Putting forged shortblock in, how hard?

[deftsound]

Ok so lately ive been thinking pretty hard about finally putting a forged short-block in my car. Im thinking once tax refund season rolls around im going to buy an already built forged shortblock and put it in.

My question is/are:

1) How hard would it be to do this myself? Obviously i would need a cherry picker and an engine stand. I have lots of tools and ive done most of the work on my car but i have never attempted something this big. With that being said, I want to do it myself but I don't want to get in over my head and I want it done right. If i could take out my existing motor, re-use my current heads/cams/intake and all accessories and put the motor back in the car and trailer it to my local shop to get tuned, i think i could do it...im just a little intimidated...

2) Would it be more economical to re-use my existing block?

3) If i got a 5.0 stroker block, what would it take to get it running besides a custom dyno tune?

 

[Mike97gt]

Ok so lately ive been thinking pretty hard about finally putting a forged short-block in my car. Im thinking once tax refund season rolls around im going to buy an already built forged shortblock and put it in.

My question is/are:

1) How hard would it be to do this myself? Obviously i would need a cherry picker and an engine stand. I have lots of tools and ive done most of the work on my car but i have never attempted something this big. With that being said, I want to do it myself but I don't want to get in over my head and I want it done right. If i could take out my existing motor, re-use my current heads/cams/intake and all accessories and put the motor back in the car and trailer it to my local shop to get tuned, i think i could do it...im just a little intimidated...

2) Would it be more economical to re-use my existing block?

3) If i got a 5.0 stroker block, what would it take to get it running besides a custom dyno tune?

1. it's not that hard if you have a decent amount of tool and some mechanical experience.. another thing is do you have any friends that are mechanics? if you do thats good in case you get over your head. I would jack the car as high as you can get it on some tall jack stands and take the engine and trans out as one unit.. to do this your going to tilt the hell out of the motor but it's easier

1b. swapping the heads is not that hard you will have to time the engine but there is a lot of articles on the net on how to do this.

2. No I would go with a aluminum block and go big bore, if your not going to go big bore I would just get a stock displacement short block and send yours as a core or sell it.

3. I would not bother stroking it.. these motors have tiny bores that what needs to be fixed to make big power.. Your money will be better spent using a 02-05 explorer block and having it sleeved for big bore. it's more expensive but will have a lot more potential.

 

[deftsound]

1. it's not that hard if you have a decent amount of tool and some mechanical experience.. another thing is do you have any friends that are mechanics? if you do thats good in case you get over your head. I would jack the car as high as you can get it on some tall jack stands and take the engine and trans out as one unit.. to do this your going to tilt the hell out of the motor but it's easier

1b. swapping the heads is not that hard you will have to time the engine but there is a lot of articles on the net on how to do this.

2. No I would go with a aluminum block and go big bore, if your not going to go big bore I would just get a stock displacement short block and send yours as a core or sell it.

3. I would not bother stroking it.. these motors have tiny bores that what needs to be fixed to make big power.. Your money will be better spent using a 02-05 explorer block and having it sleeved for big bore. it's more expensive but will have a lot more potential.

Thanks for the info!

As far as answer #3:

I already found a block on ebay i was thinking of going with http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item4a9c7c6371

Seems like a really good deal, and its already a 5.0 stroker, so for 2400$ i don't see how i could go wrong...

 

[d98gt]

I've yanked the engine/trans out of my 98 and it really wasn't a tough job. I thought it was going to be much more difficult, however once getting the misc items out of the way everything goes smooth.

I did this with basic tools (no air tools) and nothing really put up a problem. After a job like this is completed you will be more comfortable tackling the other jobs. I'm not real familiar with your mod list though it would be an awesome time to get a k member and headers of your choice as well.

 

[deftsound]

I've yanked the engine/trans out of my 98 and it really wasn't a tough job. I thought it was going to be much more difficult, however once getting the misc items out of the way everything goes smooth.

I did this with basic tools (no air tools) and nothing really put up a problem. After a job like this is completed you will be more comfortable tackling the other jobs. I'm not real familiar with your mod list though it would be an awesome time to get a k member and headers of your choice as well.

I've already go a tubular k-member and lt headers...

