2v, a 3v would be a nightmare to get the wiring right.I would look for a low mileage used one around at the local wreckers, check ebay, insurance places. I hear that the 4.6 to 5.4 swap is fairly straight forward, if you are mechanically inclined you could probably DIY.

 

DO the 5.4 swap

THen you will be forced to do something to your manfolds...

I WISH I NEW this then but you can get longtube headers and y-pipe from
obx on ebay for like 500bucks and i payed like 400 for highflows and welding
to make my 4.6 to 5.4 swap work...

so 5.4 swap and longtubes should be a good stepup from were you are now..



Or just build a turbo setup...
and at the same time if u can ++ cash but build the 4.6


both great idea's
and funny thing is they are close to prices lol (without 4.6 buildup)

4.6 turbo will make more power
but the 5.4 will make more power in the long run

thats my 2 cents

I would flip a coin

I was forced to do 4.6/5.4 swap because i blew my 4.6 and i said F it if i cant get the bigger motor

 

Shop around! I would go with a running 5.4
The swap will be easier then doing a head job.
I have my motor out right new for a head job!(best way to do it)and if your going to pull the motor...Time for an upgrade!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-03...2em118Q2el1247

Phil

 

why do you need a head job Phil???

 

Blew a head gasket!

Phil

 

Who DOESN'T need head?

 

with an engine stand and a tranny table you could fesably drive your truck til it dies while building your dream engine/ tranny in the garage. then its a simple matter of pushing the truck in the garage and swapping. I drive a 4.6 and i like it. its not gonna be a racer and will likely never see more off road than deep snow in the winters. But if it was me and i was gonna do what your doing i would go 5.4 stroke it and put a mild turbo on it. forged pistions, titanium head bolts, the works.


on a side note, dont set yourself up for a dissapointment. I helped a buddy build a 95 Z28 into a 383 stroker with a 7 psi ATI procharger on it. first trip out after the 3k mile break in he blew up two pistons (they made really neat ashtrays) because his Fuel management was crap. not our fault just a design flaw from ATI. Spend about 2-3 months piling up cash and do lots of research then start ordering parts. the biggest issue is getting overexcited and ordering everythign at the same time. do it one area at a time. Take your time, even if this takes you 6-8 months take the time and enjoy it. Oh and get to know the guys at your local machine shop REALLY well, your gonna be spending alot of time there.

"if you build it, tires will smoke..."

 

I don't want to get into someone else's used 5.4L that either may have been mistreated or possibly needs headgaskets itself. I am leaning toward PI or worked over heads stuffed with cams. Once I knock out the motor issues and get a fresh tune in there, then I'll get the gears, then Line-X. Having never ripped into a non 2-stroke engine and not having any air tools I'm a little worried, but I'm sure I can find everything I need here. Pulling the motor isn't an option. I assume now would be a good time for some shorties as well?

 

look for a re manufactured 5.4 then. you can find them on ebay for about 2500 or less

 

If I were to do the PI head swap, must I also get the PI lower intake? I may just gasket match my lower intake and knock out the restriction considering the gains.

Also, I will do my homework on cams, but would like to hear your thoughts on something that won't kill my bottom end any worse than it already is. I think most of them require new valve springs don't they? If I stick with my heads, should I go ahead and address the valves @ 76k mi.?

 

You will need both the upper and lower intake i belive. I know for sure the lower but then i dont think the "pi" lower mates to the upper.

 

I see, well...I plan on calling Mike T. for advice before making any decisions, but at this point I'm thinking about having my parts worked over and resurfaced, cams, and shorties, followed by gears. Not as exciting as you all had hoped I'm sure, but I think it makes the most sense considering I'm still stuck with the 8.8 and M50D and don't really want to drop $10k in the truck to do what I'd really like to. I don't think the PI upgrade is worth the money. I'm also anti composite upper intake.

 

If you find a nice set of heads at a good price(under $250) and your allready planning a cam then the i think it would be worth it to do the head swap. Exspeacilly if your not planning on a 5.4 swap.

 

whats this gasket matching you all speak of and whats the gains from it?

 

dbl post