Winter project...

[kryptto]

Just thought of a question, do you place the engine in the bay with the rear turbo attached, or get stuck putting it on after?

 

[Autox4fun]

Brand new coolers, and one sexy intercooler too

Front suspension is in place, rear end is next.

When the old engine came out, it damaged the pcm connector. Reviewing my option for a replacement harness or just a new connector and repin the assembly either way it’s a roadblock.

 

[kryptto]

That intercooler is a monster...

 

[Autox4fun]

New setup is in, waiting out the engine harness

 

[Autox4fun]

Just thought of a question, do you place the engine in the bay with the rear turbo attached, or get stuck putting it on after?

Installed. It barely fits as it is.

 

[Autox4fun]

Engine harness installed, factory parts back on for exhaust, intake and intercooler piping.
The flex will be donating a lot of aftermarket parts in do time…

Once running and moving on its own it will be off to the Bodyshop to clean up some stone chip corrosion on the hood and stone chip rust spots on the roof above the windshield.

Roof rails will be removed in favor of the police smooth look (perks of working for a salvage yard)
Coolers were installed last night, but hate the shine from the silver so blacken the IC and condenser like a nice steak

 

[SemperTim]

Sorry if I’m a bit late on the reply, but have you looked at durable parts.com for urethane bushings? I’m running a few on my Taurus (almost everything interchanges). I happened upon them a few years ago researching bushings.

Due to articulation of many of the arms, the only style I want in a simple barrel are the front and rear upper. Everything else I have is getting some sort of flex joint with a poly insert or sealed unit with a nylon race.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Autox4fun]

Fired it up, working through burping the coolant system - man that was a fun moment to watch the gauge go full red, then finally burp and suck in the coolant, eased into it with some short revs


Can I say, what a smooth running engine. What a world of difference balancing the rotating assembly made.
If only all engines built were high end enough to get that treatment.

All new suspension, low mile carrier, trans and ptu installed.
First stop will be the alignment shop, (or maybe a bath first) then off to the body shop to clean up the roof.

Put some 275/50/20’s on it and they look right at home.

Few small treatments
Threw in some basic led bulbs in the headlights
updated the fogs to a bi-led “laser” assembly. Cheap China stuff but looks like it will perform.
Hate chrome, so I picked up a set of black door handle overlays to quiet down the shine a bit.

Still needs the front bumper cover installed, the roof rail delete trims swapped in and to debadge it.
Maybe this weekend will be enough time to finish it up.


Was able to update the valve body Strategy, and code the carrier using FORScan. Best $12 I’ve ever spent.

Now to learn what the as built codes are to mod from a factory stand point.

All for now..

 

[kryptto]

Fired it up, working through burping the coolant system - man that was a fun moment to watch the gauge go full red, then finally burp and suck in the coolant, eased into it with some short revs


Can I say, what a smooth running engine. What a world of difference balancing the rotating assembly made.
If only all engines built were high end enough to get that treatment.

All new suspension, low mile carrier, trans and ptu installed.
First stop will be the alignment shop, (or maybe a bath first) then off to the body shop to clean up the roof.

Put some 275/50/20’s on it and they look right at home.

Few small treatments
Threw in some basic led bulbs in the headlights
updated the fogs to a bi-led “laser” assembly. Cheap China stuff but looks like it will perform.
Hate chrome, so I picked up a set of black door handle overlays to quiet down the shine a bit.

Still needs the front bumper cover installed, the roof rail delete trims swapped in and to debadge it.
Maybe this weekend will be enough time to finish it up.


Was able to update the valve body Strategy, and code the carrier using FORScan. Best $12 I’ve ever spent.

Now to learn what the as built codes are to mod from a factory stand point.

All for now..

Congrats - what a fun read through the thick and thin....

 

[Autox4fun]

Congrats - what a fun read through the thick and thin....

I was p o t committed building the engine.

