billyfe390 said:BTW its not totally a recycled beer can. The block on a 4.6 is one hell of alot tougher than a 5.0. The heads yes but the rest of the motor no.
The only aluminum block 4.6's that came in mustangs were the 96-01 cobras. The GT has an Iron block as well as the 03+ cobras. The stock GT iron block itself is capable of handling 700+ hp the internals are a different story but the block is good. There are quite a few cobras running around with 500-600+ at the wheels on the stock aluminum block with forged internals. No stock iron 5.0 block will do that without serious core shift and main bearing walking. The GT iron block is a deep skirt cross bolted block and the aluminum one is a 4 bolt main cross bolted block. Either way the deep skirt cross bolted block is miles ahead of the ls1 in terms of strength. I am not discounting the strength of the LS1 but the 4.6 block by design is inherently stronger. I am not aware of any aftermarket iron 4.6 blocks SHM is making aluminum race blocks. The internals of every 4.6 except the 03+ cobras are the weak point not the block they simply will not handle that power the rods tend to snap around 450 bhp or around there anyway. If you want to speak to an authority on this subject email either jim@vtengines or scott@vtengines .Back2Mustangs said:Really? I'm a very logical, rational, realist, so I soak up pertinent facts like a songe. If you have specs on the block's strengths or numbers to back that up I'd really like to see them. If that is true and you can prove it, I'll be converted...but I don't see how any aluminum block can stand up to the abuse of N20 or boost better than an iron block...because then what would be the reason for aftermarket Iron 4.6 blocks if aluminum 4.6's are already tougher than iron 5.0L's?? Is the 4.6 block 'webbed' like an LS1? Also, anyone know how much lighter the bare 4.6 block is than an iron 302?
billyfe390 said:The only aluminum block 4.6's that came in mustangs were the 96-01 cobras. The GT has an Iron block as well as the 03+ cobras. The stock GT iron block itself is capable of handling 700+ hp the internals are a different story but the block is good.
billyfe390 said:The only aluminum block 4.6's that came in mustangs were the 96-01 cobras. The GT has an Iron block as well as the 03+ cobras. The stock GT iron block itself is capable of handling 700+ hp the internals are a different story but the block is good. There are quite a few cobras running around with 500-600+ at the wheels on the stock aluminum block with forged internals. No stock iron 5.0 block will do that without serious core shift and main bearing walking. The GT iron block is a deep skirt cross bolted block and the aluminum one is a 4 bolt main cross bolted block. Either way the deep skirt cross bolted block is miles ahead of the ls1 in terms of strength. I am not discounting the strength of the LS1 but the 4.6 block by design is inherently stronger. I am not aware of any aftermarket iron 4.6 blocks SHM is making aluminum race blocks. The internals of every 4.6 except the 03+ cobras are the weak point not the block they simply will not handle that power the rods tend to snap around 450 bhp or around there anyway. If you want to speak to an authority on this subject email either jim@vtengines or scott@vtengines .
billyfe390 said:The only aluminum block 4.6's that came in mustangs were the 96-01 cobras. The GT has an Iron block as well as the 03+ cobras.
billyfe390 said:The only aluminum block 4.6's that came in mustangs were the 96-01 cobras.
bdcardinal said:a deep skirt block is one where the crankshaft is completely inside the block. usually motors have the crankshaft counterweights go below the oil pan line. the metal is fairly thick in the 4.6 blocks, both aluminum and iron. the iron blocks have 4 bolt mains, there are 2 center bolts, then on the outside there are 2 jackscrews or locating dowels(different on romeo vs windsor), and then it has 2 bolts on the outside that face inward(side bolts, if you look above your oil pan gasket you will see them. the aluminum blocks have the same setup, however instead of jackscrews or dowels, it has bolts.
Back2Mustangs said:You don't notice the engine seeming 'tired' or using oil? Of course I'm not going to put any serious mods/stress on a stock 4.6 bottom end...thats what the DSS will be for, but I guess I just want to know, with that many miles is the thing gonna blow any time soon ya think? Anyone have trouble with the rings or excessive oil blow-by with high miles? Any issues with the stock valvetrain lasting that long?
I guess I'm just a little scared and untrusting of something I have no experience with. I'm a die hard Iron Block, 5.0 fan, and I always viewed the aluminum blocked, modular 4.6's to be weak. No offense meant, thats just the way I have always perceived these motors. I'd like for people with experience with the 4.6 now to show me that it can be a strong motor. I mean Ford starting using it way back in the Crown Vic's, so I know its got a little history...and its replaced the 5.0, which I have always trusted and bragged about Ford for being tough, built well, and made to last. I was a little proud to see Ford put an iron block back in the Cobra in '03...with Manley rods and forged pistons...but the 4.6 is still everywhere. How tough is the 1996-1998 motor? Can it handle 144K miles and keep on ticking?
kirkyg said:Um the engine you have is an iron block. You have aluminum heads (except the non-PI heads)which have a proven track record in the performance realm. You also wont have to worry as much about headgaskets with the new ohc engines. Imo the newer engines are even more reliable than the 5.0L. I know its hard to find something 'new' thats built as well as an older product rigidity wise but in some cases it is true.
kirkyg
Well, I'm about to find out. I'll probably be buying this car in the morning. It seems to be mechanicly sound for the 144K miles it has. Car is much cleaner than I would ever expect for that kind of mileage too. PI heads and intake from a 99GT are coming with the car, and aftermarket cams as well. Don't know what the cams are yet though.kirkyg said:I know its hard to find something 'new' thats built as well as an older product rigidity wise but in some cases it is true.
kirkyg
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?