thewarmachine

Why did Ford build the 3-valve engine when a 4-valve engine was already there?
Is the 4-valve engine that much more expensive than the 3-valve?

kingsofcrunk

I've been asking myself the same question. The N/A version of the 4v modular was in the mach 1, 99-01 cobra, and mercury marauder. Why not just build on that? Hell its rated at the same power as the current 3v, maybe improved airflow and what not could easily yield a few more horses. I understand this was the first complete rebuild of the mustang in a while, so maybe thats why they wanted a new engine, but you think the cost of it would have been a factor.

thewarmachine

Yeah, didn't the latest version of the Mach I have the N/A 4-valve 4.6L ???

danzcool

The three valve is a single overhead cam design, the four valve is dual overhead cam design. I think it was all about simplicity and economics, one is cheaper than 2.

acascianelli

I was under the impression that it was purely because of cost. Ford needed an engine better than the 2V, but didn't want to spend the money on the 4V. I thought the 3V heads were supposed to have air flow comparable to 4V heads.

VistaGT

3V FTMFW THAT'S WHY!

LB for LB of boost 3V makes MORE power than 4V-----NUFF said!!!