Should I go 302 or 4.0L swap?

[stevenf]

Right now my Bronco has the 2.9L which has about 140hp and 170ftlbs of torque. The 4.0L has 160hp and 225ftlbs of torque. The 302 has 215hp and 295ftlbs of torque.
Its seems like the 4.0L would be the best choice compared to a stock 302. The 4.0L is lighter, lighter on the trans, a bolt in swap, and with a mild cam, exhaust and intake, it would be close to the same specs as a stock 302.
What input do yall have? If you have done the 4.0L swap, are you satified with the power increase?

 

[Ranger44]

In my opinion the 4.0 is a better swap in a RBV.

The 4.0 has a lower powerband. Making lots of good power down low. Making it a better truck engine.

The 5.0 has a 3.0like powerband and makes it peak power at 3,400rpm.

There is alot of aftermarket for the 5.0. The 4.0 has a little.

But, just for the simple fact that the 4.0 would be more bolt in than the 5.0, I'd go with it.

 

[baddad457]

The torque output is where the 302 shines over a 4.0. And the weight difference isn't an issue. The 302 also has more power potential, once you get a taste and smell the burning rubber, you'll forget all about those 6 bangers. If you want simple and are content with a 4.0, then go that route.

 

[mkpecor]

i have been thinking about the same swap for acouple months now and i am doing the 5.0. i have heard the wirein on the 4.0 is a #itch. in high school i had a 351 in a 85 ranger and loved it. but the 4.0 is a good motor to. its a hard choice, good luck.

 

[stevenf]

What ci is the 4.0L. I know the 5.0L is 302.
I think I found a cam for $120.00 for the 4.0L. Im just running through was hp/torque range I will get for the money with each setup.

 

[baddad457]

1 liter equals about 61 cubic inches.

 

[skinner]

Dont kill me baddad....(forgive me father, for i have sinned)
Ive owned the ohv 4.0...and a 302(well,technically, 306) ranger.
The 302 was faster and fun, but sucked gas and was honestly impractical for a daily driver as far as things that I just couldn't get working or didn't have room for (AC for one).
If I had it to do again, and will...
I'd buy a 4.0 and build it up with Bird's et al advice. Or even that guy Trevor I think his name was(where is he btw?) Fits nicely, sounds awesome, and makes power comparable to a stock 302... I'm very fond of those motors.
I'd take ALL the crap from a 4.0 ranger, redo the motor, and install.
But a stock 5.0 would be cheaper in that respect.

 

[Ranger44]

The torque output is where the 302 shines over a 4.0.

Yes, but at a higher rpm.

Low torque is better for a towing/offroad truck.

If he is, however, looking for a "fast" truck, then a 5.0 may be more of what he wants.

 

[stevenf]

Im looking to boost power in my head turner trail rig. Its a freshly painted dark blue 89 Bronco II with flawless interior. Its going to have a 8.8" rear and a Dana 44 front both full width running 32-33" tires with just enough suspension lift to fit them. I plan on running 4.10 gears and I want a bigger stronger engine that wont brake the bank and provide enough power needed on the spare of the moment tow/climbing runs. It seems like 4.0L is the way to go, I just didnt know if I will be spending the same on the 4.0L of 5.0L swap.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

A stock 4.0L and 4.56 gears is exactly what you want.

oem y-pipe and 2.5" exhaust, high flow intake, maybe a snorkle. Possibly hop up the ignition system.

But don't put a cam in it. Unless you plan to use headers, ported intake, bigger TB, bigger injectors and fuel pump, and then sending the ECU out to get reprogrammed. Any less mods it will just not run right.

To 5.0 requires to much of the right foot to make torque. She likes to be revved. Good for nothing but a street truck, or an all-out mud truck.

I researched the hell out of this topic, and went my 4.0 went, I put another 4.0 in. I even have a complete EFI 5.0 and a set l&l motor mounts, all ready to put in, I decided against it. I love the lowend torque and MPG of the 4.0.

 

[baddad457]

Yes, but at a higher rpm.

Low torque is better for a towing/offroad truck.

If he is, however, looking for a "fast" truck, then a 5.0 may be more of what he wants.

Not neccesarily true. Depends on the build.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Not neccesarily true. Depends on the build.

It depends on the year of 302 as well, an Explorer 5.0 makes a lot more power than 4.0 (288@3300 vs 220@3000)... which is why you couldn't get a 4.0 Explorer with AWD.

