KickerStang said:
I will have to look into this and see if it is worth it. I thought there was a difference between cobra and GT blocks.
Well here is problem #1. You should probably know what in the hell you are talking about before you start making generalizations. It sounds to me like you have never looked at either an aluminum 4.6 block or a CI 4.6 block. If you had you would notice that all bolt hole sizes, spacings, and locations are the same. There is a minor difference in some jacketing, but that's about it. You would also know that Mike Tymensky pucked his spray-bore 5.0 block, and proceeded to bolt all of his FR500 stuff onto a regular 4.6 GT block and race it. You would also know that Steeda puts hot 2V stuff onto aluminum blocks for mid-range torque and weight savings. That's as interchangeable as it gets my friends.
Here is my problem with your argument- you are essentially moaning and complaining about displacement. Its not about power. From bolt-on grocery getters to heads-up NMRA/FFW (see Randy Haywood's win in Atlanta) racing the 4.6 can make as much power as a 5.0. The routes each engine takes might be different due to the nature of the aftermarket, but it can certainly be done.
You complain that there aren't many good head combinations out there, but the reason for that is that the damn factory heads are so good there is no impetus to develop an aftermarket head. My stock 96 DOHC head will flow about 250 cfm (intake). That's more than many out-of-the-box offerings for the 5.0. When you consider that I have about 10% less cylinder volume to fill, that's equivalent to a 5.0 head that flows about 270 cfm. How much better can the aftermarket do while maintaining acceptable port velocity for daily driving?
You complain that you can't stroke a 4.6 to beyond a 302. Well, with a stock bore that's correct, but you can easily take the 4.6 to 324 c.i. and beyond if you are willing to entertain a larger piston. When you look at the ratios, 324/281 * 302 = 348. In other words, just as much percent volume gain can be acheived in a 4.6 as can be acheived in a 302-based stroker (they don't come bigger than 349 for all intents and purposes).
Here is a perfect example of some of your flawed reasoning:
I was thinking 5-10 years down the road if/when it gives up the ghost. Lets say I shoot 150shot on this car and the motor gives...I am going to have to spend upwards of $3000 for a new shortblock why not get a GT-40 crate motor for the same price? It is lighter than the 4.6. Makes more HP than the 4.6. That is all, just thinking of possiblities. I have heard of fox bodies running mod motors but not 99GTs running pushrods.
#1- $3000 will buy you a GT-40 longblock. It will not include intake, front engine dress, nor any of the many items needed to successfully implant this engine into your car and get it running. From fasteners to K-members to wiring... you need more than an engine.
#2
OR you could buy a complete 2001 Cobra engine for about that same price. The engine comes with wiring and all accessories. It bolts right into your car and wiring is not too large of an issue.
#3. Read that last sentence again in your quote and ask yourself- why do I see foxes running modulars, but not 96+ cars running pushrods?(there are a few of these to be sure, but not many) Perhaps there is an extremely valuable insight to be gained by wondering why the flow is going mainly in one direction.
Here is some more stuff I have a problem with:
500RWHP is not too shabby, but you have to forge the whole motor to sustain that kind of power, not just as easy as correcting internal mods, you are talking whole new engine. Why not start right with more displacement.
Well, when you start talking that kind of power you may as well stop pretending that the 4.6 needs special building and the 5.0 doesn't at this point. OK, the pre 93 302 got some forged pistons. Big deal. It didn't get forged rods, and it sure as hell didn't get a steel crank. It also didn't get 4 or 6 bolt mains (cross bolted no less) nor did it get deep skirts. With the right pistons and rods, the 4.6 block will make in the area of 800-1000 hp without any special race-prep. Beyond about 450 hp you will begin splitting 302 blocks right down the middle. Both engines will need some sort of special attention at these lofty levels.
There is plenty more, but that should be enough to chew on for a while.
!
What else can I say, but wow.
