Yes. Its better to run low compression/more boost, then high compression/more boost. Optimal is 8.5:1 - 9:1, stock is like 9.5:1 I think... I'm running 8:1 (which is what most blower mfg's reccomend on the 3v heads)

the 3v swap is relatively new. A few people have done it already. Most people assume that it costs the same as a 4v swap which is false info.

Also the cam gears to disable the VCT just came out recently, and that was one of the last major hurdles from my understanding.

Physically, its a direct bolt on (just stay away from the 96-04 aluminum blocks, they leak when used with a 3v timing cover).

Also when I mention the cost difference, I'm pricing out every single piece, as if I had a 01 GT with no motor/trans. Block, heads, cams, etc etc all replaced. That may factor a little dif if your debating just a headswap

 

What are you going to use for an intake manifold, custom made, adaptor plates? The ones that came on Mustangs are tall as it is never mind the truck ones.

 

Two options.

Stock 3v Mustang intake with adapter plates instead of CMRV plates (read: no additional height from the adapter plates).

Aussie Barra 230 (or is it 260) Manifold (3v 5.4 car style) although I dont like how the TB mounts on the Barra intake.

 

Where exactly are you getting these 3v adapter plates, because I am very interested in doing this instead.

 

I will be having a set of custom CMRV/5.4 Adapter plates made. I have access to a water jet so I can get them cut as long as I draw them up in CAD, which is not a problem. I need to get the intake and heads first, and examine the angle of the airflow entering the head, I want to make sure i keep the great performance that intake gives.

The guy that runs the machine said he prefered to do it in bulk if possible though, and RR has also told me they can make a 3v adapter plate.


Im willing to bet the company that R3d is working with on his 2v adapter plates would be willing to also.

 

RR went out of busness though.....

 

It looks like they're back!!!
http://www.reichardracing.com/

 

Well let us know when your making the plates and how they work out. I would be the first to sign the list for a set

 

I assumed RR went out of business also, however turns out somebody forgot to pay the internet light bill, from what I'm told things are running at 100% over there.

I will let everyone konw how they work out, it may be 3-6 months but I will be sure to update as development progresses.

 

damn they're back... well that's only going to help so much.

In any case I think 281 knows who I've been working with... give him a shout and see if he'll do the 3v plates. Those would be t3h r0ckz0r.

 

I'll get in touch with them shortly

 

r3d have any comments on the 3valve setup? Is it worth it?

 

i think if you can get all the crap like heads and intake for next to nothing then it will work, my only thing is wonding about the front cover...what would you use??

 

04-07 5.4 3v F150.

Belt routing is the same as the 99-00 Mustangs also, so the 99-00 Mustang bracket SHOULD fit.

 

So you would need 3v adapter plates to mate a 3v intake (05-07) mustang to the 5.4 3v block and then an 04-07 5.4 timing cover...Along with the heads and all that. Might try and find a scrapped truck around here...

 

You are correct sir.

If you use the Austraillian Barra 230 (i think its the 230) intake you dont need the adapter plates. It is a 5.4 3v Car intake used on the FPV Falcon and is cast aluminum vs the American plastic intakes. (Most Austrailian Ford performance vehicles are 5.4L)

The truck heads and car heads are identical, same everything.

You will need a bit of custom work on the exhaust, which you'd need with any 5.4 swap, also you'll need adjustable cam gears to remove the variable cam timing (you dont NEED them, but to degree your cams properly they are a valuble component), and also a adapter plate to use a cobra/bullitt throttle body since the 05+ is drive by wire, I plan to make my own out of a 05-07 throttle body spacer and a drill.

Keep an eye on Ebay, Craigs List, and Car-Part.com those are great resources to find your 5.4 swap parts. R3d picked up a 5.4 or two on CL for under $100 i think. My full 5.4 shortblock (w/ forged crank) was only $200 on Car-Part however im upgrading the pistons and rods.

And of course if you have any questions - put them up here.

 

It's totally worth it. There are finally cams on the market that do good things on 3v engines and they can take higher static compression even under boost than 2v motors without detonation. Until recently the intake question has been the hard one to answer.

I think that may be in the works... 3v adapter plates are no more difficult than 2v or 4v. Once 1 set is carved out and shown to function I'm sure that production will begin somewhere soon after.

Aussie intakes would be the way I'd go. Check with babiic on this board. She's in Sydney and may be able to help out with sourcing one and getting it shipped.

 

Only down side is they are a top feed just like the trucks are.



Also I was reading a forum and they said based on test drives the 5.4 3v engine (known as the 230) runs out of steam up top, making me wonder if that intake is actually a truck intake ?

http://phorums.com.au/showthread.php?t=164178

 

if it's classic Ford engineering it's the cams taht kill it. Intakes are designed for street friendly RPM but that's about the extent of their limits.

 

That intake is hella low profile though. I'll betcha a dollar it'll fit under the stock hood.

 

Pistons/Rods/Rings shipped yesterday.

MMR said give them 30 mins and they will have tracking info for me.

If any of you 5.4 guys need a rotating assembly - I'd give them a call.

I got the set (i already have a crank) for just over $1,000 for 18CC dish... You'd be hard up to beat ANY piston rod deal for under a grand, not to mention rings as well. I have no clue how long they are doing this special for.

 

Let me know what you do for the throttle body adapter. Thats the only part that is going to keep me from going through with this idea.

I'm probably going to purchase a 5.4 3v engine from a truck here, and a 4.6 3v off a wrecked 05 GT. Will be under $600 for both and I will have plenty of parts.

 

I got mine for just under 850 all tolled. h-beams w/arp2000 bolts and probe srs 20 over with perfect circle rings from The Mustang Depot... they have an ebay store and I got them to do a GP for us a year or so back.

 

since i'm a week or so from cranking mine up. i'm working on getting an ausse intake so i can flow better then the adapters/pi intake i have now. if not, i'll get a lower lightning and mod it. but i'd rather have the ausse one to have something diffrent.

 

Yea, thats on a GP, this is just a general call us up and buy deal.

Thats still an outstanding price though.

 

So with the 5.4 3v and a build bottom end (all forged) and an 8.5:1 compression how much boost could I push on a twin or single turbo system with an aggressive tune?

 

Pretty much... pick a number.

At that point I think its going to come down to what your suspension and drivetrain will tolerate power wise.

I'm shooting for 14-18 PSI and mid to low 600 RWHP (hoping and praying to see 660+ RWTQ) on a T trim (should hit 16 PSI by 2800 rpm and hold it to redline which should help on the torque) , although if anyone gets lippy 20-24 PSI is not far away and everything is setup to handle it.

Problem with that is - stock rear end and stock suspension.

Ed Clark has a similar setup on a 2v and I believe a Novi 2000 and an auto, the car went deep 10's on 20-22ish PSI and I believe he shut it down and coasted. Last I read he had ditched the blower and was ironing out a turbo system.

 

Sweet so this is my new goal. Where should I start with this project? I cant find any bareblocks or any parts in general. If somebody lists the parts I'll type up part lists and where new and used parts can be found for each part.

 

Before I can do that I need to know a few things.

What year Stang, what trans, what power level, and are you lookign to buy a forged shortblock ready to rock or build one up yourself ?

 

2001 Automatic, looking to make around 500rwhp. As far as ready to rock or build one up myself I have no problem assembling it myself. I'd like the bottom end to be basically bullet proof as far as reliability on relatively high amounts of boost on a regular basis (ie 20-25psi).