So what IS the best minimum-mod drop-in engine?

[Midnight Drifter]

Vicky... I think I want to make a clone of your car's engine bay.

I gotta get down there and have the blueprint 'laid out before my eyes' before I dig any deeper though. I want to side-by-side the two engine bays.

I'm really glad I switched from a Yaris to a Tacoma. All things considered, I'll probably be putting that pickup bed to good use.

I have a semi-realistic goal of squeezing 302HP out of a 302. It would be nice to see 1 HP/CI. Question is though, can it be done without a massive budget or killing fuel economy or mandating premium fuel? More importantly, can the AOD take that kind of abuse?

[Lincolnmania]

that car moves, put a 4bbl carb and intake on it and drive it a while while you build up a fresh efi motor

[Midnight Drifter]

Yeah, considering the current engine's history is unknown (any way to check if it's 'numbers matching?') I don't plan on doing MUCH with the CFI 302.

Carb swap, eh? Any recommendations?

[86VickyLX]

Okay, you've got me sold.

Believe it or not this engine feels like it has more punch than the SEFI motor in my '86. When it's not wheezing and bogging that is.

Anywho, the car runs good enough to be a daily driver for now. Now all the lady needs to do is save up so she can put her car on the road.

Your 86 must've had some problems... transmission or otherwise lol. Mine moved pretty well with the LOPO.

FWIW, that 83 really moves. One of the best CFI cars I've personally ever seen/driven in.
If you felt so inclined, you could convert that engine to SEFI, that way all you would need to do when the time comes for the new engine is just drop it in and swap computers. It's not too hard to do. Just a bunch of wiring, sensors, computer, fuel rail, injectors and some modifications to fuel lines.

As for the AOD, if built properly, it can withstand a decent amount of HP and torque. Though I wouldn't build the trans from the 83. I'd get a 1990-1992 AOD and have that rebuilt, make it a wide ratio AOD with better internals. The guy to talk to about that would most likely be Brian, the trans guy Scott deals with.

[Midnight Drifter]

That later transmission is actually the AOD-E, isn't it, with its own separate computer?

I only doubt this CFI's performance because it starts wheezing and bogging as soon as you stand on it. It feels like it can move, but anything more than half throttle and she's choking out.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3iDZ_OkwsM

Don't trust that tire chirp - the road was wet. I had about 1/3 of a mile of acceleration from 50 MPH and the car was doing MAYBE 80 MPH at the fly by. '86. Dunno what the supercharger sound was but it sure sounded cool.

If I can get any variation of the 302 and whatever's backing it to match a '11 CVPI's acceleration (though I doubt nothing will sound as good as that Mod V8 screaming at 6,000 RPM before upshifting) then I would be quite content and pleased with my Box.

[sly]

AOD-E was introduced with the 92 4.6L about mid year. It did not have a separate computer. ECM controls the trans.

[King_V]

About an hour or so north of you. Monroe Township. 8A off the Turnpike.

Ah, my home town. I know it well. Or know it as it was up until about 2003 or so....

[86VickyLX]

AODE- was mid year 92. Early 92 panthers got the AOD (bastard block 4.6 introduced in '91 on TownCars). As Slymer said it only uses one computer for the AODE. Which also controls the engine. If you wanted an AODE or a 4R70w in your box. You have a few choices. A 94-95 Mustang or other fox 5.0 AODE car computer and a modified box computer wiring harness. A standalone control module for only the transmission. Or an OBD-II swap.

[Midnight Drifter]

I want whatever doesn't blow up, lol!

But seriously though, is it worth all of the hassle of wiring an electronically-controlled transmission? On the flip side, I heard on 'dumb' automatics, changing shift points isn't as easy as plugging in a computer and adjusting a few numbers...

[86VickyLX]

I want whatever doesn't blow up, lol!

But seriously though, is it worth all of the hassle of wiring an electronically-controlled transmission? On the flip side, I heard on 'dumb' automatics, changing shift points isn't as easy as plugging in a computer and adjusting a few numbers...

With non electronically controlled transmissions, adjustments to change shift points are all done inside the trans. What's nice about the electronically controlled transmissions, like the 4r70w, is that you can adjust the shift points basically on the fly. Standalone systems run a pretty penny, but I've heard that you can set the shift points and shift quality without much hassle. You can do it with factory mustang computer but you'd need to have it tuned. Or run a tuning software.

[Midnight Drifter]

I do have a very particular power curve in mind, I just don't know if even with a cam that an Exploder motor's ready for 6,000 RPM.

Or an AOD for that matter.

[gadget73]

the aod, if built right, will handle most anything you can throw at it. They can be made to deal with 1000 hp. In stock form, they're good for maybe 300. An early one like you have is probably good for 200ish.

ditto on the 302. It all depends how you build it. 6000 rpm isn't really a problem if the valvetrain components are matched to that speed. The bottom end won't care.

[interceptor1985]

Remember the stock explorer valve springs are very weak, will not support 6000 rpm, that and the cam is meant for lower rpm torque, which is great if you drive your panther like a grandma, if you got a heavy foot I'd recommend something from Comp Cams...Use this to help decide on the best cam for you or contact them for a custom grind.
http://www.camquest.com/

[Midnight Drifter]

Well, by minimum-mod, I meant as little work needing to be done to the engine bay and accessory system as possible for installation.

I don't exactly want to just toss in an Exploder motor as-is. I was just trying to confirm that it is indeed the best starting point. Same for the AOD. Hm, wonder if there's any trustworthy race shops 'round NJ that work on AOD's?

Especially since I've got a 60mm snail sitting in the garage that I was originally going to slap on my old Supra Turbo... I wouldn't imagine the factory valvetrain being ready for forced induction.

I've always had a knack for cars with snappy powerbands, that's why I like turbos and high RPM engines... it gives the car a split personality, if you know what I mean. :evil:

Base goal though is 302 WHP on NA with no power adders, and preferably using 87 octane. I wonder if the 302 has the capacity for that?

[packman]

I don't exactly want to just toss in an Exploder motor as-is. I was just trying to confirm that it is indeed the best starting point. Same for the AOD. Hm, wonder if there's any trustworthy race shops 'round NJ that work on AOD's?

Try Valley Ford in Totowa, NJ; or perhaps it's Little Falls NJ. It's around that area. They build both pushrod and modular Ford engines. I'll contact my friend who should still have the number.


Packman