3.0 to 4.0 or to 5.0?

[Ranger850]

So my 3.0 is toast and will have to be replaced. I would love a V8 conversion. The problem is access to one. In the search for my Donor V8, I keep finding really decent Expos with the 4.0. So how much power gain will I get in the 4.0 vs the 5.0.

 

[fastpakr]

I wouldn't touch an OHC 4.0 as a swap. It's a more complicated engine than the 3.0 or 5.0, with the cam chains on the back. Tons of trouble with the early engines re timing chain tensioners. Any future timing chain work requires an engine pull. If you're going to do this, go all the way to the 5.0.

 

[Craig0320]

I have been driving my 98 5.0 4x4 swap for around six months now. I went from a 4.0. The 5.0 is hands down more fun to drive. I barely have to get on it to get to speed. Usually auto trans is shifting out around 1900 rpms in normal traffic to get me where I am going. I get around 19hwy/18city. I will be purchasing some tmh headers next month for some fuel and power increase. Only problem is getting the tires to bite in the rain. But I manage it. My truck was perfect donor. 98 4x4 torsion suspension, 8.8 3.73 ls rear end automatic

 

[Will]

Everything has all those chains now. I wouldn't be afraid of it. In fact, it's a simple engine by modern standards--only one camshaft per head and no variable valve train.

A pushrod 4.0 isn't more powerful than the 3.0 you are replacing. It was built as a truck engine with no concession to advertising horsepower numbers. The heads don't breathe and it doesn't like to pull much past 3,500rpm.

The 5.0 is an easy choice and has been done a bunch. Doesn't interest me much.

Not many Cammer 4.0s have been swapped into earlier trucks. I would think at this stage all of the bad SOHC 4.0s with the crumbly chain guides are long gone. I've had one of those engines apart and I really like them. They are basically the same 4.0, but with exotic free-breathing heads. Getting rid of those enormous cam followers not only lets them rev without floating the valvetrain, but getting the pushrods out of the way lets the intake ports take on a nice shape and straight shot. I think the SOHC 4.0 could be built far past the 210-220hp the factory rated them at. Even stock, they are a huge jump over the 155-160hp pushrod 4.0 and give up almost nothing on the bottom end. They already have a great set of heads. I don't see why you couldn't get 300hp out of one.

And there are a billion of them out there as they were built up until 2012. The last 5.0 was built around 2000.

 

[fastpakr]

Will, I'd agree with you if there weren't Explorer owners getting on the forums over at EF nearly ever single day posting new cam chain issues. The issues weren't supposedly resolved until 2005, and even the ones produced after that or using the new parts produced after that continue to be plagued with issues.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Drop in a 302 and never look back.

Youre still looking at a diff trans, motor mounts, and electrical going from a 3.0 to a 4.0 (either pushrod or OHC), the 5.0L has more power outta the box, and way more aftermarket when you get bored with it in stock tune.

If dead nuts reliabilty is youre goal, go with another 3.0.

 

[Ranger850]

the problem with 5.o swap is availability. A couple of T-birds with the 5.o are around. How hard would that be. Could I get that engine to work with the wiring harness of an expo, or would I have to use something like "Painless Wiring.Com" or Rock Auto to get an expo wiring harness. I would think the t-bird V8 has a little more hp. but I'm no expert, that's why I'm here.

 

[fastpakr]

The Explorer option is by far the simplest swap. The Thunderbird 5.0 also produced slightly less power.

https://tallahassee.craigslist.org/cto/d/2000-ford-explorer-eddie-bauer/6575208869.html
https://panamacity.craigslist.org/cto/d/ford-explorer-for-sale/6588032623.html

 

[RonD]

IMO, put in fresh or used 3.0l, drive it or sell it

Buy factory 4.0l Ranger, OR already built 5.0l Ranger

There is "no replacement for displacement", so there is no reason to replace a 3.0l with a 4.0l when the work to do the swap is exactly the same for a 5.0l.
Engine, trans, computer and wiring harness, plus exhaust and various bits and pieces that do add up

