Which Mustang GT???
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 34
Which Mustang GT???
Whats goin on, I'm a young Marine looking to buy his first Mustang GT, I've done an little research, but am having trouble deciding which GT to buy. I'd like to know, which Mustang will give me more bang for my buck. I'm looking at 1989-1992, and 1998 Mustangs, my favorite is the hatchback style. The 98' has some good looks too. But I'm not interested in the 215hp GT. I guess I just want to know if the push rod 5.0 225hp GT would be easier to modify or the 4.6 225hp ohc, vica versa. Any info on which one which engivne type would be easier to work on and buy after market parts for and which engine could have more potential. All and all, I'm looking to put about 400-450hp, possibly more on my future stang. Thank you for any help given.
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 970
From: NewYork
RE: Which Mustang GT???
5.0 is the way to go
My brother has a 98 auto in my sig aganist my 89 5.0 stock vs stock i found my fox to be louder and quicker now hes got some mods its a different story.All the info i read is that foxbodys react better to mods then 4.6's and the 5.0 mods are a little bit cheaper
My brother has a 98 auto in my sig aganist my 89 5.0 stock vs stock i found my fox to be louder and quicker now hes got some mods its a different story.All the info i read is that foxbodys react better to mods then 4.6's and the 5.0 mods are a little bit cheaper
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 309
RE: Which Mustang GT???
You are going to get opinions from everyone. I'd consider everything you hear, but I will predict that the majority of people of this or any other forum will tell you "You want to buy the [kind of Mustang i have]" --pepole tend to be pretty loyal to their own car.
Owning neither 5.0 or 4.6 now, but having done a lot of work on both, I'll weigh in as having a fairly objective view here, by saying that the most important thing is to buy a car that REALLY turns you on. Don't be too worried about the motor: its the styling, options, color and so forth you will see every day and that just have to click if you are to really love the car.
As for the two motors, I strongly prefer the 5.0 for several reasons. First, I like pushrood engines because they have several advantages for hot rodding: they are simple, they have only one cam to modify, they have a lower center of gravity than an OHC (and are often lighter), they have simpler (and thus cheaper to modify) heads. Finally, I hate to give up cubic inches, and .4 liters (roughly 25 cubes) makes a difference in torque.
Finally, the 5.0 is cheaper to mod and there are more options, at less price, available for it. But either one can be enjoyeable and fun, which is what it is all about anyway . . .
Owning neither 5.0 or 4.6 now, but having done a lot of work on both, I'll weigh in as having a fairly objective view here, by saying that the most important thing is to buy a car that REALLY turns you on. Don't be too worried about the motor: its the styling, options, color and so forth you will see every day and that just have to click if you are to really love the car.
As for the two motors, I strongly prefer the 5.0 for several reasons. First, I like pushrood engines because they have several advantages for hot rodding: they are simple, they have only one cam to modify, they have a lower center of gravity than an OHC (and are often lighter), they have simpler (and thus cheaper to modify) heads. Finally, I hate to give up cubic inches, and .4 liters (roughly 25 cubes) makes a difference in torque.
Finally, the 5.0 is cheaper to mod and there are more options, at less price, available for it. But either one can be enjoyeable and fun, which is what it is all about anyway . . .
EXTREME Moderation
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,895
From: BLAM-O
RE: Which Mustang GT???
it really dpends what you want from your car. if you are gonna mod it, go with the 5.0, it will cost half as much to reach your target HP. also, buy a 92 or older 5.0 (forged internals).
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 65
From:
RE: Which Mustang GT???
i'd say people post it and people respond. not everyone is as bright as the moderators.
to answer the question, 5.0 or 4.6. It really doesn't matter. really. fox vs sn95 or something whatever. Get what you like. I like 5.0. But that's what I have. That's what I wanted. I have both fox and sn95. Obviously both 5.0. but... i have found that 4.6 can make power! don't worry about whether you think one can make more than the other. 4.6 can make the power you are wanting, so, don't worry. I like the 94 - 98 style for body mods better than the fox. That might be a factor. If you are JUST looking for power and could careless about the body style... you might want t othink about that.
IT REALLY doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is what YOU want. period. either one will give you what you are looking for.
to answer the question, 5.0 or 4.6. It really doesn't matter. really. fox vs sn95 or something whatever. Get what you like. I like 5.0. But that's what I have. That's what I wanted. I have both fox and sn95. Obviously both 5.0. but... i have found that 4.6 can make power! don't worry about whether you think one can make more than the other. 4.6 can make the power you are wanting, so, don't worry. I like the 94 - 98 style for body mods better than the fox. That might be a factor. If you are JUST looking for power and could careless about the body style... you might want t othink about that.
IT REALLY doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is what YOU want. period. either one will give you what you are looking for.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,020
From:
RE: Which Mustang GT???
