2V-->4V conversion???

[smokin'Red35th]

Someone clear this up for me please....

Is the main block the same for a 2v and a 4v? If so, why couldnt one convert their 2v SOHC to a 4v DOHC? I hope this question doesnt sound dumb, but i'm trying to understand this.

 

[svtguy]

Someone clear this up for me please....

Is the main block the same for a 2v and a 4v? If so, why couldnt one convert their 2v SOHC to a 4v DOHC? I hope this question doesnt sound dumb, but i'm trying to understand this.

No the block isn't the same, but thats just one of many things. While both motors are 4.6L's that's where the similarities end, as they share no parts in common. A complete 4v crate motor is the only route to go & unless you own your own shop & do your on work, a 4v swap is neither cheap nor easy.

That being said if you own a 99+ GT & want 4v power, sell your current car & buy either a new or a used Cobra. If you own a older GT that needs a new power plant then a 4v Crate motor could be fun.

 

[millhouse]

No the block isn't the same, but thats just one of many things. While both motors are 4.6L's that's where the similarities end, as they share no parts in common. A complete 4v crate motor is the only route to go & unless you own your own shop & do your on work, a 4v swap is neither cheap nor easy.

That being said if you own a 99+ GT & want 4v power, sell your current car & buy either a new or a used Cobra. If you own a older GT that needs a new power plant then a 4v Crate motor could be fun.

Although the block's are not quite the same, they are similar enough to be able to slap on the 4v heads and all of the supporting hardware on a stock 2v shortblock. I believe the only thing different that you would need would be the alternator and perhaps the electronics.

With that being said, the 2v's dont have a forged crank for those high rev's that the 4v's have stock.

It took my brother and I around 4 months of weekend and occasional weekday work to convert a 99v6 into cobra via a 96 driveline. Keep in mind we had air tools, and almost no support for a older engine into a newer car swap (different fuel systems, computers, harnesses, connectors etc.) It took more time figuring things out most of the time than it did to actually do the work.

 

[smokin'Red35th]

Id probably end up dropping a 4V crate motor in there anyway, i was just curious. And no, im not selling my car

 

[Aaron 4.6]

No the block isn't the same, but thats just one of many things. While both motors are 4.6L's that's where the similarities end, as they share no parts in common. A complete 4v crate motor is the only route to go & unless you own your own shop & do your on work, a 4v swap is neither cheap nor easy.

That being said if you own a 99+ GT & want 4v power, sell your current car & buy either a new or a used Cobra. If you own a older GT that needs a new power plant then a 4v Crate motor could be fun.

Engine swaps aren't ever cheap or easy. Its an ENGINE SWAP. That having been said, a 4V swap is about as cheap and easy as it gets. You can get complete engines for less than 3k, and you aren't exactly breaking new ground. Hell, there is a website dedicate to EXACTLY this swap. www.cobrapoweredgt.com

The motors have a LOT more in common than the displacement, although there are significant differences. However, its completely 'do-able' to slap 4V heads on a 2V block. Its just smarter to swap the whole engine.

 

[walker887]

guys to clear it all up , yes the 2V can be converted , we have done it now to all years of blocks.The 2V W block needs some grinding up in the valley area to clear the intake.
I will someday soon update Cobra Powered when time is avail to list all of this
Don

 

[nickthegenius]

No the block isn't the same, but thats just one of many things. While both motors are 4.6L's that's where the similarities end, as they share no parts in common.

 

[svtguy]

Engine swaps aren't ever cheap or easy. Its an ENGINE SWAP. That having been said, a 4V swap is about as cheap and easy as it gets. You can get complete engines for less than 3k, and you aren't exactly breaking new ground. Hell, there is a website dedicate to EXACTLY this swap. www.cobrapoweredgt.com

The motors have a LOT more in common than the displacement, although there are significant differences. However, its completely 'do-able' to slap 4V heads on a 2V block. Its just smarter to swap the whole engine.

I think all of you guys are all missing the boat on my post. ie: A 4v engine here will run you between $4 - 5,000 CND & Unless you OWN a shop & do all your own work your looking at another $2,000 to do the swap or more. If I own a 2001 GT with low miles, I can sell if for about $22,000. A similar low mileage 2001 Cobra can be had for about $29,000.00

$22,000 + 5,000 + 2,000 = $29,000.00


Hmmm...4 valve swapped GT or Cobra cost about the same. Except ones worth more & will always be worth more & offers may advantages & improvements over the other.

So unless you run across a free 4 valve motor or one that's extremely cheap, it makes very little sense for most people to do a swap. Bastardizing a 2V GT motor into a 4v makes even less sense.

 

[michigan98gt]

http://www.karkraft.com/mach1_engine1.jpg

This sells for 3200. Only 300 miles on it. SOunds dumb, but what would estimated labor be to drop this in my 98Gt 5-speed??

Otherwise, what all is needed to get 300rwhp N/A on my 2v? Thanks!!

