• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

newbie with some questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter xterkmx
  • Start date Start date Jan 5, 2008

xterkmx

New Member
Oct 15, 2006
4
0
1
boston
Jan 5, 2008
#1
  • Jan 5, 2008
  • #1
hey everyone sorry if this gets long, i have been thinking about doing a junkyard build, i can get a complete motor out of a 97 explorer for next to free, its got low miles on it (47k). so my question is, what can you guys recommend for a mild build, thats relatively cheap, im realistic. im looking for between 275 and 300 rwhp, it doesnt need to pass emissions, and it will see the track maybe 3 times a year. i know the thread is pretty vague but im just looking to see what different combos and setups work regarding the early v8 explorer 5.0s
 

ttop88

Member
Mar 12, 2007
42
0
6
indiana
Jan 5, 2008
#2
  • Jan 5, 2008
  • #2
That engine n-21 anderson cam, 1.7 roller rockers,elec.fan, pulleys, full o/r exhaust. Dyno tune. Should be real close to your goal.
 

NKau

Founding Member
Dec 15, 2001
1,346
0
37
Jefferson, WI
Jan 5, 2008
#3
  • Jan 5, 2008
  • #3
You're already off to an awesome start. You are a cam swap away from making some decent power. I know of a local guy who's running an explorer longblock with nothing more than an e-cam and 24 lb. injectors, and runs consistent low 13's/high 12's on street tires.
 

xterkmx

New Member
Oct 15, 2006
4
0
1
boston
Jan 5, 2008
#4
  • Jan 5, 2008
  • #4
thanks guys thats helps a lot, what gears would you guys recommend with a 300 rwhp mill, all my buddies have 4:30 and 4:56s in there mildly modded stangs, i was thinking 3:90 for a good bang and good cruise rpm on the highway, and lastly lol, i can get a buddy of mine to port the gt40s for some junk in the garage, what gains do you think i will see with some decent portwork? i just did some math the n-21 anderson cam with 1,7 roller rockers comes to a 5.44 lift, is that alright
 

RYC CUKR

Founding Member
May 19, 2002
1,437
1
38
Orlando
Jan 5, 2008
#5
  • Jan 5, 2008
  • #5
I pretty much have an explorer engine with a TFS stage 1 cam in my 93. Its the 93 short block with P heads of a 98 explorer. One thing that I would do is swap out the stock springs on the explorer heads with the TFS kit for Ford iron heads.
 

LiquidGT

Member
Oct 8, 2007
368
0
16
Near STL hell
Jan 5, 2008
#6
  • Jan 5, 2008
  • #6
I used a whole explorer motor, just swapped the explorer accesories from the stang. Ported the H/I, tfs 1 cam, upgraded springs, windage tray, 1.6 roller rockers, slightly longer pushrods. Pretty quick, would be qucker if I had 3.55 gears.
 

NKau

Founding Member
Dec 15, 2001
1,346
0
37
Jefferson, WI
Jan 5, 2008
#7
  • Jan 5, 2008
  • #7
xterkmx said:
thanks guys thats helps a lot, what gears would you guys recommend with a 300 rwhp mill, all my buddies have 4:30 and 4:56s in there mildly modded stangs, i was thinking 3:90 for a good bang and good cruise rpm on the highway, and lastly lol, i can get a buddy of mine to port the gt40s for some junk in the garage, what gains do you think i will see with some decent portwork? i just did some math the n-21 anderson cam with 1,7 roller rockers comes to a 5.44 lift, is that alright
Click to expand...

Anywhere from a 3.55 - 4.10 gear should be good. I don't see any sense in going deeper than that.

Porting doesn't always help if it's not done properly, so keep that in mind.

You'll definitely want to get a matched set of valvesprings for that cam. On E7's, the springs bind afer .500 lift, and I wouldn't assume the GT40P's would be any different.
 

xterkmx

New Member
Oct 15, 2006
4
0
1
boston
Jan 5, 2008
#8
  • Jan 5, 2008
  • #8
thanks guys, i didnt think the stock springs would cut it, i have alot of good ideas now
 

ttop88

Member
Mar 12, 2007
42
0
6
indiana
Jan 5, 2008
#9
  • Jan 5, 2008
  • #9
xterkmx said:
i just did some math the n-21 anderson cam with 1,7 roller rockers comes to a 5.44 lift, is that alright
Click to expand...

Thats not right. It is .512 with 1.7s. The cam is made for them. The original intent for the cam was to be a stock replacement for the 93 cobra. So all of those parts work very well together. This set up with drag radials will go 12s. 3.90's would be a perfect choice. I had 3.73s in mine and always wanted a little more. But, I drove the car 92miles a day 5 days a week. The tfs spring package is a good match for the cam.
 

xterkmx

New Member
Oct 15, 2006
4
0
1
boston
Jan 5, 2008
#10
  • Jan 5, 2008
  • #10
sorry about the math, yea 12s are more than good for me , what type of pistons do the explorer mills come with and the compresion?
 

LiquidGT

Member
Oct 8, 2007
368
0
16
Near STL hell
Jan 5, 2008
#11
  • Jan 5, 2008
  • #11
NKau said:
Porting doesn't always help if it's not done properly, so keep that in mind.
Click to expand...

I actually just got the ports matched on the heads to intake and got the exhaust side opened up more. An old racer guy did mine, but if you go too big it will hurt you. I heard somewhere when I was reserching the gt40 vs gtp, that if you port the gtp's it messes up the flow and turns them into windtunnels. Any one else heard this.

I think the compression is 9:1, not sure. The pistons are hyper, and they dont have the small dish like the forged mustang pistons.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
785
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
gray owl
G
Engine GT40P questions and advice
  • sav22rem22
  • Mar 11, 2023
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
13
Views
4K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Mar 31, 2023
sav22rem22
M
Engine 302 Build Question
  • Middleagecrisis
  • Oct 22, 2020
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 24, 2020
Middleagecrisis
M
Engine Finishing up motor and trans swap; questions and advice
  • Justin87
  • Sep 6, 2020
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
21
Views
4K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Sep 9, 2020
Justin87
Seemingly random 'will it fit' and 'how well does it work' kinds of questions...
  • JasonRP
  • Jul 3, 2021
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
19
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 14, 2021
2000xp8
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?