302 or 4.0 swap?

[mkpecor]

i have a 88 ranger super cab 2.9, and want to know what swop is the cheapest 302 or the 4.0, i have a 302 that my cuzin gave me couple years ago, is marien balanced long block, just need the valve covers, oil pan stuff like that, what mpg would the 302 get if i wasent standing on it all the time. thanks to who helps.

 

[mkpecor]

EDIT= SWAP sorry

 

[mkpecor]

bump

 

[swynx]

i would say go with a 4.0 thats what ive got, and i get good milage, about 21 mpg city and 24 mpg hiway, rough calculations, and ive got plenty of power, if i were u i would look around for a 4.0 and if u can get one for cheap get one, and if not rebuild that 302 u got, or compare them, but i know u can buy a rebuilt 4.0 off the net for 2k which isnt bad bud do u have that much and are u willing to spend it, and if u did atleast u would know u had a motor that would last a long time

 

[baddad457]

Depends on how you build the 302 also. But the mileage can vary from 10 to 20 mpg's.

 

[88mudder]

302 all the way.

 

[neilk]

for what it's worth, my wife had a 4.0 Explorer and my brother in law had a 5.0 explorer both 98's no mods and they both got almost the exactly the same mpg's around 18mpg average....Neil

 

[mkpecor]

ya i got the money, im gunna have to, this 2.9s heads or head is cracked, dont know if its both or just one thats cracked, in stead of rebiulding the top end im goin to spend alittle bit more cash and get rid of this 2.9 in stead of rebiuldin it, my old man said put the 302 in but i realy like the 4.0. and im thinkin there both goin to be about the same to put in, cash wize. so im goin to drive this 2.9 intell some thing happens to, my luck the thing wont blow. do you think the 4.0 is cheaper to swap in ?

 

[Totalled]

4.0 would be cheaper, easier. Unless you are given a good running 5.0 like I was... and I still spent $1200 putting it in with the correct trans already in place...

The 4.0 would also likely get better mileage.

 

[mkpecor]

the 302 is a fresh motor, just need valve covers shit like that, i know my tranny isent goin to hang. im realy lookin for the fastes and cheapest way to go.it sucks i dont know what i should swap in.

 

[bobbywalter]

i am a v8 guy, but if that fresh 302 is an older low compression model i would sell it and do a low mile 4.0.


what trans is behind the 2.9?

 

[Capt Jay]

i am a v8 guy, but if that fresh 302 is an older low compression model i would sell it and do a low mile 4.0

?
302. If you own it how is there a question. If it cost 2K for a 4.0 and zero for the 302 how is there a question. If the 302 gets 15 mpg and the 4.0 get 20 with gas at $3.00 a gallon. The you'd have to drive quite some time before you even drive the difference of the price of the motor ( no, I'm not going to do the math).

That's just my opinion, I could be wrong ( but I'm not)

Jay

 

[red85]

Do the 4.0. They are a direct bolt in affair for your truck. Get a new or rebuilt tranny and you can have it done pretty quick. Mileage wise, a fresh 302 will get around 17-19 in my experience. When you have a v8 under the hood, it is very difficult to not stand on it. I said I wouldn't do it when I put mine in, but it's just too much fun to keep from doing it. I'm with bobby on this one. Do the 4.0L if the 5.0L is an older smog motor. As for a transmission, get yourself an M5OD-R1 and you'll be very happy with the results.

 

[bobbywalter]

?
302. If you own it how is there a question. If it cost 2K for a 4.0 and zero for the 302 how is there a question. If the 302 gets 15 mpg and the 4.0 get 20 with gas at $3.00 a gallon. The you'd have to drive quite some time before you even drive the difference of the price of the motor ( no, I'm not going to do the math).

That's just my opinion, I could be wrong ( but I'm not)

Jay

the whole point in a v8 swap is power. the 4.0 is a low end grunty sumbitch. a reg low compression shitty head 302 wont touch a 4.0 off road, especially if it has a carb on it...if this is the case the 302 will require money and time to get going. the 4.0 will make it look like a turd. they can light the tires easy with 456 and 35's where the wheezer 302 conversions i have seen/done will stall out on the converter trying to climb a dirt hill


if it will be a low riding 2wd street truck, then even a low compression 302 will get decent economy, and be fun....sound better then any v6 imo too. i dont know what the guy has, i was just stating if it is that particular case the fast and cost effective option will be a good running low to middle miles 4.0

with the shit i have laying around it will always be cheaper for me to do a v8 swap, as i dont deal with 4.0s directly. but i also drive 50000 plus miles per year, so 5 mpg adds up really really fast at 3-4 bux a gallon. thing is 4.0 in my preferred application may not get 5 mpg better. they run pretty even.

 

[mkpecor]

i haded it up [302] for all parts, tranny, oil pan, all that shit its gunna be around $1300 , i have the mit... 5 speed, so that is not gunna hold up. i was thinkin of buyin along block 2.9 and pumpin it up a bit, i like this lil motor,