5.0 or 4.0

[85_Ranger4x4]

thanks guys. eather way i'll have efi. would a 4.0 work with the c-5? im trying to find the best combo to provide good power and decent mileage ...

tom

EFI 5.0 blows a 4.0 out of the park.

Most 5.8 fullsize trucks I have heard about get about the same low teens as a 5.0, if you get 15mpg out of either one you are doing pretty good.

 

[coryg]

5.0!

 

[Psychopete]

Fast + good mileage = 2.3T. You won't get that great of mileage out of either. Can't beat a V8 for fun on the street, but everyone has a different purpose their truck, so the choice is really up to you. Everyone will tell you what they want based on what they use their truck for.

Is there an emissions thing that's keeping you from going with a carburetor? Are you going to go with a later 88+ dash w/ EFI? To think of what you're going to need to change to make that thing EFI (and look factory) is giving me a headache. Definitely doable though, just make sure you do a lot of research before you start doing things.

Pete

 

[slammer67]

thanks guys. eather way i'll have efi. would a 4.0 work with the c-5? im trying to find the best combo to provide good power and decent mileage ...

tom

A c5 will work, but not very well- it's not as strong as a c-4 that came from a v-8 vehicle. The ranger/b2 c5's are not the same as the ones that came in v-8 cars. the front drum on the v-6 c5 only has 3 clutches, 4 on most c-4's, and i've heard 5 on a v-8 c5.

The best way would be to build one tranny from the ones you have - use the c-5 case, (their supposed to have better oiling),get the front drum out of a c-4, and a good rebuild kit

if your going cheap, just take the c-4 that looks to be in the best condition and swap the 4x4 c-5 tailshaft and housing over.

as for the 4.0-5.0 debate, i'd say 5.0 for sure. the 4.0 is a good motor - I have one myself, but it's not equal to a 302/5.0, sure the numbers may be close, but with very minor tweaking, a 302 could far surpass any 4.0 barring induction or expensive mods.

You've already got almost everything for a 302/5.0 swap - do the tranny thing like i talked about, swap in a v-8 bellhousing from one of your c-4's, then all you'd need is motor mounts, figure out the exhaust, cooling and wiring harness if your going efi.
look for a standard 5.0 vehicle so you dont have to deal with auto tranny issues with the computer.

that's what i'm doing - I swapped the c-5 for the same reason, I already have the v-8 bellhousing and flexplate waiting until I find a good deal on a 5.0motor - I want efi also. I figured it'd be best to find a wrecked mustang/ f150/bronco/ or even t-bird that has the 5.0 motor and all the wiring intact - then I wont have to hunt down a compatable ecu/harness to match the motor
anyway, just something to think about.

 

[slammer67]

thanks guys. eather way i'll have efi. would a 4.0 work with the c-5? im trying to find the best combo to provide good power and decent mileage ...

tom

Sorry - i thought you were asking about c5/5.0 compatability.

the 4.0 will work with the c-5 and you can use the tranny basically stock.
I have a stock c5 with a c4 throttle body with a diy shift kit - but the strength issues are like i mentioned before.

when I rebuild mine, it's going to be to c4/v8 specs even if I keep the 4.0 for awhile.

 

[84_Nor*Cal_Ranger]

thanks for the input all. i just found out my brother inlaw has a 87 t-bird engine wiring & ecu hes swaping w/ a 88 ho so there's the wiring and all the stuff i need. so all i need to find out is if i can splice any wires from the stock carb ecu when i go to efi....