I know this is not bike related by we all love power.

My Ranger has the 3.0 Vulcan V6 in it right now. After it is paid off, of course, I was thinking about dropping in a V8. My question is to go with the modular 4.6 SVT Cobra motor or get a '96 Explorer 5.0 motor w/ trans? I have the resources to do the swap since it requires welding new motor mounts. The 4.6 will be mated with a C5 (if it is auto).

I like the idea of the 4.6 better bc it is not as common as the 5.0 swap. What is your guys opinions?

EDIT: My Ranger is a 05 2wd non lifted by the way.

 

I say buy a Black 89 5.0 GT - and drop an LS1 motor in it.

 

I just need the motor and trans for my Ranger. Which route should I go?

 

Well the 5.0 engine is easy to work on (I've owned two 5.0's in my day) and after market parts are cheap and plentiful. There is large aftermarket support for the 5.0 platform.
Its a reliable, strong power source. If you plan on getting real extreme i'd probably say this is the way to go.

If you want something just right out the box i'd probably vote for the 4.6 SVT. Your standard "out the box" motor will make more HP numbers.

You'll have to check these and make sure we're talking the same engine, but the 96 explorer motor had the GT40p heads and makes around 215 Horsepower.
Granted with a few extra part (you can get upper lower intake / cams / manifold kits pretty cheap - read couple grand) these motors can be beasts.

The 4.6 naturally aspirated mod motor made 305 HP and then 320 in the newer cobras (99+).

FYI there is also a 5.4L Mod Motor that makes 385 HP and is pretty beefy.

 

Also the corral.net is a great mustang site that you might want to post up on. There is a section for conversions and hybrids that you could find a lot of great information.

 

I am over on therangerstation.com and there is a bunch of info there. Trucks!, the tv show, has a project called Rolling Thunder. It is a B series Mazda, still a RBV, and they are installing the 4.6 out of a Mercury Meruader.

You are right though. The 96 Exploder has GT40P heads. I might go with Exploder options just because it has been done a lot. Even though the SVT motor would be sick.

 

for something like this Id say go for the 5.0 engine simplicity is best.. or if you like the newer fuel injection, and dont mind tuning it out and swaping wiring harnesses, go for the 4.6.. Alot of people think that 4.6L modular engines are expensive to build but that isnt the case, a two valve engine can support up to 500-600HP and will be as cheap or cheaper in most cases than building a 5.0 to the same caliber. However if you do go with the 5.0, even if it is out of a explorer make sure you get a mustang wireing harness and computer if you are going to keep it fuel injection so you can swap the ignition system over to a distributor type ignition rather than distributor-less. 5.0s are plentyful and the gt40p head has decent capability but you can do more and be more original with the 4.6L and the 4.6 is my vote.

 

Check out some of the kits for the 5.0 - such as Trick Flow twisted wedge series for example.

Browsing Summit racing for both engine types might be a good idea to get a rough outline for your budget.

 

The 5.0 you can more or less just drop in, I think you might have to mod the heater box or something like that. You can buy kits at www.jamesduff.com
Also check out www.therangerstation.com and www.rangerpowersports.com they both have tones of info.

 

ide say go 4.6 lol but then ur lookin at like 1200 bucks for a set of cams