Best power for dollar mods on virgin 4.6

[dmoney31280]

Hello all!

4.6 xlt here with the 4wd. I would like to start my way up to 300 horsepower and was wondering what the best steps to take would be. I realize the air flow is essential and have the air intake, headers and exhaust picked out. Any recommendations in any of these departments or others would be highly appreciated.

(04 xlt 4.6 blk/slv boneyard stock baby)

 

[rama1200]

Hello all!

4.6 xlt here with the 4wd. I would like to start my way up to 300 horsepower and was wondering what the best steps to take would be. I realize the air flow is essential and have the air intake, headers and exhaust picked out. Any recommendations in any of these departments or others would be highly appreciated.

(04 xlt 4.6 blk/slv boneyard stock baby)

get an xcal2 (programmer) for your computer engine.
you can get cold air, underdrive pulleys, nitros, muffler, headers, etc..... then use the xcal2 to bring it all together nicely.....

if i had the $$$ i'd get a turbo/super charger

 

[EVLSPL]

does anyone know if a cobra supercharger would work?

 

[bigapple]

does anyone know if a cobra supercharger would work?

as long as its a newer cobra with a 4.6L, i dont see y it wouldnt... a kenne bell charger would be nice on one of these

 

[rocket 5979]

as long as its a newer cobra with a 4.6L, i dont see y it wouldnt... a kenne bell charger would be nice on one of these

No, the Cobra supercharger would not work on this guys X. The Cobra's use TOTALLY different heads (4v DOHC) than the Explorer's (2v SOHC). Look for Mustang GT engine mods as that is the engine that the Explorer's have. Basically the Explorer's have a 4.6 SOHC 2v PI headed engine with the WAP aluminum engine block. Pretty much identical to the Mustang GT engine except they have cast iron blocks and the X's have alum blocks. Also, the motor mounting bosses are sliiiightly different on the Explorer blocks than the Mustang GT blocks. That is a difference barely even worth mentioning. Keep away from the mods that are dependant on the chassis design. Headers would be something you would not want to get from a Mustang GT and try to swap to the Explorer. They would bolt right up to the engine, but not fit in the different chassis.

Do the basic bolt-ons like what was already mentioned and then if you want more power then dig into the engine and do some 4.6 Mustang GT N/A cams or whatnot if ya want. If you still want to go further then do a custom Kenne Bell, or turbo, like what I did. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[dmoney31280]

Thanks guys

Loving the input people. Thank you all for your assistance thus far. BTW rocket, our trucks are very nearly the same cosmetically. I checked out your truck and see that you removed the roof racks. Very nice touch and subtle. Difficult to do cleanly? I also would like to lower the truck asap, and was wondering if the ground force drops are the way to go with a simple alignment post install. What year mustangs have nearly the same engine design as my 04? Thanks again guys for your help im super pumped to have your wealth of knowledge to help me.

 

[bigapple]

No, the Cobra supercharger would not work on this guys X. The Cobra's use TOTALLY different heads (4v DOHC) than the Explorer's (2v SOHC). Look for Mustang GT engine mods as that is the engine that the Explorer's have. Basically the Explorer's have a 4.6 SOHC 2v PI headed engine with the WAP aluminum engine block. Pretty much identical to the Mustang GT engine except they have cast iron blocks and the X's have alum blocks. Also, the motor mounting bosses are sliiiightly different on the Explorer blocks than the Mustang GT blocks. That is a difference barely even worth mentioning. Keep away from the mods that are dependant on the chassis design. Headers would be something you would not want to get from a Mustang GT and try to swap to the Explorer. They would bolt right up to the engine, but not fit in the different chassis.

Do the basic bolt-ons like what was already mentioned and then if you want more power then dig into the engine and do some 4.6 Mustang GT N/A cams or whatnot if ya want. If you still want to go further then do a custom Kenne Bell, or turbo, like what I did. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

completely forgot about the 4V cobras and mach 1s... i must have been thinking about the regular GTs... btw u say u work for a ford tuning company... is it false information on a ford website if i read that the mustang GTs use a cast aluminum block?

 

[rocket 5979]

Loving the input people. Thank you all for your assistance thus far. BTW rocket, our trucks are very nearly the same cosmetically. I checked out your truck and see that you removed the roof racks. Very nice touch and subtle. Difficult to do cleanly? I also would like to lower the truck asap, and was wondering if the ground force drops are the way to go with a simple alignment post install. What year mustangs have nearly the same engine design as my 04? Thanks again guys for your help im super pumped to have your wealth of knowledge to help me.

The 99-04 Mustang GT's. However, all the engine mods for the 96-04 Mustang GT's will work. Aka Cams, heads, intake manifolds, built shortblock internals and so on.

 

[rocket 5979]

completely forgot about the 4V cobras and mach 1s... i must have been thinking about the regular GTs... btw u say u work for a ford tuning company... is it false information on a ford website if i read that the mustang GTs use a cast aluminum block?

