Engine swap 4.6 to5.4

[redhorse]

With all the mods I have seen posted, this I have not seen and I am wondering if it could be done. Would it be practical to do and how much more power does the 5.4 have on the 4.6. Taking for granted this would be going into a '03 GT with a five speed. Any input?

[QWKSNKE]

I saw this in a mag a few months back but cannot remember the power results.

[redhorse]

So it can be done with a Triton 5.4? Would you go to a Six speed?

[Sendero]

So it can be done with a Triton 5.4? Would you go to a Six speed?

Good News: It will fit and without much issue.

Bad News: It's a little impractical for a street based ride considering what you can do with a 4.6L 4V Big Bore or boosted buildup.

4.6L's are heavy compared to a 351w, so the 5.4L's are a freaking elephant compared to the Windsor motors. With the taller deck height on the 5.4 block, you pretty much have to pull the motor to even take off the head covers or service the top end. However, you can make some serious N/A Horsepower and Torque with a 5.4L, but at almost double what it cost to build a comparable Windsor motor.

If you are looking to build a street machine, I'd suggest a turbo or supercharger on the 4.6L. But if you are building a dedicated drag car you could build a 5.4L, but I think a 351W stroker would be faster. :nice:

[Italian LX]

Check with myillwillinc on the Mafia board; he did the swap in his New Edge GT. :yup:

[Wicked]

Check with myillwillinc on the Mafia board; he did the swap in his New Edge GT. :yup:

Doesn't he have a SN95...it is if your referring to the gold car with black hood.
Either way, yes he did the swap but I think he used a stock engine and obviously came across a good deal.

I agree with nathan. For all the money you could spend, build the 4.6 and you can make the same power for less money.

[Italian LX]

Doesn't he have a SN95...
Yeah, I forgot, his is a '97. :doh:

[DSkeet]

5.4 swap + KB =teh $hit!!

[TheJeanyus]

I agree with nathan. For all the money you could spend, build the 4.6 and you can make the same power for less money.
:stupid: It will also be a lot lighter. With that heavy ass engine up front I would imagine it handles like a pig.

[J-ville4.6]

At one time I was thinking of going this route, I had a guy in Anniston who was going to put a lightning motor in my 98. But between the cost and the added weight I started looking for somthing else.

[ChipR4cam]

I didn't think it would be that expensive to do. Where would all the cost be?

[J-ville4.6]

I didn't think it would be that expensive to do. Where would all the cost be?

A lot of the cost is in the motor, the prices I've found for a wrecked Gen. 2 lightning ran from $4,000-$6,000 depending on the miliage. For $6,000 one could build a 4.6 with the same HP and torque as a lightning with less weight upfront. But if one just wanted to find a 5.4 out of a truck or SUV than the cost would be a little less than a lightning, but you would still have to worry about the added weight, and for a street car it just doesn't add up. I mean you can buy a complete new 01 cobra longblock for $5,000 and have almost the same HP and torque as a 5.4 NA.

[ChipR4cam]

I wasn't think a Lightning motor. I was just thinking a regular 5.4, those motors are cheap.:yup:

[qkjuicedpony]

the lightning motor is so tall with the blower that you would have to cut a huge hole in the hood for clearance


with a 5.4 2v motor they make everything to swap them out and even have adapters so you can run the stock intake setup from your 4.6

plus they have a shitload more torque than a 4.6...id swap it out

[J-ville4.6]

I wasn't think a Lightning motor. I was just thinking a regular 5.4, those motors are cheap.:yup:

I kind of figured that's what you were talking about. ;)

[J-ville4.6]

the lightning motor is so tall with the blower that you would have to cut a huge hole in the hood for clearance


with a 5.4 2v motor they make everything to swap them out and even have adapters so you can run the stock intake setup from your 4.6

plus they have a shitload more torque than a 4.6...id swap it out


The hood clearance for a lightning motor w/ blower was also an issue I did'nt want to deal with. What are some names of companies that make the kits to do a 5.4 swap?
and whats the weight differance btween a 4.6 2v & a 5.4 2v?

