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Explorer Engines and Intakes 

[DanM] "Wiring conversion for the explorer TPS
99 Explorer TPS
BRN/WHT - is for VOLT REF.
GRY/WHT - is for TP SENSOR INPUT
GRY/RED - is for SIG RETURN

89 Mustang TPS
ORG/WHT - is for VOLT REF.
DRK GRN/LT GREEN - is for TP SENSOR INPUT
BLK/WHT - is for SIG RETURN"


Question: [2104] "I'm looking at intake selections right now and In the 5.0 magazine I saw a company selling explorer upper and lower intakes for $250.
Now Mac has come out with an intake set-up that is identical to the Edelbrock for $299? Which would be better in performance? Do you have to modify the explorer one to work on the mustang tb or anything else? I'm running basically stock motor so I don't need a top notch intake set-up like the gt-40 for $600. Any info or opinions will help!"

Opinions:

[LS] "The explorer intake was recommended to me also. I was told it is basically the same item as the FMS Roadster intake for half the cost. I think someone mentioned drilling & tapping a hole for a sensor was the only mod."

[RJ] "Drill and tap a hole in the lower intake for the vacuum (?) sensor, it is a large hole.

The Explorer throttle body is 65mm. However, I had to swap (grind and reweld) the linkage from the stock throttle body to the explorer one. A small tack weld.

You will also be unable to use the stock throttle position sensor, so I had to cut the plug off the end of the stock one and wire it on to the Explorer position sensor. It is only 3 wires, but the colors do not match between them.

The Explorer manifold was was loaded with stuff. Wiring harness that you do not need, fuel rails that you cant use. A few other things, very good price, especially when you consider that it comes with the 65mm Throttle body, which is normally about $250. Mine came with all of this, make sure that yours does also.

I paid about $270 for the whole thing."

[Mz] "If you look on Corral.net you can usually find a used Roadster intake for about $300. I think it looks a little nicer than the Explorer because it says Roadster on top and at not too much more money. I mean face it, most of the Explorer intakes you find are "take-offs" which means they are used like any other part. So if I had my choice I would go with the Roadster."

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Posted by Jack ffr1846 (Member # 75) on May 20, 2002, 01:22 PM:

Q: Why use an Explorer engine in a FFR?
A: It's the same basic setup as a Mustang with the addition of better flowing intake and GT-40 (to mid 96) or GT-40p (mid 96 on) heads. They are also cheap at junk yards and tend to not be as beat. Low mileage ones are easy to find.

Q: What's needed to convert?
A: Ideally, if you already have a FI Mustang engine, you have what you need. If you've got an early (pre mid 96) motor, the Mustang headers bolt right up. Before doing the conversion, you might want to get a B303 or E303 cam installed to liven up the engine. Here's the conversions that need to be done:
Oil pan & pickup. The explorer pan and pick up are too deep, so would be about 2" below the frame. Replace directly with the Mustang parts. Keep that nice rubber over metal explorer gasket and use it.
Timing cover, accessory brackets, harmonic balancer, pilot bearing, flywheel, water pump. These can all come off your mustang engine and bolt right on in place of what's there. This will make it easy to get the alternator and other accessories on the front of the engine.
Tricky stuff: Dump the oil pressure sender. It's an idiot light on/off switch. Starting in 93, all fords used this with a gauge that simply has a peg in it. You either have 60# or nothing. Get the sender off the Mustang and while you're at it get a 45 degree bend fitting at an autoparts or hardware store for under $10 so it will clear the header. Also, the plug for the oil filter on the block needs to be replaced. You can use the parts from the funky explorer cooler to thread into the plug and unscrew it. Then remove the plug from the mustang and put it in.
Intake: (I'll leave this to someone else for the explorer side....I'm using a Mustang intake)
Mustang intake: Simply bolt on the lower and upper intake, connect the fuel and return lines and install the electricals to the Mustang wiring harness. Same for the Mustang distributor.
Spark plugs: Different from either Mustang or non-HO engines. Just buy new ones for an explorer.
Emissions: If you're using the air pump and all the emissions stuff, there are no holes at the rear of the GT-40 heads. Plug the rubber hose that would fit into the pieces coming from the rear of the heads.
Valve covers: The aluminum mustang ones bolt right on. Dip stick and housing too.


[DanM] 
Wiring conversion for the explorer TPS
99 Explorer TPS
BRN/WHT - is for VOLT REF.
GRY/WHT - is for TP SENSOR INPUT
GRY/RED - is for SIG RETURN

89 Mustang TPS
ORG/WHT - is for VOLT REF.
DRK GRN/LT GREEN - is for TP SENSOR INPUT
BLK/WHT - is for SIG RETURN

 

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