Stang-aholic

Well like most v6 mustang people out there I'm at the point where Im thinking about adding a big power-adder in some way shape or form. Everything has its own pros and cons from cost to time, but I was wondering what most people think they would do if they were thinking about adding power.

What my car has now:
GT500 8.8 w/ 3.73s
stock auto trans (another local 4.0 swapped to tr6060 so i can get help from him w a manual swap fairly easily)
C&L intake and tune

to get a few things clear first, i will not trade in my car for a 2010+, i love the front of the new cars, but ive tried to get used to the rear and it still isnt working for me, my apologies, there are some really nice 2010+'s out there!!. i wont trade in my car for an s197 GT thats dumb theres more potential in other engines than the 4.6. and i really think making my car unique is how ive always been so i want to stick to that.

My car is my DD, I like to have fun driving around daily, but i dont abuse it too much. its never been to the track/road course. Id still like it to be 100% drive able daily w/ the ability to kill any tuners!!!!!!!!

so what I have left are a couple of choices:

1. go F/I with either TVS X-Charger (in development-ish stage now), turbo, vortech, or procharger (most likely in this order too). along with building the bottom end, pistons, connecting rods, heads, regrind cams, possible looking at porting the TVS too if chosen. (theoretical/practical HP/TQ for generally either F/I choice = about 400/425)

2. swap in a 5.4 from a 2007-09 GT500. Expensive? yes, but its easier to do than the new aluminum 5.0/5.4 swap for reasons discussed ahead. problem would be new tranny is mandatory along with driveshaft, computers, and fuel. but the electrical system in the 5.4's computer interfaces with my current car in terms of connections and wiring layout. (stock HP = 500 of course) but the ability to modify later is possible for streetable HP near 700.

3. swap in a 5.0. Benefits: lightweight aluminum, 412/444hp w/ boss swap, good gas mileage, more reliability w newer engine, great building block for power. Downside: wiring is going to have to be revamped to interface w my wiring already in the car, questions with transmission and driveshaft hook-up, electric steering interface.

4. THE EXTREME!!! find a aluminum 5.4 from a wrecked 2011+ GT500, tear it apart spend a S#!% load of money and bore/stroke to 5.8 of course with all new internals and probably cam/head work also, TVS Supercharger and go for gold!!! HP/TQ could well be in the 800 range probably higher if tuned to its limits. This sounds ridiculous but possible considering the new GT500's will have essentially this engine but extremely detuned to make only 600 HP. (*** also another local stanger did a 2011 5.4 aluminum swap into the s197 GT, it took him nearly 2 months, maybe more to do from start to finish just because of the wiring integration. this would also apply to the 5.0 too)

So theres many options and I figured I should start planning now and save up/start gathering parts/info i need to do whatever i decide. So final question, what do other fellow v6 members think? i got about 4years set as a time limit for money and information, how would you approach these options????

X3xMONGOOSEx3X

How much hp are you looking for? If you're looking for 400+. Do the v8 swap. You can find some good info on the swap over on the mustang collective. I'd like to do a swap in the future. Just not sure I'm sold on the GT500 engine as the proper platform. I mean is the condor engine in a Mustang really that original?

stags

Whats your application here? Do you want to drag race or run road courses?

IMO I am keeping my 4.0 motor in and building on that bc its better for handling. Lower CG and the whole drive line sits 1.5" lower. With shocks struts some springs control arms and roll bars, you will outhandle just about anything out there. Take a look at what NicePony has done with his 4.0

Then you dont have to deal with the headaches of the motor swap and you get your dd reliability. Ive heard that motor swaps are really expensive pains in the ***

Stang-aholic

my goals are an all around great car, something that is reliable for a dd, but will kill on both a strait line and around a road course. with the time that i have to accumulate parts and $ Im thinking i dont have much to loose other than downtime during the actual swap/upgrade.

Im not going to disagree with the 4.0's handling possibilities, nor with its performance either, but a turbo mustang doesnt appeal to me much. i know there is a lot of power potential there, but a supercharged v6 has more driveability and reliability overall. thinking about it, if i were to do a supercharged v6 itd be an x-charger just because ive always been a fan, especially if the tvs-x comes out.

but thinking about resale of the car and "future collect-ability" todays v6 will probably be as comparable as the original mustang v6's, so the thought of why not comes into play... why not go for broke i can only add value.

X3xMONGOOSEx3X

If you do the GT500 swap you're going to have the ultimate in mod-ability. You can build it for ultimate power, or to be a road course monster. A supercharged v6 is always an interesting idea. You'll get more respect when people hear that X scream but you're still not in the power levels of the big dogs. Basically, a supercharged GT with a good driver will walk all over you. If you can swing it, the 5.4L may be the ultimate option for you.

stags

What is this new X Charger TVS you speak of?

