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I’m looking to get a 96-01 Explorer 302 for my 67 FB build because it’s the cheapest path to build an engine up to 280-300 hp.

I’ve been putting off getting an engine because I can’t decide on whether to make EFI work or just switch to a carb. I’m familiar with a carb, and that hp range will be streetable and easy. The EFI route seems a bit daunting, what with all the wiring and such.

I’m just curious to get some opinions on why you did what you did if it was a reason other than originality.

No question. EFI is vastly superior unless all you do is drive at full throttle. It is worth the time and money over a carb any day. It was a pain to do the wiring, add the fuel return line, and get rid of the EM gremlins but now that all that is done, I would never go back. I recommend the Holley sniper or sniper stealth but if you go this route make sure you order the programming cable so you can tune using a laptop...

 

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Married with 3 girls. That’s why I’m going the budget route. The days of dropping an extra thousand on something just because are over.

Single dad with 1 in college and another starting soon living in Bay Area (ouch). Paypal no interest 6 month payment plan for all my mustang purchases are my friend....1 upgrade every six months for me max now....

 

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Is this a daily driver car or just an occasional fun drive around town? The climate where you live will also affect this, are there big temp changes there? Will you potentially be driving throughout the year, not just during sunny 75*+ weather? I daily drove my coupe and never had a major issue in over 4 years with the efi swap, sunny weather to freezing and covered in snow.

The Sniper setup asks like 3 questions and then it self learns and adjusts for any condition. I didn't have to mess with it ever after the initial install. It automatically adjusted for temp changes , the engine never missing a beat.

I can't say the same for most carb vehicles I've had. Maybe I didn't have the $800 super carbs professionally setup by a tuner, maybe that's what I needed.

The cost has come down considerably in the last few years too. A decent kit can be had for under a grand. The fuel system is cake. You need a fuel pump and possibly a regulator, or there are tanks with those options built in now.

Heck I think there was a Holley Sniper kit in the classifieds, complete with fuel system either now or not long ago.

Totally agree. I recommend plugging into a computer to detail you tune.. You can dial everything in, especially if you have a dual sync ignition. Here is my timing map and A/F map from sniper program for example...