4.6L vs 5.0L

[fordforlife]

Im looking to buy a 94-95 gt or a 96-98 gt, and I was wondering which engine or car would be better. hp, torq, mods, and life. anything else would be very helpful. Thx!!!

[super GT]

Originally Posted by fordforlife

Im looking to buy a 94-95 gt or a 96-98 gt, and I was wondering which engine or car would be better. hp, torq, mods, and life. anything else would be very helpful. Thx!!!

Get the 94-95 gt because it has the 5.0!
the 5.0 is way easier to add mods to and it reacts alot better then the 4.6 in my oppinion.
the hp and torque are the same 94-97 215 hp and 285 torq.1998 has 225 hp.

[GTStang]

5.0 if you want to mod it. A lot cheaper and still more parts available. Plus non-PI 4.6's are dogs.

[HiFlow5 0]

Originally Posted by GTStang

5.0 if you want to mod it. A lot cheaper and still more parts available. Plus non-PI 4.6's are dogs.

Ain't that the truth! Them first gen 4.6's were shit! Definitly go 5oh!

[fordforlife]

thx!!! 5.0 it is

[MustangRoadRacer]

screw that, don't listen to these guys.
go with a v6!!
or even better, an old 4cyl!!!

[The Dude]

Man that 4.6l is one hell of an engine but Ford really screwed it up bad. You cant beat a Y-block with cross bolted mains.

[fordforlife]

y block with cross bolted mains??? please explain

[StangNut86]

old, fox-body 'stang, 4-banger. tear the engine out and drop in a 351W. then own all the guys who told you to drop in a 5.0

[fordforlife]

change engine mounts and stuff like that for the windsor? change transmission im sure, what would u recomend?

[fordforlife]

also, which gears would be best, i need a tiny bit of gas mileage, dont want no 5mpg

[speedfreak]

The 5.0 will be easier/cheaper to mod and have more power(unless you do a PI head swap). Just get some '96-98 tail lights unless you like the '94-95. For gears, I would say 3.55s are a good compromise between acceleration and streetability and are also what I plan to get. Since the car would likely have 2.73s stock, you will definitely feel an improvement. 3.73s will only put you 150-200rpm higher at highway speed than 3.55s, but that can make a big difference.

[StangNut86]

the only difference between a 302 and a Windsor is a .300 inch higher deck. so you shoudl be able to use 302 mounts. not sure on that. but, the tranny will bolt right up. just make sure that it's rated for the amount of power you plan to stick behind it. and, i don't believe that it's any harder to find parts for a windsor than for a 302. still, whatever you want, go for it.

[DkShadow]

Well I would get a 5.0 because its generally easier to make faster. A 96-98 4.6 is going to be a little bit more difficult but if you swap the heads, cams, and the intake from a 99+ you should easily be putting down over 240 rwhp. Theres some with basic bolt ons and P&P PI Heads putting down around 250 to the wheels!

Only downside is the compression would be too high, around 10.2:1, that I wouldnt advice on adding Forced Induction.

[speedfreak]

Originally Posted by StangNut86

the only difference between a 302 and a Windsor is a .300 inch higher deck. so you shoudl be able to use 302 mounts. not sure on that. but, the tranny will bolt right up. just make sure that it's rated for the amount of power you plan to stick behind it. and, i don't believe that it's any harder to find parts for a windsor than for a 302. still, whatever you want, go for it.

If you want to split hairs, the 302 is a Windsor too, as well as the 221, 260, and 289 (and the misfit 255 of the early '80s). The only reason a 351 Windsor is called a Windsor is so people know you arent talking about a 351 Cleveland or 351M.

Also, the 351W has a deck height that is either 1" taller than a 302 or 1.3", depending on the year. 302 is 8.2" while the 351W is either 9.2" or 9.5". This significant height difference can cause interference between the stock hood and intake, at least on a Fox3. Only solution is dropped mounts(doesnt always work) or a cowl hood.

Anyway, a 351W uses the same engine mounts and transmission pattern as a regular 302. And yes, parts are just as easy to find for 351Ws as any smallblock Ford.