4.6 VS 5.0 Difference

COBRA |2

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Mar 31, 2005
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What is the difference in normal crusing around and actual drag,
which one would be better for tuning ?
which engine can last longer and drive better in harsh weather?
Im just trying to know the difference between the 2 engines
 
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yeah you have opened pandora's box with that one..there is a somewhat heated rivalry between the two groups even tho we're all mustang fans...the 4.6 can handle more horsepower but is much more expensive to modify..and there is no real power difference stock for stock unless you get to the 99 and newer ones...both are long lasting engines and serve as strong daily drivers...
 
COBRA |2 said:
What is the difference in normal crusing around and actual drag,

They're pretty similar numbers at the flywheel between the 96-98 SOHC 4.6 and the 94-95 5.0 - the 5.0 makes a little more torque at lower RPMs, and the 5.0 also weighs less than one of the iron-block 4.6 SOHCs, so the 94-95 will have better numbers.


which one would be better for tuning ?

Depends on your budget. If you need cheap, go with the 5.0.

which engine can last longer and drive better in harsh weather?

The engine that's taken care of better and has better tires attached to the wheels. :nice:
 
5.0 is MUCH MUCH cheaper to mod and the mods are EXTENSIVE. 99+ 2v are slightly faster, but besides bolt-ons all they have is power adders (which can be done to ANY car any way) the real advantage to the Windsor'd stangs is the All-Motor power and easily added cubes, via swap or bore, which while technically can be done to 96+ but is soooooooo much cheaper in windsor stangs, and there is a TON of information about the Windsor engine.
 
5.0's have the displacement
BUT, the weak point of the 4.6's is their internals... so if you have to replace the internals, you're likely to get a stroker. So, i'd say it's better to get the 4.6 and stroke it to a 5.0 or better with good internals. there are more parts for the 5.0, but the 4.6 isn't really that far behind. Plus, the dual overhead cam (4 cams) motor is really wicked. So, with the more indestructable block from the factory (about 700 hp vss 500 for the 5.0) and then having to put new internals in it, the 4.6 is better.
In conclusion:
For sub 300 hp: 4.6
For 300-450: 5.0
For 450+: 4.6
Although, i'm gonna try and push 450+ from a stock block, stock internals 5.0 in about a month here.
Lee
 
I heard that the 4.6 DOHC motors were poorly engineered in that the 2 exhaust valves have scavenging problems and that the 4.6 3-valve motor is the answer to their problems. This was from the guy who owns modular powerhouse in georgia.
 
If you want something simple to work on your driveway with huge amounts of aftermarket be it heads crankshafts rods even blocks and you want it cheaper than pushrod is the way to go.

With that being said I still want to see what kind of power I can get out of an 8 cylinder sohc style mod motor naturally aspirated!

But that 4.6 DOHC is a very nice motor. Have an old Mustang magazine where someone built a 5.4 dohc for their mustang and built it to rev to 8 grand and said it was trying to rip the tires off all the way through 3rd. NICE!!!!!
 
I've had a 5.0 and currently have an 4.6 so heres my opinion.

The 5.0 is a better motor if you want to mod. like H/C/I and not get reemed in the A$$hole with bills. The 302 is also MUCH easier to work on. It was my first mustang and I don't think the '03 GT will ever be as much fun as the '88 GT just for the fact that I was 16 when I got the '88 and was just so excited to have a fun car.

The 4.6 is in my mind a better motor all around if you are using the car for a daily driver. Not that the '88 GT wasnt a good daily driver, but the 03 is smoother, more comfortable, and a lot better on gas than the 302 was. Only downside to the 4.6 is the amount of money it cost to mod the car, and the fact that I don't trust the internals for a second and I'm saving for a new shortblock at this very moment. Also didn't like the lowend but a set of 3.90s cured that :p.

If it was up to me I'd have both motors, the 5.0 to mod the hell out of and the 4.6 to just drive around and enjoy myself.