which engine?

[blackbeauty]

overall, whick is "better" to have. the 4.0 or the V8. power, torque, mpg, repair, weight take all into consideration.

 

[huskyfan23]

Hm. Toughest decision of my life. 5.0.

 

[spindlecone]

Both have an upside, both a downside

 

[Redrig]

Id have to say 5.0 for the power. The 4.0 is reliable though.

 

[JGAMBLE]

5.0, can't think of an upside to the 4.0.

 

[huskyfan23]

The 4.0 is lighter and gets better mileage. There are the upsides

 

[JGAMBLE]

lighter, yes, better mileage...... I've had 4 5.0 stangs and they did better than the X. Of course the Stangs are lighter, but my 4.0 ain't no gas miser.

 

[96limitedX]

5.0...die hard reliabilty and the power!! and MPG isent that different.

 

[prozachappy]

Oh...@#$%...are we gonna start this battle all over again

 

[cdwright]

Both have strenths and weaknesses. I'd go with the 4.0 only because of how I use my Explorer. I don't really need the power although I know I am in the minority. Most think I'm nuts...but the 4.0 I find is more reliable. Ask me 15 years ago, I would have a diffrent answer.

 

[metstalker]

if it wasnt for the tranny i would go with the 4.0

 

[bmxking5]

Hmmmm....? 5.0!!!! Gas mileage is about the same, much more power than the 4.0, large aftermarket support, and about a million other reasons why it's better.

 

[410Fortune]

I think it depends on which one you ahve under the hood I am a huge fan of the 60 degree V6's, 4.0L OHV and SOHC, but I am a big fan of the 5.0L as well, so I like whichever one is under my hood currently
I like the idea of getting 300+ HP with bolt on's however

 

[spindlecone]

I think it depends on which one you ahve under the hood I am a huge fan of the 60 degree V6's, 4.0L OHV and SOHC, but I am a big fan of the 5.0L as well, so I like whichever one is under my hood currently
I like the idea of getting 300+ HP with bolt on's however

410
How can one get 300 H.P+ out of a 5 liter with boltons? in a N/A mode, your starting with about 215 crank, Just curious

 

[410Fortune]

You can bolt on a supercharger for one. okay okay so a Supercharger is not considered a bolt on mod, but you can get damn close to 300 HP with the 5.0L by way of cam & valvetrain, intake, fuel, exhaust, and tuning...

Am I way off base here? or is 300 not reachable this route?
Either way I was always happy with the power and grunt of the OHV, the SOHC is just impressive even though its half plastic (it seems) and has all those chains, sprokets, and tensioners, but I think I'll be even happier with a 5.0L

I consider a bolt on anything that does not require removal of the engine or trans.

 

[spindlecone]

Suppose it's all in the definition of boltons, some 2.5 liter engines can make 400 H.P

 

[james t]

410
How can one get 300 H.P+ out of a 5 liter with boltons? in a N/A mode, your starting with about 215 crank, Just curious

That 215 at the crank is because of the severely choked factory exhaust/intake. The old 5.0 Cobra motor made 250 at the crank and was exactly like the explorer motor in every way except for a slightly larger cam.


As for fuel mileage, check the uber-long mileage poll on this site. Seems the V8's and V6's all get about the same. When mine had stock size tires on it, i got around 15-16 in town and 20-21 on trips. The old 4 liter gets that.

 

[spindlecone]

That 215 at the crank is because of the severely choked factory exhaust/intake. The old 5.0 Cobra motor made 250 at the crank and was exactly like the explorer motor in every way except for a slightly larger cam.


As for fuel mileage, check the uber-long mileage poll on this site. Seems the V8's and V6's all get about the same. When mine had stock size tires on it, i got around 15-16 in town and 20-21 on trips. The old 4 liter gets that.

Agreed 100% James, all our engines are chocked to death, the newer 4.6 makes alot more H.P than the 5.0 in OEM form.
A well externally modded(boltons without getting into the engine or heads), properly tuned SOHC V6, can surpass both in H.P. and TQ that of the OEM V8S.
Granted a well modded V8, (boltons only) well blow away a V6 that is modded to the max,N/A

 

[dreamr]

My opinions
The 5.0 is the engine to have as it has a hell of a lot more potential than either 4.0.

For the stock engines
4.0 OHV= great low end torque and will run forever and ever and ever and ever.

4.0 SOHC= better top end than the OHV at the cost of that low end grunt, but it has not proven to be nearly as reliable. I am sure that given time the bugs are getting worked out though.

5.0 OHV= The same upsides as the 4.0 OHV, but better balanced top and low end. Kinda like having the best of both 4 liters with more modding potential.

In summary the 4.0 OHV is better for towing and offroad. The SOHC is a better speed racer motor, and the 5.0 has got it all.

 

[huskyfan23]

It depends on the block you start with. There are 500+ hp N/A 302's.