[95GTS]

High 15s in a stock Fox vs low to flat 15s in a 4.6 96-98? I think not. If someone is running high 15s in a stock Fox, even a GT, then they need to learn to drive or they are at high altitudes. Even on street tires they'll be in the high 14s all day. A stock 4.6 SOHC 96-98 is a mid 15 sec car on street tires. Sure you may be able to find a freak 96-98 that had a great track and every thing fell into place that day to run low to flat 15s. Then again I know you can find the same for stock 5.0s running high 13s.

The power band is one big difference between the 5.0 and the 4.6. The 5.0 reaches it's power band sooner than the 4.6 which gives it an edge. The 4.6 has to go higher in the rpm's to get it's power. The 5.0 has a bit more torque, too, which makes a difference. Throw the "Correct" rear gear ratio in each to help get them into the correct part of the power band and then they become more equal. As for parts the 5.0 aftermarket is SOOOO much more and much cheaper parts over the 4.6 whether aftermarket or factory. And the comment about 80K on a 5.0. The only way that comment is even remotely accurate is if the car has had the heck fire ragged out of it. It's all in how you take care of the motor/car. The Windsor motors are very strong and proven and 80K on one is nothing. I had about 150K on my 87 GT (stock) and had only had to replace the water pump. I had almost 140K on my 351 Lightning and had replaced not one part. Another 302 with over 160K on it. My 96 blew the upper intake at 40K. After that it had a miss that could never be found. The heads were a joke. Had to have the tranny rebuilt at 32K (babied it, too) and it was never the same and always had something wrong. The 96-98 has 4-5 RECALLS for them that I know of. Maybe even more but I don't know. I've seen alot of other people with problems with their 96-98s (more so the 96-97s).

Maintenance and care is the key to any vehicle lasting to any point. Now I'm not saying the 4.6 can't do the same. Take care of it, fix it when it breaks, and it'll last a long time as well. With your 01 Ford already has the bugs worked out of it that plagues the 96-98 SOHC. But that's to be expected of new model years for the most part.

Everyone has got their own opinion and tastes. But the comment about the 5.0 pushrod techonology requiring "other things" at that mileage is bogus. Maintenance is all it needs just like the 4.6. Yes there are some lemons out there but that's the extreme minority.

As for the magazine articles. One can never go by what they print. Most of them couldn't drive correctly to save their own life. Most magazines like C&D and R&T are not accurate when compared to real life.