Got my hands on a back up 4.6 minus the intake. The plan was to strip it and save anything I could for parts but now I'm thinking I'd like to build an engine for my car.

Problem is I keep going back and forth on if the 2v is really the best bet for a car that will mostly see track use. I think the reality for me would be a low 12 second street car that I could drive to the track. Not sure I want to put a cage in at this point but that might change.

I know anything is possible if you have the money but could a 2v be built as an affordable 12 second motor? If so, what am I looking at as far as price?

Don't have any ideas on parts yet, still in the researching stage at this point and want to see what my options are.

 

Not being snarky, but can you define affordable? As an example, I wouldn't consider 6-8k unreasonable for a 2v engine build (forged stroker 4.6 w/ aftermarket flow path on the high end).

 

For 6-8K how much HP are we talking though?

I guess I'm looking for something that makes around 400 - 500 HP and is still streetable. Will the 2V get me there cheaper than if I pulled something from the junkyard and built it up?

I'd have to get a new trans either way so going with a completely different engine wouldn't be too bad minus the work to get it in.

 

Is it a 4.6 from a 96-98 or a 99-04? I hear that the older non-PI engines are better for modification due to a higher compression ratio. It is pretty common for a non-PI motor with a PI swap to put out about 280HP combine that with a reasonable tune and blower and you should be in the 450-500 HP range. I thought about doing that to my 97 but I got a good deal on my Cobra and scrapped the whole project let me know how it goes. I'm still thinking of making the engine build in my car in a couple years.

Are you planning on doing the labor yourself? That obviously will make a big difference on your budget.

Everything you need for a PI swap will cost about $1600 w/o labor
Blower will cost you anywhere from 4-7k

 

It is a non PI motor and if I used it, we would tear it down to the block and rebuild.

I have a bunch of buddies that want a winter project but all of their cars are done so we'll be doing the work.

The thing about the blower is I know they can get me there but couldn't a different motor be built for less and still hit the HP levels I'm after?

 

I don't know how to build a modular motor but I know my friend did a PI swap, chip, tune and a saleen blower on his 98 GT and made 450rwhp. He had the work done at a professional shop. I think if your planning on ripping the motor completely down you should do a PI swap. Many websights sell everything you need to upgrade your 4.6 to 99-04 spects and with the added compression actually put out more power than your typical 99-04 4.6 (about 280HP) You could go with a DOHC 4.6 from a Cobra or Mach1 but it would probably cost a lot more initially and also more to mod.... your cash homey... I don't know what you should do but I'd feel happy with a 4.6 PI upgrade and blower. I think this would give you the power and the 12 sec times you desire from the build but remember to do some suspension upgrades to handle that extra power! One other thing to consider is an already built crate motor if you don't need the headache.... I mean project of building the motor yourself lol.

 

Honestly, it won't be cheap swap in the short run. You can fully build the motor bottom to top for roughly around 6k. That will be all the bells and whistles and probably net you around 400-450 hp but what these motors like is boost and that's another couple grand btu you will see huge gains. After that you need to think about the trans, rear, etc. In reality if its a full time race motor its not going to be very affordable. But as a street/strip combo, not to bad. And it all depends on how you want to build it. The heads will be one of you biggest expenses but there are a few options ranging from 500-2000 in cost. So really it all depends on your research, what you want, and what bargins you can dig up.

 

you will definitely be hard pressed to make that kind of power N/A and have it be anywhere near streetable. It definitely wont be pump gas friendly if you stay N/A. You will need some serious high compression pistons, a great crank and rods, really good heads & cams and some RPM to make 450

 

Its very possible to do. Never said it was cheap though. There are 4.6 strokers out there making close to 500 so I don't think 400 or even close to 450 is out of the question with a fully built 4.6. You would definently need a high revving motor but its very possible.

 

The quick answer is yes, a 2V 4.6L can be built to make some decent power. You just need the right combination of parts... This would be my recipe for making ~400 hp N/A.

Any 4.6L block (obviously) - Aluminum preferred due to less weight, but the Iron will perform just as well.
5.0L stroker kit - This will give you a forged crank with good rods and pistons.
Select a piston that would yield you somewhere between 11-12:1 Compression Ratio
Ported Trickflow 2V heads.
Aggressive Cam - Comp XE278 or equivalent
BBK upper intake elbow w/ 78mm TB
36 lb/hr injectors
Long tube exhaust - 1-7/8"
Most importantly, a really good, reliable tune.

This recipe would keep you in the $7-8k range and make a reliable 400ish hp at the wheels

 

Cool, thanks. I like the sound of that. My only hesitation now is that I would want to upgrade the trans also and looks like a decent race trans is going to run in the 2k range. 10K isn't so bad but I'm still wondering if I can do better HP wise with a different engine. Looks like the new 5.0 crates are running about 8K with the ECU and that puts me close to where I want to be with no mods. I'm sure that swap will gain popularity quickly as well. Just a thought.

 

Looks like you answered your own question. I was going to suggest a crate motor swap but in the thread you mentioned the 2V 4.6 so I did not want to side track you. Keep in mind you can find decent deals on used 03-04 Cobra engine, trannys too