Guys, read for hours the many posts about this great upgrade for a 97 F150. I understand about the PI heads and their effects. So 99 and up engine would be best. I believe I read the best engine to get was the 2003 because the block was denser.
Now I am reading that a Navigator engine as long as it is a 2V you get an aluminum block.

Please the guys who have the knowledge, have done the swap if you were absolutely going to do a swap and the Lightning engine was not being considered, what engine and years would you focus on for a swap.
Thank you for all the responses. Jim

 

i am not sure about the navigator engine but i just want to know what motor your truck has right now.

 

check out ford racing.com they did have complete 03 navi 5.4 for sale brand new not rebiult i mean complete from throttle body down to starter.

 

I currently have a 4.6 engine that has a rod knock. Jim

 

Any 99 to 03 5.4 out of a truck will be fine.
Unless your planing on pushing over 6 or 800 HP you'll have no need for (a denser block!)
As far as I know there was no 5.4 aluminum block in anything. If there was,,all the Lightning guys would be putting them in there trucks for the weight reduction.
I was thinking of going with an aluminum block ( aftermarket ) when I did my build but it was almost 10K just for the built short block!

Phil

 

Phil - thank you for the confirmation. I have run across some Expedition motors and I am assuming they would work also as long as I got a SOHC 2V. Trying to locate a engine complete with 60,000 miles. Jim

 

When I needed a 5.4 myself. I hunted around looking for a good one. I eventually got a 2002 complete and swapped heads from a 2005 4.6 16 valve PI motor still produced for police interceptors. I swaped them on because they have eight spark plug threads.
After finishing it. Another source of mine came across a Factory Ford Reman. motor. The Engine has the metal tag on it with the date 3-31-2005, and it seems that the motor was a 03 to start with. It is out of a wrecked truck and had only been used about a year. NO damage to the motor! I still have it on my engine stand waiting for someone who could use it. Inside it looks clean like new. If anyone is interested, email me ksilibovsky@hotmail.com. If your close you can come by and check it for yourself. I loosened the oil pan and valve covers.

Lowflyingbird

 

When I did the swap I got one out of 2001 expo. I figured the chances of some one abusing or beating on one was less out of an expo than a truck. I picked up my 5.4 with 60k on it and havent had the first problem.

 

Lowflyingbird - I sent you an email. Would like to discuss further.
805-410-0727 my cell. thanks! Jim

 

The Navi motors are Cobra based DOHC's - IF you can find one, that's the way to go.

What's good about the 03's is Ford upgraded the heads to 9 threads in the plug chambers.

Here you go -

http://sullivanperformance.com/YVS450/tech/tech.htm

 

Alright guys it is a go. Lowflyingbird had that 5.4 engine and now it is mine. So I maybe asking for help later in August when I finish several sets of Speedline wheels I am restoring then I will have time for my truck project. Jim

 

I received the motor from lowflyingbird. It is exactly as described. I with the help of a friend have been disconnecting and getting ready to pull my 4.6 engine. The 2003 5.4 engine I got does not have the exhaust manifolds, can I use my 4.6 exhaust manifolds? Should I use the plastic 5.4 intake manifold instead of the cast 4.6 intake? Thanks guys! Jim

 

The 4.6 intake will not bolt to the 5.4 . The 5.4 is wider.
The exhaust manifolds will swap but will no longer line up with your stock pipes so you can use them but you'll have to adjust your exhaust to fit to them.

Phil

 

Thanks Phil. Jim

 

I think the 5.4 intake will be best but you can run the 4.6 if you get the spacers from kar kraft or riechard racing and have them gasket matched