4.0 OHV swap, 5.0 or stay 2.9

[JOSEPH169]

I'm trying to debate if i want to tackle the 5.0 swap which will need new trans and transfer case along with wiring, or just do a mild build up on the 4.0 and not need to change out the trans and transfer case. This is all in my 89 bronco ii. I;m gonna upgrade the axles no matter what to the dana 35 and explorer 8.8. Just need some opinions on this project for the future.

 

[adsm08]

4.0 is still gonna require trans upgrade if you have a stick.

I would go with 4.0 anyway, it's still a lot less work and wiring.

 

[JOSEPH169]

I have a manual trans right now, why the upgrade on trans? I thought that was only with the auto

 

[American1990]

You will hear alot of people say this or that, if you have the FM146 it will bolt right up. A LOT of people will say "It will not hold the power" I think they are wrong. I have a FM146 behind my 4.0 for almost two years now. And I am NOT easy on it, I do 3-4k Clutch drops, Red lines "racing" and spinning in the mud. As long as you keep the fluid changed and good it will last. Btw it also a 4x4 so it also handle 4x4 low and high power, and I'm also not easy on it doing that stuff. All in All, a 4.0 swap SUPER easy, and I also use the same axles (7.5 rear/Dana28 front with 31's) and I've done stuff that people say I shouldn't do without snapping an axle but i have not yet. But if you plan to run bigger tires those axles will not handle them, 31's the max i''d say you can go before snapping them doing something "Rough," if you went with 5.0...You would have to replace a lot of things to handle the power.

 

[JOSEPH169]

You will hear alot of people say this or that, if you have the FM146 it will bolt right up. A LOT of people will say "It will not hold the power" I think they are wrong. I have a FM146 behind my 4.0 for almost two years now.

I do have the FM146 in it right now, I thought that the FM145 was the one that was the one to replace, I'm wanting a bit more power than stock on the 4.0 so I will do a mild na build not really wanting to supercharge it.

 

[RonD]

I would go stock V8 and trans vs modified V6 and trans

Amount of time and money will be about the same but you will end up with more power from the V8.

 

[kryptonitecb]

I would go stock V8 and trans vs modified V6 and trans

Amount of time and money will be about the same but you will end up with more power from the V8.

X2

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

 

[American1990]

Yeah, if you plan to build the 4.0 at all, you might as well drop in a V8. There wont be much difference from a stock 4.0 and a Slightly "Built" 4.0, But with the V8 you Will notice a difference. But do keep in mind the 4.0 has all the torque you want down low, so it a monster for off-roading. But if you wanting the extra power to "Red light drag race" then yeah a v8 would be more fun.

 

[JOSEPH169]

Yeah maybe a 5.0 would be the way to go. Going through all the work and I might regret not just putting in a 5.0. Plus it would sound sweet too