V6 vs V8 van?

DollarJoe67 · Feb 3, 2013

I've found a great deal on a Ford E-150 conversion van with a V6 engine.  My instincts say "V6 in full size van, bad idea."  Any comments on having a V6 vs. V8 in a large van?  My particular concern is extra weight I will add.  Thanks.

Lostinspace · Feb 3, 2013

I had an '89 E-150 van conversion. Wasn't hytop though. It was plenty strong enough to flat toe a large car from Miami to cocoa beach. It had the straight 6, which is 5 liter, 305 ci or thereabouts. I'm not sure what the v-6 you're considering is though. When I moved my daughter to college in it, it got 18 mpg running 70+ on the interstate. And back before gasahol it would 20 or so mpg.

I would still have if I hadn't been rear ended which totalled it back in 2006.

So don't be afraid of a v-6 is what I'm saying.

DollarJoe67 · Feb 3, 2013

Thanks.  I'm not really worried about gas mileage.  My concern is extra strain long term from toting an extra 500-1000lbs of cargo.  I'm no grease monkey, maybe my worry is misplaced.

Willy · Feb 4, 2013

Personally, I'd go for the straight big six over a V-6. 500-1000 lbs of cargo isn't much, so no real worries there. ..Willy.

Les H · Feb 4, 2013

If it is any comparison, my 04 f150 with 4.2 v6 gets 20 on the hwy, rated at towing 5000.

bk2valve · Feb 4, 2013

I get 20mpg with my 2wd Astro and the 4.3 v6...I have no experience with a Ford v6. My old 1966 E100 had the inline 170 6cyl and I loved it. If I were buying a full size van I think I would look for a chev with the 4.3.... I love it... I think you will be fine with that...it will give you incentive to be really sure about the stuff you choose to take with..<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> an incentive to be a minimalist...<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> Bri

Willy · Feb 4, 2013

 Something else to consider V6 vs V8 is that, driven responsibly, V8's can get surprisingly good fuel economy. With both the '90 Sierra 1500 4x4 (305 V8 4spd auto) and '90 F250 4x4 (302 V8 5spd std), I was getting 19-20 MPG (US gallons). The V8 also gives the grunt to haul stuff. 

MrNoodly · Feb 4, 2013

Once up to cruising speed, a 6 cylinder engine is fine. It's getting up to speed that's the issue for me. No, I don't want to win any drag races, but I want to be able to handle on ramps and hills without feeling like I need to get out and push. I want to be able to pull out and pass without it taking all day. I had a Chevy S-10 pickup with the 4.3L V6. Plenty of power. But it weighed less than a full size van. And it was seldom loaded with stuff. So I'm skeptical about living in a 6 cylinder van. Maybe all y'all can convince me otherwise. Besides, my macho ego would be devastated if I were to be passed by a Wesfalia or a little old man in a 30 year old Buick. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

user 423 · Feb 4, 2013

If you will be living in it full time there's a good chance the weight hauled will end up being more than  what you have estimated. Since the difference in MPG isn't huge, IMO having the extra oomph of a V8 for climbing mountains,towing,etc.is the way to go. As was stated, V8's with overdrive transmissions can do OK mileage-wise and most of the newer vans have OD.

Willy · Feb 4, 2013

My buddy Nick had a Ford Ranger, V6 circa around 2006 and traded it in and paid the difference for a 2008 F-150 V8 (small) .. night and day. The F-150 gets better MPG, despite being an auto, and doesn't experience as drastic a loss in MPG when hauling a load. 

Vern M · Feb 4, 2013

instincts say "V6 in full size van, bad idea."

MK7 · Feb 5, 2013

I'd go with your instinct and look for a V8, there are so many conversion V8's around. Astros are all V6's with the early ones, 4-cyl. But they're not full sized, just a little bigger than a minivan. I don't think I've ever seen a full size conversion w/a V6 on Craigslist. Companies that converts them, tack on a huge price tag. They buy stripped cargo vans but usually don't skimp on the engine size.

Ballenxj · Feb 5, 2013

I have one of each. A 93 Safari with the 4.3 V6, and a 95 full size with a 350. I know there probably is a big difference in weight between these two, but the Safari feels like it has a lot more power. I'm sure gearing also plays a part. 93 GMC here.

and 95 Chevy here.

