[Steele6599]

Hey all, I’m new to the forum and recently gave up my decked out Honda Civic and moved to a 2004 Mustang GT.

Nothing can touch the sound of a V8 but maybe a V10… With that said I wanted to start a new thread that I have not seen much technical information on. I have seen where some have performed the swap on a 1999 and 2005 mustang but they spared no expense… I would like to do this cheap and document the steps for others.

What got me started:
The sound of my Mustang is awesome but I compare to the many Harleys I have owned, a lot of show but not much go when comparing to the crotch rockets.

I initially looked at modding my 4.6L but came to realize that to get real good power “which I know is subjective” real good power to me is 350 horses and 400+lbs of torque. So my research on the web led me to a 5.4L 2V or 3V, but then I saw some brief threads on the 6.8L so now I’m considering a 2005 6.8L V10 SOHC swap. It may be a bad idea but let’s explore it… Hey a V10 Mustang would be Bad Ass and my Blue Convertible with Cobra wheels and Stalker Body get will be able to back its show with go…

Oh and the stock power from a 2005 6.8L V10 is: 362 hp and 457 lb·ft
Max Torque: 3250 rpm and Max Horsepower: 4750 rpm




What I have learned from the Web:

• The Modular engines from 4.6 to 6.8 all have the same engine mounts.
• The 4.6 is approximately 24 inches long and the 6.8L is 27 ½ inches long.
• Height from Throttle body to bottom of oil pan for the 4.6 is ~ 27 1/8 inches high and the 6.8L is 28 1/2 inches tall. In contrast the 5.4L 3v from the Navigator is 35 ½ inches tall but the 5.4L from with a Sullivan intake is 28 ½ inches tall. The 5.4L from a E350 van may also work.
• The 4.6L weighs ~ 500lbs and the 6.8L weighs ~ 640lbs

Things that I think I know…

• Found a new 6.8L for $2,500 with everything.
• Headers on eBay are $150.00 for the 6.8L “Not sure if the would fit but good starting point.”
• Installing a tubular cross members which would help compensate 50 to 60lbs for the increased weight from the 6.8L and may allow for pushing the engine back towards the firewall about and inch or so… $350 - $1,000
• Move the battery to the Trunk move about 30lbs to the trunk
• My hood is a stalker hood which should be lighter than the stock and provide for more clearance
• Stronger clutch “recommendations”
• Drive Shaft?

My concerns that I need clarification for:

• Would the Mustangs 5 speed manual gearbox connect to the 6.8L block?
• Would the ECU from the pulled 6.8L work in place of the Mustangs ECU or should I consider a standalone system?
• My guess gearing changes would need to be made

Please critique my idea it is in its infancy and please be a devils advocate so I don’t make a mistake and by all means correct my terminology as I’m not a mechanic.

[wishIhada5.0]

That would be sick!! You sound like you have a pretty good general idea of where to start, good luck!

-Dan

[BWAL09]

if power is all you're after, then why not just supercharge it? it will be cheaper, easier, less custom fabrication, and less of a headache.

[lilmarc1988]

kool for the custom factor but i agree with bawl

YouTube - Mustang v10 mule

[Steele6599]

Well I thought about supercharging but my understanding for a descent system your looking at almost $5,000. What is the life exspectanct of a 4.6 that has been blown? Also, what is the weight increase for the additonal accessories "Blower, piping intercooler etc..."?

[White99stang]

its just me but i would ratherr build my block, put a 57mm twin turbo kit on my car and make 800rwhp, than spend 15k on trying to get a V10 to work in my car and still not make as much power. And i am sorry they don't sound good either, the sound like 2 v6's reving side by side

[HMUSN]

Originally Posted by Steele6599 Oh and the stock power from a 2005 6.8L V10 is: 362 hp and 457 lb·ft Max Torque: 3250 rpm and Max Horsepower: 4750 rpm

sounds like a truck motor...

[White99stang]

it is a truck motor, who wants to make there post power at 4750rpms, i will stick to making peak power at 6700rpms. I like my powerband and i am sure most other mustang owners do also.

