What is needed to use explorer heads on the Fila. I have Mac shorties that would go on them if they would fit. Would I have to do anything more then just swap them out or am I making a big ass deal about this? I was offered a good deal on a set of heads and maybe the intake's/TB too. Just don't wana waste the money.
Not all at once now
whats so special about exploder heads? no to hijack. and how much better then stock are gt40 heads, cause i can get a brand new 302 shortblock with gt40 heads and intake for 900 from this kid i know in maryland
They will bolt on.No worries.All of your accessories will also bolt right on as well.You will need to check your piston to valve clearance,but I'd bet $10.00 you'll be in the clear.
Daboss,the Explorer heads ARE GT40 heads,just like the Mustang cobra.If you have $900.00 for the engine,and it's new,quit talking and go buy it.
Mikey(think that's your name) you can use the exploder heads on your 5.0L,the only thing you will need to make them work are:
Special gt-40P headers and a much better flowing intake.
I realize that going SEFI is probably not in your budget but your better off ditching the worn non roller 84 engine and going 87-up roller 5.0L HO out of a stang with the conversion harness from an 86 bird(probably some parts cars around your area)this would be the best route.
Your cam and bottom end are just not real performers unless you stay old school and go carbed.
If you wanna stay with your block and go carbed you should try to pick up the following at swap meets or wreckers:
(1) Hydraulic camshaft with around .500" lift (don't wanna go too high in this area for a nice well rounded performer)
(2) Heads,E7TE,GT-40,GT-40P
(3) DUAL PLANE intake(gotta be dual plane for idle to around 55-6000rpm)stay away from single plane(all high end not enough low)
(4) Carb,try to stick with around a 550-600cfm,should do well for the above setup.
All of the above should net you at least HO power.
If you wanna go injected
(1)5.0HO complete from 87-93 stang
(2)in line high pressure injection pump(many companies make these and it would probably be the cheapest route,vs changing your tank to an 86tank)
(3) Fuel lines from an 86 5.0L car or adapt your lines with parts store repair kits)
(4) Wiring harness,86 sefi 5.0L SO engine.
Your choice,these are your best routes to get some balls out of the fila.
Gt40 heads are woth about 20-30hp tops over stock e7te heads,much better designed head though,more potential when ported.
If they are the "P" heads,you will need special headers like stated above.If they are the GT40 heads,standard Stang headers are the ones to use.
Oh,and you can use a carb with them.
They are from a 98 Explorer, but there is a 96 Explorer too. IIRC 96-7 are GT40, 98-00 are GT40P. Can I use the "stock" headers with a Stang H pipe? Just trying to make some cheap power. I was thinking the GT-40 intake on the cougar if I don't sell it, then the heads on the bird. A new motor is down the road ( about to start a new job) and I can change the heads to the new motor. My question is would anyone here take the heads now even if they just sit till I get a new motor?
Added:
Would it just be easier to snag a pair of truck E7's and be done or play around with the GT-40 or GT-40P's? Cuz I still have to rip apart to get them.
Considering you already have those mustang headers, I think a set of E7's would be easier, but you'll see more performance gains with the Exploder heads. It's your call.
Sounds like a plan
Get the earlier gt40 heads,as stated,better and stock headers will fit.
I'll try to find one, I was only told ii ( the 97) was there. I'll let you all know tommorow.
i wish i had the 900 for the motor, its not going anywhere soon so ill most likely end up picking it up this summer, and hopefully ill have a lincoln to stuff it in!
Hopefuly I'll have mine even done by Cj. Any of them for that matter
so gt-40 heads will have enough piston valve clearance on SO stock SO pistons?
Not sure. My car isn't an SO really, but it very well may be the same. Can you use the factory GTP headers with a stang H?
Your car's an HO? I've yet to be convinced of that.
I don't think you'll have any piston to valve clearance issues, honestly.
Daboss,the explorer engine is not worth the buy if you get the lincoln as it's already an HO and the for 20hp the engine swap is not worth the hassle.
Save the 900 and get exaust,cold air intake and a few other goodies and you'll get the same thing.
GT-40P or GT-40P's will clear SO pistons for sure on a stock cam,it's when you get above .500"lift that you may run into problems.
I didn't mean my car is an HO, just not an SO. I though both of those were "EFI" terms. I always assumed since mine was older TFI, that it was just that, a TFI motor. I've got it down to either the GT-P's of E7's. It depends on what I find tomorow and if I find a GT-40, not a G40P Explorer.
so i personaly could run a stock HO cam, cobra 1.7 rollers, and have a set of GT-40 heads (the real ones, not the GT40P) and the valve clearance will be fine? i just want to make sure because thats alot of money to find out if it works or doesnt work first hand.
