How difficult to put a 4.6 into a 5.4 truck?

[98EXPY 5-0]

My 5.4L is high up on mileage. If I can get my possible tranny issue straightened out, and a few other things, the motor will still end up being an issue at some point.

Of course the 4.6L is more common (and thus seems to be cheaper), but how difficult would that swap be, over just finding another 5.4L? If the 4.6 wouldn't be difficult, are Expeditions and F150s my only source, or would a Crown Vic motor work as well?

 

[tonydiv]

Seems like a lot of work just to end up with an underpowered truck.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

Thats what I am asking. Is it a lot of work to install a 4.6 instead of a 5.4? My truck is for work, it could have a 4 cylinder for all I care.

I see 4.6's for sale a lot, not so much with 5.4s. That why I am asking about this.

 

[panda24619]

a crown vic motor, as long as its a 5.4 will work. ive seen it done. a guy over on dezertrangers is putting one in his SCREW. his 5.4 had high mileage and didnt have the power anymore. so he found a crown vic and put that motor in it. idk if hes tested it yet or not. but he did say it starts right up after everything is all mated correctly. but then again his swap was super easy since his whole front end was apart and he was putting a new engine cage in at the time. haa

 

[toms89]

5.4 Crown Vic??

 

[panda24619]

no. im sorry bout that. he put in a worked over 4.6. http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/dr-rides/82560-3.htm thats his build. its putting out about 300hp. sorry bout that. read it wrong.

 

[99 Expy]

You can put a 5.4 in a vehicle that had a 4.6, but I think it would be easier to find a low mileage 5.4 from a salvage yard to swap in. You would likely need to do work with wiring harnesses. Like early 4.6 motors having 2 coils, and the 5.4s having COPs... But you can make whatever work that you'd like.

 

[Tigster]

4.6 termi motor and a whipple blower on it. That would be awesome.

 

[LameSuburbanDad]

that damn cash-for-clunkers scam rearing it's ugly head again. they took away a big chuck of the usable 5.4 motors out there. I live in the "motor city" but even here a decent 5.4 is in short supply.

that being said. just keep looking for a 5.4 the work will be made harder because you'll have to do a computer swap as well. if you go with another 5.4 it SHOULD be as easy and unbolt, and rebolt. thus making the over-all job.....easier.

now I'm not saying that if you come across a 4.6 stroker that you shouldn't jump all over it. just take your time and make smart decisions. not hasty ones that fit your checkbook this week. finding good deals takes time and effort, but they are out there.

I had posed a question once about having a machine shop upgrade my 5.4 and the general response was "if it isn't broke, don't fix it." patience young grasshopper, people wreck Expedtions every day, just sit back and wait for a wrecked one with a good engine to pop up. THEN STRIKE!

 

[BakerEdition]

Crown vics even in police dress never came with a 5.4 from the factory...4.6 only...1991 and earlier came with a 5.0 or 5.8....my 2 cents

 

[locoman687]

The engine in my 98 4.6 w vin went and i put a 4.6 2 valve out of a police interceptor crown vic in mine, works great. headers, mild cam, port polish heads and intake. The truck feels like it has more take off than my gf's 5.4 01 F150. haven't really towed with it yet though. just my 2 cents.

 

[mmrseed]

it seems like rebuilding a 5.4 that's already in there would be the better option...but if you have your heart set on a 4.6 I would get one out of a lincoln mkvIII, then you have 300hp and a wealth of aftermarket performance options...even if it's just a work truck, make it a fun work truck

 

[SourMashII]

if you are serious... I have an amazing 140k 5.4 I would sell you. Now that we have completed the 6 speed swap, a diesel is next.

But you could probably find one local to you for less than what I would want for ours.