Finally got my 5.4... getting ready to drop it into my 04 Mountaineer

[zerodevil]

Looking Great!! Did you pull the engine w/o draining the transmission? I cant wait to see how this is going to go. You could probably get the y-pipe modified just rear of the collectors with some flex-pipe. which would let you get the extra width to mate up to the 5.4, but also the flexibility to reinstall the 4.6l if you wanted to. Are you planning on getting this thing tuned? I deffinately see it being under-fueled with the stock program.

 

[sport97]

Hows the wiring going to work, 5.4 computer or with the 4.6 computer run the 5.4?

 

[FIND]

I was gonna say, with the transfer case off, the battery, radiator and transmission cross-member out, the engine and trans fits out as one unit real easy. Only thing you have to worry about clearance around is the brake master cylinder. BUT, you got it out just fine, and it's not really any more work to get them out separately.

 

[zerodevil]

Sport there wont be a need to swap computers as the 4.6 and the 5.4 are the same engine, minus the taller block on the 5.4L. He will likely need a tune to make it run right though, that 5.4l is going to eat up gas.

 

[87350gta]

As far as flexplates go, you might be able to use a 2005 and up mustang GT unit since they use the same trans as the explorer. Not sure on the number of bolts on the 4.6l 3v crank that the mustang uses. I will check tomorrow, I am putting a trans in a 2006 mustang GT.

 

[zerodevil]

Not quite, i got a heavy duty 6 bolt and it was 1/10th shorter than the explorer plate. I was pretty bummed, its been a real head ache.

 

[87350gta]

Not quite, i got a heavy duty 6 bolt and it was 1/10th shorter than the explorer plate. I was pretty bummed, its been a real head ache.

You said it was from a 4 speed trans, which is the '04 and older trans. The '05 and up mustangs use the same trans as explorers, 5r55 not 4r70. It is identical except for the tail shaft, tail shaft housing, and pan.

 

[Styx]

Keep the pix's coming...

 

[87350gta]

It is identical except for the tail shaft, tail shaft housing, and pan.

The explorer and 05 and up mustang trans are identical, not old mustang and new mustang trans. They are completely different. I just looked at the 4.6 3v and it is a 6 bolt flange. Not sure if 5.4 is 6 or 8 bolt.

 

[zerodevil]

Thats all well and good Gta, but there are about six different cases you can put the 5r55w/s assemblys into and the differences are all in the bellhousings and tail sections. I am not saying he is even going to encouter the problem, just advising that when 1/8th of an inch can make ALL of the difference it would be wise to look. A second look at my recipt on summitracing and the flexplate i got was designed for the 5r55s. So the late model 3v 4.6's, and it too was 1/10th of an inch to short(put me outside of the range allowed). I believe the 5r55s only went into the 04+ AWD 4.0 explorers, and i would bet money that his mounty is running a 5r55w like mine. The only cause for concern is there has never been a factory application mating the 5r55 to a 5.4L. There may be need for some custom parts to sucessfuly pull this swap off.

 

[87350gta]

Ok, I was just going off of when you said it was for a 4r70. Just thought I could offer up something else. The only info I have ever found for the w/s difference is the early built '02 tucks like mine got one and the later '02 and up got the other. I have yet to find one physical difference between the "w" and the "s" internal or external, except maybe the early ones had a o-ring on the reverse servo piston housing an the later ones had a D-ring. But I think that was just a part revision on the later ones.

 

[zerodevil]

The 5r55w/s is one of the biggest hassles in terms of transmissions, and i am all for trying to throw information out there! the more brain cells we have rubbing togeather for this chap the more likely we may actually get some solid intel about 5.4l swaps into these rigs. I personally am not to worred about the trans mating issue as when i do my performance build i am getting TCI 6x package for the 8 bolt ford kit that comes with all the needed shenangians for a stand alone 6 speed auto that will handle 800 rwhp.

