5.0 v 4.6

ok i wanna get a new car, either a 95 5.0 or a 99-04 4.6, at first i thought the 5.0 was faster, jus b-cuz the engine size, but i did some research and saw that the 4.6 has more hp, now which would you say would be faster/get more hp, and which would handle mods better?

Get an 05 and you can beat them all. .......................:evillol:

You are looking at two totally different types of engines here. The 4.6 is an OHC (or DOHC) and 5.0 is an OHV.
The 4.6 can whined higher than a 5.0 can and has a higher power band.
The 5.0, on the other hand, can't whined like a 4.6 but is more of a bottom end engine. It has some power sitting at idle.
To sum it up, the 5.0 is a torque machine that is really good as a bottom end monster. The 4.6 has to whine itself up a little before it starts to get some power but it makes it a good high end engine.

Not quite.. the way the motors came from the factory, the 4.6 had more high end and the 302 had more low end torque, this is true. But the 4.6 has a smaller bore and longer stroke, which is much more of a low-end thing. The 302 has a big bore and small stroke, which lends itself nicely to high rpms, as well as a very small main bearing diameter. I'm not sure what the 4.6's main bearing diameter is. Short stroke lessens piston speed, big bore allows big valves/a lot of flow, and compensates for short stroke. Shorter stroke also reduces the crank's moment of inertia at a given speed, by having a reduced diameter and reduced weight.
An OHC motor's valvetrain is capable of sustaining higher RPMs than an in-block cammed OHV motor. This does not mean that it is neccesarily a better high rpm motor.
Another big factor in high-rpms is obviously head flow. 302s have a terrible valve setup, basically the worst OHV setup. A (big) step above flatheads.. Inline 2v. The 4.6 has a 4v version which will put any stock (and many aftermarket) 302 head to shame. In this way, the 4.6 is more suited to higher rpms.
Ideally, for a high rpm screamer, you'd want a big bore, short stroke, small main diameter, high flow DOHC headed motor. For low RPM you want long stroke, smallish bore, average main diameter, and low intake port volume headed motor.
Basically, if the 302 had DOHC heads (as the 4.6 does), it'd outrev the 4.6 easily. Even with some aftermarket OHV high flow heads, it'd outrev a 4.6.

now back to your question - 5.0/302 is old technology, I'd personally much rather have a 4.6. Much more potential.

One of the things I realized when doing my research is for the price of a used 99-04, you could buy a 5.0 and make it a beast. That is one of the things I considered, but it was more economical for me to get the 4.6. I enjoy it, and havnt looked back.

Both the 4.6 and the 5.0 werent that good stock...They both had 215HP from a V8 which in my opinion is pretty underpowered...Howver the 5.0L has a pretty decent aftermarkewt and takes well to mods and loves to take boost...The 4.6L is more of a top end power type and benefits from having overhead cams

Both the 4.6 and the 5.0 werent that good stock...They both had 215HP from a V8 which in my opinion is pretty underpowered...Howver the 5.0L has a pretty decent aftermarkewt and takes well to mods and loves to take boost...The 4.6L is more of a top end power type and benefits from having overhead cams
Wow I love when you talk and dont know much. I drive a 4.6, and I have 260 hp. He was looking at a 99+ which would be 260hp.

I'll take the 5.0 torque monster. Ive driven and raced 4.6's and I just don't care for them. The only exception for me would be the 04 Cobra.

well i would get the 5.0. well get what u want its all good its still a mustang.

I also forgot to add that I've had the pleasure of driving both types of cars. I have my 86 (auto) and my dad's 90 (5 speed) to drive around. My cousin just got an 04 (5 speed) and she let me drive it around some.

This how I see things after driving both types of cars. The 5.0 will put you back in your seat the moment your foot starts to lay into the gas. Once you get up near max torque the thing starts to slow down some. It still will lay you back, but not as much as when you started out.

Now the 4.6, when I put my foot into the gas it layed me in my seat, but it didn't have the grunt at the start the 5.0 did. Once the 4.6 reved up a bit it hit its power and shot off, then the thing really layed me back.
This is just my personal observation of these engines in action.

