After much debate and dragging my feet I've decided to install forged rods and pistons in my 5.4 deck the block and heads and achieve a 9:0 CR. While I'm at it I plan to freshen up the timing components, install Stage II blower cams from Comp and do some minor porting of the heads myself. Here's my wish list of parts I plan to use. I am of course open to feed back, opinions, & helpful suggestions. My goal is for it to be ready by early fall with 600rwhp and a 6500rpm redline. I want the truck in the 11's

Piston Options (KB):Manley Forged 11cc Dished Pistons 3.552" (Standard) Bore Size if cylinders are in good shape.
Rod Options (MH):Manley Forged 4340 H-Beam Rods w/ARP 2000 Bolts
Rings Stainless Steel File Fit Rings
Use my stock Crankshaft
Balance Rotating Assembly
Comp Cams 127350 Stage II Blower Cams (RPM Range 900-6400) Intake duration 261 lift .490, Exhaust duration 282 lift .485
Comp Springs High Load 26125-24
Timing Components Motorcraft
Head Gaskets and any other gaskets/seals Motorcraft
Tuning JDM

I may go with Eagle parts over Manley if the price and quality is there.

 

Go for the Manley bottom end fella. Looks for secondhand new components. (You already know that)

Think about the ARP stud kit's. Any one in mind for the machine work?

I imagine your crank is factory forged?

Mine spec's Manley through out. Around 3 thou piston slop. Clevite bearings. Iam running an -18cc dish with very Boost friendly CC.

 

Hey Ross yes forged crank. Looking at P&M Performance. They are about an hour from me. They have a great rep with the local drag racers. Prices seem reasonable as well. He uses Eagle parts so he may be able to get me a better deal on those. We'll see. I spoke with JDM about the studs and Jim Jr said run the Ford head bolts. I prefer that to as you can remove the head with the block in the truck provided that need ever arises.
Hoping I can find some deals as I'm in no rush. If anything comes across your radar let me know. I have found some great deals on what I already have but you seem to be a magnet for the deals.

 

I will keep a look out for sure. The machine shop supplied the pistons as I didn't wanna buy stock and need an over bore. I got a 'cost' deal as the machine shop are Manley dealers.

The local machine shop sounds good. Least its close by and you can get up front and personal.

Dam you have me back in 'Built' mode now. Gotta get the heads shipped by the end of next week.

Found a good deal on FRP rockers / lifters. Might freshen the whole top end. Still undecided about oil pumps. Melling Billet I suppose.

Glad you decided to go built. Real Excited to see this come together. Once you start buying motor parts there's no going back.

 

Yay!!!

 

have you guys looked at the Triangle Speed Shop billet oil pump gears, that is what the 3v mustang guys say works best with the 4.6 3v applications and the 4v GT500 built motors, that is what my brother is running in his stroked out 5.0 08 mustang with a whipple blower

 

Lol. Probably 15-16psi. Whatever the 3.00 pulley makes with the 15% od crank pulley and the cam combo. It may only make 13-14psi. Not overly concerned with that. Just want 600+ rwhp. Trying hard to avoid needing an 8 rib pulley setup. I don't suffer with belt slip now and I would like to keep that way.

 

What about torque converter and drive shaft?

 

Already done. The tc is a Circle D unit 3500 stall. Supposedly capable of 1000hp as is the driveshaft which came from driveshaft specialist.

 

Can't wait, keep up up to date. I have heard of some locking the cam phasers when installing cams. Is that an option?

 

Hey MeanGene. Will do. It's gonna be a summer long process aquiring parts and then actually pulling the motor and making it happen.

As for cams yes you can lock the cams. Some of the larger lift cams come with limiters to prevent piston to valve interference. The torque band benifits greatly down low from the VCT so I prefer to run Stage II cams which are compatiable with the VCT system. However after seeing the power of the Stage III cams which require limiters I'm leaning that way.

 

Well from what I'm gathering VCT is used at part throttle and below 3500 rpm and at wot blower guys run very little timing anyway

 

Q, are the crank shafts in the stock motors forged?

 

depends on the motors.

 

From what I understand all of the 04+ 5.4 3v motors have 8 bolt forged cranks with a 4.165 stroke.

You can drop your oil pan to find out for sure.