The 5r55w/s are capable of being identical clones on the outside and share a few componants (very very very few internal), basicaly the 5r55s has some lower ratio gears to allow for a nice brisk acceleration on the low end but still has the same high end ratios at the 5r55w. You cannot easily swap from a 5r55w to a 5r55s with out a tune the transmission computer wont know what to do. The best idea is to check your door code and plan accordingly. I believe that as far as the exploreres are concerned there is a different. The new flexplate i purchased actually has 5r55w stamped on it, i am willing to bet the part number for the 5r55s is different as well.

OP: Sorry for the hi-jack bud, how is she coming along? i am almost literaly dreaming about how this is going to change everything

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

Ok, I was just going off of when you said it was for a 4r70. Just thought I could offer up something else. The only info I have ever found for the w/s difference is the early built '02 tucks like mine got one and the later '02 and up got the other. I have yet to find one physical difference between the "w" and the "s" internal or external, except maybe the early ones had a o-ring on the reverse servo piston housing an the later ones had a D-ring. But I think that was just a part revision on the later ones.

The biggest difference is the w is non synchronized and the s is synchronized.... Plus the lower 3.25 first gear..
W can skip gears up or down but s cannot... Thus alleviating some issues...
My mom has a 04 XLT and I have a 05 and they're both the s model hers gets dogged 24/7 and @125 is still going...mine has had four torque converters+1 time everything same mileage
V6s'......

Mine was once rebuilt with w parts(retarded trans guy argued me to death it was a w not a s even though I showed him door code and paperwork from ford) and it didn't last 15k....
Thus the whole new trans w/ many mods...and a warranty.....

 

[JW]

I have to say, looking at those pictures turned my stomach a bit (I just replaced my engine). Funny thing is, I briefly considered putting in a 5.4 instead.

 

[coletrain777]

Well, I got the 5.4 all torn down and it looks GREAT! Heads are extremely clean with zero sludge (look almost new). Cylinder walls look awesome, still has fresh looking cross-hatch. Got the valve covers pressure washed...I'm probably going to paint them, what color should I shoot (I do paint and body work and have a booth at the house, have lots if paint... Any ideas)?

Here's a few pics:

Look at that great looking cylinder wall

Parts on the table

Difference between 4.6 and 5.4 cover

You can see the inch or more difference in height better here.

Torn down block

Another shot of the front covers, you can see the difference in size.

So there ya go... Progress!

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

Paint them ford blue! It's so nice and will accent the white great!
Looks great man! so nice to see this done! Makes me want to source a v8 explorer for toying around...
that's a fresh looking motor too great find there!

 

[87350gta]

Looks very nice, keep the pics coming.

 

[coletrain777]

May paint them blue...although I don't probably have any Ford blue on the shelf (maybe Balboa Blue). Figure I might paint the timing cover and possibly the TB/plenum as well. Also removed the 4.6 logo off of the TB and planning in doing a custom 5.4 logo for it...? Funny, I really don't care what it looks like under the hood, it's just fun to do something different

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

:JP:

May paint them blue...although I don't probably have any Ford blue on the shelf (maybe Balboa Blue). Figure I might paint the timing cover and possibly the TB/plenum as well. Also removed the 4.6 logo off of the TB and planning in doing a custom 5.4 logo for it...? Funny, I really don't care what it looks like under the hood, it's just fun to do something different

My transfer case is blue and will be doing diffs soon. Trans is grey nice accents most will never see lol
Jd4242 painted many accessories on his motor that blue when building it... It's so sexy imho.the blue is also accentuated well with silver...

 

[coletrain777]

So I found some Dupont Chromabase on the paint shelf... Spectramaster Blue...? No idea what I shot it on but I had about 3/4 of a quart left. It cost $110 a quart so I figured "why not use it on the valve covers, it's kinda like Ford blue" . So I cleaned the VC's up with wax and grease remover, scuffed them with a grey scuff pad, shot them with adhesion promoter, shot 3 coats of blue, then cleared with 3 coats of SPI Universal clear. Not a big deal, but I know how everyone likes to see pics... so here ya go!