[na svt]

Facts about the 03/04 cobra, Marauder, aviator and Mach.

-All use the same heads and cams
-The automatic versions have 6 bolt cast cranks
-Manual trans engines have forged cranks
-The 03/04 cobra motor has 8.5 to 1 compression, the others have 10 to 1
-All use cast pistons and rods except for the Cobra
-The Aviator uses a variable runner length intake manifold
- The Mach and Marauder lower intake is the same

I would go with a 4V 5.4.

 

[na svt]

I suggested a 5.4 in my post. As for the compression, I'd go 10 to 10.5 to 1(I run over 11 to 1 with 93 on my street motor). Sotck Marauders are 10 to 1 stock so an increase of .5 is not a big deal.

I'd port the Marauder heads and use them on the 5.4 along with a ported intake with adapters. the adapters are not optimum but they work. Another option is the Aussie Boss 290 intake, it will both to the 03/04 heads on the 5.4.
I'd go with 96-98 intake cams or swap all the cams for some in the .220-.230 duration @.050 range.

 

[na svt]

WOW! Thanx for all the great info! A few questions though.
Thank you guys! No one has been able to tell me the difference between these engines as of yet!

You're welcome

What would have to be done to drop a 5.4 in the MM?

It will bolt right in connect rught up the motor mounts and the trans. The exhaust will work also but it will need a little widening.

 

[na svt]

It will not bolt right in. They changed the frames and cross members for 02-03. As I said before I know of no one to date that has put one in an 03 up panther platform. .

He has a Marauder, it came with a 4.6, the 5.4 will bolt right in. They bolt into mustangs using the stock crossmember and transmission. The Marauders have a much larger engine bay so fitment is not an issue. I know, because it's been done before.

bigal614: Rod knocks and spun bearings are common problems and are not caused by failed oil pumps. With that, your heads will be okay.

 

[na svt]

Hey buddy, I was told that when the 4.6 lost oil pressure that everything inside would be scarred and that the heads would gall instantly because the DOHC motor doesn't have bearings?

The 4.6 and 5.4 have rod and crank bearings like all other motors but do not have cam bearings. Also, a rod knock does not mean you have any shaving in the motor. I know, I spun a bearing in my 96 and there were no signs of damage...anywhere. I didn't even have to turn the crank cause it was still within specs. My heads were fine and only required a valve job.

Did it lose oil pressure or is there just a rod knock?

One last thing, I have never heard the cylinder heads (cam journals) getting galled from a spun bearing but I'm not to saying it hasn't happened. Also, in the case of damaged cam journals it is common to install bearings in them.

 

[na svt]

The only way to tell if the heads are jacked up is to take a look at them. The cams don't require a lot of oil or oil pressure so if the engine was run for only a short time the ehads still may be good, or there may be only a couple bad journals.

I'm still for the 5.4. In fact, a kenne bell supercharged 5.4 would be bad. That combination would require Navigator heads.

If the heads are messed up I'd be interested in them.

 

[na svt]

NA, I have a marauder. Quit telling him it will bolt right in because it will not or there would be a bunch out there already. No one wants to spend the time and money to be first, especially with the minimal gains you will get out of it compared to boosting a 4.6.

Yes, it appers to have a bigger engine compartment, but it also has a full frame, a big ass crossmember and huge control arms taking up a lot of room. It was not designed for a 5.4.
Sure you could put a KB on a built navi motor and drop it into a Marauder ......... for 14k+ if everything goes perfect.

Moving the battery, modifiing the cross member, different exhaust, modding the hood, different accessories, and on and on and on..

It's been done, no hood mods, no crossmember mods and no major exhaust mods.

A forged 4.6 with a KB or whipple will run 14K also.

How do you no one wants to do it?

If you go with a supercharger make sure it's PD type.

 

[na svt]

Get your facts straight please. I am not trying to be rude, but most of the marauder guys go with trilogy.

Why is that? Is it becuase the Trilogy setup is geared toward the stock shortblock capabilities? Who makes the Trilogy blower?

If money is no option a forged longblock with an 03/04 cobra setup with a whipple or KB would be the way to go.

 

[na svt]

The Machs, Marauders and Aviators use the same pistons and heads so they have the same static compression ratio. They also have the same dynamic compression ratio since they use the same cams.

 

[na svt]

Among other things, the MM intake is on the drivers side, so any Cobra set-up means moving the battery, alternator, etc.

The Cobra and Marauder alternators are mounted in the same location.

 

[na svt]

The 03/04 cobra alternators are not in the same spot, they are on the drivers side near the frame

I was thinking of my 96 and not the lower drivers side mounting location of the 03/04s.