Engine swaps, weighing options

[transmissions]

So, I was wondering what is the best, and by best I mean a balance between work, cash, power, fuel efficiency and reliability swap to do?
I know I know, the answer is usually "whatevs you can affords/wants bro"
but i'm looking for someone to challenge me/make a case as to why what engine is better.
What we're working with:
1997 ext cab 4x4 with a 4.0 ohv
Now here's the options i've come up with.
-Sohc-I'm sure one of the cheaper and more fuel efficient answers would to be to swap for the newer sohc.
They're pretty available, have more stock power, and are more fuel efficient. Kits are available, and guides have been made on how to do it.
-302- A carbed 302 would probably be the cheapest and one of the easier swaps to make, less electrical work, and probably the most available
Downside is that it wouldnt make much more stock power than the sohc if i'm correct, and that it'd be way less fuel efficient.
Plus would be that kits are available, and engine upgrades probably have the biggest aftermarket support
The 351 would probably be harder to fit, but it has the same ups and downs as the 302 as far as I know
-Building the ohv- This I feel like would be one of the most expensive options, it'd definitely be more echonomical for dollar/hp to do a 302 swap and build that, but I dont know how supercharging or turboing it would affect it, or how much it'd cost. It seems like theres adapters for the sohc engines, and turboing that would be cheaper, but as far as it being worth the price, I doubt it because it'd have to be run at low boost and not be that powerful.
What are viable diesel options, can older rebuilt diesel turbos be used, or would they boost at too low of an rpm?
I've seen a picture of a 7.3 on here, and its dope, but it'd be retarded for me to try, and i'd like to keep the truck looking relatively stock without the cowl hood and massive stacks and having to cut firewalls etc, and it'd be a ton of money.
If i've left out any other viable options, post em up.

 

[Jraymer360]

So, I was wondering what is the best, and by best I mean a balance between work, cash, power, fuel efficiency and reliability swap to do?
I know I know, the answer is usually "whatevs you can affords/wants bro"
but i'm looking for someone to challenge me/make a case as to why what engine is better.
What we're working with:
1997 ext cab 4x4 with a 4.0 ohv
Now here's the options i've come up with.
-Sohc-I'm sure one of the cheaper and more fuel efficient answers would to be to swap for the newer sohc.
They're pretty available, have more stock power, and are more fuel efficient. Kits are available, and guides have been made on how to do it.
-302- A carbed 302 would probably be the cheapest and one of the easier swaps to make, less electrical work, and probably the most available
Downside is that it wouldnt make much more stock power than the sohc if i'm correct, and that it'd be way less fuel efficient.
Plus would be that kits are available, and engine upgrades probably have the biggest aftermarket support
The 351 would probably be harder to fit, but it has the same ups and downs as the 302 as far as I know
-Building the ohv- This I feel like would be one of the most expensive options, it'd definitely be more echonomical for dollar/hp to do a 302 swap and build that, but I dont know how supercharging or turboing it would affect it, or how much it'd cost. It seems like theres adapters for the sohc engines, and turboing that would be cheaper, but as far as it being worth the price, I doubt it because it'd have to be run at low boost and not be that powerful.
What are viable diesel options, can older rebuilt diesel turbos be used, or would they boost at too low of an rpm?
I've seen a picture of a 7.3 on here, and its dope, but it'd be retarded for me to try, and i'd like to keep the truck looking relatively stock without the cowl hood and massive stacks and having to cut firewalls etc, and it'd be a ton of money.
If i've left out any other viable options, post em up.

302 v 4.0sohc fuel efficency isn't that off. 4.0sohcs don't seem to get that great of mpg

 

[transmissions]

I could probably build it to get better fuel economy.
But does anybody know anything about turboing the sohc or the ohv and getting better fuel economy? Seems like a long shot.

 

[swynx]

idk what the 4.6 gets for mileage but it is a swap that has me extremely interested. especially the alluminum. read about it in the tech section. its a pretty universal swap engine. or so i understand. can do iether carb or fuel injection and reach 400 hp at a cheap and simple rate.

that aluminum block from my understanding can support 1200 hp...

 

[swynx]

any one know the weight of the 4.6? how much.more does it weight than a 4.0 ohv?

 

[Scrambler82]

302 will have better torque.
Add in an EFI and torque goes up.
Torque is the name of the game here unless you are just looking for high end horse power.

302 is a simple swap, not versus an installed 4.0, SOHC or std OHV but buildup capabilities is IMHO better with the 5.0.
4.6L, right now just too much work for what you will gain over the 5.0.
Also 5.0 is light 300 lbs or so power to weight I would think is the best of your choices.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

idk what the 4.6 gets for mileage but it is a swap that has me extremely interested. especially the alluminum. read about it in the tech section. its a pretty universal swap engine. or so i understand. can do iether carb or fuel injection and reach 400 hp at a cheap and simple rate.

that aluminum block from my understanding can support 1200 hp...

Universal as in it will go just about anywhere a big block will go. They are wider than a 460 but not quite as long... otherwise known as freaking huge.

I don't think the aluminum blocked 4.6's are terribly common or cheap.

If they fit better I would have a 2v 5.4 in my truck in a heartbeat.

Going to carbed on that new of a truck will cause more headaches than just running the stock EFI on a 302.

 

[Mac]

any one know the weight of the 4.6? how much.more does it weight than a 4.0 ohv?

If going with a V-8 I'd stick with the 302/5.0L that most have done. The weight of them is real close to that of a 4.0 (75 lbs?) But to answer your question on the 4.6, one source shows the SOHC iron block at 529 and the alum block DOHC at 535. Figures don't seem right but hard to find from on common source. Alum block weighs 65-75 lighter. Ford latest FRPP catalog shows the crate 5.0 DOHC motor weighs only 444 lbs, earlier one shows the Explorer crate coming in at 465 lbs. Since '05' all the Mustang GT's and Explorers had the alum 4.6 so getting easier to find but still expensive. Just remembered you're going 4x4 so another reason for the 302/5.0.
Dave

 

[scooter]

If i had it to do over again.....
I woulda went with the 351W outta the trucks. JMHO

 

[swynx]

all true and valid. i rememberd that the 5.0 was less than 100 lbs more than the 4.0.

 

[Scrambler82]

Once you get a 5.0L in place you will have so much extra power that you will not have to push the hell out of it as you do with the 3.0 and the MPG will at least equal out.

I found with my ’88/5.0L that I was getting better overall milage than with the 2.9L and it made driving the truck more enjoyable; did I say SMOKE SHOW !