How reliable are the new 4.6 motors?

LS1JAY · 02-09-2003, 09:40 AM

Believe it or not I am thinking about getting one for a second car, how reliable are they engine & auto tranny? I need something to put a lot of travel miles on with no problems so I'm not really looking for performance, just decent get up and go. Both of my LS1's have been very reliable and never even had a SES light come on! GM saw fit to get rid of the F-Bodys so it looks like the Mustang will be my next choice since I need something with a back seat, any info would be appreciated, also, what price did you guys pay for a new '02-'03 fairly loaded? just out of curiosity, how fast are they in the 1/8 - 1/4 with a stock automatic?

Thanks, Jay

tireburner163 · 02-09-2003, 10:38 AM

A Deluxe GT coupe can be had in my neck of the woods for about 20K.

A stock 4.6 with a auto should run a 14.3-14.5 with a average driver.

BLOCKER · 02-09-2003, 08:33 PM

LS1JAY

Its funny you should ask, I was talking with one of the mechanics at work today about the very same subject. We have chev caprice (350) and ford crown vics (281)

Todd (our mechanic) said the chevs are what kept them in buisness, and went on to state that the fords are "bullit proof".

Keep in mind we are extremely hard on these cars, and put alot of miles on them in a the course of their lives...

a 4.6 is a good buy, imo

later ;-)

mustangII460 · 02-09-2003, 08:47 PM

Tore apart a 4.6 in a Crown Vic with 177k on it. There was a ticking noise in the valvetrain. Ofcourse there was no oil on the stick and we found about a quart in the pan. The cams were dry. AHHHHHHHHHHH.

I would think this motor would have went on for alot longer, had someone checked the oil.

I honestly think this is the best motor Ford has made to date.

Hammer · 02-09-2003, 08:52 PM

From mechanics, various car publications, down to the owners who drive it, the 4.6 has shown to be one of the most reliable motors in any production car right now.

and if that doesn't convince you, the Yellowjacket might:
450 hp\60k miles\stock block\daily driver

No better advertisement than that...

LS1JAY · 02-09-2003, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hammer
and if that doesn't convince you, the Yellowjacket might:
450 hp\60k miles\stock block\daily driver

No better advertisement than that...

What is the Yellowjacket?

Crazy Horse GT · 02-09-2003, 09:39 PM

i've put 41,000 miles on mine in 2 tears, just routine oil changes, no leak's, no problem's, & it loves rice for dinner.

Hammer · 02-09-2003, 09:55 PM

Quote:

What is the Yellowjacket?

Click on the link in the sig...

srv1 · 02-09-2003, 10:34 PM

from my personal experience, stay away from the 91-93 in any model. they have a problem with oil burning and i dont know why that is. 94 and up your golden. the 91-93 were bacially the first couple of years the motor came out. I am only talking about the SOHC not the DOHC which i hear are THE BEST of the best. The only motor Ford made that was built decently, was the 5.0 HO Sequential FI ones. All the other seem to be really bad oil burners. The best thing for did was the modular.

mustang5l5 · 02-09-2003, 11:10 PM

Got 85K on my '93 Mark VIII. The DOHC revs smoothly and makes ton of powers. A good motor from ford in my opinion when maintained.

Of course, i do see a lot of SOHC crown vic taxis buring oil now and then

bigbandjohn · 02-11-2003, 09:40 AM

it has me curious now. I love my 4.6, but how does the Cobra 4.6 compare to the GT 4.6? I would think it would be even more reliable, but then again, perhaps the gain in performance shortens it's life. Opinions? Facts? Anyone? Anyone?

LS1JAY · 02-11-2003, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigbandjohn
it has me curious now. I love my 4.6, but how does the Cobra 4.6 compare to the GT 4.6? I would think it would be even more reliable, but then again, perhaps the gain in performance shortens it's life. Opinions? Facts? Anyone? Anyone?

I have heard that the "some" Cobras have been having severe oil consumption and smoking problems when modded such as headers, LS1's have been having the same problems but not as severe as an average. I think some of the "high performance" engines are already tweaked pretty good and with the rings and valve seals in these motors you are just asking for trouble, my LS1 blows a littls smoke at WOT after the headers but never before, but it wen't from 13.04@106.67 with the stock manifolds to 12.73@109.15 with Mac equal length headers, a good gain, but was it worth the trade off?

