Is it worth it to dish out for a V8 over the V6?

[hksfd3s]

Well.....it's a very newb question but a serious one for me. I've just made the decision to move on to an SUV. My last car which was stolen, a 3rd generation Rx-7 was highly modified and a big pain in the butt.

Though she will be missed it's time to move on to something with a little more room. I've been debating on a V6 or V8 99 or 00.

Looking over the forum it seem like there are alot of modifications available to the 4.0 but will the 5.0 be a better starting point?

It not that much of a price difference btwn the two but the availablity and choice of colors are easier to find at the same price range.

If it is worth it to save money on a V6 i'd like to know.


Chris

 

[SaleenEXP]

w/o a doubt, although this will probably turn into an argument between V6 and V8 guys, go with the 5.0 V8. You have almost endless mods available for which the 5.0 responds excellent to compared to the others, awsome towing ability, will not feel "loaded" down or strained if you have 5 people in your truck or are towing thanks to the low-end torque, much better reliability, much more better/stronger auto tranny thats more reliable, and most of us 5.0 guys are getting better mpg then the ovh V6 or sohc V6 guys if you look at some threads like one dealing with "Gas". Oh yeh, and no contest on the sound of the engine with dual exhaust lol.

 

[hksfd3s]

Thanks for the reply. Though I doubt I will be towing I do go from Southern California up to Oregon alot and have to hit the hills.

Plus I have a real bad habit of modifying any car I buy.

Chris

 

[pup]

engine

I have the v8 because I need it for towing the boat 4000 pounds. I have the towing package so hopefully that will eliminate problems. On the highway and not towing OD on I get 21. to the gallon. Towing the boat with OD off I get 16 MPG. The city around 14. There is never any problem with too much power. I have the 2000 EB although I test drove the 2002 and it is a softer ride. Inoticed with the trailer the ride seems softer also.

 

[Rob_B]

definatly go w/ the V8. Most 99+ Explorer's came with the sohc v6's, and there are very few mods available for that motor, because they are only available in Explorers and Rangers. The V8 on the other hand have tons of mods available for it, and have been around since teh 60's in trucks and Mustangs. Plus the trannies are considerably better in the V8.

 

[hksfd3s]

Ah this is great info. Any input for the V6?

Btw any good links to Explorer based performance parts?

Chris

 

[Rugby3]

I have a 00 V-6 and think it is a nutless dog. Buy the V-8 especially if you can get it for the same money. I would get rid of mine but I will lose my butt off on it.

 

[dondiesel444]

Always get the biggest engine you can, you won't regret it!! I had a 1986 Bronco with a 5.0L, I did lots of mods to it, but I always wished I had a 5.8L. And my Wife had two VW Jetta's, a 94 and a 97, they had the 2.0L 4 banger, boy did I wish they had the Vr6. You may think a larger engine always gets worse mileage, it does take more fuel to supply the 2 extra cylinders, but your V-8 wont have to work as hard to make the power a V-6 will, meaning lower RPMS. In the case of the X, I'd say that the v-8 and v-6 probably get pretty close fuel milage, but the V-8 has more power and a better feel to it.

When we were shopping for an X, the regular 6 was such a DOG, sooooo slow. The SOHC was a lot better, but it "sounded" like a V-6, the 5.0L was the clear winner, I don't regret getting it over the 6's.

 

[MrShorty]

I would go with the V6 bacause the V8 didn't come with a low range transfer case. Some people don't care -- they never use low range anyway. I do.
If you are not afraid to mod it, then the question to ask (for me) would be, which is easier: drop a V8 into a V6 explorer or swap a low range transfer case behind the V8?

 

[Fish Man]

my v6 is slow

 

[james t]

hksfd3s- what do you want to do with it? lifted/offroad or lowered/streeter? if you want an offroader, i would go with the V6 to get the low range transfer case. if you want a streeter, then the clear choice is the V8.

 

[Robb]

Yea, if you were an RX7 guy, you are prolly more into the street scene. Go for the V8. 5.0 or 4.6 whichever. Both are (will be) more moddable then the 4.0.

Robb

 

[sodjer6]

I have had no problems with my 4.0L and have found plenty of mods to it, although they are a little more expensive than the mods for a more widley used motor like the 5.0. I like the power my 4.0L has, when I get it wound up it sounds awesome. I have no problem keeping up with my friend's Bronco(351W). Although I don't do much towing, if I did than I would've looked into the 5.0L

 

[Robb]

I have no problem keeping up with my friend's Bronco(351W).

Your friend needs a tune up!

Robb

 

[james t]

Originally posted by morrisey0
Your friend needs a tune up!

either that, or get rid of the 3:08 gears. lol

 

[Magicfan25]

I say get the V8. I have the SOHC in my sport and its good for a 4 liter 6, but theres little to nothing for mods. Cat back, chip, filter and if you wanted to spray it, but thats not good for towing. Get a V8

 

[hksfd3s]

I appreciate all the feedback. I'm really looking forward to this purchase. Trust me....SUV, no wories about speedbumps, potholes, smaller cars, visability...it's great.

I also now will have room for paintball which I do every weekend. The sports car thing was fun but it cost me so much in time and maintenance and way too many worries about being stolen....DoH oh wells.

Chris

 

[Crankcase]

I also suggest the V8. My grandparents have one in a 96 Eddie Bauer, and they love it....

 

[diablo5969]

I would go for the V8. I'm a big fan of the "buy the biggest engine available" philosophy

 

[Jason_25]

Definitely go with the V8 if it won't see the offroad. Much better than the V6's in almost every way.