BabyHuey

Sure this has been discussed many times, but am having trouble finding the answer i'm looking for.

I have an option to buy a good running 97 explorer and would like to put the Engine and Rearend in my car. My question is, can I mod the engine at all with the ECM? I've had several 5.0 Mustangs and have modded them, just wondering if the Explorer 5.0 is the same?

Thank you

Iskwezm

The 5.0 in the explorer had a very small cam so the power was down as compared to a normal H.O. 5.0L even though it has a GT40 top end.Any changes you do will benefit from a tune also.All the same mods will be the same.

BabyHuey

Pretty much same engine and ECM straight across the board. So the Cam can be changed? Injectors? etc... I believe it's a GT40P head. Will this be a problem as far as headers? The Explorer was built in sept 97 I believe.

Thank you for your response

Iskwezm

I think its a A9L ecm if i remember.You will need specific "P" headers for plug clearance, but i havent seen any for a '65.

BabyHuey

Will switching ECM's be all I need to do? Thought I read somewhere that Exploder engines Distributor was triggered differently?

clowe1965

Not sure about that. You'll probably have to have custom headers made. Not too many options for the explorer engines that are worth the cash.

BabyHuey

Thinking I may be best just holding out for a Mustang Donar car. Just know i'm probably going to have to go thru the whole motor because it will more than likely be well beat.

clowe1965

What is your budget? Honestly after half the headache (unless you just want to do it or know exactly what you're doing) it is cheaper to buy a crate engine to get it running then upgrade it instead of rebuilding from a donor block.

BabyHuey

Been thinking of that as well. But then I need to decide if I want EFI or Carb. Any experience with FordMotorsports crate motors?

Mustangdemon67

5.0s aren't too hard to find, you can find complete good running ones for under 1k online. You can build one for much less than a crate motor. I guess it all depends what your goals are for the car.

on a side note id find a 351 for your mustang, its a better starting point and costs near the same