4.0 SOHC Performance Motor Build | Page 14 | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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4.0 SOHC Performance Motor Build

I've been helping the mustang crowd come up with a decent set of rods to use in place of the stock forged I-beam rods and I've found a couple different options out there. I want to use this thread for documentation purposes for all the options found and eventually, there will be info about all things needed to build this motor along with the estimated cost. Finally, after the research is done I'm going to put a motor together.


The Objective

A 4.0 SOHC that will consistently hold 500HP and 600HP at the drag strip. (for a decent cost) - in other words, if this can't be done for a certain price, then a different motor is a better option.


Stock 4.0 SOHC INFO

Deck Height 8.858
Bore 3.953
Stroke 3.31
Rod Length 5.748
Piston Pin Height 1.44


Cylinder Bore
Diameter 3.9530
Out-of-round limit 0.0010
Taper 0.0010


Piston / Rings
Standard DIA 3.9520 3.9528
.5 MM OS 3.9716 3.9724
1 MM OS 3.9900 3.9910
Piston to bore limit 0.0012 0.0020
Compression Ring end gap (top) 0.0080 0.0180
Compression Ring end gap (Bottom) 0.0180 0.0280
Oil Ring Snug Fit


Crankshaft and connecting rods
Crankshaft endplay 0.0020 0.0126
Connection rod journal DIA 2.1250 2.1260
Out-of-round and Taper limit 0.0003
Bearing oil clearance (desired) 0.0003 0.0024
Bearing oil clearance (allowable) 0.0005 0.0020
Connection rod endplay 0.0036 0.0106
Main bearing journal DIA 2.2430 2.2440
Out-of-round and Taper limit 0.0003
Main bearing oil clearance (desired) 0.0008 0.0015
Main bearing oil clearance (allowable) 0.0005 0.0020


Valves and related
Intake
valve seat angle 45 Degrees
valve seat width 0.0600 0.0940
valve seat runout limit 0.0020
Stem diameter standard 0.2740 0.2750
stem to guide clearance 0.0010 0.0020
valve face angle 45 Degrees
valve face runout limit 0.0010

Heads
68CC cambered

Camshafts
lobe lift (intake and exhaust) 0.2590
Allowable Lobe lift loss 0.0050
endplay 0.0003 0.0070
Journal DIA (ALL) 1.1000 1.1040
Bearing Inside DIA (ALL) 1.1020 1.1040
Journal-to-bearing (oil) clearance Standard 0.0020 0.0040
Journal-to-bearing (oil) clearance Service Limit 0.0060

Rods

Rod Option 1

The first rod option is a Forged H-beam Manley rod that states it holds 700-800HP on a 4.6 V8. We v6 dudes have to overkill here because 500 HP on a v8 is different for 500HP on a v6.

4.6 L Stroker w/ 22 mm pin and a 2.000" crank journal
Part No. 14044-8
Center-to Center 5.850"
Big End Bore 2.125"
Big End Width .940"
Pin End Width .940"
Pin Bore .8671"
Gram Weight 612


Here is the rod.



With this rod option, the rod journal (big end with the lip) will have to be narrowed by .064" per side. It should only be the little lip you see sticking out. The chamfer will then have to be re-cut and this should be it.

This rod is longer than the stock 4.0 SOHC (Stock is 5.748" and this one is 5.840") this means the custom piston being made needs to have a shorter pin height.

Custom pistons with floating pins will then need to be made to whatever compression you want. These rods go for around $579.50 for a set of 8. This means if you buy 3 set's for a v6, the fourth set is free. Furthermore this means the rod cost per rod will be $72.44 (Not counting the machining cost) If we estimate the machining cost, say 150.00 per set of 8, we come up with $91.19 / rod.

The H-beam rod option already available for the 4.0 SOHC is $125.00 per rod so you can see we've already beat that.

So, to recap this option.

Estimate $91.19 / Rod
Estimate HP the rod can handle is 700-800HP

This should be good for 500HP on the 4.0 SOHC


Rod Option 2

SBC rods.

