View Poll Results: Which engine for a swap?
Voters: 86. You may not vote on this poll
If you had the choice which engine would you choose?
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Charlestown, IN
Originally Posted by KARPE
Out of Curiosity Maurice, how bad did you feel about replacing your Ford wheels with another brand? (I'm just messin' with ya)
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: The Poconos
The LS would be sweet and what was mentioned before, easy to build up and parts are everywhere. But.....a Ford should stick with a Ford and there is so much info out there available that would make it a breeze. Your call though.
Just stick a HEMI in it!
Just stick a HEMI in it!
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Long Beach CA
Originally Posted by KARPE
LS1...Higher displacement and still gets better mileage. On a desert truck, I'd rather be able to go 20-25mpg than 12-16mpg, just for safeties sake ( not cost).
Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
you can not compare apples to oranges........you have to compare apples to apples to get an accurate assumption...
i dont see why you think a LS1 motor would be so much more expensive or hard to find in a jy. they came in camaros, and trans ams as well as the vette.
they are stupid simple to wire up. painless wiring can build a harness for anything, and universal LSx wiring packages mentioned earlier.
if/when i do a V8 swap, it will be a 5.0. my application will be completely different than andrew's. considering andrew's application the LSx is the way to go in all aspects except those of the badge loyalty variety.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Charlestown, IN
Originally Posted by redranger4.0
I wish someone made a good S/C for the OHV
you can get the Super Coupe M90 and have an upper intake made for it to work....heck you can find kits on eBay with everything but the M90....
when my 4.0 goes, it will have to Morana stroker kit in it......
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From: Firey depths
Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
they used to......but Vortex quit making them......
you can get the Super Coupe M90 and have an upper intake made for it to work....heck you can find kits on eBay with everything but the M90....
when my 4.0 goes, it will have to Morana stroker kit in it......
you can get the Super Coupe M90 and have an upper intake made for it to work....heck you can find kits on eBay with everything but the M90....
when my 4.0 goes, it will have to Morana stroker kit in it......
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Charlestown, IN
Originally Posted by redranger4.0
last I heard that stroker kit wasnt being made.
Tom Morana makes them....it goes from a 4.0 OHV to a 4.5 OHV...
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From: Firey depths
Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
http://www.moranav6racing.com/catego...tegoryID=32#81
Tom Morana makes them....it goes from a 4.0 OHV to a 4.5 OHV...
Tom Morana makes them....it goes from a 4.0 OHV to a 4.5 OHV...
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From: Charlestown, IN
Originally Posted by redranger4.0
I know its listed but last I heard they were not making it.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Charlestown, IN
Originally Posted by timpat92855
I have a ford 400 big block in my shop...is that in the poll....
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Apopka, FL
Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
a 302 gas milage in an Explorer vs. 302 gas milage in a Ranger is 2 different ball parks....i would bet it would be more fuel efficant in a Ranger than an Explorer......
in a streetable/daily driver truck a LS1 is not a practical option....where a 5.0/302 is....
not just will you have MAJOR wiring problems with the LS1 (becuase there will be NO computer that will be compatable with any of the Rangers wiring), but you will have a hell of a time mounting the engine in the bay......
I just don't like crossing over with engines.....if i see an old car that i like at first glance and it has a different manufactures engine in it, i don't like it anymore.....plane and simple.......
it is kinda like a hot woman with an ugly face....
in a streetable/daily driver truck a LS1 is not a practical option....where a 5.0/302 is....
not just will you have MAJOR wiring problems with the LS1 (becuase there will be NO computer that will be compatable with any of the Rangers wiring), but you will have a hell of a time mounting the engine in the bay......
I just don't like crossing over with engines.....if i see an old car that i like at first glance and it has a different manufactures engine in it, i don't like it anymore.....plane and simple.......
it is kinda like a hot woman with an ugly face....
An LS1 has a huge aftermarket, and a lot of it is "universal" so that you could do it, in theory, with any vehicle. If someone is planning on doing a motor swap, I'm sure they'd be able to get some motor mounts to work. If my redneck friend could do it with his car, then that wouldn't be that much of a problem I'm sure...
LS1s make a lot more power than a 5.0, and get much better mileage.
I'd say if you can pick up an LS1 for cheap enough and can convince yourself you can do it, go for it.
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Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
everyone is also forgetting that in a '98+ Ranger, a v8 Explorer swap is almost a bolt in....
