5.0 Vs 4.6

[Aarons915]

Hey guys I've been going back and forth between the 2 engines so thought I'd ask this in both forums. I had a pretty nice black 95 GTS a few years ago that felt nice but lately I've been looking for a newer 96-04 just because of the OBD2 computer, distributorless ignition and a few other nice reliability perks of the newer Mustangs. Performance isn't a huge deal, my mostly stock 95 felt plenty fast for me even though most people consider them dogs around here.

Anyway my question is, I've driven a few with the 4.6 and they just feel odd to me and I'm wondering if anyone else feels the same or if I'm just finding ones that have been beat on maybe. Compared to what I remember in my 5.0 the 4.6 feels like it has plenty of power but they feel kind of like a boat is the only way I can describe it. My 5.0 didn't feel super fast but it rev'd very smooth and just felt good. I've only driven 99-04 Mustangs with the PI 4.6 but none of them have felt that smooth, which is contrary to what most say about the 4.6. Has anyone noticed something similar when looking for a 4.6 or should I just keep looking until I find one in better shape?

 

[hoopty5.0]

4.6 + blower = problem solved.

*edit
5.0 + blower = problem solved.

 

[squeak93]

4.6 usually are smoother and make torque much higher in the power band. If you are not used to them they do feel "doggy" in lower rpms. Usually gears and exhaust wake them up and they perform nicely while still getting reasonable mpg.

5.0 makes torque down low and will have a must better sotp feel. Same boat here, gears and exhaust wake them up. Stock for stock (or mild bolt ons etc,) all my mod motor cars have out paced the foxes considerably. My stock 04 gt, gears, o/r h only went 13.70@101 while my best stock fox times are 14.15@98 (intake, exhaust, gears).

The new edge cars are faster stock than the npi cars. They also tend to ride better and "age" a bit better overall. However a PI swapped 96-98 usually runs better than a new edge. Oh and they love nitrous.

Best of both worlds, buy a mod swap fox.

 

[89oem]

Well there is the coyote 5.0

 

[Aarons915]

4.6 usually are smoother and make torque much higher in the power band. If you are not used to them they do feel "doggy" in lower rpms. Usually gears and exhaust wake them up and they perform nicely while still getting reasonable mpg.

5.0 makes torque down low and will have a must better sotp feel. Same boat here, gears and exhaust wake them up. Stock for stock (or mild bolt ons etc,) all my mod motor cars have out paced the foxes considerably. My stock 04 gt, gears, o/r h only went 13.70@101 while my best stock fox times are 14.15@98 (intake, exhaust, gears).

The new edge cars are faster stock than the npi cars. They also tend to ride better and "age" a bit better overall. However a PI swapped 96-98 usually runs better than a new edge. Oh and they love nitrous.

Best of both worlds, buy a mod swap fox.

I'm aware of the differences between where each make their power but the 4.6 doesn't feel like a dog at all off idle, but then again my daily driver is a 4 cyl Colorado so they both feel fast to me. What I'm talking about is more of the feel of both motors, I'm gonna check out a 5.0 today though so I'll see if I still feel that way, it's been 4 years since I owned my 95.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I owned an 03 GT that I bought new.

Engine felt smoother, revved better, and made way more power in top end of rpm range. I ran a 14.1 bone stock with it.

5.0 makes torque down low, and most tend to fall on face in upper rpm with heads and intake. 5.0 also feels like a muscle car motor if that makes sense


If I was in the market for a mustang I would get another 01-04 GT or an 03 Mach 1 or 01 cobra.

If I wanted a bit of a project, 96-98 GT and PI swap it.

Convertible....96-98 cobra convertible


Sent from my big ass iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

 

[cobra10494]

View attachment 537661 View attachment 537662 View attachment 537663 View attachment 537665 View attachment 537665 View attachment 537666 View attachment 537663 View attachment 537662 View attachment 537661 I owned two 99 anniversary cars,the first year with the P.I. heads.That 4.6 was smooth and made nice power,I threw pullies on it a catted x and mac c/b,4.10 gears,tokico springs @ shocks,18'' enkei wheels. It was a rare anniversary car.Very nice set up and the car was plenty quick for the era.When my daughter was born,It broke my heart to sell ths vert back in '06 as I bought it new and sold it with only 13k on it.The new edge cars are real nice.

 

[old_blue]

I love the new edge mustangs. So much so I bought a 03 mach 1 when I was looking for another GT. I had a 01 Gt years ago and got rid of it to get into another fox when I should have just kept it. It was a nice car. The mach 1 is an attention getter and fairly fast. Both the new edges were faster than either of my foxes but the fox always has a soft spot in my heart. When I think about getting rid of it again I just take it for a spin and the attraction is renewed.

Either one of these cars is going to have issues as the last new edge is 11 years old. The 5.0s obviously older and either V8 will have been probably been beat on from time to time or have a ton of miles. Just keep looking for one that has been taken care of and at a decent price is all you can really do.

 

[revhead347]

You really can't go wrong either way. The 4.6 actually gets peak torque down lower due to the longer stroke.

Kurt

 

[FastDriver]

Whatever gave you that idea, Kurt? 5.0s made peak torque at 3200-3300 rpm.