RandallBwell

Well after it's all said and done I probably will put the 408 in it. I did consider the 347 but I would have around $1000 less in the 347 as I would in the 408 like someone else said "there is no replacement for displacement" that is true in this case after reading quite a bit in the last couple of days the 4.6 would be a great street motor however this is a purpose built trail truck not a mustang so a 408 would give me loads of low end torque and power. A 408 would also fit the FI intake of the newer windsors so all that is needed is a stand alone fuel management system. But here is another problem the 408 estamated will be pushing around 500+ HP who makes a good 4x4 maunual transmission that will handle the abuse of a big engine plus the abuse of some hard southern trails and mud holes? But thanks everyone for the advice

00gstang

the 4.6 in my stang makes 420RWHP at 12lbs of boost and well over 400 ft lbs torque. However, an older 400ci motor could be very powerful, for much less money. More displacement means more power, hands down. I think a naturally aspirate 400+ ci motor is a good choice.

ss150

My stang is exactly at the same spot as yours. The power band of the windsor would definitely be better for the trails as the torque would be lower in the rpm range. I dont do a bunch of trail riding with my truck but I can tell the OP that the more you rev on a lengthy trail will be a lot more drivetrain stress.

And as mentioned earlier, its definitely not an 03-04 cobra motor for that cheap! I'd be cool though!

thomaslord84

I don't know where you are buying parts or motors but I just built a 347 stoker out of a 302 and just to rotating assy was $1800 750 hp 2 bolt 1200 w/ 4 bolt upgrade. I have over $5000 into it just in parts and its not quite there yet. Yes this motor was built to put out over 400 hp, but still they ain't cheap to build new.

jamesyarbrough

id go with the 408, way more power and installation and tuning would be a snap. oh and TORQUE! GOBBS OF TORQUE!! 4.6s suck, unless its an 03 cobra, go oldschool!!

jamesyarbrough

you can build them with cheap parts but they dont hold up. id run a 302, with forged pistons and spray it.

jamesyarbrough

you have to get spacers to run a 351 block under a 302 intake. its got a taller deck hieght. and itll be way cheaper to go with a cheapy airgap and a 750 mighty demon, thats what id do, youll drive your self nutts tryin to make that crappy computer run a real motor. especially if its realy a 500 horse motor, youll have to run 42 pound injectors!

ss150

I've seen kits from Summit and several places online sell forged rods, forged pistons, and cast cranks for about a grand. This is for stock bore, so no machining costs. Yes you can easily spend more, the sky is the limit, but for 500 hp I'm sure they would work fine. A forged crank would definitely run more, not to mention if you have to have someone assemble it.

RandallBwell

Well machine work alone would be around 400$ for boring decking surfacing and all that good stuff cncmotorsports.com had a 408 shortblock around $2000 and that's already assembled so if I'm spending 1600 on the rotating kit + 400$ for machining I might as well buy one already together. I will go carburated at first probably with a demon carb I hear they are wicked on truck engines maybe after I see how much I like my investment I might get some FI velocity stacks for it but what heads should I run? Twisted wedges are great but the price isn't I hear ARP are better though any ideas? But 408 is my choice bc it will have the power band I need. This motor will probably never turn over 5k rpm

00gstang

you obviously don't know ford motors...lots of people get 500-700 whp from 4.6L non-termi's....