Hypothetical motor question, let's dream!

R

rob1

New Member
Mar 18, 2004
94
0
0
Indiana
#1
Okay, say I have a 96 GT-which I do. Also, let's say I want some awesome power that will light up LS1's and hopped imports. Would it be better and more cost effective to purchase a used 4.6 and then mod it or one already built from a dealer? Also, could you get big power by staying NA or do you have to go to a blower. I don't want nitrous. I'm asking because I am getting a pretty good tax return and will be saving some cash so it is definitely a winter possibility. What have some of you guys done? I will want a shop to do the installs and I want to leave my car automatic. Can I have the one I have rebuilt or should I buy a pre-modded tranny? Now remember this has to be streetable and driveable. I want a hot stang for next summer. I have already put wheels, tires, and exhaust and getting ready for stereo in the month and a half I've owned it so I need a bowtie killer next year. Help a guy out with some ideas, where to look, and some possible costs. Also, where in the Indianapolis to eastern central Indiana area does good work and has a dyno?
Thanks
Rob
 
#3
Well, if I were to have a 96GT and come into some $$$ the first thing I'd do is have the stock heads replaced with PI heads and aftermarket cams (say VT stage I billet cams) - maybe ported heads, even. PI or aftermarket intake, larger injectors to provide fuel for the 290 or so RWHP (24-30#'s) and a decent tune.... If there's nothing wrong with the tranny right now it should hold up for a while.

That's what I would do!
 
#6
For your tranny I would recommend these mods:
Jerry Mod, Steeda tranny cooler, PI Stallion torque converter, and some 4.10s. That will be a killer set-up and roast a 5-speed. For engine, if wanting to stay N/A, and suspension I would recommed the VT cams, an ECU reflash, PI head swap, T/A, UD pullies, panhard bar, UCAs, LCAs, subframe connectors. I cant remember if you said you had springs or not, but get some springs too. Oh, some drag radials would help a lot too :flag:
 
#8
Is the 5.4 really that good? Now would a lightly decent 5.4 put you in the same area as cams, heads, chip, and tune on the 4.6? I'm lokking to spend between $5000 and $8000 on the motor and tranny. Most of the simpler mods I can do or have done cheaply by a relative. The engine work and technicals would be by a garage. Where are a couple of places to check out some 5.4 motors? I'm lightly modding now but will probably start picking up parts now such as heads and so on for when winter gets here. If I got a 5.4 would there be any fitment issues with the rest of the stock set ups? The tranny will probably see a rebuild and the rear end will get new gears and serviced so that is not a worry.
Thanks
Rob
 
#12
rob1 said:
Is the 5.4 really that good? Now would a lightly decent 5.4 put you in the same area as cams, heads, chip, and tune on the 4.6? I'm lokking to spend between $5000 and $8000 on the motor and tranny. Most of the simpler mods I can do or have done cheaply by a relative. The engine work and technicals would be by a garage. Where are a couple of places to check out some 5.4 motors? I'm lightly modding now but will probably start picking up parts now such as heads and so on for when winter gets here. If I got a 5.4 would there be any fitment issues with the rest of the stock set ups? The tranny will probably see a rebuild and the rear end will get new gears and serviced so that is not a worry.
Thanks
Rob
Click to expand...

You'll have issues with hood clearance from the increased deck height and taller intake. You could try to find a Navigator engine to work off of from a junk yard.
 
#13
I'm thinking a head and cam swap with a P&P. I like the VT cams but I need to know whether a Stage I or Stage II set up would be better. I want to be streetable and probably won't go to the track much. I drive a lot of highway also. Also, is the Bullit intake worth the money or is there another intake in the same arena with a better price. As far as heads I want the whole set up with prings, valves etc. done and assembled with cams already to bolt on the motor. I need to know if I should use PI heads or get another aftermarket version. I hav to be good with the stock internals because unfortunately a total rebuild is over my head as far as mechanics go. Would a newer engine be a good idea? Does anywhere sell complete engines that will fit my 96GT and tranny without much modifications to the car? Where should I check for best prices and help with the heads and motors?
Thanks
Rob
 
#14
As far as buying an assembled or crate engine or farming out the work yourself. I think its much cheaper to buy a forged rotating assembly or parts, having your block machined and assembled by a local shop. That is if you have a trustworthy shop in your area. Besides saving shipping on a heavy crate motor you will often times save $100's on assembly and machine work. You might even consider assembling it yourself. There is no great mystery to engine assembly even with SOHC's.
 
#15
I think building a P&P setup is a pretty good idea - I also believe that when you start to see better flow due to the heads and cams that an intake would be beneficial - If I had the $$$ right now I'd do the Bullitt intake or something similar, but I just dropped my money into the head/cam swap.

Jay
 
#16
if you are going N/A. go with a 4V engine. they are sooo much easier to get going fast N/A. i suggest a stroked 4V. a 5.3L (stroked 4.6L) 4V engine will kick some serious LS1 ass.
 
#17
How hard would it be to put a Cobra motor in my 96 GT? Does anywhere sell a complete motor that will go right in that is set up well or even just a newer cobra motor? Little more help please.
We have a place in town who does machine work and magnafluxing on motors and have a good rep for quality but I don't know what they know about our motors. I guess they could probably do the work-I never thought about them before. I do planning on doing the rear gear swap in a couple of weeks. I'm thinking 3.73's because I do a lot of highway driving and don't know what 4.10's would do. You don't need a dyno tune after the gear swap do you? For the change all I need to buy is the gears correct? The garage should have everything else?
Thanks
 
#19
rob1 said:
How hard would it be to put a Cobra motor in my 96 GT? Does anywhere sell a complete motor that will go right in that is set up well or even just a newer cobra motor? Little more help please.
We have a place in town who does machine work and magnafluxing on motors and have a good rep for quality but I don't know what they know about our motors. I guess they could probably do the work-I never thought about them before. I do planning on doing the rear gear swap in a couple of weeks. I'm thinking 3.73's because I do a lot of highway driving and don't know what 4.10's would do. You don't need a dyno tune after the gear swap do you? For the change all I need to buy is the gears correct? The garage should have everything else?
Thanks
Click to expand...

the N/A Cobra motor is good, the Mach 1 motor is better.

for the gears, you will need a chip or your PCM flashed to compensate the speedo for the new gears.
 
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