If your going to build a SBF, and go through all the electronics and programming, fabbing, cutting, exhaust work.. why not spend the same money and put an LT/LS1 in there?
A GM 350HO crate engine , 330hp/380lbft , 2600$.
A ZZ4 has 355/405, 3900$
With EITHER of those 2 engines, your going to have problems hookin for traction. Once you break the 330/340ish lb/ft area, a leaf sprung ranger has a lot of issues. One can EASILY spin the tires through the 60ft marker if they wish.
A NEW GT-40 Based SBF from summit runs 4 grand. 345HP/380lb/ft. You still need all the electronics and intake/exhaust for it.
An exploder even with GTP heads.. your lucky to see 250hp and 300lb/ft. Look at bobs thread for doing it the RIGHT way. He still had to get into the wiring and such ( did a damn good job with it as well
).One of the good ( and bad ) features of the SBC.. The distributer is located in the back, same with the oil pump. Its a pain to time ( I've had carbs backfire into my face before ) but it leaves the whole front end easily accessable ( blower anyone? ). The block is a bit smaller and theres so many aftermarket parts for it, I bet one could find a set of ' block hugger ' hedders that will bolt right in on a ranger swap leaving frame clearence. Not to mention the oil filter is in a much easier location ( My 84 ranger needed a filter re-locater as the steering box was in the way. ).
No need to talk about transmission selections. A th400 or 700r4 is MUCH better then an AOD for strength and reliability.
I gave VERY serious thought to doing an LS1 swap but I was ( more or less ) ' given ' a built 347 ( it was just under a grand with the vortec blower still on it ) . Head gaskets were gone, but nothing a rebuilding won't resolve.
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Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
BS.....i highly doubt there is manufactures that make wiring harness for the LS1 to be put into a Ranger....hell a 5.0 swap is the most popular swap to a Ranger and no manufacture makes a wiring harness for it.....
I used something simular in my 84.
also, you are comparing oranges to apples when you compare a 5.0 to a LS1 (5.7).......you gotta compare apples to apples.....the LS1 is a larger displacement engine so of course it will make 100 more HP.....stroke the 5.0 out to a 347 (which is only like a 5.4 i believe) and see how comparable the HP numbers are.....
I may bleed Ford Blue, but I'll admit when its been beat.
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Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
if you want to compare a 350 Chevy to a Ford engine, you need to compare it to a 351 Ford.....and you can choose between a big or small block 350/351 to compare....
The 351 will require re-working the heater box, theres an even smaller area for the exhaust.. An LSx is smaller and would fit better.
Maurice.. your not fairing too well on this one. Even with a windsor, your looking at less then 300hp and less then 350lb/ft stock while pulling 120-150lbs more of weight in comparrison.
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Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
keep on reading HJ.....he said that the reason he had to use a custom exhaust was because of the larger tranny and t-case.....he didn't have to get aftermarket headers, the stock Explorer ones would have worked....that was an option...
[quote]also, do you really expect the LS1 to have smooth flowing headers in a Ranger
come on now use your head a bit...[quote]http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Knowing the exhaust port location on an OLDER SBC ( I have heard the LS series engine are located more towards the bottom of the heads due to a re-designed combustion chamber, not centering the 2 exhaust valves ) , I would imagine some headder simular to those MIGHT work just fine. The SBC is just as narrow ( if not more narrow ) then a SBF.
the way the steering shaft is, it doesn't matter what engine you put in there (larger than a 4.0) it will require some funky/messed up headers...
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Originally Posted by greygooseranger
The fact of the matter is that putting either motor in a ranger is not an easy task.
Converting a ranger to AWD or some other entity would be a ' task ' from my perspective
If you are looking at things strictly from a performance stand point, the LS1 is better. It will fit in the space provided with no more modification than a 5.0. The LS1 will cost more money initially, but what would it cost to make the 5.0 comparable. I think that closes the gap on price right there.
Between aquiring the engine, having it ' re-done ' and now prepping a tranny ( Liberty 5-speed ) to go with it.. theres 3500$. I'm pretty sure I could snag a good/running LT/LS1 with a tranny for about the same price.
As what John has been saying about power, mpg and a factor some havent brought up yet.. HEAT!!! ( anyone even notice chevies engine compartments are smaller? ), those guys running LS1's and such are in better shoes.. for now
To each his own I guess, but IMO if you have the time/money/skillz, the LS1 is a better choice....