Also, I noticed this little thing about the cars while driving them. In the 90 I can get the thing down to around 700-800 rpm before it really starts to lug down.
In the 04, I noticed the thing started to lug down around 1,000-1,100. I also should note that I was going up a hill in it as it started to lug down. It wasn't struggling but the engine was getting a little bogged down. I've gone up the same hill in the 5.0 and it had no trouble while reving that low.

I love driving both cars but when picking one I'd go with the 5.0. In the end it's about what you want. Do you want the bottom end torque of a 5.0? Or would you rather have the higher end horsepower of a 4.6?

Also, you guys are talking about mods and what they do with both engines. Well 5.0 & SF magazine did a mod test with the 5.0 and 4.6. They put the same mods on for both engines. The 5.0 will give you more horsepower and torque per mod. The 4.6's mods though are cheaper to get, but just won't give you as much power.

I don't have a Mustang but unless its a 01 cobra or 03 Mach1 i wont touch a 4.6. I just see them as shit motors. No matter what they will ALWAYS be compaired to the 5.0. That and im a tq fan. I could only afford an I4 due to a college budget but in 00 I bought the one with the most N/A tq that I could afford lol. Feels good to make more tq at the wheels then more expencive cars like a 00 Si and even with an Intagra Type-R lol

I don't have a Mustang but unless its a 01 cobra or 03 Mach1 i wont touch a 4.6. I just see them as shit motors.

Well, the 4.6L has the LOWEST WARRENTY COST per unit of ANY engine EVER MADE (in a production car). I would hardly consider that bad, let alone shitty.

If you are unfamiliar with EFI, and just want a really good quick car, the 5.0 is, IMO, the best choice. If you are comfortable with EFI and/or want to do a lot of power mods, then the 4.6L is FAR more adaptable due to it's vastly superior computer.

What ever you do, DO NOT rev a 4.6L over 6200, because at 6250 the "con-necting rods" become "dis-connecting" rods, and you ventilate the block.

As to which engine is "better"....

There are tons of aftermarket parts for BOTH, more for the 5.0, but it's been around for 40 YEARS, as opposed to about 15 for the 4.6L.

You don't hear of too many older vehicles with 300,000 miles plus on them (5.0), but it is COMMON with the 4.6L. So which is more durable? The 4.6L no contest.

would it be possible to put a 5.0 in a 99+ body...jus a question

The 4.6's mods though are cheaper to get

Well I haven't seen the article so I don't know what mods they were doing. However I do know that a guy at work showed me the price to put cams in his 03 and it was about 10 times as much as would have cost me to put one in mine.

Everyone says they perfer the torque of the 5.0L(technically 4.9L), but the 5.0L did not make more torque than the 4.6L. The 5.0L had a DIFFERENT TORQUE CURVE than the 4.6L. That torque curve is also based on the cam in 5.0L and the CAMS in the 4.6L. I don't know how many of you all seen the cams in the 4.6L, but they are nothing more than pencil sticks. They got a TINY change for 03-04 but still sticks.

1986 5.0L V8 hp 200@4000 TORQUE 285@3000 (technically 4.9L)
1991 5.0L V8 HP 225@4200 Totque 300@3200 (technically 4.9L)
1992 5.0L V8 HP 225@4200 Torque 300@3200 (technically 4.9L)
1994 5.0L V8 HP 215@4200 Torque 285@3400 (technically 4.9L)
1995 5.0L V8 HP 215@4200 TORQUE 285@3400 (technically 4.9L)
4inch bore * 3 inch stroke = 302 cubic inches which = 4.94L

2001 4.6L V8 HP 260@5250 302@4000
2002 4.6L V8 HP 260@5250 302@4000
2003 4.6L V8 HP 265@5200 310@4000
2004 4.6L v8 HP 265@5200 310@4000
Here's one for everybody... the stroke of a modular is 90mm and the bore is 90.2mm which = 281 but the advertized bore is 3.6inches which is 91.44mm and the advertized stroke is 3.6inches which is 91.44mm which = 293 inches aka 4.8L
If your really want a 5.0 engine, just take your average every day 4.6L modular engine..... bore your engine out to 3.6inches aka 91.44mm and stroke it to 3.75inches aka 95.25mm and you have your 305cubic inches which really is 5.0L.

