Engines that fit in Mark VIII

BIGDOGGYBALLER

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I am thinking about putting a new engine in my mark whats some good engines that are pre-ready to put into my mark.

Also is it hard to put a whole engine in.
 
You'll want some VERY tall jackstands...easiest to remove from the bottom. Just find a low milage Mark VIII engine. Others will be by to voice their opinions.
 
Put a 03/04 cobra engine in or have your engine built up. Those would be the easiest options but still not easy jobs by any means. Look up some of Jeremi's builds for an idea of a sweet 4.6. Stroker kits and a blower would be cool also!
 
I have a first gen MK8 and a 2006 GT Mustang and I can definitely say the 3 Valve engine in the Mustang is a much better "street engine" overall than the 4 valve in the MK8! The 3 valve in the Mustang has more low end torque as well as a better top end charge than the 4 valve in the Lincoln! With very little work I have run a very low 13 quarter and probably 12's in this weather (naturally aspirated!) with the Mustang weighing just 200 or so lbs less than my Lincoln! I haven't researched it yet but the 3 Valve Mustang has variable valve timing while the MK8 doesn't and that may be big contributer in the low end torgue production! The heads on the MK8 engine flow enough to make an easy 500 HP given an engine that can turn enough rpm; however they have a large cross sectional area that limits low RPM torque due to the resulting low velocity!

Don't get me wrong; the the 4V modular is a very good engine and has great potential; however I still think that the 3V engine is better suited for a street car. If I was going to build a Ford drag only car at this time my first choice would be a 385 series big block first choice, a 335 series Cleveland (with CHI or AFD heads) second, and a hard decision between a Windsor small block with AFR heads and a 4V modular for third place!

For a heavy street car though given the correct electronics the 3 valve modular is very hard to beat in my opinion! Drive a new Mustang 8 cylinder and you will swear that the engine is larger than 4.6 liters! In fact while I was driving my slow miata I saw a race between a 05-08 Mustang and a "Hemi" Charger and it wasn't even a race! The Mustang won easily!
 
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The DOHC is a much more complicated engine than the 3V... I for one value simplicity if it gets the job done. If you look at power ratings the SOHC while being a lighter engine and all dynos at more HP while using less parts. But you also have to keep in mind that the engine is also 10+ years newer than the Mark engine design...


The new SOHC 4.6 in the stang is a beast and I wish they put it in the newer crown vics instead of the ancient 2V with 200hp ;).
 
Hey just wondering if any one could tell me what kind of wiring harness and computer or tune i would have to have to use a new 3V motor in my 97 Mark? Is there any way i can get the variable valve timing to work in my mark?
 
I don't think that the 4r70w bolts up to the new motor... you'd have to do a complete swap of engine and transmission etc... no way is that going to be cheap or effective.

Your best bet is to use the 5.0 stroker mentioned by Serge and or the Supercharged cobra engine...

Or the cheapest route would be to get a low mile 97/98 mark VIII engine and strap on a supercharger... best bang for the buck.
 
Apples and oranges.

Is not the modern 3V motor is a descendant of the early modular 4V? A more accurate comparison would be the 4.6L SOHC motor of the same era.

Emm well the DOHC 4.6 that ford makes, or doesn't make anymore (no more marauder, Mach 1 or Aviator) still outputs the same or less power than the SOHC.
 
Emm well the DOHC 4.6 that ford makes, or doesn't make anymore (no more marauder, Mach 1 or Aviator) still outputs the same or less power than the SOHC.

NOW it does - but it did not at the beginning of the modular engine era. And hence the demise of the DOHC with technological advances that made improvements to the SOHC power output.
 
NOW it does - but it did not at the beginning of the modular engine era. And hence the demise of the DOHC with technological advances that made improvements to the SOHC power output.

That is what I was saying ;) lol. I think we're on the same page...

Honda is staying with SOHC on their V6 engines as well...

The 4 bangers are almost all DOHC though...
 
Back to the original question: "what engines will fit in a mark 8"?

Dimensionwise, the 4.6 DOHC is the same width and height as a 460 ford motor.The 460 is 3 inches LONGER measured from the front to the rear.

If you look in the mark 8 engine bay and notice that there IS more than 3 inches clearance from the front of the motor, to the radiator.

SO.. in THEORY you should be able to replace the Fuel Injected 4.6 DOHC with a carburated 460 without "too much trouble".

We considered this aspect when we were thinking about converting tiffs old car "the Grey Ghost" into a full time 100% bracket car w/ a carbed big block ford motor.

I think it'd be cool as "YOU KNOW WHAT" to put an old school LINCOLN 460 into a Mark 8!
OR...the venerable Boss 429 {that is if I had 50K to spend on an engine) HAHA

(Mr Rodgers voice)
Can you say 500HP BIG BLOCK Mark 8?
I knew you could!
(/Mr.Rodgers voice)
 
The Mach 1 makes more power at the dyno stock for stock, with full bolt ons makes a bit more power and for an all out NA setup can make WAY more power than the 3V. Also better for blown or nitrous applications.
 
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