4.6L DOHC people, need advice

[mustangmike6996]

So I have a 2001 Cobra 4.6L that will be going into my project truck. 1951 F1, explorer 8.8 (3.73" trac lock) and a TR3650 trans.

I got the engine disassembled for a pretty good price torn apart. It spun a rod bearing and he was in the process of rebuilding until he found a terminator engine so he sold this and went a different route.

Here is where I am sitting with parts:

Teksid block-need to verify everything is still in tolerance but the block appears good

Crank-New Kellogg forged crank

Intake- 99/01 cobra intake with BBK throttle body and stock fuel inectors

Heads-Stock C heads with stock cams

Pistons and rods are stock- Id have to look back to see what one had the spun bearing but Im pretty sure that it has already been replaced.

Attatching components are all there, cam covers, timing cover chain guides etc are all good.

I have a 2001 Cobra ECU, a 2003 Cobra ECU and a standalone harness (for the 03 ECU with PATS dissabled) that came from a hot rod.


So here is where I need the advice, what route would you take for a budget freindly build? If I need a rod Id be looking to upgrade, possibly 03/04 Manley stock Cobra rods (not sure if there are better cost effective alternatives).. Pistons, stay with stock 01 pistons or upgrade (going to stay NA)

I have built many other engines prior to this but this is my first Ford DOHC setup, what things should I look out for? What are the "since it is apart I better upgrade these" mods?

 

[derbydad276]

I have a running 93 mark 8 engine Ill make you a deal on

 

[mustangmike6996]

I have a running 93 mark 8 engine Ill make you a deal on

Thanks, but at this point Id rather just build this one

 

[4 cam tbird]

If you are staying NA and not planning on making it something high revving I don't really see a reason to change the rods and pistons. From my experience, the used 03 Cobra rods and pistons don't sell all that cheap. So they aren't really a cheap upgrade because you are in there type of thing. Although prices may have come down. The cheapness of 5.0 crate motors causes used 5.0s to be even cheaper so the price of the terminator Cobra internals may have come down some, although due to the power they hold I kind of doubt they have.

Honestly, rather than fucking around trying to rebuild a stock short block, I would look for a cheap Mark VIII motor, tear it down, bolt the C heads and 99/01 intake to it and roll with that. You can get running Mark engines for $250. I guess you aren't using the forged crank at that point but unless you want to run it past 7k the Mark VIII crank will be fine NA. I guess you would need a different flywheel too, assuming you already have one, Marks were 6 bolt, Cobra 8 bolt.

I think if you are going to start spending money on stuff because you're in there, cams are probably a better place to look than things in the bottom end.

 

[derbydad276]

Like I said I'll make a deal

 

[svtserpent]

A guy over on SVTP sn95 cobra section is doing this same swap in a F100 looks like the electrical/vacuum/PATS are kicking his ass.
Good luck with the project. I've always wanted to stick my old 97 cobra engine in a f150.

 

[mustangmike6996]

A guy over on SVTP sn95 cobra section is doing this same swap in a F100 looks like the electrical/vacuum/PATS are kicking his ass.
Good luck with the project. I've always wanted to stick my old 97 cobra engine in a f150.

I know that PATS is a bitch but one ECU has it disabled so that should be good. I have a standalone harness that is built to run without mods (came off of a car that had a terminator in it with no other stock harness) Vacuum shouldnt be any issue. I wont have an issue building it with what I already have. Since its already torn down and I have a ton of new parts for it I figured Id ask advice prior to reassembling.

As for the Manley rods, they can be had for less than $400 shipped as opposed to the new Manley rods set for 600

 

[4 cam tbird]

Just seems like for a budget NA build there would be a way to spend $400 that would provide a power gain. Stronger rods aren't doing anything.

 

[mustangmike6996]

Just seems like for a budget NA build there would be a way to spend $400 that would provide a power gain. Stronger rods aren't doing anything.

I guess I should clarify "budget" Its not that I dont have the money to put into it, I just dont want to spend tons because I know you can build an expensive 4.6 fairly easily.

I wasnt sure If the cobra rods had any benefit gains (not power but strength) because it seems like a lot of people spin rod bearings or break rods (probably from excessive abuse)

What would you recommend for cams?