S197 3v "Need to Know"

[702GT]

I've done some searching and still can't find an accurate answer.

What's the "official" limitations of the 4.6 3v internals? I've heard 500 crank, 500rwhp, then I've heard it's based more on torque.

I scrapped the E-Force off my plate in light of the Vortech V3. I dunno, something just makes more sense to me based on stock internals and the never-ending power band of a centri. Plus I think it looks cool. lol.

But I'll be running it with the Thumpr Stage 2's, which probably aren't the greatest to put behind a blower, but shouldn't hurt it either. And of course I'll be putting Pypes LT's on as well. I'm currently putting down 330whp/325wtq. Will the blower & headers push the stock motor too hard? I'll probably only rev it to 6500rpm at the most. I'm not hardcore enough to rap it to 7k+.

The intention is to build it up but it also has to be daily driver material as well. I don't DD it for the most part, but when I'm between jobs or on vacation, the 'stang is with me.

Thanks for your time guys.

 

[WJK]

I don't believe there is an exact number if thats what your looking for. The internals of the 4.6 3v are not forged and are not going to handle the power that say a Terminator or GT500 can. 500whp is probably a good estimate though I've heard many stories of people having problems when they went that high. I wouldn't rule out the Edelbrock just yet! It makes very good power with very little boost. The centrifugals may make good power at high rpms but the twin screws will have a better off the line band, and will be more practical for street use IMO. I also would prefer a twin screw for that reason. I would say your going to max out at about 10 pounds of boost before you start having problems. The 3Vs don't breathe as well as the 4Vs and the compression is quite high for serious boost applications.

If your looking for 500whp as your goal I would recommend the Ford Racing/whipple setup. I have heard very good things. But, if your just looking for a good 400+ number I would recommend the E-force as will be very safe and looks factory!

 

[KungFuHamster]

honestly, if you look back at some of the older 2Vs and 4Vs...the numbers were all over the place. Guy X would blow his motor on a 98 Cobra running 450 rwhp, but Guy Y has been running 495 rwhp for 2 yrs no problems. hell one night i watched two similarly modded 2Vs race on the street about 6-7 times in a row...one was running an S-trim the other a Novi2000...both non intercooled. the Novi2000 car hammered 2 pistons...the S-trim car was beat on regularly and never missed a beat. so you see, it just depends.

Heres the answer....its not the power that ultimately kills these motors. its detonation.

yes, the stock shit is weak as fuck, and they do have physical limitations and if pushed beyond those limits the possiblity of failure without detonation does exist.

however, if given a safe tune, driven smartly (i.e. no hotlapping at the track) etc, i dont see why around 450 rwhp isnt ok.

hell i got a buddy back in NOLA whos making almost 500 rwhp on his stock longblock and has been making over 450 for about a year now. his shits held up and ive told him repeatedly his motor is a grenade with the pin pulled. i stand by that...i think a combination of a good tune and his...ahem, inablity to really DRIVE his car are whats been keeping that thing together...or it may be lady luck. who knows.

i just know this...detonate your car making 350 rwhp and your motors just as toasted as if you detonated at 500 rwhp.

 

[LBSRACING]

I would say it all depends on your luck. As for me I blew 2 brand new stock engines at just over 500rwhp. The first engine had 100 miles. The second was straight out the crate from ford. Save yourself lots of time and money just buy a short block if you plan on going above 500hp. I learned that leason the hard way.

 

[Riptide]

From what I've read the whipple with the included whipple tune is the best bet for safety on a stock motor. Not many people have went boom with that combination AFAIK.

 

[AJ]

ballpark is 520's

 

[Vapour Trails]

Yeah, this has never been discussed before. There is no official rating, at best a range where you should be ok, but it depends on a myriad of factors and conditions.

If you are worried about it, then that's a good sign you shouldn't.

 

[US-1]

I've done some searching and still can't find an accurate answer.

What's the "official" limitations of the 4.6 3v internals? I've heard 500 crank, 500rwhp, then I've heard it's based more on torque.

I scrapped the E-Force off my plate in light of the Vortech V3. I dunno, something just makes more sense to me based on stock internals and the never-ending power band of a centri. Plus I think it looks cool. lol.

But I'll be running it with the Thumpr Stage 2's, which probably aren't the greatest to put behind a blower, but shouldn't hurt it either. And of course I'll be putting Pypes LT's on as well. I'm currently putting down 330whp/325wtq. Will the blower & headers push the stock motor too hard? I'll probably only rev it to 6500rpm at the most. I'm not hardcore enough to rap it to 7k+.

The intention is to build it up but it also has to be daily driver material as well. I don't DD it for the most part, but when I'm between jobs or on vacation, the 'stang is with me.

Thanks for your time guys.

Based on the tone of your post I'm just going to say this.......

Build a shortblock before you buy a power adder. Even if it is just rods/pistons. Honestly, you don't sound like the type of driver who is going to be easy on the car nor will you limit yourself to a set hp level.

 

[702GT]

Actually, I wanted to stay below 500whp. I figured a centri would be more streetable than a roots just for rpm operation range. I can't say I want to run exactly 450whp anymore than I can say I'd want exactly 500whp. I just want to figure where the limitations are, and get there without giving up durability and reliability. The Vortech can acheive 450whp+ just as easily as a E-Force, deliver less shock to the powertrain and drivetrain, and costs significantly less. ($7,000 for a blower just isn't as appealing as $4,500'ish)

If I had the coin to throw down for bullet proofing my shortblock I'd do it. But it's pick my poison. I can afford either a built shortblock to make 330whp or make an educated choice on boosting what I have without risking the stock shortblock. From what I've read in replies so far, it sounds to me more like it's all in the tune, not the internals.

I've considered just running a 125-150 shot and calling it a day. But N2O worries me. I've rebuilt too many of my buddy's motors from spray mis-haps. Granted, they've all been 2v's with minor bolt-ons, stock bottoms, and 125 wet shots, but the things that "can" happen with nitrous, I'm just not sure if I would call it reliable for what I want. Plus there's the whole dual-tune thing that I would find annoying as all hell. It'd be my luck, the one time I open the bottle up and don't switch tunes and blow the shit out of my motor.

This is starting to sound like I'm not gonna be able to have my cake and eat it too, lol.