As far as swapping cams, I'm getting ready to do that myself. It's not difficult at all, just a little time consuming, and can be done in your garage. What makes it time consuming is that you have to remove everything from the front of the engine. I will be installing comp cams, I went with a mild set. I'm waiting till after Xmas to install them.

I will be installing comp cams, I went with a mild set. I'm waiting till after Xmas to install them.
Will this be in a GT or a v6? If GT please give me details on what you paid, how hard the install was, and the car's response (once your done of course)

look at the hp to tq ratio though too

5.0 averaged 75ft/lbs more
4.6 is only 42.5f/lbs tht hase a lot to do with it also

and the 300lbs the SN95 has over the fox body

1992 5.0L V8 HP 225@4200 Torque 300@3200 (technically 4.9L) Hey what would be the top speed on this mustang and is it a gt or a cobra?

92 didnt have a cobra it would be a GT

1992 5.0L V8 HP 225@4200 Torque 300@3200 (technically 4.9L) Hey what would be the top speed on this mustang and is it a gt or a cobra?

If you give them time on a good open stretch they can reach 150.

Well one thing is for sure, there are definately two different types of mustang guys. The're mod motor guys and the're pushrod guys. There is no doubt in my mind that the mod motor is a more refined more emissions friendly and a very smooth motor all around. Which has more torque? Well on paper it looks like the 4.6 After driving both my vote still goes to the 5.0

Will this be in a GT or a v6? If GT please give me details on what you paid, how hard the install was, and the car's response (once your done of course)


This will be for a 03 GT. I went with the Xtreme Energy 102600/XE270AH cams which is right in middle of the three choices. I went in that direction because of my gearing,(3.55's) the amount of freeway driving, and I wanted half a chance at passing emmisions. The top cams listed IMO was not worth it, unless I was keeping the stock gears in back. Plus I can't see myself spending $730+ for little gain. I really wanted a cam that would hit 6200rpms, but what they offered didn't work too well below 2200rpms. I cruise at 2200rpms on the freeway, so that eliminated the 3rd cam.

I already had been in a few other GT's with those same cams, and I will vouch that you WILL definately hear and feel a big difference. It sounds so damn nice with magnaflows.

I paid about $1050 for the cams and springs, after taxes and shipping of course. I'm gonna do the work myself. I am actually attempting to get another get of PI heads and have them ported and polished. Then install the cams onto those, and then swap heads, if I don't install them onto a 5.1L shortblock.

Well one thing is for sure, there are definately two different types of mustang guys. The're mod motor guys and the're pushrod guys. There is no doubt in my mind that the mod motor is a more refined more emissions friendly and a very smooth motor all around. Which has more torque? Well on paper it looks like the 4.6 After driving both my vote still goes to the 5.0


And neither one really understands the pro's and cons of either motor. :2cents:

And neither one really understands the pro's and cons of either motor. :2cents:


I think some of us do that have owned both...
matter of fact, I think some of us have gone full circle.....

I've had the 2.3L 4 banger foxes, the 5.0L foxes, I have even dropped in a 351W into a fox, then I went to the 3.8L after I came back to the US, and now I got my GT....

I would really like to have a early fox, and stroke out a 302 to a 331 and use a procharger on top of that....... :devil: :ylsuper:

And neither one really understands the pro's and cons of either motor. :2cents:

Ain't that the truth.

92 didnt have a cobra it would be a GT

Unless it's from Canada, then it's a Cobra :D

You don't hear of too many older vehicles with 300,000 miles plus on them (5.0), but it is COMMON with the 4.6L. So which is more durable? The 4.6L no contest.

