Why is the 5.0 so slow?

[1997XLTRollover]

Ok not slow, but how does the 4.0 cammer beat this thing out 0-60? Does the extra weight and AWD really suck that much power that the 0-60 is worse than the 4.0 SOHC? I remember my old cammer did rip for what it was, but I always figured the V8 would have been faster. I mean the 5.0 does have a good amount of power over the SOHC so what gives?

 

[1996BLKBauer]

The AWD does seem to be atleast part of it, guys who have done the transfer case swap have mentioned the vehicle being "more peppy", idk though my '96 seems to do just fine, I "race" people from lights all the time, lol.

 

[MercuryMullet]

At one time I was driving 3 different 97s. One was my offroad truck with a transfer case swap the other 2 were both P-head motors within 10k miles. The one with 3:73s blew the one with 3:55s away. Even though the offroad truck was heavier the transfer case swap woke it up as well. My good friend has several and says they all run slightly different. But gears, awd and how well the coupling in the awd works does result in power feel changes.

But I raced my sister in her 4.0 and we were neck and neck. She followed me once while I was pulling a 1000 lb trailer and on the hills she was having trouble keeping up. I noticed that the speed isn't in the 5.0s as much as the power.

 

[1997XLTRollover]

Well my truck is a 3.73 posi truck, and it's peppy, but I just can't believe the 4.0 can even keep up nevermind actually being faster. It's getting hard to resist the urge to mod. I'm coming more from a modular engine background, I forgot how cheap the SBF stuff is compared to mod engines.

 

[96ex5.0]

Mine dose good and out runs my 4.0 ex all day long. But I really think the biggest problem with our 5.0's is the exam or factory tune, I have also noticed that going from auto to manual trans has made a major differance. I have also noticed that around 2500 rpms there's a big jump in power on mine, idk if its the same on others.

 

[MercuryMullet]

My stock one had a power jump at around 2500. The slightly modded one is more like 3200. Got a tune from henson and it helped some to bridge the gap in the lower R's. A buddy gave me the tuner so I'm out $75 for the tune. If I had to buy the tuner also I would be disappointed with the performance gains from the tune alone.

 

[swshawaii]

Engine Specifications

Ford Cologne 4.0 L OHV V-6
Model years 1995–2001
Power (SAE net) 160 hp (119 kW)
Torque (SAE net) 220 ft·lbf (300 N·m)

Ford Cologne 4.0 L SOHC V-6
Model years 1997–2003
Power (SAE net) 205 hp (153 kW)
Torque (SAE net) 245 ft·lbf (332 N·m)

Ford Windsor 5.0 L OHV V-8
Model years 1996–2001
Power (SAE net) 210 hp (157 kW)
Torque (SAE net) 280 ft·lbf (380 N·m)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Explorer

 

[96ex5.0]

I thought it odd to have a big power jump that high up exspecialy for one that's supposed to be low end power. The power band also seems more appropriate for a manual gear box. I'm planning a carb conversion with 1.7 rockers and curious to see what it dose then.

 

[MercuryMullet]

Keep in mind the 4.0s had 5 speeds versus our 4 speeds. In a drag race thats makes a difference. You can keep in the peak power band.

 

[1997XLTRollover]

Keep in mind the 4.0s had 5 speeds versus our 4 speeds. In a drag race thats makes a difference. You can keep in the peak power band.

My old cammer was an automatic. I know because I had to replace the transmission 3 times and the engine twice haha.

EDIT: Well replaced two transmissions and 1 engine.

 

[MercuryMullet]

My old cammer was an automatic. I know because I had to replace the transmission 3 times and the engine twice haha.

EDIT: Well replaced two transmissions and 1 engine.

5 speed automatic by chance???

 

[1997XLTRollover]

5 speed automatic by chance???

No it was a 4 speed.

 

[Joe in NY]

Well my truck is a 3.73 posi truck, and it's peppy, but I just can't believe the 4.0 can even keep up nevermind actually being faster. It's getting hard to resist the urge to mod. I'm coming more from a modular engine background, I forgot how cheap the SBF stuff is compared to mod engines.

