Who's thinking 4.6L swap?

[Desert Stallion]

So with the release of the '05 Mustang's now officially underway, who here in Lincoln LS-land is thinking about 4.6L pr manual tranny swaps?

I've already seen my first smashed '05 ( :mad: ), so take-offs should be available shortly to start experimenting with.

[Quik LS]

would cost a mint to do.

The PCMs are not compatible - so the engine management would require you alo change most of the other car sensors and then it still wouldn't talk with the rest of the car (dash, console computer, ...etc)

[Kaiser]

I could program the stock ecu to run it. Not a huge job disabling the auto trans, just tiedious. SCT keeps delaying the release of the software but they say it's going to be this coming week.

[pro-five-oh]

Front suspension and shock towers are my concern. The DEW-lite chassis of the Mustang was made for the 4.6, the LS has more real estate for its more complex suspension and less for the Mod motor.

A bunch of LS engineers made a 4.6L 5-spd LS and ran it in Car and Driver's One Lap of America. It can be done, for sure.

[Nick]

That 4.6L LS was very cool, but I don't know how much work it took to shoehorn it in. The three engineers had the backing of Ford, so they had access to some handy tools the aftermarket may not. I would think it to be at least physically easier to install the S-Type R engine. :eek:

[351CJ]

quote:Originally posted by pro-five-oh:
Front suspension and shock towers are my concern. The DEW-lite chassis of the Mustang was made for the 4.6, the LS has more real estate for its more complex suspension and less for the Mod motor.

A bunch of LS engineers made a 4.6L 5-spd LS and ran it in Car and Driver's One Lap of America. It can be done, for sure.

The DOHC, 32V 4.6L will fit, but it is almost a press fit. There is less than 1/2" clearance between the shock towers and the DOHC heads. But the 4.6 DOHC has to be installed from above, it will not fit if you try to install it from underneath, which is how cars are assembled on the production line. Way back in 2001 there was a factory prototype LS with a 5.0L DOHC engine.

The 4.6L, 2V, SOHC engine fits with almost an inch clearance between the heads and the shock towers, but again it won't go in from underneath on a production line.

The 4.6L, 3V SOHC engine (2005 Mustang) is even smaller than the SOHC 2V. It possibly could be installed from underneath. The PCM system for the 3V Mustang 4.6 is similar to the LS, it uses the same main processor, but it has its differences from the LS. Its communication bus is the same as the '03 and up LS. This would have the best potential for an engine swap.


Note that even putting an '03, '04 or '05 LS 3.9L in a '00, '01 or '02 is not an easy job due to differencs like ETC and the communications bus.

[sqfanatic]

what would be the preformance gains? What would be the cost? extra 100HP for $8,000 bucks?

[cason1]

There would be the extra horsepower as well as the added aftermarket support. How many LS aftermarket suppliers are out there compared with 05+ Mustang suppliers. :D

[Quik LS]

what would be the preformance gains? What would be the cost? extra 100HP for $8,000 bucks?

to replace your engine, trannie (5r55N with a 5r55S), all 8 of the computer modules, all the support wiring, dash guages..... I bet 3 to 4 times as much.

[sqfanatic]

to replace your engine, trannie (5r55N with a 5r55S), all 8 of the computer modules, all the support wiring, dash guages..... I bet 3 to 4 times as much.


WOW! Well, I personally think that spending over $20k for less then $200hp increase would be kind of a waste. Better to buy a used sports car for that kind of investment. I'm definitely no expert on engines tho.