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Help me build a 5.4

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Nasty GT

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Yesterday I picked up a 5.4 2v to swap into my mustang, has 100k miles when pulled and was rebuilt by ford in 2006 if that makes a difference guy said it came out of a f250, not sure which year. Only catch is that is might have a blown head gasket. I pulled off the valve covers and it looks brand new l, I haven't had a chance to pull the heads off and do a compression test but if everything is good I was going to do a little work on it and throw it in.


I have a few questions, im seeing that there is no real "performance intake" for these engines so id have to use adapter plates. If that were the case could I use a boss 290 intake ? Or would i have to stick with a 4.6 intake manifold?

How can I get my hands on a hardballer intake?! What would be my best option for a intake manifold?

I had plans on running a turbo on my 4.6, I know the 5.4 likes boost so how can I mod my first Gen on3 kit to fit the engine? Or am I out of luck ?

Other than that I want to run a stage 2 cam and a mild port. Would that be the easiest way to net 320rwhp N/A with bolt ons?
Other than that I want to throw
 
#2 ·
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#3 ·
On the first gen kit I think if you a small piece of pipe to each side coming off manifolds that should fix the deck hight difference in the 4.6 and the 5.4. Everything else should be the same on the hot side. While you are modding it's good time to switch to an automatic it's is all so an easy mod on the first gen kit
 
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
Sonic 02 said:
On the first gen kit I think if you a small piece of pipe to each side coming off manifolds that should fix the deck hight difference in the 4.6 and the 5.4. Everything else should be the same on the hot side. While you are modding it's good time to switch to an automatic it's is all so an easy mod on the first gen kit
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That's perfect, makes everything easier when I get to test fit. I already have a auto in it but I really want to go stick lol. I know what ill be losing but ill always have the auto as a back up.
 
#5 ·
I was on the wait list for a hardballr intake for nearly a year before I bought one used. An all motor 5.4 needs to be somewhat well thought out. I've seen only a handful of instances where they've made over 300whp. A lot of guys are running factory shortblocks on PI heads, and despite what Ford advertised, I calculate these engines to be high 8s - low 9s for compression ratio.

The 97-98 had NPI 10.5cc pistons and NPI heads. The 99-up had PI 18cc pistons and PI heads. Both calculate out to ~ 8.8:1 compression. I believe that's part of the reason why people aren't putting down good numbers on N/A 5.4s. All the one's I've seen with 300+ whp have had built bottom ends with higher compression ratios.

The boss 260 intake will not work with 2v heads. That being said, if you use 4v heads, you open up several intake options, specifically any coyote intake will fit and be cheaper than the aussie boss intake. I'm collecting parts for a 5.4 swap myself, and if I hadn't stumbled across an HPS intake, I'd be going 4v instead of 2v.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
StangAddiction said:
I was on the wait list for a hardballr intake for nearly a year before I bought one used. An all motor 5.4 needs to be somewhat well thought out. I've seen only a handful of instances where they've made over 300whp. A lot of guys are running factory shortblocks on PI heads, and despite what Ford advertised, I calculate these engines to be high 8s - low 9s for compression ratio.

The 97-98 had NPI 10.5cc pistons and NPI heads. The 99-up had PI 18cc pistons and PI heads. Both calculate out to ~ 8.8:1 compression. I believe that's part of the reason why people aren't putting down good numbers on N/A 5.4s. All the one's I've seen with 300+ whp have had built bottom ends with higher compression ratios.

The boss 260 intake will not work with 2v heads. That being said, if you use 4v heads, you open up several intake options, specifically any coyote intake will fit and be cheaper than the aussie boss intake. I'm collecting parts for a 5.4 swap myself, and if I hadn't stumbled across an HPS intake, I'd be going 4v instead of 2v.
Click to expand...
Since im not sure what year the engine came out if, how can I tell if it has PI heads? Im sure it is but want to double check. Say I were to do 4V route, what would be the mist budget friendly option ? I was reading navigator heads but couldn't find a set.

The close i can get to 300 N/A possible the better, as i have the turbo to out on

I'd be willing to take that intake off your hands and you can go 4v....

1996 GT said:
You need a custom grind cam with a very tight LSA for the 5.4's. They respond differently then the 4.6's. (Even though their oem PI cams are the same)
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Thanks for the tip, do you know a solid company? I was originally looking at the Cushman stage 2 cams
 
#9 ·
First gen 2v kit will bolt right up to 4v heads. I'm running a 4v first gen kit on my 2v.
 
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#10 ·
Imo stick with the turbo and install it. You can make a lot of power with that combo that you already have than to sell the turbo and have to but heads, exhaust, intake manifold, tb etc.

Also the pi heads are stamped PI next to the casting numbers in the valley of the block.
 
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#12 ·
what power are you looking for?
 
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Discussion starter · #13 ·
Yea the heads are stamped "23 PI" so I pass on that part, I was thinking sell the turbo, finish my suspension. Tubular front, panhard bar, control arms and my rear end done and run twin turbo down the line. This way most of the car is done and ill be rebuilding the engine at the same time

My goal is 450rwhp, for now.... Something I can drive to work and go have fun with on the weekend.
 
#14 ·
You want to swap in a 5.4 for 450hp???? I wouldnt even Consider this, your turbo 2V will make that and you will not have to swap in anything.
 
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Discussion starter · #16 ·
SSG Pate said:
You want to swap in a 5.4 for 450hp???? I wouldnt even Consider this, your turbo 2V will make that and you will not have to swap in anything.
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Im not swapping it to make 450hp, im swapping it to replace a 186k engine that's on its way out. know I can make my goal easy even with a stock motor and just boost. But I came across a long block 5.4 for way cheaper than I've been seeing a long block 4.6. Might as well get the bigger engine and pick up some torque on the way.

If the guy doesn't buy the turbo tomorrow ill be picking up a new PI intake w/ plenum and TB and taking the heads off to see what im working with. If all looks well ill be taking the heads to a shop to get a quote.

If he does I'll be picking up a set if 99 cobra heads and a few suspension parts
 
#17 ·
Nasty GT said:
Im not swapping it to make 450hp, im swapping it to replace a 186k engine that's on its way out. know I can make my goal easy even with a stock motor and just boost. But I came across a long block 5.4 for way cheaper than I've been seeing a long block 4.6. Might as well get the bigger engine and pick up some torque on the way.
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So you think 186k is high mileage? ? Your about half way through the motors life.
How many miles on the 5.4?
 
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Discussion starter · #18 ·
SSG Pate said:
So you think 186k is high mileage? ? Your about half way through the motors life.
How many miles on the 5.4?
Click to expand...

186k is high mileage, weather or not it is okay to modify is a different story. The 5.4 has 100k.

I've had my car for 4 years and I know what it can and can't handle the way I drive, it can handle a turbo for a few months Im sure of. but how much longer than that ? That's not something I want to take a risk on.
 
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