Is there a catch with 4V motors?

Nitrous N20 · Mar 29, 2004

I noticed that Ford Motorsport is now selling the cobra 4 cam motors + transmission for only about 6000.00. To me that seems like a pretty good buy. I am inclined to do that and have a completely factory motor in my 91 LX rather than have a comperable 5.0 motor built for the same price.

I figured that the complete 4 cam cobra motor (320 hp) stock plus a vortec in my 91 LX would be a very reliable an very fast ride. Am I missing something? Is there a catch with that price? Is 6000.00 an awfull lot for a brand new EFI 4 cam motor?

Gearbanger 101 · Mar 29, 2004

I'd like to know how much all the little odds and ends are going to cost...wiring, computer, MAF, Fuel system, etc, etc....I bet it doesn't take long to reach a cool 10-grand!?!

sleeper89 · Mar 29, 2004

Gearbanger 101 said:
I'd like to know how much all the little odds and ends are going to cost...wiring, computer, MAF, Fuel system, etc, etc....I bet it doesn't take long to reach a cool 10-grand!?!

i'll bet $10k doesn't come close to getting that motor in your car *properly*.

FWIW if you really want to go with the DOHC swap (which would be really cool) why not go with the 03/04 cobra motor and t56 package they have?

-steve

Gearbanger 101 · Mar 29, 2004

I was thinking about the idea of a swap for a while myself. I'd even considered buying a wrecked Mark VIII (280hp) that was in the area, but I didn't have the cash at the time. I wonder how hard it would be to bring them up to the same year Cobra specs (305hp)?

sleeper89 · Mar 29, 2004

Gearbanger 101 said:
I was thinking about the idea of a swap for a while myself. I'd even considered buying a wrecked Mark VIII (280hp) that was in the area, but I didn't have the cash at the time. I wonder how hard it would be to bring them up to the same year Cobra specs (305hp)?

i *think* the intake is the only major difference FWIW.

-steve

5.0's 4 ever · Mar 29, 2004

sleeper89 said:
i *think* the intake is the only major difference FWIW.

-steve

The intake like you said, also the intake cams are different and the crank is a cast iron version not forged like the cobra due to the auto trans that had to go behind the MVIII engine.

Nitrous N20 · Mar 30, 2004

I think that I could make up some of the differnce in the parts that I dont need by selling the Xmission that comes with the motor. I already have a Tremec 3550 in the car right now (POS auto bit it). So perhaps I could use the few hundred or so I get out of that to make up some of the difference. I dodnt know about the EFI wiring harness for those engines though. I would assume that the EFI harness and computer come with the motor but maybe not. I would als probably want an aftermarket Mass air sensor as well.

I have seen that swap done alot in magazines I cant imagine it would be too difficult but I dont know. Anyone who has ever done it please speak up!!!

autoXr1 · Mar 30, 2004

Alternative Auto Performance has done quite a few of these Fox body-modular swaps. Especially with the DOHC/SC combos. A fair amount of Alternative Auto's customers run a LOT of boost and receive custom tuning...that said, I believe that they usually end up with an aftermarket ECU like those offered by Speed-Pro and the like. The modular swap K-members they often use is a Griggs Racing unit, but certainly Maximum Motorsports and others could be used as well.

Personally, I believe this will be my next combo. I like my N/A 306, but the new technology certainly is appealling. Especially with some of the numbers that Alternative Auto and Detroit Speedworks are known for...600+RWHP on STREET cars.

'96Coupe · Apr 20, 2004

sleeper89 said:
i'll bet $10k doesn't come close to getting that motor in your car *properly*.

FWIW if you really want to go with the DOHC swap (which would be really cool) why not go with the 03/04 cobra motor and t56 package they have?

-steve

Not a 5.0 guy, but I was just doing searches for v-6 to v-8 swaps and this post came up. The 99 Cobra 4.6L DOHC is just under $6,000, whereas the 03 Cobra 4.6L DOHC Supercharged motor is $12,000. That would be a reason I wouldn't go for it. But, I'm going to just keep searching this forum for some information on a 1996 V-6 to 1999 DOHC conversion. Find out what I need and how much it will be in the end.

Mustang5L5 · Apr 20, 2004

I've been tossing the idea around of a DOHC swap.

But instead of a $6000 cobra motor i'll just buy a Mark 8 motor for $500 and use that instead

C.Harris · Apr 20, 2004

Have you considered what $6,000 would get you if you opted for a pushrod Ford crate engine? IMO the 385HP 351 Windsor crate would be plenty ammunition in a much lighter Fox to combat a factory '03-'04 blown DOHC Cobra (and maybe even those with a few light mods -minus pulley/chip). You could benefit from the extra cubes and still have the room to work on the engine while in the bay, and mods would still cost much less than the modular platform. Ford Racing even sells the 430 horse version 351W that has been stretched to 392 cubes. Just thought I'd mention these since you were in the market for a factory setup.

snowtoy · May 26, 2004

First, it's nice to know thet I can get a new motor/ trans from FORD for 6k for my 96 svt.

Also, Have you considered buying a smashed svt and pulling the motor/ trans etc. ? This would eliminate computer/ accessory issues.

Gearbanger 101 · May 28, 2004

CHarris said:
Have you considered what $6,000 would get you if you opted for a pushrod Ford crate engine? IMO the 385HP 351 Windsor crate would be plenty ammunition in a much lighter Fox to combat a factory '03-'04 blown DOHC Cobra (and maybe even those with a few light mods -minus pulley/chip). You could benefit from the extra cubes and still have the room to work on the engine while in the bay, and mods would still cost much less than the modular platform. Ford Racing even sells the 430 horse version 351W that has been stretched to 392 cubes. Just thought I'd mention these since you were in the market for a factory setup.

Yeah, the 351W crate engine is a nice piece, but it still doesn't have the smooth driveability of the Cobra. N/A the pushrod engines are tough to match, but once forced induction comes into play....fugedaboutitttt!!!! Not to mention with intake, exhaust, a pully and computer tuning the '03-'04's are putting down over 500hp to the rear wheels.....with perfect all around driveability. There are even cars running around with the KB Blower upgrade that are putting 600-700hp to the ground with perfect street manners. I'd like to see someone do that with any N/A pushrod motor.

Pushrod engines are great for brute force, but the 4-valve mod motor is just such an all around sweetheart of an engine that I'll never buy another Mustang without one.

85_SS_302_Coupe · May 29, 2004

Does anyone know the weight differences from say, a 351W and a 4cam 4.6? I'm 'guessing' the 351 weighs more, but i've heard that the 4cams are really heavy motors so i'm really unsure. I know that project coupe that 5.0 (or was it MMFF?) did called "Frightning" that they put the 5.4 Lightning motor in was REALLY nose heavy. They used the stock motor if i remember correctly, with nothing more than a pully and the typical motor mods, and the stock supercharger. There was a picture in one issue of 2 average sized guys picking up the back end of the car about a foot off the ground because all the weight centered around the nose and the front wheels. To me, if the 4v motor is that heavy, it's not worth putting in my car, especially when you can put a typical 347 stroker in with aluminum heads and be much lighter.

Is there a catch with 4V motors?

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