5.0 or 4.6?

[Forward1]

I am trying to decide what engine would be better to buy in a mustang, either a1996-1999 4.6 liter or a 1994-1995 5.0liter. I looking to buy this model but cannot decide what will be better to add upgrades to or which is the better motor. I have a 86 5.0 Conv that I am selling and that engine is pretty stout. Any ideas or opinions are welcome, thanks.

[AltecZX2]

if you want cheap parts, 5.0...if you want better technology 4.6

[TheStang00]

well if 1999 is truely an option, then get that. i think that was mistake though, i think you probably meant 98, 99 is a new generation. but if your lookin at the 94-98 generation, go with the 5.0

[neatofrito1618]

I'd get the 5.0, or the 99 4.6 if thats what you meant.

[giddyup50]

If you get the 5.0 you can-work on the car yourself, have a ton of aftermarket parts to choose from, have plenty of room to work under the hood, and the parts you get for a 5.0 will be INEXPENSIVE NOT CHEAP!

If you get the 4.6 you can-do SOME of the engine work yourself (who wants to mess with 2 cams/chains just looks like a mess, maybe I'm not looking close enough but, I can't even see where the plug wires go to change the wires and plugs), have a few aftermarket parts to choose from (although it's getting better), have less room to work under hood, and pay an arm and a leg for parts.

They are both good engines, one nice thing about the 4.6 is that you don't have a distributor, intead it has coil packs. Obviously I'm biased but, I would get the 5.0. If you must get the 4.6 make sure it's 1999 and up. The 96-98 wasn't as good. Had all the technology but had no more power/torque than the 5.0. In 99 it had 260hp stock.

[mustangman02232]

do you want an SN-95? if you dont mind a fox body get a 87-92 because they have forged internals, dont waste your time with an NPI 4.6 and just go to a PI 4.6 if you can afford it

[BlackGT2000]

Do they have forged internals or is it just cast cast parts? I know people like them better for supercharging because they don't have the aluminum pistons like the later years did.

[mustangman02232]

Originally Posted by BlackGT2000

Do they have forged internals or is it just cast cast parts? I know people like them better for supercharging because they don't have the aluminum pistons like the later years did.

do what have forged? only the 87-92 5.0s that i know for sure, they might have earlier, a 4.6 wont handel much more then 10 psi on the same side, if you want though you can get a V-6 and run 17 psi through a stock motor

[TheStang00]

Originally Posted by mustangman02232

do what have forged? only the 87-92 5.0s that i know for sure, they might have earlier, a 4.6 wont handel much more then 10 psi on the same side, if you want though you can get a V-6 and run 17 psi through a stock motor

17 psi on a stock 3.8 would be pushin it some. its all in the tune though. usually the rule of thumb with that engine is 12 psi. with new rods though, the engine is bullet proof. the limit of it still has not been reached.

[mustangman02232]

http://www.vmptuning.com/cart/home.php

[TheStang00]

yeah i know about justins car, but do you know how reliable it is for everyday use with that kinda boost?

[neatofrito1618]

Justins car is a track car, not a DD.

[TheStang00]

well he did say its very driveable on the street, but my question is still whens it gonna break running that much boost.

[neatofrito1618]

Its definatly streetable, but he still doesent use it as a DD.

[Can'tCatchMe]

87-92 mustangs did not all have foged internals. 87-89 5.0's came with cast cranks, cast rods, and hypereutectic pistons. 90-92's came with with cast cranks, cast rods, and forged pistons. IMO forged pistons are not considered forged internals, and forged pistons will not allow you to run more boost, they will allow you to run nitrous safely, beefier crank and rods will strengthen your rotating assembly- more psi is possible