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Mustang: pre 95 5.0L vs post 95 4.6L, how do they compare?

The 5.0 will spank the 4.6 in almost all categories and has a lot more parts available for upgrading. I have a friend that just spent over $4K on a Cobra 4 Valve 4.6 for his '96 just to go low 13's. For about the same money you can get a 5.0 into the 12's easily if you have a good plan.
 


<< How does the 5.0L V8 in <1995 compares to >1995 4.6L V8 on paper and in real life? >>



Even though I would avoid Ford at all costs, if I had to I would go with the 5.0 just because of the good aftermarket support for it.
 
The 94 mustang cobra svt only had 240 hp where the 95 R had 300 and the new 96 4.6L cobra had 305.
The new engine has more torque and more hp.

The 95 cobra

Base Number of Cylinders: 8
Base Engine Size: 5 liters
Base Engine Type: V8
Horsepower: 240 hp @ 4800 rpm
Torque: 285 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm
Turning Circle: 38.3 ft.
Drive Type: RWD

the 96 cobra
Base Number of Cylinders: 8
Base Engine Size: 4.6 liters
Base Engine Type: V8
Horsepower: 305 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque: 300 ft-lbs. @ 4800 rpm
Turning Circle: ft.
Drive Type: RWD
 
I had an old 76 mustang cobra 2 as my first car it had a 302 in it, ran ok but didn't last long. I know this isn't on discussion but figured i would throw it in. 🙂
 


<< I never understood why they even went to the 4.6..... >>




I kinda assumed newer Mustang engine was engineered to equal or outperform 5.0 through factory ricefication.
 


<< wasn't it actually a 4.9 liter? >>


I believe you're right PlatinumGold, they had 302's in them which = 4.9. A true 5.0 would be = to 305. If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me.
 


<<

<< wasn't it actually a 4.9 liter? >>


I believe you're right PlatinumGold, they had 302's in them which = 4.9. A true 5.0 would be = to 305. If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me.
>>




302 is 4949cc displ.

A true 5000cc displ. would be 305.12cid.


PS: What motivated the Detroit big three to use liters displ. over cid on their spec?
 
61.023 cubic inches/litre (if you care this number come from 1000cc/L divided by 2.54*2.54*2.54cc/ci, so total of 1000/2.54^3 ci/litre (2.54cm = 1in)).

302ci = 4.949 litres.
305ci = 4.998 litres.


Anyways, stock vs stock, the 4.6 is a better engine.

But you can do much much more with the 5.0 due to the huge aftermarket.
 
Well, then s/n95 Mustang platforms have come along ways. The original 302 (5.0) still has no equal in the domestic aftermarket community - it was simply a easy and great engine to mod out. The current 4.6L is starting to come around and aftermarket is rapidly growing for it. The past 4.6L (think 95-97) sucked ass as it took a lot of work to get those things rolling.
 


<< Anyways, stock vs stock, the 4.6 is a better engine. >>



The validity of this statement really depends upon which years you compare to which and what chriteria you find most important. The 4.6 is merely a more techinilogically advanced engine not necessarily a better one. A 5.0 gets roughly the same gas mileage as a 4.6 yet yeilds no real HP to the early ones. The recent versions of the 4.6 are much better that a stock 5.0 but once you decide to start making upgrades the 5.0 is a much better choice.
 
<< post 95 would include the up and coming 390hp 4.6 v8... soooooooooooo 2003 4.6 > 5.0 >>

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the 4.6L making 390hp/390 lb-ft is going to be a supercharged engine in the mustang cobra.

But after spending about 6000 bucks (car + supercharger + beefed up 5spd + other mods), my friend is running 12.7, and it will probably get better once he works out some quirks with the supercharger. Freaking awesome car.
 


<< << post 95 would include the up and coming 390hp 4.6 v8... soooooooooooo 2003 4.6 > 5.0 >>

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the 4.6L making 390hp/390 lb-ft is going to be a supercharged engine in the mustang cobra.

But after spending about 6000 bucks (car + supercharger + beefed up 5spd + other mods), my friend is running 12.7, and it will probably get better once he works out some quirks with the supercharger. Freaking awesome car.
>>



and that 390 hp is coming with a $35,000 price tag.
 
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