Just like anything else in life, both directions give you advantages and disadvantages. One big advantage in going the 5.0 route, is parts are cheaper. You can get more hp with less $ with the 5.0. One thing to consider is your hp goal. You want 400-450 hp. The bottom line is that you'll need a poweradder of some sort to get you there. It could possibly be done without a poweradder, but it would be harder and trickier. One thing about the 4.6 modular motor is it accepts boost much better than the 5.0 motor. What I'm driving at, is it's easier to get 450 hp out of a 4.6 motor (with less boost) than a 5.0 motor. My honest opinion is that if you want 400-450 hp, you should go with the 4.6. If you were wanting, say, around 300-350 hp, I would say go the 5.0 route. I'm not saying you can't get to 450 hp with the 5.0, I'm just saying it will be easier to get there with the 4.6. Basicly, with the 4.6, all you need to do is throw a blower on it, and you're at your goal (or very close). With the 5.0, you would need to do several internal upgrades on top of a poweradder to get you there. The 5.0 would be more of a long term project, while the 4.6 would be a weekend project.
Retired MF Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,156
From: I live in Canada, eh
RE: Which Mustang GT???
ORIGINAL: Birdieman4
Just like anything else in life, both directions give you advantages and disadvantages. One big advantage in going the 5.0 route, is parts are cheaper. You can get more hp with less $ with the 5.0. One thing to consider is your hp goal. You want 400-450 hp. The bottom line is that you'll need a poweradder of some sort to get you there. It could possibly be done without a poweradder, but it would be harder and trickier. One thing about the 4.6 modular motor is it accepts boost much better than the 5.0 motor. What I'm driving at, is it's easier to get 450 hp out of a 4.6 motor (with less boost) than a 5.0 motor. My honest opinion is that if you want 400-450 hp, you should go with the 4.6. If you were wanting, say, around 300-350 hp, I would say go the 5.0 route. I'm not saying you can't get to 450 hp with the 5.0, I'm just saying it will be easier to get there with the 4.6. Basicly, with the 4.6, all you need to do is throw a blower on it, and you're at your goal (or very close). With the 5.0, you would need to do several internal upgrades on top of a poweradder to get you there. The 5.0 would be more of a long term project, while the 4.6 would be a weekend project.
Just like anything else in life, both directions give you advantages and disadvantages. One big advantage in going the 5.0 route, is parts are cheaper. You can get more hp with less $ with the 5.0. One thing to consider is your hp goal. You want 400-450 hp. The bottom line is that you'll need a poweradder of some sort to get you there. It could possibly be done without a poweradder, but it would be harder and trickier. One thing about the 4.6 modular motor is it accepts boost much better than the 5.0 motor. What I'm driving at, is it's easier to get 450 hp out of a 4.6 motor (with less boost) than a 5.0 motor. My honest opinion is that if you want 400-450 hp, you should go with the 4.6. If you were wanting, say, around 300-350 hp, I would say go the 5.0 route. I'm not saying you can't get to 450 hp with the 5.0, I'm just saying it will be easier to get there with the 4.6. Basicly, with the 4.6, all you need to do is throw a blower on it, and you're at your goal (or very close). With the 5.0, you would need to do several internal upgrades on top of a poweradder to get you there. The 5.0 would be more of a long term project, while the 4.6 would be a weekend project.
3rd Gear Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 560
From:
RE: Which Mustang GT???
One big thing to think about, do you love Vanilla Ice?? Of course, everybody does.... Remember the lyric to his famous "Ice Ice Baby"..... "ROLLIN', IN MY 5.0, put my ragtop down so my hair can blow". Yeah, thats right, 5.0. Need I say more. Rolln', in my 4.6 just doesnt do it.
Of course Im just kidding, I have a 95 gt vert (5.0) and love it. To be honest though, go for which year you like better. Any mod will make either engine work miracles......
Of course Im just kidding, I have a 95 gt vert (5.0) and love it. To be honest though, go for which year you like better. Any mod will make either engine work miracles......
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 202
From:
RE: Which Mustang GT???
ORIGINAL: Steeda1716
5.0 is the way to go
My brother has a 98 auto in my sig aganist my 89 5.0 stock vs stock i found my fox to be louder and quicker now hes got some mods its a different story.All the info i read is that foxbodys react better to mods then 4.6's and the 5.0 mods are a little bit cheaper
5.0 is the way to go
My brother has a 98 auto in my sig aganist my 89 5.0 stock vs stock i found my fox to be louder and quicker now hes got some mods its a different story.All the info i read is that foxbodys react better to mods then 4.6's and the 5.0 mods are a little bit cheaper
All very true statements and 5.0s are easier to work on. If his brother doesnt have 4.10 gears and a good torque converter by now shame on him
I would go ahead and take the plunge and get a Cobra around a 96 to 98. It's a much better platform to build around and your goal would come alot easier. I have seen very nice ones for under 10 grand which is what about 250 a month??-Shane