If you "love" your 2001 Ranger then reasoning is out the door, as it should be, love is blind, ignore the above and do the swap you want, but I would lean towards the 5.0l

 

[Craig0320]

The 5.0 is made to fit the explorer engine bay. Ford has done all the fab work for you. The explorer 5.0 has custom brackets and accessory mounts to shorten up the front of the engine. The ranger has the same engine bay. Thus the ease of fitment.I bought a torsion bar expo and everything dropped in with very minimal issues in my torsion ranger. F-150s, mustangs, thunderbirds are more work because they are longer in the front. The oil pan, power steering cooler, all need to be addressed. I only had to swap the driver side motor mount when I installed my package along with radiator and couple of minor wiring issues(and I mean minor). You would really feel the difference going from 3.0 to 5.0. Your truck has type E pats which can be programmed out of the pcm with a tuner. All 99-01 expos are type b pats.

Here is a link to my build thread.
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174669


Also listen to Fastpakr's advice. He is currently doing a 5.0 swap. I do not know if he has updated his thread.

 

[fastpakr]

I can't remember - do I even have a swap thread?

In any case, mine is all but finished. Got the collector bolted to the manifolds on Tuesday. It's all little stuff like putting in the radiator and hoses, trans crossmember, etc at this point. The good news is that I have the weekend free to get the work done. The bad is that the weather looks like near constant rain and it's in the driveway. With a little luck I'll get it thrown together, but no guarantees.

 

[Craig0320]

I can't remember - do I even have a swap thread?

In any case, mine is all but finished. Got the collector bolted to the manifolds on Tuesday. It's all little stuff like putting in the radiator and hoses, trans crossmember, etc at this point. The good news is that I have the weekend free to get the work done. The bad is that the weather looks like near constant rain and it's in the driveway. With a little luck I'll get it thrown together, but no guarantees.

I could not remember if you did or not. Plus I was to lazy to search for it
We have a friggin tropical storm heading our way this weekend. 5-8" of rain explected. Plus we have already gotten 3 inches this week just because that's normal.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

IMO, put in fresh or used 3.0l, drive it or sell it

Buy factory 4.0l Ranger, OR already built 5.0l Ranger

There is "no replacement for displacement", so there is no reason to replace a 3.0l with a 4.0l when the work to do the swap is exactly the same for a 5.0l.
Engine, trans, computer and wiring harness, plus exhaust and various bits and pieces that do add up

If you "love" your 2001 Ranger then reasoning is out the door, as it should be, love is blind, ignore the above and do the swap you want, but I would lean towards the 5.0l

IMO you about have to "love" your truck to V8 swap it, chances are the only people that will buy will buy it for a good running 302. Gotta do it for you.

I can't remember - do I even have a swap thread?

In any case, mine is all but finished. Got the collector bolted to the manifolds on Tuesday. It's all little stuff like putting in the radiator and hoses, trans crossmember, etc at this point. The good news is that I have the weekend free to get the work done. The bad is that the weather looks like near constant rain and it's in the driveway. With a little luck I'll get it thrown together, but no guarantees.

If it is supposed to rain and you have an open weekend... you could use that time to bring us up to speed on your swap.

I could not remember if you did or not. Plus I was to lazy to search for it
We have a friggin tropical storm heading our way this weekend. 5-8" of rain explected. Plus we have already gotten 3 inches this week just because that's normal.

A little rain would be nice, it has been really dry here. Had big storm chances all week until we got done planting soybeans... then they took it all out.

 

[fastpakr]

If the rain is as bad as predicted, I'm probably going to take time to finish up my three year olds motorcycle among other things. He's really excited about it.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Ranger850]

yeah Rain.
I saw both expos you posted the link to fastpakr. I thought they were the same one at first. very similar. different locations tho. I guess I need to be more patient. I'm waiting for it to fall in my yard I guess. ok. Expo / Mounty 5.0 it is