so i have a 93 f150 ext. cab with a 4.9l. i understand that a 4.9l is better than the 5.0 but why dont more people go with the 5.8l. you get more tq capability and you get the same mpg . Or am I going about this the wrong way? the way i see it with the 5.8l there are a ton of performance parts for it including maf so my question here is which is the better engine?

 

5.8 wont get the same mileage a 4.9 will. the longevity of the 300-6 is also what makes it a great motor.

Maf was only available on california based rigs in 95 running 5.8 (F150,Bronco) and then obd-II in 96 on the 5.8 for both models.

upgrading to maf on a speed density 92-95 F150/Bronco running the 5.8 is no easy task as most if not all had the E4OD which is computer controlled tranny.

 

MAF conversion is easy enough if you want to spend the cash on a kit like the one from fiveology racing. Its difficult trying to piece it together with used parts from a picknpull. Not to mention a complete headache. If your gonna do the conversion save the pennies and buy the kit. I spent about 4 weeks trying to find parts to low buck it, and in the end i spent the 700 bucks on the kit.

 

Just my opinion but the 5.8L is the better engine. Yes the 4.9L is a stout bullet prof engine but it's limited as to what upgrades can be done to it. The 5.8L has more support due to the interchangeability with the 5.0 and the Mustang guys demand for go fast goodies. We could go all day back and forth but it really comes down to what the user wants. I myself have owned both and wouldn't shy from either but the 5.8L is top choice for me .

 

Even all stock the 5.8 makes more TQ than the 4.9 and with a cam and exhaust will make lots more and close to double the horsepower, so yeah it's the better motor no question. It would be a mistake to say the 4.9 is superior to the 5.0 as well since it too has the potential to make more TQ and a lot more HP then the 4.9, and when properly equipped(gearing) would have no problems out gunning the 4.9 at any challenge you want to throw at it.. except maybe getting great fuel milage. And that's not to say I don't like the old farm tractor motor it has a ton of potential, it's just too bad nobody ever made a proper cylinder head for it with valves and ports the size of what you find in a 460 head.

 

My logic behind all this is best case scenario the 4.9l will get about 16-17 mpg and with the 5.8l you can get about the same with a mild build(ported heads,cam, exhuast, and tune) I believe you will get more hp and tq with the same mpg. There is no doubt that the 4.9l is a beast and has a ton of potential but with out any support like different heads that is all it will be is an engine with a lot of potential.


btw I'm not trying to start a war between the 4.9 guys and 5.8s. Im just trying to get a better understanding of these motors because you would think the 5.8 would be the better truck engine just for the fact it has way more support.

 

All these motors are well built from an integrity point of view, Ford did a good job with the castings and used quality fasteners so they can all go 200-300k without any major issues.. assuming regular maintenance.

As for why you don't see more 5.8's, it's partially because the 5.0 was installed in more F150 trucks while the 5.8 was more common in heavier pickups and vans. Ford also did the motor a major disservice by installing the same old 5.0 sized E7 heads on most production 5.8s so there wasn't much of a power difference(all stock) for the extra fuel it burns. I think if all those 5.8s came from the factory wearing GT40 heads this would be a different conversation and nobody would question which motor was "better".

 

Personally I love the 5.8. If I was wanting a engine for off roading/ constant pulling/ mudding/ forging I would chose the 4.9. But for a daily driver I want the 5.8.

I did a 5.0 to 5.8 swap. and when I did, I upgraded alittle. Went from a 5.0 stock to a 5.8 bored 40 over, 1978 HO heads, small cam for torque (no idea what exactly it is, came with the engine). I have more power and get better mpg than with my 5.0. My mistake was sticking with the SD after my upgrades, so Im in the process of going to a carb. My engine is moody some days, and in the future I want a roller ready (5.8) block to make into a 393 stroker with Ford Racing gt-40 aluminum heads, some kinda cam like a Ford Racing E303, roller rockers, and long tube headers. So my plan is a carb swap with a 770 CFM Holley Truck Avenger Carb, and 351w HEI distributor.

All of these engines are tough, faithful, and durable. And the aftermarket support is great for the 5.0/5.8. For me and my uses I chose the 5.8 over the 4.9 any day.