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In Need Of Compatable For My T-bird Help!!!!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter 429supercobrajet
  • Start date Start date Jul 2, 2016

429supercobrajet

Active User
May 25, 2016
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1
Bay City, Michigan
Jul 2, 2016
#1
  • Jul 2, 2016
  • #1
I have a 96 t-bird 4.6 car. It currently has a 4.6Stang GT in it. It needs a rebuild. So Im lookin for a compatable temporary 4.6 engine to get me by till mines done. Appreciate any info engine is being yanked this weekend. Thanks Dan
 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
5,892
514
204
Houston Texas
Jul 2, 2016
#2
  • Jul 2, 2016
  • #2
The SOHC 4.6 from a 1996-2000 Town Car, Grand Marquis, Crown Vic, Cougar (<1996) would be the same at the long block level (non PI Romeo).

The 2001+ Town Car, Grand Marquis, Crown Vic will have PI heads.
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
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Aug 10, 2002
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Ontario, Canada
Jul 3, 2016
#3
  • Jul 3, 2016
  • #3
Why bother sinking money into rebuilding a NPI? If it were my money, I'd pick up an engine from a 3rd Gen Ford Exploer (2002-2005). Same PI engine engine found in every other Ford after 2001, with the benefit using an aluminum block. That's a 70lb weight drop in the front for no added effort. The Explorers are so overlooked, you'd probably get it for a song.

Not only will it make more power over your current NPI engine, but it'll improve your MN12's handling as well.
 

429supercobrajet

Active User
May 25, 2016
29
0
1
Bay City, Michigan
Jul 3, 2016
#4
  • Jul 3, 2016
  • #4
Gearbanger 101 said:
Why bother sinking money into rebuilding a NPI? If it were my money, I'd pick up an engine from a 3rd Gen Ford Exploer (2002-2005). Same PI engine engine found in every other Ford after 2001, with the benefit using an aluminum block. That's a 70lb weight drop in the front for no added effort. The Explorers are so overlooked, you'd probably get it for a song.

Not only will it make more power over your current NPI engine, but it'll improve your MN12's handling as well.
Click to expand...
Hhhmmm sounds very good to me. Now will the t-bird ecm/computer didn't know if abbrebiaton was correct lol and wiring harnes plug and play or do I need to get the explorers harness and computer. Thanks for the awesome tip. Can sell my Stang engine twards the new engine. Thanks Dan
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
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Ontario, Canada
Jul 3, 2016
#5
  • Jul 3, 2016
  • #5
429supercobrajet said:
Hhhmmm sounds very good to me. Now will the t-bird ecm/computer didn't know if abbrebiaton was correct lol and wiring harnes plug and play or do I need to get the explorers harness and computer. Thanks for the awesome tip. Can sell my Stang engine twards the new engine. Thanks Dan
Click to expand...
You use all your ecm, wiring harness, ignition, etc from your old engine, on the new one. You could have it dyno tuned to dial the ECU into the PI top end, but it's not totally necessary.
 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
5,892
514
204
Houston Texas
Jul 3, 2016
#6
  • Jul 3, 2016
  • #6
Note, an engine swap such as this only works at the LONG block level. So unless your intent is to become a Ford engineer recommend keeping the original:
  • PCM
  • wiring harness
  • fuel injectors
  • EGR
  • Ignition system.
Basically by keeping the stuff bolted ONTO the motor, the PCM doesn't really see a difference. And yes a non-PI PCM "can run" a PI motor. However it won't get all of the HP unless given a custom tune.
 

429supercobrajet

Active User
May 25, 2016
29
0
1
Bay City, Michigan
Jul 5, 2016
#7
  • Jul 5, 2016
  • #7
I was curious I can buy a low mileage 2004 crown vic 4.6 interceptor state bull car. Will this newer of motor drop down and is it compatible with my wiring harness and ecm
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
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234
Ontario, Canada
Jul 6, 2016
#8
  • Jul 6, 2016
  • #8
429supercobrajet said:
I was curious I can buy a low mileage 2004 crown vic 4.6 interceptor state bull car. Will this newer of motor drop down and is it compatible with my wiring harness and ecm
Click to expand...
Yes, any 2V 4.6 will work. You'll just need to transfer over the sensors, wiring, ignition, etc from your current engine.

Be careful with "low mileage" service cars. Usually what they lack in mileage, they make up for in idle time. For all you know, this engine could have 50,000 idle hours on it over the last decade.
 

429supercobrajet

Active User
May 25, 2016
29
0
1
Bay City, Michigan
Jul 6, 2016
#9
  • Jul 6, 2016
  • #9
Thats a very good point that thought never crossed my mind. Hhhmmm I can score the whole car for 400.00
 
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