2.9L upgrades vs V8 swap?

[mountainranger88]

I'm wondering if anyone has any insight on the pros and cons of either doing upgrades to the V6 or doing a V8 swap? If I did some extensive upgrades to the V6 including heads, header, cam, upper and lower intake port matching, 19lb injectors and ignition upgrades and so on would I get approximately the same performance as a stock 5.0L swap?

 

[Hibs]

i would guess it would be way cheaper and easier to just do a 5.0L swap. A fully modded 2.9 and you've got what, MAYBE 250hp? A stock 5.0 is almost that, and parts for a 5.0 are all over the place almost as cheap as SBC parts.

 

[holyford86]

getting more power out of a 2.9 is difficult at best. The 2.9 performs very well for what it is, it makes 140 hp and 170# torque, thats pretty good for a 177ci engine. I would say about 200 hp is about the best you're going to get out of one and that may even be a stretch. Any mods you do for power are going to hurt your low end torque, making it pretty well worthless as a truck engine. It would be cheaper to swap in a 4.0 or 5.0.

 

[mountainranger88]

OK both of you confirm what I was thinking. As far as the 5.0 swap two questions. Should I look for a 5.0 out of a truck/Bronco or car, would there be more torque in the truck engines? And the other question I have is how difficult is the wiring swap with the V8, as far as being a shadetree mechanic, I'm competent and the wiring is the only thing that worries me and I want the fuel injection over putting in a carb motor. Thanks guys

 

[UnderMedikated]

Go for the 5.0. The American version of the 2.9 is an engineering embarrasment. I have one, I know. I'm not picking on the 2.9 but just stating the facts. Also, 140 HP from a six? Maybe it was good power in 1975 but not today. Today nearly every small 4 cylinder makes 140HP including Fords and many much more. To make my story short go for the 5.0 if you really need all that power and are willing to spend the time and money to get it.