5.4 swap - looking for ideas ...

BlackVert

15 Year Member
Oct 3, 2003
5,589
9
98
Bethesda, MD
I am looking at buying a 5.4 4v from a 2000 Navigator to swap out my 96 4.6. According to carpoint, they make 300 hp stock. My goal is about 350 rwhp for it (I have a manual trans) with as flat a torque curve as possible. What should I do? I have heard that the heads already breathe well and a bigger TB/MAF won't get me much either. Will pulleys and a timing adjuster be worth it? I am not interested in a blower. Will cams and exhaust get me there?
 
I would think a new set of cams could really open that engine up, since the 4V heads flow so well stock. That's just my assumption, though.

If you do cams, a custom tune would probably help you out (maybe even necessary). For a 2V a tune is necessary to get it to idle right, plus I'm sure you could tune a couple extra HP in while you're at it.

As far as I know, aren't most (or all) of the 4V cams out there regrinds? I heard one of the guys from VT Engines mention they were testing new billet cams for the 4V, but who knows the details on them. :shrug:
 
ive been lookin into the same swap, and that thread is helpful. just wish a list would be made for just the swap itself, not all the modifying to make a racecar out of it. for my uses i dont need to open the engine up at all.