Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 07-24-2023, 11:34 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 6
Options for 1992 351W that work with stock ECU.

Looking for engine builders or a guide for building an engine that would work for my 1992 Sportsmobile. What would possible upper end horsepower numbers be on an engine that works with a stock ECU? THANKS 🙏

1992Sportsmobile is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2023, 10:00 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
larrie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Oregon Ciry Oregon
Posts: 2,854
What is your location? We need that to help you find a shop.
__________________
Larrie
Read detailed trip reports, see photos and videos on my travel blog, luinil.com.
Current van: 2002 Ford E350 extended body camper with Colorado Camper Van pop top and Agile Offroad 4WD conversion.
larrie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2023, 12:21 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Denver Colorado
Posts: 820
The 351 windsor motor responds well to a good RV grind cam and bumping the compression up a touch and a good exhaust system
__________________
2002 e350 window eb,
7.3
CCV high top
Conversion in process. Lol
Denver, CO
Lilnuts2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2023, 11:10 AM   #4
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 6
I’m in Southern California. Can still runs just fine, so I could drive wherever I needed to go. I just thought I’d I’m gonna keep it around, it would be nice if it had a bit more grunt on the long climbs.
1992Sportsmobile is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2023, 02:00 PM   #5
Member
 
Normal_Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Georgia
Posts: 48
I have a '95 5.8L (351W). It is the highest evolution of the motor with roller lifters.

If your motor is healthy as-is, be sure you have a good rear gear ratio first, along with freed up exhaust...as much as you can get away with in California. Mine came with 3.55 and Track-Lok, and that was the best ratio offered from the factory in 1995. It is a relative dog towing even in mild hills. I'm going to 4.30 with my now 31.5" tire and wheel upgrade, and even that is a slight compromise for my occasional towing use, with 4.56 being ideal with heavier/frequent towing.

You didn't mention towing, but our motors generate max torque around 2,800 rpm and max HP approaching 3,500 rpms. With an E4OD in drive (OD locked out) if you aren't getting above 2,800 at highway speed, then you are missing out because the Windsor is just getting ready to work at those rpms.

Conversely, if you end up in 2nd gear and running around 4K on a long grade, you are past the power curve and not getting any extra for your efforts. I've learned to accept that our lowly 5.8L engines are a dog compared to modern V8 injection technologies, but we have an advantage of easy maintenance and legendary reliability!

Free up your intake snout as well, remove the noise cone, and cut away the block on/in the air filter box if you haven't already.

If we try to build power in the engine using traditional "hot rod" techniques, we can move the rpm scale up too high to do us any good with a heavy old van. You mentioned mods that worked with stock ECU so I guess you've taken that into consideration.

I've learned to adjust my thinking a bit to match the motor capability, leave a little earlier, and enjoy the ride within the limits of the good ol 5.8L.
Normal_Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:24 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.