97-00 explorer 302 vs 87-91mustang 302. which is better?

[black90lx]

what is the difference between an explorer short block and a mustang short block? are the internals on a explorer short block hyper or forged? is one block stronger than the other? i am just trying to figure out if i want to have the motor in my mustang rebuilt. i already have aluminum heads,intake and cam so i dont need that stuff off the explorer motor.

[PaulFiveOh]

89Notch would be an expert in this matter.

[bangingears]

cams are different, explorers have hyper pistons and a different style rod. the older mustang stuff had forged pistons till 92. the two different blocks are the e7 and f4 blocks and they are the same, strength wise.

[Stangman]

not to highjack, but which rods are better?

[Rich]

I have a 2000 explorer shortblock in my 92 LX. As far as I could tell, the shortblock is the exact same as every 302 HO shortblock that Ford has made since 1993. The cam is Explorer specific.

[plated]

i use to always use explorer motor's becouse they were roller motors and u can find them with low miles for around $500,can't find a roller motot out of a mustang with lowmiles anymore,and u got a better set of heads than e7 and a better intake .it's way cheaper to find an explorer motor low mile and running than it is cheaper to rebuild you original motor:angel: they just don't like high rpm with alot of boost:tongue2:

[tmotorsports]

My 96 explorer motor has forged pistons not hyperutectic.