Overhead Cam 4.6L Ford Engine Rebuild - Build A Panther More Power (Finally)

Where’d That Power Come From?

Stock versus Trick Flow Heads

The secret to our 4.6’s newly found power is a collaboration of a better combustion chamber design, bigger ports, slightly larger valves, and Trick Flow’s canted valve arrangement. Changing the angle of the intake valve provides a better path into the cylinders. It also eliminates piston-to-valve clearance problems very common to SOHC 4.6 engines—you can’t advance the cam too far or run intake lift numbers more than about 0.525 inch without notching the pistons. With its valve arrangement, Trick Flow says lift of up to 0.600 inch is safe. Every engine builder we’ve checked with says Trick Flow’s heads—with CNC-shaped chambers and as-cast intake and exhaust runners—will outflow any ported factory cylinder head, and our gains of 70 hp to the rear wheels is right inline with what other Trick Flow customers are seeing. While we’re still breathing through the car’s stock intake and tailpipes, we know there is more potential in these heads, especially at higher engine speeds. We’re looking at intake combinations and possibly a power-adder to see how much more we can wring out of these things. Note in the chart above that the best naturally aspirated combination may be an early non-power- improved block and Trick Flow’s 38cc chamber heads. If you want more compression, bolt these heads on a four-valve block, which comes with flat-top pistons and will net a compression ratio of nearly 12:1. For guys who love boost, Trick Flow also sells a version of these cylinder heads with 44cc combustion chambers. END

Parts List

Tool List