My 5.4L 3V N/A build thread

[psfracer]

I doubt we'll see his true HP #'s with a 5500 stall converter. The real test will be at the track. I predict a 10.93 @ 124.5

A prediction made on August 4th 2009 by Blazing Saddles. Talk about having a crystal ball.....

Ron, exactly where did you get those valve covers? I thought they were through Moroso, but I didn't see any that kept the VCT

----I found it, 68388 has the right stuff, but summit has for $700! oops.

 

[spyder7724]

A prediction made on August 4th 2009 by Blazing Saddles. Talk about having a crystal ball.....

Ron, exactly where did you get those valve covers? I thought they were through Moroso, but I didn't see any that kept the VCT

----I found it, 68388 has the right stuff, but summit has for $700! oops.

call Tommy at JPC they have the best price on them. better than summit!!!
they fit awesome and the gaskets seal perfectly. with the 5.4 in there using stock valve covers i don't think they would come off without jacking the engine and removing the brake booster etc. with these they just come right off.
expensive...yes but absolutely perfect welds and fit like a dream.

 

[white05gt]

I would like to get a set but it doesn't look like they would clear my paxton coolant tank.

 

[spyder7724]

I would like to get a set but it doesn't look like they would clear my paxton coolant tank.

where does it mount. these covers actually gave me more clearance.

 

[JST4FN]

call Tommy at JPC they have the best price on them. better than summit!!!
they fit awesome and the gaskets seal perfectly. with the 5.4 in there using stock valve covers i don't think they would come off without jacking the engine and removing the brake booster etc. with these they just come right off.
expensive...yes but absolutely perfect welds and fit like a dream.

Actually the stock valve covers on a 5.4 3v will come off with it in the engine bay. It looks tight, but once the fasteners are lose the cover will move around some and you can remove them.

 

[spyder7724]

Actually the stock valve covers on a 5.4 3v will come off with it in the engine bay. It looks tight, but once the fasteners are lose the cover will move around some and you can remove them.

good to know thanks.

 

[white05gt]

where does it mount. these covers actually gave me more clearance.

I didn't see your reply, the reservoir mounts on the passenger strut tower. Here is a pic but it's not the greatest to see.

 

[spyder7724]

I didn't see your reply, the reservoir mounts on the passenger strut tower. Here is a pic but it's not the greatest to see.

wow thats tight in there. it would probably fit with the moroso valve covers but the stock ones would be really really close. the tank may have toraised up for clearance. thanks for the pic.

 

[white05gt]

I actually had to weld the old holes on the bracket and drill new ones to make the aluminum tank fit in there and it just barely rubs on the valve cover now. I may end up making a new bracket to raise it up a little more so I can get the moroso covers.

 

[spyder7724]

I actually had to weld the old holes on the bracket and drill new ones to make the aluminum tank fit in there and it just barely rubs on the valve cover now. I may end up making a new bracket to raise it up a little more so I can get the moroso covers.

next time i have the covers off i'll put them side by side and take some pics for you. it's a PITA so may be a while before i do it again

 

[white05gt]

I would appreciate it, I was out in the garage doing a tool inventory for my insurance agent and was looking at it the coolant tank. I need to do something with my bracket soon, I noticed that it's rubbing on the valve cover right now so it I don't do something about it I will have a hole in the tank.

 

[spyder7724]

I would appreciate it, I was out in the garage doing a tool inventory for my insurance agent and was looking at it the coolant tank. I need to do something with my bracket soon, I noticed that it's rubbing on the valve cover right now so it I don't do something about it I will have a hole in the tank.

what about converting it to the '07 style cooling and just deleting the tank and using a inline fill neck...you would still need a catch can but then it would be smaller and easier to find a spot for mounting.

 

[white05gt]

Good question, I never thought about that. I may check into that and see if I could do that without too much trouble.

 

[05stroker]

what about converting it to the '07 style cooling and just deleting the tank and using a in-line fill neck...you would still need a catch can but then it would be smaller and easier to find a spot for mounting.

That's kind of where I am headed with mine , but I am keeping the older crossover and teeing them together .

 

[spyder7724]

That's kind of where I am headed with mine , but I am keeping the older crossover and teeing them together .

you mean both upper rad hoses....let me know how it works.

 

[05stroker]

you mean both upper rad hoses....let me know how it works.

Yes , both upper outlets . I plan on doing it with alum 1.5" tubeing and useing a 1.25" - 1.5" coupler on the drivers side of the crossover.

 

[luillo]

yeah i wanted to build an aluminum block 5.4 with 3.75 bore and 4.5 stroke crank which would have been around 380cid i think. i priced it out just for the shortblock $10-12k.....i think my stock heavy iron block 5.4 runs just fine. 124mph @ 3680# means it's making 550-560hp at the crank....with full exhaust only 2.5" at that. just think when i uncap the exhaust...

Where do you think i could find a 5.4 aluminum 3v block or short block assembly???

 

[MexGT]

Where do you think i could find a 5.4 aluminum 3v block or short block assembly???

cammer block = Big bore 4.6 aluminum
Ford GT = 5.4 Aluminum (though dont know if 3V heads will fit)

www.fordracingparts.com

 

[pacettr]

cammer block = Big bore 4.6 aluminum
Ford GT = 5.4 Aluminum (though dont know if 3V heads will fit)

www.fordracingparts.com

They should...?

 

[spyder7724]

they will fit but there's so much machine work to do on the GT block to make it fit in our cars...i had a chance to buy one still in the crate for $2k but it was going to cost $2500 in machine work to have it setup for a wet sump oiling system and a standard starter location..then add $1100 to do the big bore ...oh and it requires a custom oil pan since the block is wider than regular mod motors....it is the best and strongest block though....other option is SHM they make a 3.7 bore 5.4 block...probably still $4k though....FRPP now has an aluminum 5.4 block (small bore) listed but not sure of the price
once the 2011 GT500's are out for a while you should be able to get one of those aluminum 5.4 blocks (ford is switching to aluminum in 2011 for less weight) they are about 100lbs. lighter and already machined for the wet sump and starter.
this is one of the few times you will ever hear me say forget the weight but really adding 50cid is worth giving up 100lbs.
50 cid can yield 50-75hp or more which will easily overcome the 100lbs. you add.
i'm happy with my decision to go with the 5.4 even if it D\Q's me from running some heads up events....still can't figure that out cause big bore stroker 4.6's are legal along with the new 2011 5.0L 4V with 412hp stock....huh... how bout that...got a feeling no matter what i have it would be illegal cause it's fast.