Hey guys, i need some advice on a 97 4.6DOHC that im thinking about buying to put into my Tbird..

I can pick it up for 1500 bucks.. it has 50k on it.. heres my thing.. i need some advice from you guys that know V8's.. Is it worth it to switch from the sohc to the dohc? i kinow its producing almost 100hp more stock for stock.. but its alot of work to switch the two engines....

BTW...

If i do this.. i am seriously contemplating rebuilding the SOHC thats in the bird right now and possibly puting it in the Ranger......

 

100hp? When the dohcs and Sohcs ended in the mustang in favor of the 3 valve motors, the dohcs were about 305 HP to the sohcs 275 or so.

Some of the DOHCS are aluminum blocks which is worthy to have for weight reasons. They also rev higher.

Are there any wiring/tuning concerns over the two? One thing with the sohc is a plethora of aftermarket parts. I wonder how far the $1500 would go towards a HiPo rebuild vs the $1500 motor plus all the unexpected costs it would take to get it running? I would suspect that the rebuild would end up cheaper and less hassle.

 

NOT WORTH IT. $1,500could dang near supercharge you. There is about a 30 HP difference, not 100.

 

You'd be better off asking this question at www.tccoa.com (Thunderbird Cougar Club of America).

A '97 4.6 dohc was rated from 280 to 305 hp depending on application. The aluminum block is 75# lighter than the iron block. The '93-'98 aluminum blocks are known as Teksid blocks and can handle up to 1000hp without being modified.


From what I've read over at TCCOA, a dohc in a T-bird can be run with the T-bird's wiring and electronics. Everything bolts in, it's the same platform as the Mark VIII. It's actually a bolt-in swap.

If it's a Mark VIII dohc, $1500 is a little expensive. You should be able to find one for half that.

 

Thanks for all the info and help guys.. I have a thread up at tccoa also, just wanted to get your guys' oppinions also..