[qkjuicedpony]

let me see if i can find the magazine with the companies name that makes the intake adapters and such....sucks that i just sold a complete 5.4 about a month ago

[J-ville4.6]

let me see if i can find the magazine with the companies name that makes the intake adapters and such....sucks that i just sold a complete 5.4 about a month ago

Yea that does suck, I've been going back and forth about doing a 5.4 swap, about the time I think it's a good idea I talk myself out of it and start looking in other directions. I read an article in the June issue MM&FF about 5.4 swap and he made it sound easy. Even through he fabed his own intake adapter.

[qkjuicedpony]

it is an easy swap...everything changes over with the exception of the intake adapters.


if i had a mud motor car id do the swap already just for the torque gain and then strap a kit on that bitch and ride it like a two dollar hooker

[J-ville4.6]

if i had a mud motor car id do the swap already just for the torque gain and then strap a kit on that bitch and ride it like a two dollar hooker
:lol: :lol:

Yea I've been thinking of going with a Kenne Bell.

[ChipR4cam]

You can get the adapters from MPH i think.

[myillwillinc]

i've got the articles on the 4.6 2v to 5.4 2v swap like i did. send me your email and i'll get it to anyone who wants it. i don't know what the wieght diffrence was but my springs didn't sit any lower then before. you will need custom adapters for the 5.4 swap, the headers, oil pan and oil filter adapter are a exact fit. there are alot of 4v adapters out there but i only know of one guy who will make the 2v adapters. it doesn't make but 15hp or so, but 90 lbs of torque to the wheels. the ideal motor is the navi 4v, it's all internal forged, the triton has a steel crank. but from what i've read it can take more boost then a 4.6 and more nos then a 4.6. if you want to meet or come by advance in alabaster i'll show you what i've done. if your doing the swap, i'll help with what i can...

[myillwillinc]

if i could quit being broke i'd get it dyno'd

[QWKSNKE]

i've got the articles on the 4.6 2v to 5.4 2v swap like i did. send me your email and i'll get it to anyone who wants it. i don't know what the wieght diffrence was but my springs didn't sit any lower then before. you will need custom adapters for the 5.4 swap, the headers, oil pan and oil filter adapter are a exact fit. there are alot of 4v adapters out there but i only know of one guy who will make the 2v adapters. it doesn't make but 15hp or so, but 90 lbs of torque to the wheels. the ideal motor is the navi 4v, it's all internal forged, the triton has a steel crank. but from what i've read it can take more boost then a 4.6 and more nos then a 4.6. if you want to meet or come by advance in alabaster i'll show you what i've done. if your doing the swap, i'll help with what i can...


Send them to me and I will add the info onto our FAQ list here.

Lee@deepstageperformance.com

[myillwillinc]

emailed them away to you....

[J-ville4.6]

i've got the articles on the 4.6 2v to 5.4 2v swap like i did. send me your email and i'll get it to anyone who wants it. i don't know what the wieght diffrence was but my springs didn't sit any lower then before. you will need custom adapters for the 5.4 swap, the headers, oil pan and oil filter adapter are a exact fit. there are alot of 4v adapters out there but i only know of one guy who will make the 2v adapters. it doesn't make but 15hp or so, but 90 lbs of torque to the wheels. the ideal motor is the navi 4v, it's all internal forged, the triton has a steel crank. but from what i've read it can take more boost then a 4.6 and more nos then a 4.6. if you want to meet or come by advance in alabaster i'll show you what i've done. if your doing the swap, i'll help with what i can...

Thanks man Here's my email jalolley@cableone.net, If I could ever get over to B-ham I'll stop by a check it out.
What kind of problems did you run into with your swap? Like transmission, headers or EEC?

[QWKSNKE]

emailed them away to you....


Thanks and I will get them up this week

[Shankin]

:metal: Just put a pushrod motor in it! It will be much faster!

[Italian LX]

:metal: Just put a pushrod motor in it! It will be much faster!
:stupid:

. . . and better cost/horsepower. :nice:

[redhorse]

So the overall opinion, would be to stick with a 4.6. Next question would be how much difference or increase in power will be noticed changing cam and pistons. Ultimate goal avoiding supercharging the engine, keeping it N/A?

