ideal_mustangs

Just wondering why ford still uses the 4.0 with such low power in the Mustang? The taurus and fusion both have more power and smaller engines. Is there a reason for this that I am missing?

83gtragtop

COST

4.0L costs alot less to produce the Duratec 35 and Duratec 37.

scg87

As already said, mainly cost. But also, w/ an engine change, comes other changes as well. Transmission, suspension, and other driveline components. And be thankful they put the 4.0 in the base Stang, otherwise there'd be no aftermarket support for them.

ideal_mustangs

Well, that makes sense I guess. It just seems very odd to me that an engine that is .5 liter bigger makes about 50 less HP.

ThisBlood147

I'm sure we can expect a powertrain upgrade for the base Mustang in the next couple of years. Just have to deal with the 4.0 for now. Of course, alot of 4.0 modders haven't really been complaining all that much.

Dwisforme05

i like my 4.0...

aode08

Ill answer that question real fast,

the other V-6 engines they have cant take the abuse of the 4.0.

The 4.0 was specifically built for the MUSTANG CROWD, and take up to 450 HP under boost with no problems all stock.

scg87

Not true at all. Because-

A) The 4.0 V6 predates the S197 Mustang by several years and was employed for use by the Ranger and Explorer for quite some time.

B) There is no way the upcoming EcoBoost engine being a ground-up, clean-sheet engine designed specifically for FI won't be a more robust efficient engine than the 4.0.

C) Calling out in advance your rebuttal for the EcoBoost since it's not in production yet, you're still wrong. The 3.5 Duratec is a very strong engine capable of holding greater loads than the 4.0. Not to mention it is a much more efficient, powerful engine right from the factory.

D) How many people are boosting their 4.0's? Nowhere near as many people as there are leaving them 100% stock. The V6 Mustang is the money maker of the lineup, and one of the main ones in all of Ford. There is absolutely no excuse why they couldn't offer a more modern, powerful OHC engine in the base model. Seeing as in how competition is getting stronger w/ each model year, it would only stand to reason that Ford should offer better performance w/ the entry-level Stang. Otherwise, they're going to be losing a lot of sales to Hyundai (Genesis Coupe), Chevy (Camaro), Nissan (Altima Coupe), etc in the process.

ThisBlood147

Well, like the current 3V 4.6....I'm sure the 4.0 will be getting a replacement fairly soon. It's just keeping a temporary stay for 2010 at least until the new drivetrain fitments for the S197s are ready. Hopefully 2011....if not: 2012 for sure. I can see the NA 3.5 or 3.7 taking up duty as the base model motor, with the TT ecoboost trim replacing the performance/price slot of the current GT. If that happens, then I could definitely see Ford manning up the GT to a 4V 5.0....even if it means a price hike (which it certainly will).

mikemc04gt

Cheap, readily available and uses existing tooling. I actually like the 4.0 in the wife's Stang. It makes decent torque and still gets 28 mpg highway. I believe Ford fixed the timing chain bugs in the first SOHC's so its a fairly reliable motor now.