Considering a 5.4 build/swap please advise

[06Mach]

I don't really mind my 4.6 I'm just looking at options for when she gets old.


With costs the way they are a new 5.0 swap is out.
I don't like forced induction, I'm a fan of all motor.

And I really don't want too much.

But there is one thing that sticks out to me.

A 5.4 3v, mildly built.
Those trucks run forever, so I know reliability is set.
But here are my concerns if I were to go this route.

3v to 3v, I am fairly sure all wiring will mate.
The modulars have similar bolt patterns, so my 5r55s should bolt right up.
Weight is an issue, but I have plans to offset the extra 100 lbs.

here are my questions:

has anyone done this swap with a GT, not a v6. I already have all my GT components, I just want to know what will work, and what will I need.
I know that the 2vs were literally direct bolt ins. I've done 2 swaps. One mine, one a friends. And I loved it, I just couldn't rev past 5300

That said, are the 3v 5.4s as bad as the 2vs? IE can't spin to 6k?
Not being good with low gearing(4.10s)
I'm not shooting for the moon here, so a normal powerband would suffice.


I know most will say at least get the 4v 5.4 but, I like to keep the SOHC factor, and am on a budget, so I'm really just considering the idea.
I know I could find a low mileaged one for around 1000 around here, so sourcing is not the issue, I just want to know if it would be plausible.
IE less than 5K for the whole deal.

If not I'll pursue a 4.6 rebuild, but I'd really like a DD 5.4 with that lovely torque shelf.

Thanks for humoring me

 

[lito]

My partner and I were discussing this the other day for a project.

I like the idea but to do it right you would have to spend quite some money.

The drawbacks that would cost a lot to correct were basically:

- There are no bolt on headers
- There is no decent intake (not a fan of adapters)
- Weight, FGT alu block makes this expensive

With enough money, a nice project can be done with a 3V 5.4 but it will cost some dough. I would not do it on a budget. I think that with your budget I would even give the idea of a 323 NA on a 4.6 block more thought.

 

[19COBRA93]

The weight of the readily available iron block is a big turn off for me, as well as the price of an aluminum 5.4L block. There just seems to be better options for making power.

 

[06Mach]

I was afraid of such.
I know most of us 2v dd types would just 5.4 swap. it was amazing.
But I should have known since the 3vs were left alone.

As for the intake, I know JPC makes one.

Also I heard that stroking the 4.6 was not the best idea in the long run, something about rod or piston slap would be worse due to the stroke?

In practicality though, it'd be good for some more torque.

 

[NUTCASE]

As for the intake, I know JPC makes one.

whats the part number? never heard of it and I am by that shop on occasion.

you have to remeber the 5.4 has a higher deck height. this moves the header mating surface higher and out a bit more

this also moves the intake mating surfaces farther apart. you can just machine on more metal like that. you have to get an adapter. adapters exist but now the air has to make more sharp turns getting into the head. you could run the original truck intake but then RPM would be limited. there are a few companies that will do a sheetmetal intake for you but the price will be high.

saleen and roush both have sc kits for 5.4 3v. so if boost isint totally off the list you could go that route.

but then you are still stuck paying no less than 4 digits for custom exaust manifolds.

honestly if you really wanna stick 3v AND N/A you cheapest route could very well end up being a 322 bore/stroker.

 

[ford20]

My partner and I were discussing this the other day for a project.

I like the idea but to do it right you would have to spend quite some money.

The drawbacks that would cost a lot to correct were basically:

- There are no bolt on headers
- There is no decent intake (not a fan of adapters)
- Weight, FGT alu block makes this expensive

With enough money, a nice project can be done with a 3V 5.4 but it will cost some dough. I would not do it on a budget. I think that with your budget I would even give the idea of a 323 NA on a 4.6 block more thought.

What about doing the Modular Big Bore engine. Than you can stroke it to 323 c.i. From there you would be able to take the 3v heads and use the stock intake and be ready to go that way.

 

[lito]

As for the intake, I know JPC makes one.

MMR makes one too, I think you can get Hogan to do one, the thing I've meant is that there is no OEM intakes that would work there cheap.

