Quote:
Originally Posted by blykins
One saying that I heard that has always made sense with engines....
"A 'big' big man is always better than a 'big' little man..."
The Modular engines are displacement-lacking. I can do about 351 cubes with a stroked and re-sleeved 5.4L block. The longer stroke of the 5.4 helps on torque.
However, you usually have to reach for forced induction if you want some good numbers, or usable power. 600hp is do-able with a naturally aspirated 5.4, but you have to spin it up really high.
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I couldn't agree more Brent. The 4.6L is only 281 inches but at 18 psi in the intake manifold it is over 625 cubic inches of air that is processed ever two turns of the crankshaft. That and the exceptional low lift flow characteristics of four valve heads is why 281 inches can produce almost 600 ft/lbs of torque at less than 2000 rpm. With that kind of torque on tap, essentially off idle, this engine is stunning at any rpm.
As we both know, it is torque that moves the car and registers on our seat of the pants dyno. Hp is primarily related to top end speed attainment.
With respect to forced induction on one of these engines, unless you want to try to simulate a high speed track event in your daily driving experience (not a good idea) the Modmotor will be decidedly disappointing in n/a trim - after all it is only 281 inches. If you do not intend to supercharge the engine I think you will probably be much happier with a different engine choice.
If you decide to supercharge the engine well, things are suddenly very different. You will have just entered a new reality and a found a new edge of the performance envelope for your car - and it's pretty cool.
Ed
p.s. Another thing to consider is the numbers I am speaking of are rear wheel power figures not flywheel figures - again as you already know there is a measurable difference.