I am a Ford custom tuner and own a performance shop based out of Northeast IL, I do not work for a Ford tuning company. I am not affiliated directly with Ford Motor Company at all.

That is false information. The GT's have iron blocks. It is a popular swap for the GT crowd to swap an Explorer engine into their car to reduce nose weight by about 75 pounds. The guy I sold my stock alum block to was a GT owner who used his car for road (track) racing and wanted a lighter engine than his stock iron block.

The only Mustang's that came with an aluminum block with the 4.6 were the 96-98 Cobra's (which used the Teksid alum block) and the 99 & 01 Cobra's (WAP alum blocks, though allot of 99's still have the Teksid alum block) and the 03-04 Mach 1's had the WAP alum blocks. Bigapple, haven't we been through this "Why does the Ford site say alum block for the GT's if it is really iron?" conversation?

 

[dmoney31280]

More questions

CAI question for you. Is the k&n the way to go or should I figure out a custom? KKM seems to be easy on the wallet. Is a TB a good purchase w/o having forced air? Will a stock 04 gt intake manifold do me any good over stock? Buddy's building his 40th anniversary convt and has a box of parts.... Thanks again!

 

[rocket 5979]

CAI question for you. Is the k&n the way to go or should I figure out a custom? KKM seems to be easy on the wallet. Is a TB a good purchase w/o having forced air? Will a stock 04 gt intake manifold do me any good over stock? Buddy's building his 40th anniversary convt and has a box of parts.... Thanks again!

K&N: Just go with what is available. I am sure that James@Henson Performance can hook you up. www.hensonperformance.com

TB: Don't bother with that.

04 GT intake manifold: Don't bother, no gains. Just have your buddy sell his stock PI intake to some of the 96-98 GT guys.

 

[ktford]

WOW, I didn't know we had alloy blocks in these rigs, cool

 

[sparkyXplorer]

I know that awdrocks posted his S/C up for sale, so if you have the bucks then I think that this might be a way to go...proven to work...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195037

 

[dmoney31280]

True duals

I want to run true duals with probably 40 or 50 series flows, and was wondering how to INSTRUCT the "pros" at my muffler shop as to the best method, so they don't burn out any of my cylies due to lack of back pressure. That is, if such a thing is possible. I like the idea of removing the rear cat converter but im not sure what I can safely get away with. Also, stainless steel tubing is a must as well as mufflers. I really like how Rocket's pipes look. Any help would be apprecieated guys. Thanks again. Anyone use that KKM intake? Thinking about picking one up....

 

[bigapple]

I am a Ford custom tuner and own a performance shop based out of Northeast IL, I do not work for a Ford tuning company. I am not affiliated directly with Ford Motor Company at all.

That is false information. The GT's have iron blocks. It is a popular swap for the GT crowd to swap an Explorer engine into their car to reduce nose weight by about 75 pounds. The guy I sold my stock alum block to was a GT owner who used his car for road (track) racing and wanted a lighter engine than his stock iron block.

The only Mustang's that came with an aluminum block with the 4.6 were the 96-98 Cobra's (which used the Teksid alum block) and the 99 & 01 Cobra's (WAP alum blocks, though allot of 99's still have the Teksid alum block) and the 03-04 Mach 1's had the WAP alum blocks. Bigapple, haven't we been through this "Why does the Ford site say alum block for the GT's if it is really iron?" conversation?

yea just that i saw it on a site and thought i had heard from the opposite from u but i wasnt sure so i was re-confirming

 

[rocket 5979]

and although this is somewhat off topic, since u work for a ford company i thought i mite ask... why dont they use an aluminum block 5.4L in the GT500? wouldnt that cut weight back alot and make them much lighter? i mean regardless it has a solid axle so u can only do so much but it seems like it would help some

Bigapple, how many times do I have to state that I do not work for Ford or a Ford affiliated company???

 

[bigapple]

[]

 

[bigapple]

(PM sent to someone to fill in for this post)

 

[rocket 5979]

sorry didnt see that u mentioned rite after that u dont work for them... just throwing this out there though, im sorry if i offend u so much when i ask a question cuz u seem very offended everytime and im sorry if im a bothersome ignorant person or something but show me a little respect with ur responses... u talk to me like im 5

Settle down Bigapple. I suggest that you read posts that are replies to you next time. It really helps.

Ignorant people are not what bother me. All people were ignorant of everything at one time. What bothers me is when I take the time out of my day to post information to help you and answer your questions and it is obvious that you didn't even read the reply. All I ask is that if you ask a question to actually read, and pay attention to the reply instead of asking the same question 3 posts later once again. That is it. I am here to help, but you got to help me help you.

 

[dmoney31280]

little help one the exhaust question?

Any ideas about the exhaust rocket?