[qwik48r]

from 6.8 L and 10 cylinders... i'd expect a LOT more....

[GJ Rodriguez]

if you want a swap, i think its better a 5.4...but still a lot of work to do, a blown 4.6 would be better...

[DiZzyBonne]

I'm sure that V10 is tuned for towing, not for power, which is why it doesn't have as much HP as you'd expect it to have. It has a lot of potential though, that's for sure. Another thing, if he dropped it in his Mustang with a better intake and exhaust - doesn't the truck have single exhaust? - would his power band be changed? By that I mean would he still be making peak power at 4,750 RPMs, or would it be more? Also, what's so bad about making max power at a lower RPM? You would reach that peak power a lot faster than later (4,750 RPMs vs 5,800ish.) Just as we rag on ricers for reaching their peak power at 9,000 RPMs, why are you saying that the V10's peak power at 4,750 RPMs is bad? Another good thing about having the peak power come in at a low RPM is you wouldn't have to downshift as much.

Ford Modular engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Btw, the power you're stating - 362 HP and 457 TQ - is for the 3 valve V10, you want the 2 valve unless you don't mind having to redo the wiring and all that jazz.

[Steele6599]

Originally Posted by DiZzyBonne I'm sure that V10 is tuned for towing, not for power, which is why it doesn't have as much HP as you'd expect it to have. It has a lot of potential though, that's for sure. Another thing, if he dropped it in his Mustang with a better intake and exhaust - doesn't the truck have single exhaust? - would his power band be changed? By that I mean would he still be making peak power at 4,750 RPMs, or would it be more? Also, what's so bad about making max power at a lower RPM? You would reach that peak power a lot faster than later (4,750 RPMs vs 5,800ish.) Just as we rag on ricers for reaching their peak power at 9,000 RPMs, why are you saying that the V10's peak power at 4,750 RPMs is bad? Another good thing about having the peak power come in at a low RPM is you wouldn't have to downshift as much. Ford Modular engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Btw, the power you're stating - 362 HP and 457 TQ - is for the 3 valve V10, you want the 2 valve unless you don't mind having to redo the wiring and all that jazz.

Thanks, for the feedback... I was looking at the 2V but the 3v made much more power... I see that there have been quite a few 5.4L 3v installs...

I believe the redline for the pre 2005 6.8L is around 5,300 RPM which is about a grand off the mustang...

Also, im sure alot of you have seen what those Diesels can do and they dont rev that high either...

[rk_2000_Z/28]

Why not go for a 4V DOHC motor? A Cobra motor would be a direct swap, has a strong enough shortblock to more than make your power goal, and still have a bad ass sound.

[jdansby1]

For the cash your talking about spending, you could just buy an 03/04 motor.

And as for this statement.

I initially looked at modding my 4.6L but came to realize that to get real good power “which I know is subjective” real good power to me is 350 horses and 400+lbs of torque

350 and 400 are DEFINITLY doable, and easily doable on a 4.6L. 700/700 is doable. All about how you do it.

[jdansby1]

Dang rk, beat me to it, haha.

[Steele6599]

Originally Posted by jdansby1 For the cash your talking about spending, you could just buy an 03/04 motor. And as for this statement. 350 and 400 are DEFINITLY doable, and easily doable on a 4.6L. 700/700 is doable. All about how you do it.

I thought about that but they are more expensive right now...Crate engine is about $9k

Plus, there is still the cool factor of a V10

[Steele6599]

Also, what I would like to get from this thread is more supportive reasons to do or not do... e.g. I would like a constructive discussion... I know there are a ton more solutions other than V10

[DeMello]

if your only looking for 400 rwhp all you gotta do is buy a s/c kit for like 6k

[Steele6599]

Originally Posted by DeMello if your only looking for 400 rwhp all you gotta do is buy a s/c kit for like 6k

I thought about it but wouldnt you need to run premium gas as well? this build would only require regular...

[06RedfireGT]

Keep in mind you will be adding a shit ton of weight to t he front end. It will handle like a bus. It would be much simpler and cheaper to forged and supercharge the current 4.6