[TheJeanyus]

So the overall opinion, would be to stick with a 4.6. Next question would be how much difference or increase in power will be noticed changing cam and pistons. Ultimate goal avoiding supercharging the engine, keeping it N/A?
VT stage 2 cams, ported heads, ported Bullitt intake, and forged internals would probably be your best bet for a NA 4.6.

If you're dead set on an engine swap, skip the F-series 5.4 and go with a Navi motor. :burnout:

[ChipR4cam]

I think if you plan on staying n/a then you might not want to count a 2v 5.4 out. I bet with a set of heads and cams they could really put some power down.


Maybe a 3v or 4v 5.4 though?:dunno:

[redhorse]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is the difference between the F-Series 5.4 and the Navigator engine? I would have assumed that both being 5.4 L , they would be the same, obviously I am mistaken.

[Italian LX]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is the difference between the F-Series 5.4 and the Navigator engine? I would have assumed that both being 5.4 L , they would be the same, obviously I am mistaken.
A Navi has a 4V motor.

[TheJeanyus]

A Navi has a 4V motor.
It also has an aluminum block and an intake and heads that flow VERY well.

[hevymtl]

skip the F-series 5.4 and go with a Navi motor.


Why dont you skip on over to my F-series 5.4! :wave:

[TheJeanyus]

Why dont you skip on over to my F-series 5.4! :wave:
:jerkit:

[qkjuicedpony]

if you want to go N/A then swap in a 5.4 and send the heads out and have them worked and get the new carb'd intake for a 5.4 and get an elbow for the top then have it setup for efi.......do good custom cams for it and big longtube headers with a 5 speed and a kit.............spray that bitch

[TheJeanyus]

if you want to go N/A...spray that bitch
:think:

[redhorse]

No extra goodies, no spray, no supercharger, no turbo, just want to find out how a plan engine with internals and a few teeks will do.

[qkjuicedpony]

No extra goodies, no spray, no supercharger, no turbo, just want to find out how a plan engine with internals and a few teeks will do.



then if you want a lot more power...pushrods are the way to go:D

[ChipR4cam]

The ultimate big power n/a motor is a Navi motor. It'll cost to put it all together though.

[lukem80]

think this idea through before you swap it..... all of the hidden costs involved... all the BS.... it would be hard as hell to work on.

save that $ and buy a 2000 Cobra R if you really want one with a 5.4 in it

[myillwillinc]

the navi motor is forged and could handle 1000hp... perfect for soccer moms...
the cost wasn't to bad, the torque is awesome. i'll borrow a camera this weekend and snap some pics. as for problems, the only thing that doesn't fit is the intake(custom intake spacers here) everything else fits perfect. working on it is diffrent, no room( less then before) i'm dropping the whole k-member/engine to do a pi head swap on it. after putting this one in, the only hard part about putting it in was some of the bolts to the tranny/engine were hard to get a wrench to. but i fully say do it if you can, totally worth it. when i get on it you feel it push you into the seat. before i had a 4.6 with the pi head swap and every bolt on i could get. this one is stock with some of the same bolt ons and it would walk right past it.**** torque baby*****

[QWKSNKE]

myillwill's info has been added to the FAQ on this site

[96GTS]

It also has an aluminum block and an intake and heads that flow VERY well.
The Ford GT is the only car that comes with an all aluminum 5.4. Navi blocks are CI.
http://ford.jbcarpages.com/GT/2005/Bilder/2005%20Ford%20GT%20Engine.jpg
:drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:

[96GTS]

the navi motor is forged and could handle 1000hp... perfect for soccer moms...
I wish:( Unfortunately, the Navis come with the same shitty powdered metal rods as the 4.6...just longer.

Good news, the crank is forged steel :banana: 5.4 rods/pistons cost about the same as 4.6, just not stocked by as many shops. I got my rods for $950 shipped, but you can get good forged rods for $6-700. I just opted for billet b/c my goal is 700rwhp and it will be a track whore, so it will see high RPMs...

:chug:

[myillwillinc]

i know my 5.4 has seen 6K rpm's a few times to many and it seems to still not want to crap all over itself.....