My problem with the Exploder is.. literally everything else about it. :P
I dont think i've EVER enjoyed driving or working on one until the 3rd gen model with IRS and 5spd auto, and even then i wouldnt want to own it. The first one i drove was after we did a $2k+ trans fix on it.
2nd gen Explorer's with the 5.0 come with a completely different transmission then their V6 brethren. It can handle the juice, but I think it's a 4spd.
Keep in mind the 5.0 / 4spd combo was available in RWD and AWD platforms. The RWD was rare, but there is tons of the 2nd gen out there. Our 2nd gen was the absolute most reliable vehicle we gave owned.
Man, I totally forgot about the XP8.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMZZ_D4qE9M
Pretty impressive performance and it looks like it must have some HUGE sway bars!
skierd wrote: I've had the desire to build a 1st gen CRV with what ever boosted up b-series hybrid you can fit under the hood. B20 vtec with a turbo or even an old Jackson Racing supercharger kit, add suspension, soup.
Me too. I DD'd a green '97 CR-V for a while. Besides its craptastic autotragic, it was good mix of streetability, practicality, and enjoyability. The B20 actually makes great midrange power and I always thought a manual swap, a bit of suspension tweaking, and boost would make for an entertaining ride.
Problem with that is that for 5k you cant do ANYTHING to a vehicross except buy a stock one, MAYBE.
I've been down this road a little ways. I went and looked at the only one i could afford and it was thrashed so bad i didnt want it, and i buy a lot of cars with broken engines if that says anything. I am definitely interested in them and ive read that their handling was actually very good, but you couldnt do up a cool one on a small budget. 
What was the 5 speed auto like in the later 4.0L Explorers? Could you add a couple of small turbo's to one of those instead?
As for the XP8 I thought that most of those just had the suspension and gaudy body kit, I didn't think they all came with the Supercharged engines.
How much room is there under the hood of the V8 Explorers? Rather than adding forced induction I'd go for a late 351 roller block from a Bronco, keep the Explorer heads with a port match and compression bump. 351 GT40 lower intake and Explorer upper intake, again port matched. Add a mild came and roller rockers with some decent short tube headers. That will not be a power house, but it will be a relative torque monster. That was the combo I had in my SN95 Mustang. It only made 280/290ish hp, but was a solid 350lb/ft of torque, that would feel great in a heavier vehicle like an Explorer, especially if stuck with the 4 speed auto.
Wow, look what just popped up on the local CL:
edizzle89 wrote: also 1st gen rav4 awd manual can be had for cheap, then swap a 4th gen 3sgte (~250 hp) in, it bolts straight to the rav4 awd trans basically a budget alltrac
Yeah. And the rear diff is LSD as well, at least on mine. Koni's are on order.
In reply to Swank Force One: I'm not a SUV guy, but why don't people rallycross XJs and other suv's more?
http://www.classifiedads.com/suvs-ad132830573.htm
http://www.easyautosales.com/used-cars/2001-Mercedes-Benz-M-Class-ML55-AMG-118655618.html
Sure, the ads are sketchier than Craigslist, but it may be possible to get an ML55 AMG in your budget.
The five liter Sploders came with 4R70W autos which will hold a good amount of power stock an a lot modified. Not sure what trans the awds got though. Only the v6 2dr sports were factory manual...but that means three pedal sets bolt in...
How about an awd first gen Ford Escape with the 3.0 Duratec with a little bit of this: http://www.6crew.com/forum/showthread.php?3996-N-A-power-mods-stage-1-to-boost
It's just a bit over 200 hp already.
In reply to Adrian_Thompson:
The 5R55 in the 4.0L Exploders has some issues at stock power levels. It will slip on the 2-3 up shift and that is the sign that it is on the way out.
I am not sure I would throw turbos at it.
I think the 351 would fit.
penultimeta wrote:skierd wrote: I've had the desire to build a 1st gen CRV with what ever boosted up b-series hybrid you can fit under the hood. B20 vtec with a turbo or even an old Jackson Racing supercharger kit, add suspension, soup.Me too. I DD'd a green '97 CR-V for a while. Besides its craptastic autotragic, it was good mix of streetability, practicality, and enjoyability. The B20 actually makes great midrange power and I always thought a manual swap, a bit of suspension tweaking, and boost would make for an entertaining ride.
the awd on the cr-v isnt ideal though as its not full time, the rear wheels only get power when the front wheels slip via what is basically a hydraulically engaged center diff and it cant handle a lot of power
Mr_Clutch42 wrote: In reply to Swank Force One: I'm not a SUV guy, but why don't people rallycross XJs and other suv's more?
I think it's a rules thing? Not real sure. I don't really know much about rallyx/rally rules, other than that i'm told i can't enter an XJ into SnoDrift.
Mike wrote: http://www.classifiedads.com/suvs-ad132830573.htm http://www.easyautosales.com/used-cars/2001-Mercedes-Benz-M-Class-ML55-AMG-118655618.html Sure, the ads are sketchier than Craigslist, but it may be possible to get an ML55 AMG in your budget.
What are the AMG specs? That could all set out of the box.
Swank Force One wrote:Mr_Clutch42 wrote: In reply to Swank Force One: I'm not a SUV guy, but why don't people rallycross XJs and other suv's more?I think it's a rules thing? Not real sure. I don't really know much about rallyx/rally rules, other than that i'm told i can't enter an XJ into SnoDrift.
Many groups have rules that you can't rally-X SUV's or trucks due to the high CG. The club that I have run with evaluates each vehicle on its own. Jacked up in the air - No. Standard suspension - typically you can run.
Great. Now I want a v8 Exploder again...
Another vote for a boxy S10 blazer. Relatively light, easily swallows any V8, cheap stuff. For $5k you can make a nice one.
The Trailblazer SS was quick, but I had a I-6 version and everything else about it sucked donkey balls. Horrid seats, terrible handling, stiff ride... Lets just say I was SO glad when it got totaled and I got a nice check for it.
I don't think Saleen even knows how many XP8' were supercharged. 
You could also try and do a GRM version of this 
:
www.motortrend.com/roadtests/tuners/112_0010_ford_svt_thunder_performance_trends/
Adrian_Thompson wrote:Mike wrote: http://www.classifiedads.com/suvs-ad132830573.htm http://www.easyautosales.com/used-cars/2001-Mercedes-Benz-M-Class-ML55-AMG-118655618.html Sure, the ads are sketchier than Craigslist, but it may be possible to get an ML55 AMG in your budget.What are the AMG specs? That could all set out of the box.
I'd describe it as fast and powerful for its day. Car and Driver has specs, and they nearly flipped it.
JFX001 wrote: I don't think Saleen even knows how many XP8' were supercharged.
Isn't the current Explorer with the 3.5Ecoboost more powerful and faster than that? (along with most trucks in this thread?) Things have come a long way...
ProDarwin wrote:JFX001 wrote: I don't think Saleen even knows how many XP8' were supercharged.Isn't the current Explorer with the 3.5Ecoboost more powerful and faster than that? (along with most trucks in this thread?) Things have come a long way...
I dunno, that is an Expedition with 360hp/440tq that goes 0-60 in 5.6 and does the 1/4 in 14.4 @ 95.8 mph. Pretty much what was asked for.
I won't deny its what was asked for (although I'd still be afraid of rolling it over), just pointing out that power in this category has come a long way in the past 15 years and now the current Expedition Ecoboost is 365hp/420tq, although its quite a the porker and is slower. The explorer is closer in weight and does the 1/4 in 14.2
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