Coming up in the next year, I plan on doing an engine swap on my truck. However, my friend recomended to me that I should swap out my 3.0 v6 with a 4.6 v8 cobra instead of a 302. what are the pros and cons to either? Also, MPG and horse power if you can. Any info at this point is helpful. Thanks.

 

I wanna do the same thing but ppl keep telling me a 5.0L 302 because the 4.6 is wider lol

 

Swapping on a 04+ is going to be a royal pain, none of the wiring is the same.

 

what about my 97?

 

All depends what engine you go with. 5.0 out of a Expo of the same year should go in without much problem.

 

what about the 4.6?

 

IMO if you are worried about fuel economy, dont get a V8. You will be Way Way to pedal happy lol. The 4.6 is a different beast. Look on RPS, I think there is a few that have done it over there.

 

RPS?

 

rangerpowersports.com

 

oh, gotcha.

 

Two things come to mind about swapping a 4.6 into your '97.

One, your steering box will be in the way. The '98-up Rangers got rack-n-pinion steering which makes it easier.

Two, you live in California and a Ranger with a 4.6 will not be allowed on the street because of emissions.

 

Doesnt the engine have to come in the same model catagory (in an f150), and be the same year or newer?

 

wut? if a cobra can have the engine why cant a ranger?

 

Exploder runs a 4.6. It should be fine to run it. Ask a ref.

 

The 4.6 Explorers are not the same as a Ranger, it's a completely different vehicle. They're not even the same as the '01-earlier Explorers. Ford did a complete redesign of the Explorer in '02 putting it on a larger chassis. It shares nothing with the Rangers or earlier Explorers.

A Cobra can have a 4.6 because it came from the factory with one and passes all of Cali's emissions. A Ranger won't pass because it was never offered with a 4.6 and won't pass emissions or the visual inspection for it's class of vehicle.

Besides, with a '97 Ranger he would have to move the steering box to the outside of the frame or convert it to rack-n-pinion. Plus he would have to have smog legal headers built for it because there are no oem exhaust manifolds that will fit this swap.

 

how about if i get a 93 exploder? will that help with the swap? and what about emishions.