It sounds like this isnt an issue for you, but I would not want the hassle assosciated with the motor swap. Id rather run an FI 4.0 and play david and goliath.

But thats just me, its your car, yours to mod

Stang-aholic

On the collective forum another member is esentially adding a R1900 eaton supercharger to the existing I/C Xcharger intake along w a custom elbow and TB theres more to it, but it looks like its going to be a solid kit if it comes out, it would make the xcharger a better competitor against a procharger or vortech.

as for the engine ive looked into a many number of factors and it seems that if i were to go 5.4 it should be aluminum, cast iron tends to be about 1500 less but 100lbs more weight on the nose. adding an aluminum 5.4 w a bmr k member it should still be fairly light.

but to build up an aluminum block using parts to sustain daily driving w occasional thrashing turns out to be a very costly option.

this is what ive gotten gathered together so far necessary to build up an aluminum 5.4 for an 05-10 mustang:

5.4L SVT Production Aluminum Cylinder Block M-6010-M54A http://fordracingparts123.com $2,126.88
5.4L Cobra Jet Crankshaft M-6303-C54SC4 www.cjponyparts.com $283.46
2008 Mustang Crankshaft Damper 50287 www.americanmuscle.com $264.99
Manley 14319-8 Ford 5.4L Pro Series Light Weight 4340 I-Beam Connecting Rods 6.657 Long ARP 2000 Bolts MAN-14319-8 www.race-mart.com $1,370.89
Manley 594100C-8 Ford Platinum Series 4.6L - 5.4L SOHC-DOHC 2-4 V. 5.4L 3V -11cc Dish Piston, 3.552" Bore, 5.933" / 6.657" Rod Length, 3.543" / 4.165" Stroke MAN-594100C-8 www.race-mart.com $665.63
Manley 46600-8 4.6L - 5.4L Ford 3.552" File Fit 1.5 mm x 1.5 mm x 3 mm Ductile Iron Standard Tension Piston Rings MAN-46600-8 www.race-mart.com $166.84
ARP 5.4L GT500 Main Stud Kit 256-5701X2 www.lethalperformance.com $458.00
ARP 07-11 5.4L GT500 2000 Series Cylinder Head Stud Kit 256-4201 www.lethalperformance.com $389.00
Moroso 4.6L/5.4L Ford Aluminum Deep Sump Oil Pan (7 Quart) 20555 www.lethalperformance.com $394.00
Melling 2011-2012 Mustang GT/GT500 Oil Pump M360 www.lethalperformance.com $118.95
Thump RRR Racing 07-2012 GT500 Heavy Duty Belt Tensioner PM-1005-GT500 www.lethalperformance.com $395.00
Lethal Performance 05-10 Mustang Adjustable Motor Mounts LP-S197MM www.lethalperformance.com $149.95

i know i still have more to add to this including Heads, cams, harness, flywheel, clutch, i/c, supercharger, piping, fuel pump, ect...

i thinkin i will add up the cost of what i would dream of building up a 5.4 aluminum from the block up against:

5.4l aluminum engine unfinished $9999.00:
http://fordracingparts123.com/index....roducts_id=509

**EDIT**
This engine is for 2011+ because it doesnt interface with 05-10 harness. its possible but im not looking forward to all the wiring issues, but ive seen it done.
5.4l aluminum engine fully dressed $21000: (not actual pic)
http://fordracingparts123.com/index....roducts_id=515

using the other 5.4L aluminum block for $9999.00 can interface with an 05-10 mustang when using an engine harness from the 07-10 GT500

X3xMONGOOSEx3X

I know it's not an aluminum block but from time to time 07-09 GT500 engines from wrecks find their way onto ebay. Usually you can pick up a good engine with transmission included for anywhere from $10-16K. That's usually with the ecu and wiring harness included. You could always add the aluminum block later on.

beaustang

What is your budget? The options you present range from $5k+ to $25k+++, that's a hell of a range, do you have that kind of cash to drop into a car that's worth maybe $15k on a good day? No matter what option you choose you will lose money on resale, it's just a matter of how much. Why not just sell the one you have and buy a used GT500?

kput

I don't think OP is concerned about resale...
his car is modded out now, and has quite a bit done to it. At the point he's at, i wouldn't want to get rid of what I have either..
OP sounds like the type that will have and improve this car multiple times throughout the years as opposed to buying a new car.