1998 GT40P Explorer Engine vs. \'94 Engine

Hey guys,
I have a friend who's looking to build a Factory Five Cobra replica, and he's looking to buy an engine and eventually add just a few mild bolt ons. I told him the best he can do is buy a late model explorer GT-40P engine and use that as a base for his project (let us assume the engine in question has an '89 HO cam and not the stock explorer cam). He thinks that the engine is no good because its "an explorer engine" and not a sporty mustang engine. Now, I know the answer to this, and I know this has been discussed a zillion times before, but if we could take just a few moments to show my friend the light, I'd really appreciate it....

a) What are the differences between a '94HO motor and a '98 Explorer motor?
b) How and why is the latter superior to the former?
c) How much of a power difference is there between the two, all else being equal (remember, '98 engine has an '89 HO cam)
d) Is there ANY wisdom in choosing the '94 engine over the lower-mileage '98?
e) Which would you rather have, an EEC-IV setup off an '89 or a '94, and why?

The 98 explorer engine is best hands down. The GT40P heads and intake would be a step up from the standard HO motor. Valve sizes are 1.84/1.54 compared to 1.78/1.46 on E7 heads. The heads assembled would cost you between $500-$600 and the intakes cost another $400.00 The heads flow better the intake flows way better than you standard HO pieces. The explorer engine is the best stock foundation that you can begin with. There is no logical reason to choose a 94 over a 98 unless the price is the issue. As fas as the EEC-IV I have heard that the A9L is the best computer.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: bigpres20012001 on 11/13/06 11:09pm ]</font>

The Explorer Engine would be the best, I second bigpres20012001.
The A9L has the most aggressive timing and fuel curves or all the Ford computers, and it will learn the changes to the engine (cam, compression, etc.) better than any other Ford computer.
Chris
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Only problem is no forged pistons on any 5.0 after 92.

the short block used in V8 exploreres is the same short block you get if you but a gt40 302 short block from ford motorsport. i got this info from the ford motorsport tech line.
i had an explorer short block in my falcon before a bought the 331.
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