I was wondering where to go with my mustangs engine in the future when i save up a bit more. I could either sandblast orginal and get all new internals and such. or go with a crate engine. Ive seen only one 4.6l crate from for racing its a little less than what i priced out for my rebuild. But i also noticed theres more crates out there for the bigger motors. would it be difficult to swap to a bigger sized engine? any suggestions?

 

There's a lot of factors that go into rebuilding a 4.6 engine than just sandblasting it and sticking some new internal in it. So if that's all you're budgeting for, you're leaving yourself seriously short. The block needs to be tanked, not sandblasted. Sandblasting bearing mating surfaces is generally not a good idea. It also needs to be at least line-honed, if not bored. This is important!!!!! If the machine shop does not use a torque plate when they hone or bore the block, the engine will not last more than a few thousand miles before it starts burning oil. Most local machine shops will not have the torque plate needed. Then the main bearing caps should be checked to be straight, and the head mating surfaces need to be at least checked for straightness, they may have to be slightly machined to get them back to perfectly flat. The crankshaft (if you reuse it) should also be resurfaced or the new bearings will not last long.

Then there's the cylinder heads, which obviously need to be gone through at least. A good valve job should be performed, and any valve guides that don't check out right should be replaced. They should also be checked for straightness on the mating surfaces, and possibly resurfaced. The cam journals most of the time need to be honed if the engine has any mileage on it.

Unfortunately, you won't know exactly what needs to be done until you get it disassembled and at the machine shop for them to check it out, but it's possible to get over $500 into just machine work in no time at all, so plan on the worst case scenario with your current engine and factor that into your decision on whether to build or buy a crate engine.

 

Whoa, I've never heard of the torque plate stuff. Good knowledge there!

 

Drop a 5.4 in it. Costs basically the same, installs like stock, makes sick torque and a nice hp bump. See the mega-thread on the subject at the top of the 4.6 tech section.

 

yeah i never heard of all that work into rebuilding the old block... i might as well just go for a crate engine for all the costs and labor. thanks for that input though i would have had no clue. the 5.4 bolts right in? just need a new harness? where is a good place to look for crate engines ive checked out summit but just curious. Ive seen a 302 that looked pretty interesting from ford racing.

 

No new harness.. It just bolts in. You'll want the HPS intake to make it a 100% pure bolt in. Check out my site, www.54stangs.com

If you want to chat about it live on YIM pm me your YIM handle and we can converse. There's way more power to be had and the cost is about the same.

As for crate engines, sorta depends on what you want and what you have to spend. Give us some ideas there and we can be really helpful.

 

Thats sounds cool i would have never known that that would fit right in. I kinda want to stay close to 8k or less for engine but give or take. I dont need a monster more for like street not strip. But when the time comes close ill have to chat w you r3dn3ck bc ill need some help (this car will be my first total overhual so im learning as i go). just gotta save up some money, but its good to know where to go with it before hand.

 

You can do a NICE!! 5.4 swap for half the money you want to stay close to. I'm talking bells and whistles........lol

 

whats a good site to check out these crate engines i havent found a decent one yet, just summit racing an jegs.

 

Stay off of summit and jegs.

http://modularmustangracing.com/ is a good site. They assemble good quality motors and modulars are their bread and butter. 5.4 street mod or 4.6 street mod. If you want a longblock, send them your heads.

 

thats good to know. btw whats the difference or benefits between a long and short block? But that sites cool already preassembled and theyre not too expensive.

 

long block has heads.

 

Oh wow thats it...

 

basically. Heads usually come with some sort of cam and the timing set but yeah... that's about it.

 

for the short block MMR 5.4 street mod 900 which automatic tranny would you suggest r3d?

 

No idea. I don't use automatic trannies.

 

i also suggest no auto tranny, go with the manual man, theyre more fun and more reliable from what ive seen...buddy of mine went through 4 auto trannies cuz they couldnt hold up

 

what does your friend do with his car drag or just drive it around?

 

IMHO Your better just getting a built SB already done. We offer a full line that ends up cheaper if you were to do everything your self after you add in machining and other stuff.

 

hey you guys, iv'e been wanting to drop a 5.4 in my 08 gt, i also heard it would drop right in, what kind of hp would it give me ? right now i have the vortech v3 s/c, the dyno reads 485hp 465rwt (with an automatic ) I love my automatic. iv'e had no problems with my automatic, although i dont track it, i do put my foot in it every so often, and when i do it get squralley big time. i think when you get to a certain AGE
you appreciate an automatic, specially a daily driver and that's what mine is, and if i ever have to, i would rather Beef up my auto rather than go manuall (jmo) but yes, what can i x-pect from the 5.4, hp wise ?

 

The 5.4 gives you a big tq increase, but for hp I would guess a good 20hp maybe stock for stock. However, if you get some good heads and with your vortech it should prove way worth it.

You just have to decide what 5.4 you want to go with and also you have to work on clearance issues as the 5.4 3V from the f-150 has the TB on top, not in the front like the 4.6 3V. If you get a 5.4 out of a GT500 then you're all set, but those are way too damn expensive brand new.

The issue just comes down to getting an intake that'll work for you and also finding a good tuner to set everything up when all is said and done.

 

I'd figure probably 40-50hp peak gain and 50-90lbs of tq increase throughout the rev range. More with better cams.