V8 Ranger Swap

[Airborne Ranger]

Where to start. So many idears.

I have a 98 Ford Ranger with the 2.5L 4banger, A4LD(or E?) 8.8 rearend with 3:08 gears. I've been thinking about this for over a year now. Despite the criminal gas prices now which is BTW $2.20 for regular Doesn't stop me from doing the swap.

My plan is to get like a Ford Explorer, Mustang, T-bird or Crown Vic with the 5.0 in any one of them. I want to make at very least 250HP. My goal is about 300. I want to go Fuel Injection. I know it's more expensive but better for emissions, driveability and fuel economy. Most importantly for me in this swap is the famous "big cam" sound. I have so much in my mind to discuss this but I'm about to pass out in this computer chair because I'm so dam* tired. Anyone ever do this swap?? I see alot of companies out there that make Ranger swap kits but most if not all of them go up to 97 Rangers and like I mentioned, mine is a 98. I don't see much change in the 97-98 Rangers as far as chassis design. only thing I see different is the front clip. Thanks,,,,AR

[Zab]

Work like this is beyond my technical knowledge, but for what it’s worth, I understand an Explorer 5.0 is a better place to start than a 5.0 from Mustang, T-bird or Crown Vic. I remember reading somewhere that the heads in an Explorer 5.0 are somewhat better than the heads in the Ford cars and that the lower intake is the same or at least very similar to the Cobra’s intake.