5.4 swap
07-07-2009, 12:10 AM
#1
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5.4 swap
im going to be doing a 5.4l 2v swap sometime before the end of the year. is there a difference between the f150 and the expedition? either one better to go with? i will keep it n/a so not looking for the lighting or anything. can someone that has done this swap post a list of things u needed for the swap? is it better to go with an aftermarket intake such as the hps or are the adapter plates fine? anything i should look out for? what kind of numbers can the stock engine take? is there anything i should upgrade?
Last edited by liljojo4711; 07-07-2009 at 12:12 AM.
07-07-2009, 08:18 AM
#2
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Join Date: Nov 2005
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I don't believe there is a difference between the 2 but obviously there is a difference in the navigator.
It's a little more work but if you're planning on staying N/A, I have seen people pick up NPI 5.4 because of the non dished pistons and add PI heads for the bump in compression (similar to what 96-98 guys get with a pi swap)
The 5.4 can handle the same power as the 4.6 but I would keep the revs down more until you get forged rods. So that's going to be the difficult part for you, choosing cams. You can't get too aggressive with the cam because you can't spin it very fast now, and you don't want to go to mild because if you do ever upgrade you'll have to switch it out.
Just FYI with a stock head/cam 5.4 don't expect to nut your pants on the difference over the 4.6.
As far as the intake goes, especially if you're N/A I would look into the HPS intake. I have heard of people complaining about air turbulence from the adapter plates... but if you're looking to do it on the cheap, I guess they would work. (although I'm not that sure they are that much less than the intake)
What you need for the swap will depend on how you do it. There are some subtle difference, but nothing huge for the most part.
It's a little more work but if you're planning on staying N/A, I have seen people pick up NPI 5.4 because of the non dished pistons and add PI heads for the bump in compression (similar to what 96-98 guys get with a pi swap)
The 5.4 can handle the same power as the 4.6 but I would keep the revs down more until you get forged rods. So that's going to be the difficult part for you, choosing cams. You can't get too aggressive with the cam because you can't spin it very fast now, and you don't want to go to mild because if you do ever upgrade you'll have to switch it out.
Just FYI with a stock head/cam 5.4 don't expect to nut your pants on the difference over the 4.6.
As far as the intake goes, especially if you're N/A I would look into the HPS intake. I have heard of people complaining about air turbulence from the adapter plates... but if you're looking to do it on the cheap, I guess they would work. (although I'm not that sure they are that much less than the intake)
What you need for the swap will depend on how you do it. There are some subtle difference, but nothing huge for the most part.
07-07-2009, 08:41 AM
#4
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Location: Ohio
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ok i'll be the one to ask the dumb question, is there major differences in the navi motor just like the differences in the cobra motors from the regular 2v 4.6? or is it just the heads? i.e.- can the navi make/handle more power? What are the stock power numbers on these motors?
07-07-2009, 08:50 AM
#5
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Navigator is a 5.4 4v that uses what I guess is similar to tumble port heads but the ports are larger. It also uses a forged crank.
People say to use the Navigator because of the restriction of the 2v heads, especially on the larger displacement of the 5.4. It's not like the navigator will instantly produce crazy more hp but it's viewed as a better start place.
To me... that just seems like the same argument when people ask why someone built a 2v 4.6 instead of upgrading to a 4v... so whatever.
I think with these new TFS heads... the 5.4 2v swap might become more practical but we'll see.
People say to use the Navigator because of the restriction of the 2v heads, especially on the larger displacement of the 5.4. It's not like the navigator will instantly produce crazy more hp but it's viewed as a better start place.
To me... that just seems like the same argument when people ask why someone built a 2v 4.6 instead of upgrading to a 4v... so whatever.
I think with these new TFS heads... the 5.4 2v swap might become more practical but we'll see.
07-07-2009, 10:12 AM
#6
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Virginia
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Navigator is a 5.4 4v that uses what I guess is similar to tumble port heads but the ports are larger. It also uses a forged crank.
People say to use the Navigator because of the restriction of the 2v heads, especially on the larger displacement of the 5.4. It's not like the navigator will instantly produce crazy more hp but it's viewed as a better start place.
To me... that just seems like the same argument when people ask why someone built a 2v 4.6 instead of upgrading to a 4v... so whatever.
I think with these new TFS heads... the 5.4 2v swap might become more practical but we'll see.
People say to use the Navigator because of the restriction of the 2v heads, especially on the larger displacement of the 5.4. It's not like the navigator will instantly produce crazy more hp but it's viewed as a better start place.
To me... that just seems like the same argument when people ask why someone built a 2v 4.6 instead of upgrading to a 4v... so whatever.
I think with these new TFS heads... the 5.4 2v swap might become more practical but we'll see.
I love it when I get to post pictures of my buddies car.
07-07-2009, 10:20 AM
#7
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: dallas
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it is more of a direct swap going from 4.6 2v to a 5.4 2v which is y im doing it. plus, like what was stated earlier, the new tfs heads will really up the airflow (when i get the money). plus for now, 2v to 2v i can use my pi heads and just get them ported for now. and the wiring harness will hook right up. it is also not as tall. the 4v is like 35 1/2" tall while the 2v is 28" (the 4.6 2v is 26") so it will fit under the hood much easier.