Also I heard that stroking the 4.6 was not the best idea in the long run, something about rod or piston slap would be worse due to the stroke?

No problem there. If you were looking into a 5.4 a stroked 4.6 should not be an issue.

 

[06Mach]

i appreciate this.

I didn't know about the header issue.
I was hoping that shorties would fit just like the 2v. oh well.

The 3v is a new beast to me.


A homegrown 5.3 liter though....sounds tempting.
But how is reliability with strokers....I don't want to do this every 100K

I don't drag, and rarely see 70. I just like having the grunt and knowing the power is there.

 

[Mike K]

What are you looking to spend?

 

[06Mach]

well I was tossing around ballparks.

about 3k for a rebuild when the time comes
quoted 500 for machine work, bout .20 over if needed. and 1800 for around oem spec rotating assembly, and 1200 for the build. *ballpark*

about 5k for the 5.4 swap(before I got on here)
I based that off of local and online 5.4 pricing, 1100 here for one with 11K on it.
I figured the rest would cover issues.

Really just trying to stay south of 6 grand.
I honestly don't forsee my 4.6 dying at 150K but then again, I don't trust these modulars.
I've seen pushrods and old ford 300 Sixes run for 300+ but I dunno about mod motors.

 

[ford20]

Modular big bore block is 5.0L and ~$1400 at the most than you need to machine the block, not sure what that would cost, a stroker kit would probably be somewhere around $2500. Than you would be able to use your old 3v heads, wiring harnesses, headers etc.

I wouldnt be worried about the engines to be honest. I had a crown vic where the tranny went at around 170-200k miles and the motor still seemed strong

 

[Mike K]

I'm with everyone else on the big bore. The modulars are great motors there are plenty of people with boost and over 100k and running strong yet.

 

[06Mach]

Modular big bore block is 5.0L and ~$1400 at the most than you need to machine the block, not sure what that would cost, a stroker kit would probably be somewhere around $2500. Than you would be able to use your old 3v heads, wiring harnesses, headers etc.

I wouldnt be worried about the engines to be honest. I had a crown vic where the tranny went at around 170-200k miles and the motor still seemed strong

refreshing to hear.

I just don't want to have to deal with a new motor while in the army.

I need a better paying job to support my habits.

 

[gil_t2]

The header for a 4.6 will fit, you need to use the 1" lower motor mounts, Intake manifolds are expensive, JPC is $1,700. quote I got from them back in August. There is a company that makes an adapter to use stock 4.6 manifold $385. looks like CM plates. I am building one using Alu block, It will take awile , but I am willing to pay the extra 1,000. over the BB 4.6

 

[06Mach]

lol this is starting to sound like the old 2v swap

 

[gil_t2]

read this http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6047&highlight=5.4+build

 

[panama]

http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=9778

If i ever build a motor, I'm thinking about using this. stock 4.6 rotating assembly w/ larger pistons is 5.0 liters and the iron only weights like 65lbs more. Everything should be a direct swap, just more cubes.

 

[eddieval5]

well I was tossing around ballparks.

about 3k for a rebuild when the time comes
quoted 500 for machine work, bout .20 over if needed. and 1800 for around oem spec rotating assembly, and 1200 for the build. *ballpark*

about 5k for the 5.4 swap(before I got on here)
I based that off of local and online 5.4 pricing, 1100 here for one with 11K on it.
I figured the rest would cover issues.

Really just trying to stay south of 6 grand.
I honestly don't forsee my 4.6 dying at 150K but then again, I don't trust these modulars.
I've seen pushrods and old ford 300 Sixes run for 300+ but I dunno about mod motors.

I have a 5.4 3v block with a forged crank roughly 60xxx miles out of an 04 f150 if your interested.

 

[BoostedGT480]

I would go with the big bore. Of course, you dont have to stroke it if you dont want. You could up the compression to make it a nice NA car. So you would have a 5.0 w/ high compression just like the new 5.0's. Plus, they fit right in, use the same wiring harness, etc.

 

[06Mach]

you can bore out another .4 liters?

I really guess I need to look deeper into that.

And yeah, I'm wanting to up my compression to at least a 10.5 Bout the same as a pi swapped 96-98, just have to run better gas.