302 or 4.6

[dangerranger2008]

I can get my handed on a 302 carbed and a 4.6 fuel injected which is better.
More power and better for ranger which has more mods and more dress up.

 

[Capt Jay]

My vote is the 8. I'm a little partial.

 

[dangerranger2008]

8 what lost me

 

[dangerranger911]

i think that guy is confused.... anyways im not sure, i always wanted to do the 4.6 but i haven't seen to many installed in rangers. I did here if you get the dohc one you have a bit of fitment issue but the the sohc engine it fits nice and they make good power. but the 5.0 dime a dozen and a very big aftermarket for them

 

[dangerranger83]

It depends on if you want a carb set-up or EFI set-up. The 4.6 is a great engine and so is the 302.

I think the 302 carb. can have more stuff done to it.

 

[jbakerinc]

302 hands down.

bolt ons. junk yards. many many options.

what about a 5.0 EFI outta a say..... idk 1990 fullsize bronco. i just might have one if your in the market..lol.

 

[dangerranger911]

i just like being different. that's why i voted for the 4.6.

 

[Dusty_Ranger]

4.6l fi.....think....supercharged 4.6L

 

[dohc-bird]

4 valve out of a cobra.
sure it gonna be alot of work but.............
yeah its alot of work

haha

or its easier to find a lincoln mark viii .

 

[2.3 lowranger]

id go for the 5.0.. 4.6 ull prolly have to do some cuttin to get it to fit

 

[Ozwynn]

carb'd 302 is played out........ might try a 32 valve DOHC 5.4L from a navigator

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

The 302 is a well documented swap and should be pretty cheap and easy. Performance parts for that engine are as cheap as you'll find for a carb'ed engine.

The 4.6 will have a lot more fitment issues (mostly the oil filter tries to occupy the same place as the steering box on rangers, and they're so wide that headers can be a pain) as they're the size, long and wide, as a 460. 4.6's are also highly modifiable engines and performance parts are fairly cheap. Modular V8-V10 Blocks (4.6,5.4,6.8, all the same design) can withstand much greater power than the stock 302 block. There will be more wiring involved in this swap.

For a reliable daily driver, I always want fuel injection, because you dont have to spend hours fiddling with a carb every time the weather changes 30 degrees. FI is more reliable as well.

But if it's a race motor, the 302 will be a lot less work and probably easier for you, with a well documented path to follow. But that's not to say a 4.6 won't perform, there's been plenty of super fast 4.6's if you want to go that route.

 

[281Ranger]

The 4.6 will have a lot more fitment issues (mostly the oil filter tries to occupy the same place as the steering box on rangers, and they're so wide that headers can be a pain) as they're the size, long and wide, as a 460.

That fitment issue only holds true on the '97-earlier Rangers, '98-up use rack-n-pinion steering and the 2wd (coil spring) frame is wide enough to allow the headers to be routed inside the frame.

The 32V motors are wider than a Boss 429.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Go with a 351.

More torque, not much more work then a 302, and would embarass either one, modded or stock. but go with a carb, alot eaiser to setup and go fast.

later,
Dustin