Wow... some people never cease to amaze me...

1.) I've met only a handful of people who've put that many miles on a 4.6... No where near enough to call it common or determine that they hold up under those conditions.
2.) My last 5.0 had just rolled over 325K when I got rid of it, and it was still running beastly strong, almost flawless.
3.) To say that one is more durable that the other would assume that they're both completely stock, daily driven, and not abused... (find a mustang owner that can go 300,000 miles without modifying or floggin it at some point and win a freakin cookie) And I'm not ready to make that assumption of any mustang owner

:2cents:

Unless you want to stay stock you should also consider the cost of mods.

Wow... some people never cease to amaze me...

1.) I've met only a handful of people who've put that many miles on a 4.6... No where near enough to call it common or determine that they hold up under those conditions.
2.) My last 5.0 had just rolled over 325K when I got rid of it, and it was still running beastly strong, almost flawless.
3.) To say that one is more durable that the other would assume that they're both completely stock, daily driven, and not abused... (find a mustang owner that can go 300,000 miles without modifying or floggin it at some point and win a freakin cookie) And I'm not ready to make that assumption of any mustang owner

:2cents:

How many 5.0s and 4.6s do you WORK ON, on a daily basis?

I can tell you all, that for SURE the Cab companies and Police Departments are absolutely THRILLED with the durability of the 4.6L, as are the fleet truck and van owners (like us). The fact of the matter is that they simply don't break, or wear out when properly maintained. All of the 4.6L engine failure that I have seen (a few out of literally thousands of units), were directly due to one of two things.

1) Using too heavy an oil in cold climates, causing the cam bearings to wear pre-maturely.
2) Failed rods/pistons from over-revving or power adders.

Of all our customers and self-owned units with the 5.0s and 4.6Ls, more than 50% are now 4.6L, and we have YET to tear heads off or replace any engines or components. The same cannot be said about the 5.0s that we see, a few have had valve problems, three engine repacements (under 150,000 as I recall) due to cracked pistons or excessive cylinder wear, and countless waterpumps and timing chains. Done ONE water pump on a 4.6L, and zero timing chains.

We are talking about apples to apples, similar service and useages and similar mileages.

I won't even get into the emissions issue, you simply CANNOT get a 5.0/5.8 to pass emissions standards for cars and LD trucks even in 1997, which is why they quit installing them in 1996 (the one tons got pushrid engines thru the end of the '97 MY).

I have always been a push rod fan until I started getting into Mod motors. They are very efficient motors that take nicely to mods and abuse. Both can be as beastly as your wallet can afford.

Well it just pisses me off to see people come on here and bash the 5.0 motor. I know the 4.6 is a more efficient motor I wont argue that. But don't forget that the 5.0 was and still is today a very potent motor in the right hands. If you bother to take the time and do the right maintenace any motor will last. Let us not forget back in the 90's when the HWY patrol needed a high performance vehicle to chase down the new sports cars comming out they choose the 5.0 not because they were efficient, but because they flat out hauled ass. What do they use today, LS1 camaro's go figure.

Most people around here that buy 4.6 mustangs are because they want a fast car they don't have to mod so for that reason I think the 4.6 is an exellent choice. But If your a gear head and want to get under the hood to do some wrenching and modding you simply cannot go wrong with a 5.0

The 5.0 has been around for a long time and has served the ford line up well and deserves the respect its earned. My 94 sports the 302 emblem like a badge of honor and there are plenty of 4.6's around here that have had there asses handed to them by it.:grinyes:

I had plans to mod my car, and I bought a 4.6. However I never dissed the 5.0. I actually was between the two cars, but my parents wanted me to get a 4.6 cause it is newer/less miles. Both are very good engines imo.

I'm gonna close this thread cause I think everything that needs to be said has been but I'll leave wit a conclusion:

4.6 and 5.0 both have Pro's and Con's and each has an application that fits better than the other. So the dirty truth is.... there is not really one that is superior but superior in certain applications. Anybody who wants to say differently to this just doesn't understand either.