UPDATE (9-5-2009) - I've decided to go this route for rods. The first option is still available; however, the cost was the deciding factor.

The second rod option is a SBC eagle H-Beam rod that is 5.7" long from center to center. The stock 4.0 sohc rod is 5.748" so this rod is .048" shorter. This means the custom piston being made needs to have a longer pin height depending on the compression desired. The rod journal bore on this rod is 2.1" where as the stock 4.0 SOHC has a 2.125" rod journal. This means the bore has to be opened up. The cost per a set of 8 is lower for this rod ($359.00) so this puts us at $44.87 / rod. The machining cost will offset this and I'll update the thread when I get the info.

The good about this option is the ARP rod bolts are 7/16" where as the first option has 3/8" rod bolts.



Pistons

Compression Ratio for boost

UPDATE (9-5-2009) - I've decided to go with a 9.5:1 compression ratio (custom forged piston) and then get the piston tops coated.

Here is a formula for helping pick a compression ratio for a boosted engine. Anything between 16:1 to 18:1 is what to shoot for on a street set-up. Anything above 20:1 is race car country.

((boost psi / 14.7) + 1) x motor compression = effective compression.

Here is the 4.0 SOHC with 9.7:1 compression running 14 LBS of boost...

Effective Compression
18.93809524

Here is the 4.0 SOHC with 9.5:1 compression running 14 LBS of boost...

Effective Compression
18.54761905

Here is the 4.0 SOHC with 9.5:1 compression running 16 LBS of boost...

Effective Compression
20.25782313

Here is the 4.0 SOHC with 9.5:1 compression running 50 LBS of boost...

Effective Compression
42.69319728
(Okay, this is a little much)


A motor with 8:1 compression running 18 lbs boost VS a 9.5:1 compression motor running 12 lbs boost will have almost the same effective compression and about the same peak power. The big difference will be where you see the power, and how much of a demand will be placed on the supercharger/turbo. Obviously, the 9.5:1 motor is going to have far greater torque and low end power as the boost is only starting to come in. It is also going to be much easier to find a blower/turbo to survive at only 12 lbs of boost -vs- one that would have to put out 18 lbs of boost. It is now very easy to see why a higher compression motor with lower boost is becoming so popular.

Assembly Instructions

Download SOHC_Engine.pdf from FileFactory.com

There's still a BUNCH of work that needs to be done here so this should be considered "A work in progress" until I remove this line from the thread.
 



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2000 - It's not a problem on all the builds I've seen on the 4.0 SOHC. I've got a lot of miles on mine pushing it pretty hard...no problems except for the dumb scavenge pump problem I faced earlier in the thread. (which is now fixed)

I actually learned a lot about the terlingua mustang. I admit, I had no clue about this mustang version until you posted in this thread. 2000 - basically, on customer request, they send a v6 mustang down to a town in Texas. When it's done it comes out looking like the mustang you see above. It uses the 4.0 SOHC and the guys doing the work are......I'll Let SVO tell you.
 



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.,
 






I hope the data in this thread, that I started years back, helped you. I just wish I could have done it when I said; However, I want to stay married. LOL

You did good, it's not going to be easy and there will be the "debug" stage. I just hope you tell us what DOESN'T work, if you find that. Most will not. I on the other hand have no problem telling, or typing..documenting, what I've tried and what the results were. That's what the forums are about...but the money seems to get folks. That's okay, nothing is free. And if someone really wants to do something like this, then they should do the research. So I know what you're saying.

What's the compression ratio again? :)
 






One more thing. I always thought is was "not allowed" to mig weld on safety cages, or is that in certain classes? I know my bud just tig'd his entire dragster (100 plus hrs) because that is the rules in his class.
 









I agree with what you said in your original post regarding Morana, even if you did end up editing it all out. That guy makes some shoddy stuff. I haven't seen many results from Supersix so I cannot speak much about them but there have been a few things I have seen that left me questioning their knowledge and ability.
 






:scratch:
 






good news....