I'm stuck on a flat tappet cam till I do a motor change. Would one from a truck motor be worth anything? I know the cam is going to kill ANY power I'll make with these heads but at least I have them
When looking for your heads keep in mind
95-97 1/2 have GT40
97 1/2 and up have Gt40P
So if it's a 97 be carefull if you don't want the P heads Ford changed sometime mid year.
just FYI mikey they did have an HO and an SO engine even in the early 80s before efi. '82 or '83 for example, there was a mustang and a cougar/tbird. mustang was faster, guess why? ;)
good luck bro! im thinking about looking for gt40s someday myself. luuuuuv my H.O. conversion but ill take whatever i can get:evilgrin:
You should have no problems with the stock HO cam and 1.7s,it's what i run(i have an ho)it that only provides .477"lift ,stock ho with 1.6s is .444".I've heard of pepole running e cams with so engines with no problems and thats about .500".
I'd still clay check them though for clearance but i'm positive it will work.
My favorite boneyard said he'd sell me a set of GT40's for $75.00 each when he gets them.I said.....DEAL !!! I'm waiting patiently.I'll probably sell them for a profit to support the car's wants and needs.I'm having a set of heads done up now,so I won't need GT40's.Get them and do the clay check,then,when everything shows to be good,bolt those things on.
What about for me, I'm assuming NO piston to valve clearence problems? Ill the factory P headers work with a stang H pipe. I'm assuming no but I think all thats there is 'P's". Can you tell any simple way the difference between an 96-7 and a 98-00 explorer?
the thing its not an exploder motor it was being built for a fox body stang, its a BRAND new short block, with heads and intake. NO miles on it, so i figure i get it, and have some fun with it, before stuffing it in, and the lincoln will be sitting in my driveway this weekend! I have a goal to get it running by monday!
The Ford Mustang headers for the P heads wil fit with a factory or aftermarket H or X pipe.
Daboss,where are you getting all of this money from?
the motor is gonna be waiting till i sell the escort and save for it, the lincoln is being paid for by me, and my birthday money im getting on saturday
hey vinnie, so you said that you will sell the GT40 heads right? if they are the true GT40 (not the gt40p's) i'll buy them from you!
GT-40P heads actually out flow the regular GT-40 iron heads. The chamber is actually a better design. The only down side is that the FMS headers require *slight mods* to the stock motor mounts:hick:
does anybody know if i could use the GT40X tubro swirl heads? or if i could use the ford racing b-303 cam shaft with a AOD?
If you get anything more than a stock HO cam, you must change the pistons. The SO has flat tops and they wont clear the valves with a bigger cam iirc.
Basically if you want to do anything more to the engine than a stock HO conversion or use TW heads then you need to change your pistons. If you want to run a B303 with an auto you'll need a higher stall torque converter and a trans cooler.
Do a little research and see what combos make the power you want. Don't always go for the bigger is better mentality. All this stuff costs $$$$$ so be sure you get what you want. If you want to do anything other than stock a stock HO conversion YOU NEED HO PISTONS.
You'll need at least a 2400 stall torque convertor.
e 303 was for the auto's
How do you tell GT40s from GT40Ps by looking at them? Also, I have a Mustang Kmember, and urethane mounts, will I have clearance issues?
Gt-40Ps have have GTP stamped on the head under the valve cover as well as GTP at the front corner of each head. The plugs stick out much straighter than standard Ford small block heads as well. You shouldn't have a problem putting them in as you have a Mustang K member and mounts. The swap headers should fit no problem as they were designed to clear the Mustang mounts. I had to cut a little bit out of my drivers side mount for the FMS headers to fit but I have the stock T-bird mounts.
It's [FONT="System"]ONLY[/FONT] the [FONT="System"]'86-UP SO[/FONT] engines and all '86 HO(also '87 in LSC) engines that have flat top pistons that have valve clearance issues... All the earlier engines [FONT="System"]HAVE[/FONT] valve reliefs, though they probably arn't large enough for some aftermarket heads and cams...
[FONT="System"][SIZE="5"][COLOR="Red"]GOT IT????[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
My engine has the forged flat tops.It's from an '87 LSC originally.
thats a sweet picture turbocoupe50!!!
*should* have a set before the week is out if it stops this rain/cold shiznit. I'll keep posted.
If you get the *P* heads make sure you get the FMS stainless shorties for them. They fit around the plugs great and since you have an '84 they won't hit the mounts.
Do you have an H.O cam in your engine?If you're going to install GT40 heads,the cam will let the heads really work for you.
He doesn't yet have an HO cam, Vinnie. Aside from the carb & intake he's all stock.
And headers....
Fila's cam thread: http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=13358
Adding too much to the engine with a stock wimpy cam may end up hurting you alittle.A lot of people randomly throw parts on an engine without a plan (I'm not finger pointing),but like a house,you need a good foundation,meaning,the shortblock.get a mild performance cam and put it in before you install the heads and all.That way,you can make the most out of what you're wanting to install without the engine falling flat on it's face (so to speak).You can get a new performance cam pretty cheap if you look around,and installing one really isn't that bad,pretty straight forward.It would be worth the investment.
Well, I'm building Brians old cougar motor for what will go in the car. GT40's on it now is a pipedream. I'll build the motor at Brians till it's almost done, pull mine, scab what I need and be good. Cam is going in it but not sure what yet. Also not sure of a few other things. It will be figures out later. I don't even have the heads yet...