YES! There is nothing for the Modular motors (which are same as tritons). The windsors are dirt cheap to upgrade and near bullet proof. Each of our boats has a stock 351W love them

 

[Joe in NY]

Keep in mind the 4.0s had 5 speeds versus our 4 speeds. In a drag race thats makes a difference. You can keep in the peak power band.

The only difference between the 4 speed and 5 speed is that 1st and 2nd in the 5 spd replaced 1st in the 4 speed. 2nd is hair bit lower ratio then 1st on the 4spd and 5spd 1st is higher ratio than 1st on the 4spd.

So actually the 4 spd auto works in the 302W favor of low end torque and mid range HP having a good sized 1 st gear. The 5 speed is very slow to shift with decent power input.

If I floor my 4.6 the transmission is an absolute dog at shifting. Our suburban will smoke my explorer due to the 5.3 and 4l60e that can handle it with no problem...

 

[MercuryMullet]

The only difference between the 4 speed and 5 speed is that 1st and 2nd in the 5 spd replaced 1st in the 4 speed. 2nd is hair bit lower ratio then 1st on the 4spd and 5spd 1st is higher ratio than 1st on the 4spd.

So actually the 4 spd auto works in the 302W favor of low end torque and mid range HP having a good sized 1 st gear. The 5 speed is very slow to shift with decent power input.

If I floor my 4.6 the transmission is an absolute dog at shifting. Our suburban will smoke my explorer due to the 5.3 and 4l60e that can handle it with no problem...

I'll give you the slow to shift and lower 1st gear on the 4 speed makes a huge diffence plus I'm sure the torque curve is different but this is the info I made my statement from. From dead stop to direct drive (1:1) you have an extra gear with the 5 speed. Or if you look at gear for gear the 4.0 loses 14% in 1st but gains 18% in 2nd and 32% in 3rd. So if the 4 speed would have to have a 4:92 rear gear to match the 5 speeds 3:73 for 3rd gear to be the same. to me that seems like alot.

2.84 / 1.55 / 1.00 / 0.70

2.47 / 1.87 / 1.47 / 1.00 / 0.75

 

[97exploder19]

A windstar beat me at a light in my Explorer. I thought I could get around him, the road merged to one lane, I couldnt pass him. I did not expect that!

 

[1997XLTRollover]

I wish I could afford headers, I just saw how horrible the factory 96 manifolds are.

 

[masospaghetti]

The only difference between the 4 speed and 5 speed is that 1st and 2nd in the 5 spd replaced 1st in the 4 speed. 2nd is hair bit lower ratio then 1st on the 4spd and 5spd 1st is higher ratio than 1st on the 4spd.

So actually the 4 spd auto works in the 302W favor of low end torque and mid range HP having a good sized 1 st gear. The 5 speed is very slow to shift with decent power input. .

The 4-speed in the 5.0 is not the same transmission as the 5-speed in the 4.0 "with the 1st and 2nd gears replaced". The 5.0 has the 4R70W, the 4.0's use the 4R55E or 5R55E. The two are completely different designs.

The 5.0 + 4R70W is much heavier than the 4.0 + 5R55E which may account for some of the acceleration difference. The 5R55E has a steeper first gear ratio (3.23 compared to 2.40) for faster takeoffs. I'm guessing the 5R55E also consumes less power than the 4R70W since it is a lighter duty transmission.

I also don't know what the powerbands look like but the 4.0 SOHC is a much newer design. It may have a better torque curve than the 5.0 even if the peak torque isn't as high.

This is not to say the 4.0 SOHC + 5R55E is a good combination, it's probably the least reliable combination available. I'd take a 5.0 anyday.

 

[MAS Tequila]

I'm currently driving an '00 AWD 5.0.

I used to drive an '01 2WD 5.0.

The '01 with 2WD would absolutely smoke the AWD.

MT

 

[Greg_DonWindsor]

My modded 4.0 routinely smokes other vehicles in my weight class with bigger engines. (Read: Grand Cherokees, Durangos, etc.). I'm actually surprised at the power this thing puts out with a few bolt-ons added to it.