to 290-300 RWPH. at 77,000 miles your motor still has ALOT of life left in it. Spending $1,200 plus the time and cost of doing a motor swap just for a Explorer motor is not worth it. The minor gain you get w/ that motor wont be worth teh time/effort. Im not a big fan of any of the explorer stuff. The GT-40 heads are pretty decent but not as good as a set of AFR or Trickflow aluminum heads

Scott_95GT · Jul 19, 2005

IMO you should pass on the explorer motor. If you had a high milage motor, and were looking for a simple fresh replacment, it wouldn't be a bad idea, but if your interested in making hp, your going to end up spending more money/time on that explorer motor than if you would have just saved up and did it right. Save up some cash, get a trick-flow kit and be done with it.

If your set on doing it now, for 1200 bucks, you could get the thumper heads/cam pakage, and would have just enough left for an intake.

black95gts5.0 · Jul 19, 2005

so basically this junkyard stuff is not realy worth the time and effort to do it. might as well go with an aftermarket setup that is brand new??

urban96 · Jul 19, 2005

1200 canadian money = 984.50 american

wytstang · Jul 19, 2005

77,000 that's it, man that engine isn't even broken in yet. Save your $$ and get a good set of heads.

horsesnake95 · Jul 19, 2005

gt-40 heads have 3 little raised bars cast into them, I believe gt-40p heads actually have gt-40p cast into them somewhere. If you were to use the Explore motor, the cam in it is not as good as a stock GT cam, and the pistons aren't forged. If you have any other questions I've done the explorer engine swap.

blksn955.o · Jul 19, 2005

the gt40 heads also have a GT on them at the valve cover corner, and in the oil area. The GT40 heads have 3 bars on the corner of the head (by the intake), and the gt40p heads have 2 bars there.

FWIW out mustangs dont have forged pistons either.

984.50 $US. That is not too bad man. For another 400-600 you could send those gt40s to thumper (port, new springs) and have a preaty healthy engine.

The trick flow kit is going to cost close to 2x's this amount.

OrangeMustangGt · Jul 19, 2005

i got my 55k gt40p explorer motor for $650......keep looking

horsesnake95 · Jul 20, 2005

I guess if it were me with an engine with that few of miles on it I would forget the explorer motor and just go buy a set of AFR heads. I've already done that buy an engine off of ebay thing and ended replacing it within 30 days

a50sn95 · Jul 20, 2005

GT40P heads have 4 bars on the end.
Here's a better deal:
Ebay
I bought a 351W block from him, he's a good guy, and will make sure you get a good deal.
If it were me, I'd buy the core for 300, sell the P heads for about 200, and rebuild the shortblock for a decent set of heads later....
The hypers will be fine unless you are planning on boost.....

Found an explorer engine, is it a good deal??

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