engine build

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Sep 3, 2008 | 11:21 PM

9.ford.5

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From: raymond alberta

engine build

ok i am looking to build up an engine over the next couple years as a project for my 95 f150. i want to put 36x12.5 tires on the truck but its only got the 300 with a 5 speed so that would probly drag my fuel mileage and power down so i am looking at either a 360 a 390 or a 408 ford engine to put in it. since this is a project i will basically building it from block out. the truck is a mudder and commutes as well so mileage is a matter. could anyone give me an idea of which way to go for this project thanks

Sep 3, 2008 | 11:30 PM

77custom408

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From: Fayetteville Arkansas

Go with the 408w cause of cost of swap and that it will bolt up to your transmission, and you wont need custom headers or go thru the mess of tryimg to find a company who makes them, you can find headers for a 351w pretty easy and cheap

Sep 4, 2008 | 09:03 AM

Conanski

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I say keep the I6 and investigate some power adders for it, a cam and exhaust would go a long way to waking it up and would preserve something that could recognized as fuel milage. A 5 liter motor has the potential to make 300hp with the right parts, and this wouldn't require a complete engine bay rework, if you have a mass air motor even better.

The truck will absolutely need a gearing change with the big tires, find an online calculator and figure out what ratio gives you the equavilent of 3.55 gears with the stock 28" tires. Here's one... Gear Calculator it says you'll need 4.56 gears.

Sep 4, 2008 | 07:43 PM

9.ford.5

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From: raymond alberta

ya thats the other thing but then id need to rebuild it cuz its got over 325000 km on it already

Sep 5, 2008 | 08:51 AM

Conanski

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 9.ford.5

ya thats the other thing but then id need to rebuild it cuz its got over 325000 km on it already

Or find a low milage/recently rebuilt one, upgrade it and drop it in.

If you look at my signature you'll see the motor I have under construction. Currently the cost of the upgrades necessary to make this into a proper 5.8 that will produce about 350hp have totaled about $3500.. and that does not include the shortblock which I rebuilt a few years ago. All these additinal costs really start to add up and a stroker V8 will certainly require all these things too unless you ditch the EFI system and go with a carb, but even then I bet it'll still cost you $3-4k.

Sep 5, 2008 | 09:07 AM

9.ford.5

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From: raymond alberta

ya if i did that it would be a project of a year or two...well i might just build my up the 300 but i should probly get it rebuilt first...has anyone had one of these things bored out? how well would that work for it?

Sep 5, 2008 | 01:53 PM

Conanski

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A typical rebuild involves boring the cylinders and installing all new bearing, pistons and rings. The boring only increases displacement about 4-5 cubic inches so it makes no difference to power. The key to unlocking the potential of these motors is increasing airflow through it. That involves upgrading the exhaust, installing a better cam, and either upgrading to a better head or porting the original. I'm not sure what injectors the I6 uses but I suspect it's the orange 19lb version used in the small V8's. If so that makes the mass air EFI system capable of supporting about 300hp with no other mods necessary besides possibly increasing fuel pressure. Ported heads, cam and exhaust should get you into that ballpark and produce respectable TQ as well.. in line with what a 5.8 produces. The I6 is a good truck motor with lots of potential.