If you don't have a manaul transmission plan on switching it out at the same time, the A4LD was beefed up when the 4.0 came out.

 

[rickcdewitt]

The 4.0L is lighter,-
damn near the same weight as the 2.9l actually,so you don't need to realign your truck:icon_thumby:


If you have done the 4.0L swap, are you satified with the power increase?

yes totally.33's and 4.10's spin on the pavement like the little stockers did with a 2.9l(or better).
the thing to remember is the 4.0 is making THE SAME torque as the 2.9l's peak at only about 1200rpm's,and you can lug it down near 500rpm's

i used a 92 setup and reused the (4 wire)o2 sensor,motor mounts,radiator,and other stuff from the 2.9l.get the factory EVTM's for your truck and the donor.under 40$ total and worth every penny.it turns wiring into a no brainer.

your truck being an 89 the 4.0l is a simple swap and you can probably get a donor sploder cheaper than the 302 stuff-motor,motor mounts, radiator,tranny,tranfer,driveshafts,exhaust and whatever else needed.

 

[stevenf]

I plan on running my stock auto trans until it goes out. It was rebuild about 70k miles ago. I will just wheel in low on the t-case or shift the trans into first and second.
When doing the wireing, I will need the 4.0L harness, ECU, Fusebox, and what else? I want it to be as easy as possible. Will I have to take out the dash?

 

[Ranger44]

Not neccesarily true. Depends on the build.

Looking at the engines, stock to stock.

It depends on the year of 302 as well, an Explorer 5.0 makes a lot more power than 4.0 (288@3300 vs 220@3000)... which is why you couldn't get a 4.0 Explorer with AWD.

If you don't have a manaul transmission plan on switching it out at the same time, the A4LD was beefed up when the 4.0 came out.

I'm talking about torque below 3,000rpm, and 68ft/lbs of torque is almost comparable to going from a 2.3 to a 3.0.

 

[baddad457]

Looking at the engines, stock to stock.



I'm talking about torque below 3,000rpm, and 68ft/lbs of torque is almost comparable to going from a 2.3 to a 3.0.

I'll put my stock to stock 5.0 against yours anytime , bumper to bumper and I garanteee you mine will pull yours around the parking lot at an idle. Your trying to compare peak torque here, that's not an indication of the torque output in the rest of the powerband. :nopityA:

 

[Totalled]

Yes, but at a higher rpm.

Low torque is better for a towing/offroad truck.

If he is, however, looking for a "fast" truck, then a 5.0 may be more of what he wants.

Mine certainly doesn't. It's out of breath at 4,000 rpm. I daily drive a 4.0 and while it makes great torque, it does not have more low end than my 302.

These are both with a comp cam, since the software doesn't have a stock option..

 

[rickcdewitt]

heres some swap threads to get you thinking-
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6522
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22150
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23460
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21701
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22405
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21779
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21841
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21536
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20826
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16712
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17087
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17806
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15737

some of them aren't complete but there are some good questions asked in every build.yours would be like the other 89-92 swaps-pretty easy.

you will need a 4.0l torque converter,throttle cable,ecu,its harness and the engine harness.i used the headlight harness too and did the re-pinning(you can move around the wires in the plug easy) at the firewall plug and tranny harness connector.i'm not an auto tranny guy so i don't know if your flexplate and spacer will work.i'm probably forgetting some stuff too.

you pretty much need to empty both engine bays and swap it over.take lots of pics of how the stuff is laid out so you don't need to rely on memory.


ranger 44-don't pic on their precious 302,they have a hard enough time justifying it to the wifey's. J/K

 

[Ranger44]

ranger 44-don't pic on their precious 302,they have a hard enough time justifying it to the wifey's. J/K

I'll leave it alone. I know what works best for ME, I was only here to share my opinion. The 4.0 is a good tourqey engine and makes it down low. It's a more bolt in swap than the 5.0. I'll leave it at that.

 

[baddad457]

you pretty much need to empty both engine bays and swap it over.take lots of pics of how the stuff is laid out so you don't need to rely on memory.


ranger 44-don't pic on their precious 302,they have a hard enough time justifying it to the wifey's. J/K

Wow, You pretty much have to empty the engine bay for a 302 swap too. Where's the benefit of a 4.0 swap then? And the REAL men don't have to justify anything to our wives. :icon_welder: