Reply to "4.6 advantages or disadvantages?"

I don't want readers of this topic to get the idea that Ford went backwards when they designed the modular motor. That is just not the case. It is an evolutionary superior motor to earlier efforts. Smoother running, less vibration, less fluid leakage, quieter, structurally more rigid.

Sean Hyland is getting 500 bhp out of his naturally aspirated 5.0 liter motor (based on the short deck 4.6 version of the block). The all alloy 4 cam motor weighs a little less or a little more than a cleveland, depending upon whos figures you're using. It is rare to find a weight spec for any motor that specifies how the motor was dressed when it was weighed. I personally believe that a 500 bhp motor is all the Pantera needs to keep it competitive on the streets, and keeping the power level at a reasonable limit like that will help the cooling system, trans, chassis, half shafts, etc remain reliable. The further you go beyond 500 bhp, the more parts you will eventually have to replace as you BREAK them.

The mod motor was designed in the '80s when emissions, fuel econonmy and adaptability for many uses were the major design issues. Ford engineers could not forsee the current horsepower wars that are taking place in the auto industry. They thought their little 300 bhp motor would suffice for a long time, and in reality, it has done just that. It became the powerplant used in the Ford GT, I'll bet the guys on the design team were quite proud of that.

The younger owners who are slowly entering this hobby are not familiar with the old push rod motors or carburetors. They have entered the auto hobby with sport compacts & Mustangs being the dominant cars. All of these cars feature over head cam motors and fuel injection. these younger enthusiasts are much more familiar with the modular V8, which is why I predict cammer motor swaps will become the dominant swap at some point in the future. It is also the reason I recommend the cammer swap to the younger guys here on the DTIC.

Wes makes a good analogy, the push rod V8s are brutes, they vibrate & snarl. The cammer purrs. Its quiter, vibrates less, and is much more refined. It certainly adds a modern feel to the Pantera, one could also argue it is more characteristic of a motor that belongs in an Italian "exotic" car.

I think its wonderful we have the choices we do.

the cowboy from Hell