Engine Ratings

fucci60 · Dec 1, 2008

I was wondering if anyone knew of any places I could look in order to find the different strength/power ratings for mustang engines. I would like to know how much power I could put into my mustang engine without it blowing. I was also looking into buying a new mustang some time, probably next year, and would like to know what I can put into each prospective mustang. I also need to find somewhere to look into about how to rebuild or strengthen an engine in case I keep my 96 gt...

bhuff30 · Dec 1, 2008

That really depends on a lot of factors, like how you are making the power (turbo, nitrous, blower, ect) and the tune. Blowers tend to be harder on your bottom end because they draw power from the crank, so you are actaully making a lot more power than what you show on the dyno.

In general, the limit for the 96-04 2v, NA 4v and 05+ 3V engines are all the same because they all got powder cast rods. Given a good tune, 425rwhp is very safe and over 450 rwhp is where you get into trouble.

The 03/04 cobra engine is much stronger, with proper forged parts. It is safe to 600+rwhp?

BurningRubber · Dec 1, 2008

^ Good advice.

There are guys that are making between 700-800rwhp on stock 03/04 Cobra motors... they are rediculous!!!

As far as strengthening your 96's engine, there are some steps you should consider first.

If you are going to run boost through it, it's a very good idea to do the PI headswap so you will make best use of what you have. You can run less boost, and make more power than with the non-PI (96-98) heads, cams, and intake manifold with the swapped over 99-04 heads, cams, and intake on your 96's bottom end.

If you really want to push some power, there are rebuild kits and pre-assembeled forged bottom ends galore out there. From mild to wild, it's all about how deep your wallet is.

CobraRed_96_GT · Dec 1, 2008

BurningRubber said:
^ Good advice.

There are guys that are making between 700-800rwhp on stock 03/04 Cobra motors... they are rediculous!!!

As far as strengthening your 96's engine, there are some steps you should consider first.

If you are going to run boost through it, it's a very good idea to do the PI headswap so you will make best use of what you have. You can run less boost, and make more power than with the non-PI (96-98) heads, cams, and intake manifold with the swapped over 99-04 heads, cams, and intake on your 96's bottom end.

If you really want to push some power, there are rebuild kits and pre-assembeled forged bottom ends galore out there. From mild to wild, it's all about how deep your wallet is.

I wouldn't recommend a PI swap for boost at 10.5:1 compression unless he's using dished forged pistons ect. Maybe port your NPI's.
And I'd hate to see a 700-800rwhp cobra with a stock shortblock see any detonation, those mahle pistons are 4032 grade aluminum. Any detonation near that power level results what i'd guess as a collapsed 2nd ring landing.

BurningRubber · Dec 1, 2008

CobraRed_96_GT said:
I wouldn't recommend a PI swap for boost at 10.5:1 compression unless he's using dished forged pistons ect. Maybe port your NPI's.
And I'd hate to see a 700-800rwhp cobra with a stock shortblock see any detonation, those mahle pistons are 4032 grade aluminum. Any detonation near that power level results what i'd guess as a collapsed 2nd ring landing.

Ahhh good point on the PI swap and boost, didn't think about that. It would be good for a nitrous application though.

I was pretty blown away that the Cobra's were making that power on their stock shortblocks, but they did, and they didn't come apart (yet, lol).

jprovence · Dec 1, 2008

Plenty of termis have blown their motors with much less power as well.

DBMSTNG · Dec 1, 2008

bhuff30 said:
In general, the limit for the 96-04 2v, NA 4v and 05+ 3V engines are all the same because they all got powder cast rods. Given a good tune, 425rwhp is very safe and over 450 rwhp is where you get into trouble.

not true. the 3V's and 4V's can make more power safely on the stock bottom end than the 2Vs. 425rwhp is far from "very safe" even with a good tune. 400rwhp is the generally accepted limit for a stock bottom end. any more and you risk bending the rods, no matter the tune.

2000GTdriver · Dec 2, 2008

I would recomend "How To Build Max-Performance 4.6-Liter Ford Engines" by Sean Hyland. This book goes into all of the strenths and weaknesses of the mod motors, and tells you what parts to upgrade for certain power levels or types of racing. Planning your engine build ahead can save tons of money and frustration. This book covers 4.6 and 5.4 engines, fun to read even if you are not planning any mods.

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