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Unit 5302 · 02-21-2001, 10:10 AM

The 4.6L is larger, externally, smaller internally.

The 5.0 is the least expensive way to go, no matter what you want out of the car. It's not as refined as the 4.6, it's more of a brute. Still the SN95 stangs got away from a lot of the brutish type feel in my 87 hatch. They have a huge aftermarket, everything under the sun can be put on them much cheaper than the 4.6's. They've been around now for over 30 years, the basic block has been around for over 35. The 5.0 is solid, reliable, quick, and easy to mod. They can make anywhere from the stock rating of 205-240 to 350hp+ in N/A form and still be reliable daily drivers.

The 1st gen 4.6L's are dogs. They have crappy cams, and crappy heads. They meet emissions really well though. Even though some people may lable them "rev happy" they are not. They do not support high rpm power stock, and they fall off well before redline (somewhat like the 5.0). They are more expensive and difficult to mod along with lacking the freebie technique of bumping timing. They are smoother, they respond well to forced induction, and they have solid blocks.

The 2nd gen 4.6L's are very quick. A totally different world from the 1st gens. You can run 13's for a couple hundred bucks, instead of a couple thousand for the 1st gen cars (barring N20). They take to forced induction very well and have a better reputation for revving like you'd expect an OHC motor to do.

The 1st and 2nd gen 4.6L DOHC motors are sweet. They are built strong, they rev with authority, and they have lots of power. With the addition of gears and drag radials you can pull low 13's with them. The 2nd gen's 99,01 are equipped with IRS out back, not so good for high power apps, but they make a little more 320hp vs 300hp stock. These motors are psychotic when under boost. A good supercharger and you can be running 11's on pump gas all day long. The 96-98 Cobra's IMHO are the best way to make a fast reliable car. I don't trust the high power applications on the new IRS.

My advice, decide what you want the car for, then test drive all the models you are interested in and pick your favorite. The differences in the feel of the cars cannot be put into text.

[This message has been edited by Unit 5302 (edited 02-21-2001).]

02-21-2001, 10:10 AM	#5
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	The 4.6L is larger, externally, smaller internally. The 5.0 is the least expensive way to go, no matter what you want out of the car. It's not as refined as the 4.6, it's more of a brute. Still the SN95 stangs got away from a lot of the brutish type feel in my 87 hatch. They have a huge aftermarket, everything under the sun can be put on them much cheaper than the 4.6's. They've been around now for over 30 years, the basic block has been around for over 35. The 5.0 is solid, reliable, quick, and easy to mod. They can make anywhere from the stock rating of 205-240 to 350hp+ in N/A form and still be reliable daily drivers. The 1st gen 4.6L's are dogs. They have crappy cams, and crappy heads. They meet emissions really well though. Even though some people may lable them "rev happy" they are not. They do not support high rpm power stock, and they fall off well before redline (somewhat like the 5.0). They are more expensive and difficult to mod along with lacking the freebie technique of bumping timing. They are smoother, they respond well to forced induction, and they have solid blocks. The 2nd gen 4.6L's are very quick. A totally different world from the 1st gens. You can run 13's for a couple hundred bucks, instead of a couple thousand for the 1st gen cars (barring N20). They take to forced induction very well and have a better reputation for revving like you'd expect an OHC motor to do. The 1st and 2nd gen 4.6L DOHC motors are sweet. They are built strong, they rev with authority, and they have lots of power. With the addition of gears and drag radials you can pull low 13's with them. The 2nd gen's 99,01 are equipped with IRS out back, not so good for high power apps, but they make a little more 320hp vs 300hp stock. These motors are psychotic when under boost. A good supercharger and you can be running 11's on pump gas all day long. The 96-98 Cobra's IMHO are the best way to make a fast reliable car. I don't trust the high power applications on the new IRS. My advice, decide what you want the car for, then test drive all the models you are interested in and pick your favorite. The differences in the feel of the cars cannot be put into text. [This message has been edited by Unit 5302 (edited 02-21-2001).]