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88 Towncar 4.6 swap

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    88 Towncar 4.6 swap

    I think I saw a thread a while ago where this guy swap a 4.6 into a box cant remember if it was a cv,gm or a tc I'm wondering if he got it running ok...anyway I have a 88tc and I'm looking to the same I just want some tips, like what other parts would I need besides the engine trans and wiring harness...and any other tips and advice

    #2
    http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthre...-Grand-Marquis

    He did a frame swap, swapped the 85 chassis onto an 03(?) frame. Pretty cool idea but I like my LoPo. Yeah it’s slow but it’s easier to work on and cheaper than a 4.6.


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      #3
      I think it’s “relatively” easy to do an 4.6 swap to a box if you have a donor car, time, and equipment to do an engine swap. Get one that’s not EEC-V. You don’t have to frame swap unless you want the newer suspension parts.

      But I’m with 87GrandMarq, keep the pushrod. The non-PI 2V 4.6 isn’t worth the effort IMO.
      1990 Country Squire - weekend cruiser, next project
      1988 Crown Vic LTD Wagon - waiting in the wings

      GMN Box Panther History
      Box Panther Horsepower and Torque Ratings
      Box Panther Production Numbers

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        #4
        I second what Tiggie said, not worth the effort. Perhaps if you put the Mark VIII version in there, but a standard 4.6 is just a lot of work for what amounts to a lateral gain.
        1985 LTD Crown Victoria - SOLD
        1988 Town Car Signature - Current Party Barge

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          #5
          If I were to do the frame swap; I would do what Mr. Bean did with the Mod Box and upgrade to the 5.4; then do the frame swap. I might not have gone as far as he did; but at the least, I would increase the displacement; maybe throw some aftermarket stuff on there as well (heads, custom cam, etc.....). At that point; probably could build a decent 408W for that time and money.

          http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthre...-Grand-Marquis

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            #6
            Basically what the others said... a lot of work for no gain. Even if you went 5.4L they are prone to various failures (timing sets and broken spark plugs), so I wouldn't even touch one. If you're stuck on it, and want to do it without a frame swap, it'll require lots of measuring and fabrication to get it to mount correctly
            -Phil

            sigpic

            +1982 Ford LTD-S Police Car. Built 351w, Trickflow 11R 190 Heads, Holley Sniper EFI, RPM Intake+ Hyperspark dizzy, WR-AOD, Full exhaust headers to tails. 3.27 Trac-Lok Rear. Aluminum Police Driveshaft. Speedway Springs+Bilstein Shocks, Intermediate Brakes, HPP Steering Box.

            +2003 Acura CL Type S 6-speed

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              #7
              One of my main concerns and reasons for wanting to go with the 4.6 is because there are tons of them in junkyards and I can find a complete donor and swap every thing over and I'm gonna rebuild it anyway. 351w are pretty rare and even explorer 5.0s and hard to find where I am. I also want avoid having to get external controllers for trans because I want to go with the 4r70w trans and a floor shifter

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                #8
                4.6 and 4R70W will bolt in to box frame. There is no measuring or fabrication to get the engine and trans to physically fit. You can do the whole swap using OEM parts. The only custom thing will be the wiring.

                The 4.6 isn't much more expensive to work on than the small block. It's been around for 30 years now. Part prices have come down quite a bit over the last decade. They are way more common at the junkyards nowadays than the small block and your selection of used drop in engines will be larger with 4.6. I am assuming you will be buying a used engine which means newest 5.0 you will get is 2000-2001? Newest 4.6 is 2014.

                If you are buying from a junkyard and can't hear it running make sure you get warranty. Like mentioned above don't bother with NPI engine which is anything before 2001 for Panthers and 99 for Mustangs.

                I'd be more concerned with the tranny than the engine. 4.6 is a work horse and has proven itself over the last 3 decades. There are plenty of limos, taxi cabs, trucks and vans with over 500k on the clock that can attest to that.

                For reliable daily I would take 2v 4.6 over 5.0. Avoid any 3v engines. I would also avoid 4v unless you want to build one for performance application.

                If you plan on modding I would stick with a 5.0. Performance parts for small blocks are way cheaper than modular.
                Last edited by Mr Bean; 03-15-2021, 08:35 PM.

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                  #9
                  I apologize for the misinformation- for some reason i thought I had read about someone fabricating motor mounts for the swap. That's good to know, i change what I said about the swap not being worth it. If you have a quality donor engine/trans go for it!
                  -Phil

                  sigpic

                  +1982 Ford LTD-S Police Car. Built 351w, Trickflow 11R 190 Heads, Holley Sniper EFI, RPM Intake+ Hyperspark dizzy, WR-AOD, Full exhaust headers to tails. 3.27 Trac-Lok Rear. Aluminum Police Driveshaft. Speedway Springs+Bilstein Shocks, Intermediate Brakes, HPP Steering Box.

                  +2003 Acura CL Type S 6-speed

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                    #10
                    I know when we put the 302 in the 92 that John had, the 4.6 mounts were simply swapped for 80s 5.0 mounts with no fuss. I expect it would work going the opposite way too. Other than just the hassle of actually swapping the mounts.
                    86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                    5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                    91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                    1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                    Originally posted by phayzer5
                    I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

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                      #11
                      Now that is cool, a 302 in an aero. Just my style.
                      1985 LTD Crown Victoria - SOLD
                      1988 Town Car Signature - Current Party Barge

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                        #12
                        Man you guys are a great help. Really no mis information I take it as advice it's cool. But yes I I'm gearing more towards a perfomance type build nothing to crazy about 500 to 600whp that's y I wasa choosing the 4.6 block over the 5.0 cuz the 5.0s didn't hold together very well after about 4 to 500 hp. Also with the wiring couldn't I basically make a wiring harness cuz it theory it shouldn't take more the 3 or 4 wires to start the engine right?

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                          #13
                          Also the trans be rebuilt with a perfomance rebuild kit. I'm looking at suspension upgrade options as well want to let it as comfy as possible but not afraid to lose comfortablity

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                            #14
                            Getting 5-600 rwhp out of a 2v 4.6 NA is going to cost big bucks. With forced induction it is easier but still expensive.
                            A 4v 4.6 is a better alternative imho. You will still need a power adder tho.
                            I would get a running and driving donor car if possible and swap over what you need.
                            3 or 4 wires is an oversimplification. Cam and crank sensors, injectors, MAF and fuel system all need to be addressed.
                            2v harness can run a 4v but there are things like reversing the polarity of the coil packs, as well as the ability to tune the ecm.

                            I don’t know a ton about the box panther ecm but I think it would be better to start out with a more modern ecm as far as tuning goes
                            ..

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                              #15
                              'nothing crazy, just 5-600 hp' are two statements that do not belong together.
                              86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                              5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                              91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                              1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                              Originally posted by phayzer5
                              I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

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