Posted so you guys n gals know what I'm talking about in size difference. The Safari even gets better fuel economy, but I still like the Chevy better mostly based on looks. I do like the way the Safari runs and drives better though. The moral of my story is, don't be afraid of the V6. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> -Bruce

ccbreder · Feb 5, 2013

The v6 is fine for the f150. You will have other problems with weight before the engine is the cause. I have seen 250's with v6 engines. a "great deal" doesn't come by that often. Modern engines are strong.

wrcsixeight · Feb 5, 2013

My buddy has an Astro with the 4.3 V6, and I am impressed with its power and overall it is an engine with a great reputation. But the OP is asking about a ford V6, which no doubt has a different torque band and might or might not be as effective as Chevy's 4.3 in a full size van. I don't know if is the same V6 as my former friend's  late '90's ford V6 f 150 pickup, but that engine was not as impressive in that ride, and a Van is likely heavier. If it was Ford's venerable inline 6, then I'd give a big thumbs up, but otherwise I will not compare these apples to those oranges. I'm glad my Dodge has 8 cylinders. The 6 cylinder engines did not come with overdrive.

Ballenxj · Feb 5, 2013

Brian, You make a good point. That, and Ford has several different V6's so it gets even more complicated. Some of them just run better. Sorry about posting GM's in a Ford thread. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> I do know that there are a few Ford V6's that have plenty of power too. My friend had a couple Bronco II's that had plenty of get up and go, and they were eighties vintage. My main point here is that the V6 engines are built just like V8's but with two less cylinders. If you find one, drive it and tell us what "you" think? Me personally, I'm "not" afraid of a V6 if it runs well. -Bruce

StainedGlassGuy · Feb 5, 2013

Another area in which you may want to consider is the terrian in which you will be driving / hauling. Flat lands are one thing ... the hills of West Virginia are another. It is truly an eye opening experience the first time you haul something up or down a mountain with an 11 or 12 % grade. A 6 could probably do it. The question would be, Do it for how long?

grummy · Feb 5, 2013

Sorry to weigh in with More unrelated GM advise, but..... I had 3 Astros with the 4.3L v6. Always loved them. I've also had dozens of full size chevy vans over the last 40 years. The MOST HATED full sized van had a 4.3L v6. And when I say, HATED, I mean HATED. It couldn't get out of its own way. You had to beat the living daylights out of it practically all the time. That van was a 1995, and I also had 1995 Astro's with the exact same engine. I recall a trip where I had to tow a 2200lb trailer for a simple 8 hour trip.... I was ready to park it in the ditch somewhere ! The second most hated was an '84 with a 250L in line 6. Just as awful with the exception of more working room under the hood. 3rd most despised was a late '80's with a 305L v8. I wouldn't touch a full size anything with any less than a 350 cu inch (or the modern 5.3L).... I've learned my lessons ! MPG's are worse because you have to beat on it all the time. Now, that new fangled brand new V6 Ford has out there might be different.... Pickup truck guys seem to like it.

MrNoodly · Feb 6, 2013

grummy said:
I've also had dozens of full size chevy vans over the last 40 years. The MOST HATED full sized van had a 4.3L v6. And when I say, HATED, I mean HATED. It couldn't get out of its own way. You had to beat the living daylights out of it practically all the time. That van was a 1995, and I also had 1995 Astro's with the exact same engine. I recall a trip where I had to tow a 2200lb trailer for a simple 8 hour trip.... I was ready to park it in the ditch somewhere !

This might be why I see a lot of fairly low mileage V6 Express 1500 vans for sale. True, they might be leased vehicles used in businesses that didn't need much hauling power, but they could just as easily be from owners that got fed up with inadequate power.

pietro1992 · Feb 6, 2013

It depends on what you are comparing. For example and old v8 to a new v6 which ones better maybe the v6 because it may have more power because its newer and better technology and may have better results. It also depends on the manufacture like a Toyota v8 may not be as good as a v6 from BMW.  V6: A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders V8: A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders For example if you had a company like Ferrari with a v6 and v8 ( even though Ferrari's i think don't make any v6's currently. Just using them as an example)  The new v6 compared to the v8 would have not as much power regarding horsepower, torque, and top speeds, because there is 2 extra cylinders pumping out air ( power) through the engine. Also With a Ferrari the v8 would have a better sound to it, like when you accelerate you would hear the noise from the engine as to the v6 not as much. But if you compare an old v8 Ferrari engine to a new v6 Ferrari engine ( as i said before just as an example) the v6 might have the same or even better performance then the 10 year plus v8 engine.  For example: 1999 Ferrari with v8 395 horsepower and a 2011 Ferrari v6 with 400+ horsepower. also the v8 might not get as better fuel consumption as the v6 as it uses more fuel for the extra 2 cylinders. I think you get the point.

V6 vs V8 van?

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