02-09-2003, 09:40 AM	#1
LS1JAY Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Central Florida Posts: 102	How reliable are the new 4.6 motors? Believe it or not I am thinking about getting one for a second car, how reliable are they engine & auto tranny? I need something to put a lot of travel miles on with no problems so I'm not really looking for performance, just decent get up and go. Both of my LS1's have been very reliable and never even had a SES light come on! GM saw fit to get rid of the F-Bodys so it looks like the Mustang will be my next choice since I need something with a back seat, any info would be appreciated, also, what price did you guys pay for a new '02-'03 fairly loaded? just out of curiosity, how fast are they in the 1/8 - 1/4 with a stock automatic? Thanks, Jay __________________ 1999 Camaro SS / A4 / #0877 Best ET with only Mac's, Lid & 160* Thermostat: 12.73@109.15 New Mods: '02 LS6 Cam & Springs, LS6 Oil Pump & PCV System, Yank 2600 Stall Converter & LS1 Edit. http://jayscustomrods.homestead.com/index.html

02-09-2003, 10:38 AM	#2
tireburner163 It's a lot like a race car Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Meridian, MS Posts: 4,130	A Deluxe GT coupe can be had in my neck of the woods for about 20K. A stock 4.6 with a auto should run a 14.3-14.5 with a average driver. __________________ 1987 Buick T-type 1998 HD Electra Elide

02-09-2003, 08:33 PM	#3
BLOCKER Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada Posts: 232	LS1JAY Its funny you should ask, I was talking with one of the mechanics at work today about the very same subject. We have chev caprice (350) and ford crown vics (281) Todd (our mechanic) said the chevs are what kept them in buisness, and went on to state that the fords are "bullit proof". Keep in mind we are extremely hard on these cars, and put alot of miles on them in a the course of their lives... a 4.6 is a good buy, imo later ;-) __________________ -1988 MUSTANG COBRA GT (Canadian...eh!) -1987 Mustang LX coupe (2.3L) -1978 Harley Davidson FLH -2008 Harley Davidson Nightster 1200 -2008 Harley Davidson Night Rod Special -1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertable

02-09-2003, 08:47 PM	#4
mustangII460 Factoy Five Roadster Join Date: May 2000 Location: Sevier Co,Tennessee Posts: 1,681	Tore apart a 4.6 in a Crown Vic with 177k on it. There was a ticking noise in the valvetrain. Ofcourse there was no oil on the stick and we found about a quart in the pan. The cams were dry. AHHHHHHHHHHH. I would think this motor would have went on for alot longer, had someone checked the oil. I honestly think this is the best motor Ford has made to date. __________________ Frank

02-09-2003, 08:52 PM	#5
Hammer AKA "Dr. Evil" Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: South Fork Ranch Posts: 1,721	From mechanics, various car publications, down to the owners who drive it, the 4.6 has shown to be one of the most reliable motors in any production car right now. and if that doesn't convince you, the Yellowjacket might: 450 hp\60k miles\stock block\daily driver No better advertisement than that... __________________ Uncle Sam "What the hell is up with all the gauges? Calling Captain Kirk, your ride awaits... Phasers on stun...."

02-09-2003, 09:39 PM	#7
Crazy Horse GT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sale Creek, TN. C. S. A. Posts: 4,652	i've put 41,000 miles on mine in 2 tears, just routine oil changes, no leak's, no problem's, & it loves rice for dinner. __________________ 95 gt vert, lot's of stuff, it aint slow. 04 sonic blue v - six my beater 89 rs camaro iroc turbo hood, other stuff, my wifes ride 84 lx stang cammed up 289 hi po, etc 65 falcon, maybe by the year 2020. black 00gt, gone but never forgotten. R H C- member # 1 o.b.c. da prez- member # 1 if your under 40 dont ask. goodbye for now odie,r.i.p. 11-27-03

02-09-2003, 10:34 PM	#9
srv1 Get down..... Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Room 103 Posts: 2,095	from my personal experience, stay away from the 91-93 in any model. they have a problem with oil burning and i dont know why that is. 94 and up your golden. the 91-93 were bacially the first couple of years the motor came out. I am only talking about the SOHC not the DOHC which i hear are THE BEST of the best. The only motor Ford made that was built decently, was the 5.0 HO Sequential FI ones. All the other seem to be really bad oil burners. The best thing for did was the modular. __________________ Cobra brakes are on! Finally..... ------------------------------------------------

02-09-2003, 11:10 PM	#10
mustang5l5 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Boston Area, MA Posts: 8	Got 85K on my '93 Mark VIII. The DOHC revs smoothly and makes ton of powers. A good motor from ford in my opinion when maintained. Of course, i do see a lot of SOHC crown vic taxis buring oil now and then __________________ Mike -- '88 Mustang LX 5.0L AOD -- Black w/ '90GT Black Interior + '97 Cobra 17" rims List of modifications Some pics of my Mustang --'93 Lincoln Mark VIII-- 4.6L 32v DOHC V8 Some pics of my Mark VIII

02-11-2003, 09:40 AM	#11
bigbandjohn Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The South, USA Posts: 143	Since we're on the subject it has me curious now. I love my 4.6, but how does the Cobra 4.6 compare to the GT 4.6? I would think it would be even more reliable, but then again, perhaps the gain in performance shortens it's life. Opinions? Facts? Anyone? Anyone?

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