Gee, wanna help me id pay you

 

[d98gt]

Are you set on that setup on ebay or have you checked other options that are available by some of the other shops? What are your intentions for the car powerwise?

I'm always up for lending a hand--just do it before March as I will be in the DPS academy

 

[deftsound]

Are you set on that setup on ebay or have you checked other options that are available by some of the other shops? What are your intentions for the car powerwise?

I'm always up for lending a hand--just do it before March as I will be in the DPS academy

Well from what ive researched that is the best deal going for a forged short-block right now. The fact that it's a stroker is kinda icing on the cake. The guys ebay reviews are all good and he has a phone number to call if you want to ask questions so it sounds pretty legit.

I guess the question i have to ask myself is whether i want a 5.4L, the aluminum 4.6 stroker or the iron 4.6 stroker....they are all similarly priced and they all include free shipping which is nice...

This one is a 5.4 forged, rated in excess of 800rwhp and its a 5.4L. Very tempting for 2700$
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...kparms=algo=SI&its=I%2BC&itu=UCI&otn=10&ps=63

Heres a 4.6 stroker 5.0 with a teksid aluminum block for 2700$
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...kparms=algo=SI&its=I%2BC&itu=UCI&otn=10&ps=63

This is the MMR800 for 2700$, and that doesnt include shipping unlike the other ones above that have free shipping
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-6-...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item27ab5fcc5f

All the similar MPH blocks are over 3k...

 

[deftsound]

Opinions? I really don't know which one now, almost too many options. Is the aluminum block really worth the extra money? Or should i go with a 5.4L? Or should i save a few bucks and have the peace of mind of an iron block?

 

[jomull55]

Opinions? I really don't know which one now, almost too many options. Is the aluminum block really worth the extra money? Or should i go with a 5.4L? Or should i save a few bucks and have the peace of mind of an iron block?

You should bought from MMR when they had their black friday prices.

I would personally find a teksid block and start with that. pick out your internals and have it put together.

 

[wmburns]

Stick with 4.6

Just my 2 cents worth. For someone worried about having enough "resources" to do a short block themselves, the 5.4 option is a bad idea.

The 5.4 brings a lot of extra issues to be considered such as exhaust manifolds, custom exhaust system, intake manifolds, hood clearance, tuning, heater hoses, EGR, decreased working space......

In addition, the 2v heads do not breathe well enough to support the 5.4. If you use an aftermarket intake adapter, then the breathing problem gets even worse. It will be difficult to get the full potential out of a SOHC 5.4. That is unless you supercharge.

If you supercharge, there will not be a "Kit" supercharger for your application. This creates a whole new set of issues as you build your own set up from parts.

This leads us back to one of your earlier concerns. Money and expertise. This is where the 5.4 option really falls short for you.

Recommend that you stick with any 4.6 platform (stock stroke or stoker).

PS, I suspect that someone will chime in about their 5.4 project. However, consider the expertise of the person doing the work. But here is the biggest indicator of the viability of the project that I can think of. I can recall reading two posts about ppl selling their 5.4 Mustangs shortly after getting them to work.

 

[deftsound]

Just my 2 cents worth. For someone worried about having enough "resources" to do a short block themselves, the 5.4 option is a bad idea.

The 5.4 brings a lot of extra issues to be considered such as exhaust manifolds, custom exhaust system, intake manifolds, hood clearance, tuning, heater hoses, EGR, decreased working space......

In addition, the 2v heads do not breathe well enough to support the 5.4. If you use an aftermarket intake adapter, then the breathing problem gets even worse. It will be difficult to get the full potential out of a SOHC 5.4. That is unless you supercharge.

If you supercharge, there will not be a "Kit" supercharger for your application. This creates a whole new set of issues as you build your own set up from parts.

This leads us back to one of your earlier concerns. Money and expertise. This is where the 5.4 option really falls short for you.

Recommend that you stick with any 4.6 platform (stock stroke or stoker).

PS, I suspect that someone will chime in about their 5.4 project. However, consider the expertise of the person doing the work. But here is the biggest indicator of the viability of the project that I can think of. I can recall reading two posts about ppl selling their 5.4 Mustangs shortly after getting them to work.

Thank you! Exactly what i wanted to know.