Lookin for budget Ford power...
 

I've been kicking around the idea of swapping my cruiser and would like to do a SBF for this one but I'm finding GM stuff is so much cheaper.

I keep coming across 96 (so it's OBD2) Caprice, Buick Roadmasters etc with the iron block aluminum head LT1 like they put in the Camaros but only rated at 260 hp. I have seen several complete engine, trans, wiring etc with 150,000ish miles for 300 to 500 bucks.

The other GM offering that is very attractive is the 300 hp LFX V6 which can be found with 25,000 miles on it for under $1000 easy. No trans but still that's a lot of bang for the buck.

So my question is what's on the Ford side that is even close? Explorers in these parts are all 4x4s so the trans won't work and I don't know enough about Ford to know what will and won't work together for a 5.0 automatic. I want to stay 96 or newer for OBD2 and near as I can tell a 150,000 1996 5.0 with an auto trans, wiring etc is at least 800 if it runs.

Any ideas Ford guys?

96 2wd Explorer automatic. I bought a front end wreck years ago for $500, took the motor and trans (4R70W) out of it, sold the rear axle for $350 to a local Jeeper and sold the rolling shell to a scrapper for $200. Used the trans in the Miata, as I already had the Tbird motor, the Explorer motor will be a 347 some day.

I'm guessing the plan is to go automatic, even so the Mustang hobby provides a lot of pieces that you can put together. Buy a motor here, a trans there etc.

However, this brings up the fact that often turns off the Ford build, and that is that it's hard to find a good low mile car any more. They quit putting the 302 in passenger cars in 95, trucks a few years later, so the supply is dwindling, and the cost of rebuilding makes the LFX or some variant look more interesting.

Mike

SBF Parts
 

I agree with cvx_20 that it is hard to find low mile 5.0 pieces since F0RD went with the Mod. One nice thing was the 5.0 times were so popular that our F0RD prices almost came to Chevy level for pricing. Poor D0DGE boys still gotta PAY!! thick. lol.
Back in the day the website " Too High PSI " had a huge info base on what changes can be made with stock EFI parts to get the most out of you SBF. The Mustang Performance Handbook is a great resource and awesome info for the DIY'r for the 5.0 crowd. The second volume on the 3 Chassis setup section allowed me to dominate in 5.0 street drags for many years with a very stock Innocent looking 79 'Stang and 5.0 looking engine and this books recommended mods.
My next Miata, NC I Hope, will have a 427 Clevlor in it, again since somebody has an idea that 2bbl Aussie Heads have smaller ports and 4BBL quench makes better low end toque, the price of 351C 4BBL heads fell to $50 a pair and well I ended up with more than a few pairs, and NO I am not selling any. A bit greedy with my Cleveland heads, LOL.
I will use a 351W Block from 90's Lincoln or Truck, do have a '70 bock from a mach 1, have to convert to roller cam, 351's did not use a roller cam as far as I have found. Stroker kit with custom Probe Pistons,( was pistons available for this years ago), and you guessed it 351 4BBL Heads.... will look stockish to the untrained eye, LOL.
I will have to build an intake manifold as there is none offered to meet my needs but with a crank trigger I can drop the distributor and build an LS style intake, wont I be the envy... Also custom headers but then we are all faced with that problem no matter the engine we choose. If it doesn't seem to suit the car than I will save it for a FF Cobra..
Just my thoughts and rants.

Dean0

Good stuff there you know your Fords! Thank YOU!