Reply to "What do you guys think of..."

Josh,

I have no experience with the 4.6 mod motor, but I can make a few comments. Nothing is impossible, it really boils down to how expensive & difficult you want to make the project.

The DOHC mod motor is very wide and tall, and fuel injection conversions using that motor are not as easy as they are with the Windsor motor. The DOHC motors are also expensive, Pantera conversions to the DOHC motor, naturally aspirated, normally run the owners $20K and up (way up).

If you are building a blown motor, the expense of the DOHC motor is probably unnecessary. The SOHC mod motor is cheaper, but verticle height (limited in the Pantera) will still be a concern, especially with a blower sitting on top; and the fuel injection conversion will again be more difficult (compared to the 302 conversion). Headers for either mod motor will most likely be custom made ($$), I'm not aware of any available off the shelf.

On the positive side, the mod motors are shorter than the Cleveland / Windsor V8s, they leave more room for a front mounted blower drive. If my memory is reliable they have the same bell housing bolt pattern as the Cleveland / Windsor motors. I forget if the motor mount bolt patterns & location are the same. (Its a pain in the butt getting old) Finally, I'm not sure how much power they can sustain before they start cracking somewhere, you would need to check with an experienced builder before progressing too far into the project. It would be of no use planning a 600 bhp motor with a block or reciprocating assembly that develops problems at 550! The mod motors are smooth running oil tight motors, the DOHC version has a lot of power potential naturally aspirated, it can be hot rodded to make way more than the 320 it made in the Mustang, I understand it is capable of approx. 100 bhp per liter (460 bhp). I must say, a 460 bhp naturally aspirated mod motor would be a nice, modern, package in a Pantera. However, at $20K plus, it would be possible to attain more power for way less money. Like Jerry's 427 viper spanker making over 500 bhp for $10K. The fact that it has 4 cams and 32 valves will still appeal to some.

The 5.0 is still more popular among Mustang owners for performance upgrades. This is the most common engine for fuel injection conversions to older vehicles, using the '89 to '93 Mustang (EEC IV) enigine management computer. It is also Ford's most compact V8 engine in width & height. More parts and information are available for working over this motor. The 302 is also cheaper to acquire and hot rod. For a 500 to 600 bhp motor I would utilize an aftermarket block (i.e. Dart, World or FRPP) and a forged steel crank (sportsman crank). Since headers are available off the shelf for the 351W conversion, I'm assuming it would be possible to modify a set for the 302 application (a little heat & force applied at the right location!).

A fuel injected & blown 302 sitting in a Pantera engine bay, making 550 to 600 bhp, sounds BITCHEN. I mean totally BITCHEN.

Not that I want to sound enthused or anything.

So many choices, huh? They are all good choices! I would start by defining a budget and a power goal, that will help you eliminate some of the choices.

your power hungry friend on the PIBB, George