4.6 vs 5.0, which to buy??
5th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,305
From: west chester
RE: 4.6 vs 5.0, which to buy??
the 5.slow is the way to go, only b/c u can get a 5.0 fox for 3500 dollars make it run low 12's for the same price as a stock ls1 or pi gt. the only new edge i would ever get is of course the 03 cobra.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16
From:
RE: 4.6 vs 5.0, which to buy??
ORIGINAL: P Zero
The 5.0L engine is WAY easier to mod SUPER cheap compared to the 4.6 PI or non. Relatively speaking the 5.0 engine has TONS of aftermarket parts available. The 4.6, not so much and the ones that are out there are SUPER expensive.
You could fairly easily build a low 13 high 12 sec car for around 2k using the 302 (5.0L). Good luck with the 4.6 unless youve got a 03/04 cobra. But then youre paying LOTS more for the car.
And if you were so inclined to use a carbuerator, you could build that same 12 second car for around $1500/$1600. And thats if you went with some fancy aluminum completely assembled aftermarket heads. If you use GT40 heads or c9/d0 itll be even cheaper.
-P.
The 5.0L engine is WAY easier to mod SUPER cheap compared to the 4.6 PI or non. Relatively speaking the 5.0 engine has TONS of aftermarket parts available. The 4.6, not so much and the ones that are out there are SUPER expensive.
You could fairly easily build a low 13 high 12 sec car for around 2k using the 302 (5.0L). Good luck with the 4.6 unless youve got a 03/04 cobra. But then youre paying LOTS more for the car.
And if you were so inclined to use a carbuerator, you could build that same 12 second car for around $1500/$1600. And thats if you went with some fancy aluminum completely assembled aftermarket heads. If you use GT40 heads or c9/d0 itll be even cheaper.
-P.
1st Gear Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 69
From: Michigan
RE: 4.6 vs 5.0, which to buy??
The bottom line is this. If you are looking for performance and to mod the car the 5.0 is going to be a LOT cheaper to mod and you really can make it scream for half what you would have into a modular car. Litterally anything you want to do to a 4.6 is going to cost you twice what it costs for a 5.0. Shoot, just buy one and supercharge it. You will blow by 05-08s all day long. You will have $2500-3500 into it but a modular starts around $5k.
If you want more style the newer cars look better. IMHO I have had both. I have actually owned several mustangs. My favorite is still my 89 GT. I do like the 94-95 change, but the look also needs some sprucing up - I agree. I would put my 89 up against a NA modded 2V or 3V any day. True I had around $5k into performance mods, BUT I did beat mid to late 90s vets and cobras with it all day long. I put on cast iron mildly ported GT-40 heads, changed the cam, added a matched edelbrok intake, fuel pump, injectors, throttle body, headers, exhaust, roller rockers, ignition etc. A complete Edelbrock setup rocks - everything is matched sort of pricey though. Weak part will be the lower end of the motor though. Really need a better crank to pound on it all day long.
The big question will be how many miles are on the car. If you get a high mileage car and start moding it things are going to break in a hurry. Just keep that in mind... I don't know what your budget is like but a low milage 99-00 might be the best way to go if you want something that is going to run good and you are not going to have to stick a lot of money into right away. My only complaint is the interior and peripherals quality is crap on the 95 and up cars. Leather on them is cheap stuff and will wear and tear no matter what you do. I replaced my leather on my 01.
Good luck.
If you want more style the newer cars look better. IMHO I have had both. I have actually owned several mustangs. My favorite is still my 89 GT. I do like the 94-95 change, but the look also needs some sprucing up - I agree. I would put my 89 up against a NA modded 2V or 3V any day. True I had around $5k into performance mods, BUT I did beat mid to late 90s vets and cobras with it all day long. I put on cast iron mildly ported GT-40 heads, changed the cam, added a matched edelbrok intake, fuel pump, injectors, throttle body, headers, exhaust, roller rockers, ignition etc. A complete Edelbrock setup rocks - everything is matched sort of pricey though. Weak part will be the lower end of the motor though. Really need a better crank to pound on it all day long.
The big question will be how many miles are on the car. If you get a high mileage car and start moding it things are going to break in a hurry. Just keep that in mind... I don't know what your budget is like but a low milage 99-00 might be the best way to go if you want something that is going to run good and you are not going to have to stick a lot of money into right away. My only complaint is the interior and peripherals quality is crap on the 95 and up cars. Leather on them is cheap stuff and will wear and tear no matter what you do. I replaced my leather on my 01.
Good luck.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,551
From: Texas
RE: 4.6 vs 5.0, which to buy??
buy a 4.6 for a dd
go 5.0 for fun. cheaper, easier to work on. (i have little mechanical knoledge, i completly redid my interior, and moved the battery to the rear, did all kinds of stuff with the motor.. redid the entire break system ,all no sweat. this was on my old 85. iv since sold it)
go 5.0 for fun. cheaper, easier to work on. (i have little mechanical knoledge, i completly redid my interior, and moved the battery to the rear, did all kinds of stuff with the motor.. redid the entire break system ,all no sweat. this was on my old 85. iv since sold it)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MustangForums Editor
4.6L (1996-2004 Modular) Mustang
4
May 9, 2024 05:51 AM
