2V swap in an S197 feasible?

Here I am seeing some V6 cars go under $3k or so, but the 4.0 isn't just right imo. I know the 3V is the one that actually was in that gen, but the 2V is very cheap and imo worth swapping given that it's less complicated too (no VCT).

Enter the 2002-2005 Explorer; 2V aluminum motor, 5R55 transmission just like the Mustang, and an 8.8 axle to replace the 7.5 in the V6 car. What would hold this entire swap back?

cheaper to just buy a v8 car.  and an LS would be cheaper imo.

also you would just buy an 8.8 out of a v8 car cause its bolt in.   the 2v isnt worth it, a built 2v might make 300 wheel hp. might.

Chaos is right. Given the level of integration between the body control computer and the engine management system in the S197, you're money ahead to buy the 3V car. They aren't enough more than the V6 to cover the work. 

That Gen Explorer had an IRS right? Probably not an easy swap like a solid axle 8.8 would be.

If you don't care about an auto trans, what about a Mark VIII? You'd get a DOHC 4.6 and IRS for that same budget ballpark.

What's your final goal?

If it's to have a fun, fast car for cheap, here's an LS1 F-body for $5k (NMNA, but it is local to me). High miles, but looks to be in pretty good shape.

STM317 said:

That Gen Explorer had an IRS right? Probably not an easy swap like a solid axle 8.8 would be.

Especially given that there is no subframe, the rear suspension is integrated into the ladder frame.

Personally I would never take an engine for swapping out of an SUV.  They seem to see the most horrible abuse.  Pickups, at least, are work vehicles and the owner has a vested interest in keeping it maintained.  SUVs like Explorers, once they are old enough to be on their second or third owner, tend to get the absolute bare minimum to keep them mobile.

Knurled. said:

STM317 said:

That Gen Explorer had an IRS right? Probably not an easy swap like a solid axle 8.8 would be.

Especially given that there is no subframe, the rear suspension is integrated into the ladder frame.

 

Personally I would never take an engine for swapping out of an SUV.  They seem to see the most horrible abuse.  Pickups, at least, are work vehicles and the owner has a vested interest in keeping it maintained.  SUVs like Explorers, once they are old enough to be on their second or third owner, tend to get the absolute bare minimum to keep them mobile.

 

Junkyard 5.3 and 4.8s beg to differ. 

Also to the OP. Just get a V8 S197. Or just swap in a GM 4.8 or 5.3. More efficient, less moving parts, bigger aftermarket, and way cheaper than any mod motor to replace. 

Why would you downgrade like that? a 2v engine makes 225HP...even the v6 in later S197 cars makes 305HP(as well as being almost 200lbs lighter)

You can get 5spd V8 S197 for under $5k.  If you were given a roller, maybe, but otherwise no. 

Look for a newer F150 with a 5.0.  The 3V trans would bolt up to it too then.

Coming from somebody who owns a ~400hp 2V...

Don't! It's not worth it. There's not a big enough price difference between junkyard 2V and 3V engines for it to make sense IMO. 

DirtyBird222 said:

Knurled. said:

STM317 said:

That Gen Explorer had an IRS right? Probably not an easy swap like a solid axle 8.8 would be.

Especially given that there is no subframe, the rear suspension is integrated into the ladder frame.

 

Personally I would never take an engine for swapping out of an SUV.  They seem to see the most horrible abuse.  Pickups, at least, are work vehicles and the owner has a vested interest in keeping it maintained.  SUVs like Explorers, once they are old enough to be on their second or third owner, tend to get the absolute bare minimum to keep them mobile.

 

Junkyard 5.3 and 4.8s beg to differ. 

 

Also to the OP. Just get a V8 S197. Or just swap in a GM 4.8 or 5.3. More efficient, less moving parts, bigger aftermarket, and way cheaper than any mod motor to replace. 

That'd be true if they put them in midsize SUVs like Ford did. The kind of thing someone buys for their kid to go to college in as a used car.

They actually did put them in the TrailBlazer/Envoy/Ranier towards the end of that product cycle (5.3 started in 2003 according to the wiki).  For some reason I don't see those with the V8s in the boneyards as much as the Atlas engined examples. 

Wicked93gs said:

A 2v engine makes 225HP

Well, not all of them. The 1999+ example made more than that at the rear wheels.

Still, I had the same basic thought. 2V hardly seems like an upgrade here.

If your doing this swap why not just get a 4.6 dohc cam,after all it's not like they are some ultra rare engine. Mustangs,trucks,crown Vic,Lincoln etc.

My cousin has a POS 2002 GT/Auto and I suspect I could take it off her hands for a few bucks. 

Don't give me hope that this might be a good idea.

That is all.

MotorsportsGordon said:

If your doing this swap why not just get a 4.6 dohc cam,after all it's not like they are some ultra rare engine. Mustangs,trucks,crown Vic,Lincoln etc.

The DOHC was not used in Crown Vics ever, just the Marauder in that chassis.  These aren't uncommon but they are generally diaper-rub cars and if they ever get totaled, people seem to buy back and reshell rather than send to the junkyard.

The Mark VIII used it but there's a lot of "can't get there from here" compared to a Cobra engine, which is why they're so cheap.  Not a bad idea mind you, but you can't expect to make much more than a lightly breathed on 3v without putting in enough effort that you'd be better off putting that effort into the 3v that you already had.  Either way it doesn't make sense for that kind of swap.  (I do think it'd be neat to see one all shined up and in a street rod though)

And in the trucks, IIRC they only used a 5.4l DOHC not the 4.6.  If you thought the 4.6 DOHC was a huge engine that barely fits in a Mustang, wait till you get a load of the 5.4! 

06HHR said:

They actually did put them in the TrailBlazer/Envoy/Ranier towards the end of that product cycle (5.3 started in 2003 according to the wiki).  For some reason I don't see those with the V8s in the boneyards as much as the Atlas engined examples. 

Rarity would be my guess.  If you said they made 50 4.2s for every 5.3, I wouldn't doubt you.  That said I haven't seen any problems with 4.2 engine either, but the rest of the vehicle just falls apart and needs enough regular, expensive maintenance and repair that they often aren't worth repairing unless you're a DIYer with a heavy investment in tools.  Unlike the Explorer, these trucks just don't live long enough with neglect to really hurt the engines.  Plus they tended to rust hard in the "rearend falls out of the truck" way.

The Ranier 5.3 (easiest place to source one) is kind of an oddball engine.  It is an aluminum block, so it should be valuable, but the rods and heads are crap compared to the Silverado aluminum 5.3.  Not a big deal if you just want a swap, but important if you are doing a swap with a Purpose, so it makes more sense to drop $1500 on a Silverado engine rather than $800 on a Ranier engine.  The other oddball thing is the oil pan used in that chassis, which means unless you are putting it into a Trailblazer chassis, you need to swap oil pans.

So the only really hotroddin-valuable part of the engine is... the block.  And maybe the crank, if you're into 24x cranks.  In this respect it has a lot in common with the Mark VIII's 4.6 DOHC.

Knurled. said:

And in the trucks, IIRC they only used a 5.4l DOHC not the 4.6.  

The Aviator got a 4.6 DOHC.