Funny part is the my wife has no clue this will be a higher horsepower ride, and she said to me - when the kid is 16, you should give it to him…. I just giggled inside, smiled and said yup that’s a great plan

Edit** the program blanked the word. P O T like it was a bad word lol

 

[FREAK_SHO]

Fired it up, working through burping the coolant system - man that was a fun moment to watch the gauge go full red, then finally burp and suck in the coolant, eased into it with some short revs


Can I say, what a smooth running engine. What a world of difference balancing the rotating assembly made.
If only all engines built were high end enough to get that treatment.

All new suspension, low mile carrier, trans and ptu installed.
First stop will be the alignment shop, (or maybe a bath first) then off to the body shop to clean up the roof.

Put some 275/50/20’s on it and they look right at home.

Few small treatments
Threw in some basic led bulbs in the headlights
updated the fogs to a bi-led “laser” assembly. Cheap China stuff but looks like it will perform.
Hate chrome, so I picked up a set of black door handle overlays to quiet down the shine a bit.

Still needs the front bumper cover installed, the roof rail delete trims swapped in and to debadge it.
Maybe this weekend will be enough time to finish it up.


Was able to update the valve body Strategy, and code the carrier using FORScan. Best $12 I’ve ever spent.

Now to learn what the as built codes are to mod from a factory stand point.

All for now..

Thanks for letting us follow the build, but, pics/video or is hasn't happened. LOL

 

[Autox4fun]

Working on that coolant. Having rear hvac sucks lol

 

[Autox4fun]

well... update... thermostat failed me, I'm pulling the engine to redo the headgaskets... I'm pushing coolant... bigger bonus is I set this engine up for the Flex, but the Explorer has a different setup for upper coolant hose... with this will allow me to update...

 

[kryptto]

Bummer dude

 

[802SHO]

well... update... thermostat failed me, I'm pulling the engine to redo the headgaskets... I'm pushing coolant... bigger bonus is I set this engine up for the Flex, but the Explorer has a different setup for upper coolant hose... with this will allow me to update...

Been going through it too bc of things I’ve changed and replaced wrong as well as some details I forgot

 

[Autox4fun]

 

[Autox4fun]

Update,
Friday night started at 6pm, everything went smoothly. Assembly on the ground at 10pm


Sunday
Started around 7am. Heads off by 10am review everything didn’t really see an issue but I’m this far in.
Jump back at it around 5pm updated the coolant pipe that was the new style. Assembled and bolted back into the explorer at 11pm.

Ordered R1 front and rear pads/black rotors. Should be here by next weekend.

It will be next weekend before I’m able to pick away on it again. Fingers crossed

 

[Autox4fun]

Exploder is parked in the driveway, Flex is in the garage and under the knife now.... END OF AN ERA FOR THE FLEX. go fast stuff, audio, powder coated valve covers... pulled.
Swapping things over from the Flex to the Exploder include the Ecopowerparts intake and hotpipes, Livernois HPFP, AEM water/meth, and the Fuel-it sensor, PPE downpipes, and Whiteline sway bar.
Things that are pulled but not moving, Gearhead intercooler, Magnaflow exhaust, MSD coils (10-12 design) and a whole bunch of audio, JBL speakers, 3 Rockford amps, Audiocontrol DM810 processor, JL flex stealth box Pioneer wireless carplay headunit, Metra Flex dash kit and idatalink maestro rr2 module, wiring, wiring, and more wiring..

The Flex is keeping the Gearhead turbos, DW300 Intank fuel pump, Megan coilovers, Stock wheels, custom headlights, and spoiler. Funny part is the stock audio jams with all the dynamat I put in this ride.
I you know of anybody looking for some Flex related parts send them my way... more on what is for sale soon

 

[Autox4fun]

Poor girl had a good run. 7 long years of love and modding. It will still make a good car for someone. It’s been well loved

 

[Autox4fun]

Exploder update

Lighting done

Had the magnaflow exhaust from the Flex retrofitted to the exploder. Close fit but mods were made.

Stole the wheels from the Flex wrapped them with 295/40/20

Body work is mostly completed. Some PDR work and a buff out.

One more alignment visit.

The EPP hotpipes and intake updated to fit the exploder - completed.

BBK throttle body installed

DW-300 is in the tank, HPFP will be installed shortly and finally the tune.
Gearhead auto octane for the first setup.