 

[hognutz]

I don't know why you would do a swap when you could just do 2v heads and cams. I mean stock cobra don't throw down over 300rwhp. I mean if your goals are only 280-300rwhp why not just do heads and cams on the 2v. it will cost 3k but there is no "swaping" just replacing.

now if you goal is to mod the hell out of the 4v then by all means swap it in as there is more potiential there.

 

[Aaron 4.6]

svtguy-

I recognize your point completely, and it is a valid one. In fact, I did exactly what you suggested. I went from a 99 GT to a 98 Cobra because it was, in my mind, the smart way to go. I guess I just wanted to emphasize that the 4V swap isn't some impossibly hard swap that costs a bajillion dollars. It might not be the easiest way to go, but a lot of people have done it.

 

[Patrick-GT]

There is a huge difference in insurance cost though, keep that in mind.

 

[smokin'Red35th]

I think all of you guys are all missing the boat on my post. ie: A 4v engine here will run you between $4 - 5,000 CND & Unless you OWN a shop & do all your own work your looking at another $2,000 to do the swap or more. If I own a 2001 GT with low miles, I can sell if for about $22,000. A similar low mileage 2001 Cobra can be had for about $29,000.00

$22,000 + 5,000 + 2,000 = $29,000.00


Hmmm...4 valve swapped GT or Cobra cost about the same. Except ones worth more & will always be worth more & offers may advantages & improvements over the other.

So unless you run across a free 4 valve motor or one that's extremely cheap, it makes very little sense for most people to do a swap. Bastardizing a 2V GT motor into a 4v makes even less sense.

well, My car has more value to me than any other "standard" GT. If I was offered a cobra for my car as an even trade, i still wouldnt get rid of it. Simply because very few people have my car. there are 1550 just like it (same color) throughout the united states and Japan. So, that being said, my car holds more value to me and makes it worth the swap.

(If i had any other 99-04 gt, i would just say screw it and trade it for an 03 cobra)

 

[smokin'Red35th]

.......now if you goal is to mod the hell out of the 4v then by all means swap it in as there is more potiential there.

That is my whole reasoning for doing the swap. I want the added potential for when i get my Kenne bell.

 

[Aaron 4.6]

There is a huge difference in insurance cost though, keep that in mind.

Not necessarily. Liability is basically the same. Both cars are considered V8 sports cars. And if the cars are not too far apart in appraised value, the collision shouldn't be much different. Going from a 97 GT to a 2003 Cobra would be a big jump, but a 00 GT to a 99 Cobra should be pretty close. My insurance actually went down a hair when I got the Cobra.

This may vary with insurance carrier.

 

[svtguy]

That is my whole reasoning for doing the swap. I want the added potential for when i get my Kenne bell.

Well some of us get attached to certain car that's understandable & a 4v sleeper GT would be cool. But a logical question you have to ask yourself is, do I ever intended to sell the car? I know you love your current car now but few years down the road when the 05+ GT's start catching your eye, will your opinion change? Another one is do I have to trade in my current toy to buy another?

BTW: 03 Cobra crate motor all the way if you want to s/c.

BTW: Here are the number counts for convertible 03 Cobra's, if rarity of color is what you desire you can see that all colors but black will few & far between.

Convertible: Black 1,679; White 308; Yellow 319; D.S.Grey 446; M.Grey 154; T.Red 582; Red.F 610; Blue 355; S.Silver; 81; Silver M. 548;

http://www.svt.ford.com/svtArchiveC...a03&vehicle_two=nothing&vehicle_three=nothing

 

[jbritt1234]

There is a huge difference in insurance cost though, keep that in mind.

I priced the increase when I was consicering a 03 Cobra vert from my 02 GT Vert. It was only $17 more a month. 30 years old and State Farm Ins.

 

[hognutz]

That is my whole reasoning for doing the swap. I want the added potential for when i get my Kenne bell.

if you are getting a kenne bell I would just do a forged shortblock and the kb. I mean last time a checked 500hp+ was about all you can handle in a street car without lots of suspention mods anyway. with 14psi and everything tuned right you should be over 500hp.

I mean just adding a kenne bell to you 2v now with new maf, air intake etc would have you in a pretty fast ride.

If you plan on supercharging I see no reason to go to 4v unless you just have to be a 4v. staying n/a there is a advantage for sure.

 

[Newedge3]

I think all of you guys are all missing the boat on my post. ie: A 4v engine here will run you between $4 - 5,000 CND & Unless you OWN a shop & do all your own work your looking at another $2,000 to do the swap or more. If I own a 2001 GT with low miles, I can sell if for about $22,000. A similar low mileage 2001 Cobra can be had for about $29,000.00

$22,000 + 5,000 + 2,000 = $29,000.00


Hmmm...4 valve swapped GT or Cobra cost about the same. Except ones worth more & will always be worth more & offers may advantages & improvements over the other.

So unless you run across a free 4 valve motor or one that's extremely cheap, it makes very little sense for most people to do a swap. Bastardizing a 2V GT motor into a 4v makes even less sense.

I literally did this hole swap with basic hand tools a junkyard motor and elbo grees and in my front yard at that. Total hours invested to swap and here it start. 4-6 hours. Most time consuming part was extending the COP plugs