Hi all, I originally posted the following on the 'engine swap' site and got a few good responses, probably should have posted it here to begin with though. All details still apply, let me say that I do have a soft spot for the 302 (my first vehicle was a '70 F100 w/302). I am also finding that I can buy the 5.0 for $250 to $300 less than 5.8. Oh yea, the truck is going to be used by son #2 (16 years old). I will eventually get him something else (as I did with son #1) because the truck is staying with me, its very nice. Bought it from original owner in 2004. Its 2 wd. I know there are lots of opinions out there, let me have 'em.


"Hey new to the site and have gotten some good advice already on my planned swap from 4.9 to 5.0 in my 94 F150 short bed, 5 speed. This truck will be used as a daily driver for my kids, no towing or heavy hauling. Plan to do some mild mods to the 5.0 efi (out of donor truck). I have no plan to upgrade the 6 cyl., we want a V8. Since I'm doing this work should I be considering 5.8? I'm not looking for big time HP or torque and would like to retain half-way respectable fuel mileage. If I went w/ 5.8 would it bolt up as readily as the 5.0 will? Thanks all...."

 

sense your already planing on doing the swap, go ahead and get the 5.8 a little more power and torque w/ the same fuel mpg.

 

The 4.9, 5.0, and 5.8 share the same bellhousing bolt pattern, so the 5.8 will bolt up to your tranny just as easily as a 5.0. The 5.8 will get worse mileage than the 5.0. The 5.8 will make better horsepower and definately will do a better job producing low-end torque. If I were you and fuel economy was a concern, I would go with the 5.0 since you do not plan on doing any towing or hauling and it is a pretty light truck. If you do go with the 5.0 and want to get the most low-end grunt you can, I would make sure that you have gears in the 3.73 or 4.10 range (3.55 at highest) so the you can run a few more RPM and keep the motor in the range where it makes it power.

Good Luck!

 

Come on everyone, I'm going to be buying an engine in the next couple of weeks, let me know your thoughts. Conanski?

 

I say go with the 5.8, however from your initial posting sounds like your describing the smaller v-8

 

I vote 5.0 since the 16yr old will be driving it, and make sure it's a base model 5.0 not a HO.. fewer chances he'll get into trouble.

 

I looked again at your comments and picked up on these two tidbits. If your wanting to do mods to the 5.0 anyway, I think the 5.8 is the way you'd like to go (and secretly want to be persuaded since it will revert back to you). The 5.8, without being messed with, isn't all that hot of an engine that I'd worry about a 16 yr old. If he's going to get into trouble it won't matter what engine it is. I managed to with a '52 Dodge straight six.

 

Thanks all, I secretly wanted to be talked into the 5.0, got a real soft spot for it. The feedback was 50/50. I'll be buying the 5.0 unless I find a great deal on 5.8. I will be back looking for some advice on minor mods.

Thanks again,
Craig