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Anyone every swap TRW HO Pistons/rods into a lopo or explorer motor?

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    #1

    Anyone every swap TRW HO Pistons/rods into a lopo or explorer motor?

    Hey everyone,

    Like the title says: Anyone ever swap a set of factory Ford 302 HO '87-'93 TRW Forged pistons/rods into a '87+ lopo or '96+ explorer 5.0?

    I'm pretty sure the 302's in question are all 50oz balance. I think the rods and crank are the same between a HO and Lopo...

    So I think there will be no balancing issues with the rotating assembly... but has anyone tried this or have any info to throw in?

    Any comments appreciated, Kyle.
    '87 Slicktop Steelside Wagon
    Tags: None
    #2
    Rods and rotating assembly are the same after '82, its just the pistons themselves. No reason you can't swap them but most of the time there isn't much reason for it. The lopo pistons are not special at all but the Explorer ones will suffer most of the same abuse the forged ones will. For an N/A motor it doesn't matter a whole lot unless you happen to need the reliefs for valve clearance or something.
    86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
    5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

    91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

    1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

    Originally posted by phayzer5
    I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

    Everything looks like voodoo if you don't understand how it works

    Comment

      #3
      I hear ya, the hypereutectic's in the explorers are good enough for N/A builds (don't know what lopo's got).

      I’m more worried about PTV clearance.

      I'm planning on running aftermarket heads with bigger valves + higher lift cam & supporting fuel system.
      I can get a nice set of used TRW HO pistons/rods for a reasonable price. So I’m thinking I’ll swap them in just to be safe.

      Good to know ‘82 and up are all pretty similar.
      '87 Slicktop Steelside Wagon

      Comment

        #4
        What comes to stock HO pistons, piston to valve clearance becomes an issue quite easily with more duration and lift. Unless you're getting something like Twisted Wedge heads, be mindful of PtV clearance.

        LoPos all got bog standard cast aluminium pistons, with varying valve reliefs and compression. If in good condition, even the stock cast pistons will get you pretty far if you stay away from high compression, high rpm and forced induction. Hyper pistons are cast too, just a bit better. Hotrod Mag made 500hp with a stock Explorer bottom end.
        1985 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, "Maisa"
        2005 Volvo V70 Bi-Fuel

        Comment

          #5
          The lopo pistons don't have valve reliefs, so there is a bit more clearance with the forged ones. I don't think the height or any of that is particularly different though. Where you really have to mind the clearance is with long duration cams. Thats about the only time the exhaust valve will be open when the piston gets close to the top. Total lift really doesn't bother it since the valve is fully open when the piston is well down in the bore.

          other thing to consider is the bore of the engine. If yours is out of round and needs to be bored out to get back in spec those stock diameter pistons aren't going to do you any good. Fair guess thats why these are available in the first place, whoever had them now has an engine thats been bored oversize. Thats why the engine in my Towncar has hyper pistons instead of the forged ones that block originally had.
          86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
          5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

          91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

          1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

          Originally posted by phayzer5
          I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

          Everything looks like voodoo if you don't understand how it works

          Comment

            #6
            Originally posted by gadget73 View Post
            The lopo pistons don't have valve reliefs
            Mine have
            1985 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, "Maisa"
            2005 Volvo V70 Bi-Fuel

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