4.6 L Ford in a Miata?
Scott & Kim Evans
Remember the "monster miata" from a few years back that featured a Ford
302? If memory serves, the 302 and Ford 5-speed were practically a
bolt-in, although one would have to wonder about the effect on the balance
of the car. Anyway, I got to thinking, has anyone attempted a 4.6 liter
swap? These should be lighter and smaller than the 302.
Scott
dek...@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca
Scott, you'd think that the 4.6L V8 would be smaller than the 5L (4.9L) V8
that it replaced, but it's not. The older V8 was very narrow, and fit in
between the Miata's shock towers with ease, the 4.6L doesn't. It's wider
across the cylinder banks and won't fit, unless you feel like making a
custom tube-frame front end for your Miata.
Buy a trubo...it's much more fun, cheaper, and now, my car blows away
Mustang Cobras (the 4.6L variety).
Regards,
Richard Dekker, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, MCofA #41997
Founder & President, Wild Rose Chapter - MCofA
1990 MX-5 Miata - Bell Stage III+ - "Turbos Blow"
1973 RX-3 - Rally Port 13B - "Pistons Suck"
MB CLK GTR
>Scott, you'd think that the 4.6L V8 would be smaller than the 5L (4.9L)
>that it replaced, but it's not. The older V8 was very narrow, and fit in<BR>
>between the Miata's shock towers with ease, the 4.6L doesn't. It's wider<BR>
>across the cylinder banks and won't fit
In addition, the old all iron 302 only weighed about 450 lb--I assume that it's
the long block only. I saw that weight listed in a Ford hi perf guide/catalog.
Usually, OHC engines are heavier than overhead valve ones. The aluminum used
for the heads does not make up for the far more complex head design. Though I
don't know for sure, I'd imagine that the 4.6 is no lighter, and may even be
heavier. Does anyone know the weight of the 4.6 for sure? Don't forget that
for the sake of comparison, you'd have to know the weights of both in the same
state of assembly. Either both as long blocks, or both with manifolds,
accessories, etc. in place.
Miguel
Mark Orr
This engine would probably not fit. The OHC configuration increases the width
and height of the engine, so no way.
Mark
Eric Witherspoon
OHC = taller engine. Too tall. Quite a few specialty carmakers
are looking for alternatives to the good old 5.0. There is a
new 4.6 from Ford on the horizon, which I've heard has favorable
dimensions. I think it's to be in the Lincoln/Jaguar product,
so it won't be inexpensive, nor will there be hundreds of thousands
of inexpensive donor cars driving around...