"Hey guys just got off the phone with MMR and the prices include: $700 pistons, $500 rods w/ bolts."

http://www.mustangcollective.com/showthread.php?t=35836

"Due to the large demand for forged internals we have worked closely with Manley Performance to produce a custom forged V-6 Piston and rod combination, they are made of 2618 alloy for the pistons and 4340 forged steel for the rods, this combination can handle up to 700 RWHP!! and is a direct replacement for the factory parts. The rods include ARP 2000 bolts and the pistons include chromoly steel pins, they are available in all compression ratios too!!
 






How about a crank? For that kind of money I would be shooting for more cubes. The 302 stroker kits run about $750 for a balanced assembly, crank/pistons/rods/rings etc.

The stock parts dimensions typically are not ideal for high performance. Meaning the pistons are very tall, they have a lot of meat in them, which makes them very heavy. A nice competitive 302 kit makes more power just from the weight savings.

I know I've asked this before, but has anyone checked on the differences in dimensions between the 4.0 and 5.0 engines? There are so many various 302 combinations of pistons deck heights, you might find one that can be fit into the 4.0, if you can come up with a good crank. I think the crank might be the tough part. The best available crank besides the custom pieces like SVO etc use, may be to turn down the Ford crank.
 






Let's see some pics of your build. Watcha running?
 






up to 12 LBS of boost now. Let's see how long it'll survive. So far so good...
 






up to 12 LBS of boost now. Let's see how long it'll survive. So far so good...

Impossible!!! According to the guru's at Rangerpowersports your engine will have detonated worse than a volcano 6 psi boost ago! :p:
 






I guess I'm lucky. So was James and so was all the mustang crowd that has done this..LOL

Guess what? I'm in Texas where it's been 100 plus outside for a month straight! And I'm upping the boost! hehe

I am re-tuning as I add boost. It's pulling hard as heck.
 






I guess I'm lucky. So was James and so was all the mustang crowd that has done this..LOL

Guess what? I'm in Texas where it's been 100 plus outside for a month straight! And I'm upping the boost! hehe

I am re-tuning as I add boost. It's pulling hard as heck.



Yeah those RPS guys are a hoot! Some of the ignorant tech talk that comes out of the mouths of people over there makes for great entertainment. Like the guy who is trying to fit an Eaton M112 onto a 3.0 V6 Ranger....because bigger always equates to better.....Uuuuuum, yeah......
 






Jakee / Still waiting to see that thing run especially now that we are getting back to cooler weather!! I googled it and you are two and half hours from Little River Academy dragstrip,
http://www.littleriverdragway.net/
I am about one and half hours away, Ill even pay your entrance fee just to see it in person!
:)
 






Jakee / Still waiting to see that thing run especially now that we are getting back to cooler weather!! I googled it and you are two and half hours from Little River Academy dragstrip,
http://www.littleriverdragway.net/
I am about one and half hours away, Ill even pay your entrance fee just to see it in person!
:)


Looks like our local track just shut down last week so I may take that offer. This local track has been closing, reopening, closing, reopening for awhile now.

I'm currently adding an exhaust cut-out and meth which should get me in the 12's. (crossing fingers)
 






I don't know how far you are from this but I'm going to try to make this. I have a bud that is running his dragster for the first time here.

SanAntonioRaceWay.JPG
 












SAR is a bit farther for me as I am NW of Austin and I usually go to run at the track,
so I try to avoid big events as you usually get very few runs in
 






I would also like to report that 12lbs is going fine here. The ONLY mishap I've had was blowing the intake pipe off the TB which damaged the powder coat finish and gave me a bit of a scare. That is it. I need to make it a habit to check the tightness of the turbo clamps when the temp changes. Maybe once a month would be a better.
 



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The reason I asked if you have adjustable headrest is because you can easily stick a digital camera between the headrest and it makes a perfect mounting point for the camera. I'd really like to see an interior shot of the track when you run. Only problem is you can't press down too hard because you'll "stop" recording:(

A few members are talking about a small meet up here in KS and possibly running at the strip. I haven't done anything new so I'm not sure if I'll run. Was hoping for 14's this year, but it's not looking like it'll happen. Goodluck on hitting 12's!!!

What are the main changes since you last ran mid-13's???
 






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