How modular are the Ford Modular engine packages?

[MikeCyr]

Real quick on this. I have an F150 with a 3V 4.6L V8. The truck is in great shape but has about 180K on it. I am considering a rebuilt drive train. I would love to upgrade the package with something a bit newer in the line of Ford Modular engines. What I have in mind is a 45.6L 4v from a Mustang. I am wondering if all the engine mounts, plumbing, and electrical on this would be plug and play, save for needing the correct PCM programming?

I am looking for better economy than power/torque...maybe I should be looking at the 5.45L offerings?

2 cents anyone?

 

[95busa]

Modular refers to the machinery needed to build the engines. Not plug and play engines. Try 4.56-1 gears. Cheaper and easier.

 

[Tim4mods]

With a 4.6 4v you would loose a lot of of bottom end torque which is very important for a truck. My cobra didn't start really pulling till 5,000rpms and peak power was made at 6,800rpms not to mention it would not be a easy or cheap swap into a truck.Your 4.6 3v is rated at 292hp not far from off from a 4v mustangs 320hp. If your truck has been well taken care of it'll keep kicking for a while mod motors go forever. A truck never will get stellar economy they are not built for that. The easiest swap would probably be a 5.4 3v you'd gain about 10hp and 40 lb-ft of torque it'd have more low end grunt due to the longer stroke. If it was me though I'd just stick with what you have.

 

[Tim4mods]

Originally Posted By: 95busa
Try 4.56-1 gears. Cheaper and easier.


I agree gears, bolt-ons and tune and it'd feel like a different vehicle.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: MikeCyr
Real quick on this. I have an F150 with a 3V 4.6L V8. The truck is in great shape but has about 180K on it. I am considering a rebuilt drive train. I would love to upgrade the package with something a bit newer in the line of Ford Modular engines. What I have in mind is a 45.6L 4v from a Mustang. I am wondering if all the engine mounts, plumbing, and electrical on this would be plug and play, save for needing the correct PCM programming?

I am looking for better economy than power/torque...maybe I should be looking at the 5.45L offerings?

2 cents anyone?


Very doable, but you'd be far better off using a 5.4.

Unless you have very deep pockets consider the advice above. Gears, and aftermarket tune, CAI, good exhaust can all get you better mileage up to a point. But expecting mileage from a full size pickup is a tough road to hoe....

 

[Roadkingnc]

If that engine has been properly maintained put another 180k on it and then think about it. I see these things with high mileage all the time with no problems. A few in the 500k and above range and still running.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: MikeCyr
What I have in mind is a 45.6L 4v from a Mustang.
Mustangs have a 45.6L engine? No wonder they're so fast...

Originally Posted By: MikeCyr
The truck is in great shape but has about 180K on it.
That's barely broken in for a mod motor.

Originally Posted By: Tim4mods
With a 4.6 4v you would loose a lot of of bottom end torque which is very important for a truck.
This.

The 4V Ford put in the Marauder uses truck cams to try to build back a little low-end, but it's still kinda weak. Unless you're going to put on a blower, it isn't worth it for the gains you're expecting.

 

[Zaedock]

If you want economy in a truck, you're going to have to step into something newer. I get about the same in my 5.0L as my buddy does in his Ecoboost. If we set the cruise on the highway and stay out of the throttle, we get nearly 20MPG! (note: mileage goes down about 3-4 when the wife drives - LOL).

Pulling my Jeep or camper, we get about 16-17 on extended trips. That's 4+/- MPG better than my old 5.4L powered truck.

Realistically, driving style will have a huge impact. I see it every time momma and I swap positions. She likes to "go"!
I drive to Boston every day from western Mass and average 23-24 MPG in a loaded '13 Ram C/V tradesman. That's outstanding IMO, especially carrying 400 lbs of un-work related mortar and my drum kit.

 

[RISUPERCREWMAN]

At 180K your Mod motor is just broke in!

 

[artificialist]

The combustion chamber and piston crown for a 3V engine and 4V engine could change compression, cause piston to valve interference, or lead to inefficient combustion.

I would not do it.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Originally Posted By: MikeCyr
What I have in mind is a 45.6L 4v from a Mustang.
Mustangs have a 45.6L engine? No wonder they're so fast...

Originally Posted By: MikeCyr
The truck is in great shape but has about 180K on it.
That's barely broken in for a mod motor.

Originally Posted By: Tim4mods
With a 4.6 4v you would loose a lot of of bottom end torque which is very important for a truck.
This.

The 4V Ford put in the Marauder uses truck cams to try to build back a little low-end, but it's still kinda weak. Unless you're going to put on a blower, it isn't worth it for the gains you're expecting.


What truck came with a 4v.
And the cams in a 2v and 3v don't change based on whether in a car or truck.
The 4.6 and 5.4 2v have the exact same cams and heads,only the stroke and tune change.
No 4v truck engine exists unless you get into a new 5.0 however they are built after the marauder.
The 4.6 4v intake cams changed when used for the Mach 1. The cobra cams intake cams have slightly more duration.
There are no "truck" cams. Sorry.

OP. Get the truck tuned. Sct are really ford friendly. SteveSRT has some good advice however forget the cai. They do nothing on any ford v8.
I've got many years experience with these engines. You've got a 3v so I suggest a dyno tune. Because the cams have variable valve timing you can squeeze a few extra ponies out of it.
Don't spend a dime opening it up. You're not even halfway through its service life.
Dyno tune,gears. Done.

 

[punisher]

Originally Posted By: Clevy


What truck came with a 4v.


Navigator

 

[hardcore302]

And the Aviator.

You can run your truck to 300k easy. Get a tune from Brenspeed.com. Woke up my car big time.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: punisher
Originally Posted By: Clevy
What truck came with a 4v.
Navigator
Originally Posted By: hardcore302
And the Aviator.
That's what I meant...sorry for not being crystal clear.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: hardcore302
And the Aviator.

You can run your truck to 300k easy. Get a tune from Brenspeed.com. Woke up my car big time.



And the Lincoln Blackwood.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: hardcore302
And the Aviator.

You can run your truck to 300k easy. Get a tune from Brenspeed.com. Woke up my car big time.



And the Lincoln Blackwood.



Shhhhh, we just try to forget about that one.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: hardcore302
And the Aviator.

You can run your truck to 300k easy. Get a tune from Brenspeed.com. Woke up my car big time.



And the Lincoln Blackwood.



Shhhhh, we just try to forget about that one.


LMAO!!