A little info on 5.4's and chargers...
#16
The lightning block is the same as the NA block except for the compression ratio. Lightning blocks are 8.4 to 1 and the NA block is 9.0 to 1. There are a lot of lightning guys making over 500 hp at the crank on the stock block, but at that point the rods are ticking time bombs. They are definitely the weak point.
Phil
#17
my 98' had a forged crank, along with my 03 engine I bought for parts. Go with a 5.4 and be done. Get good rods, pistons and heads, and you will never have a problem. Being as your using a ported eaton, you wont even be stressing the engine
Last edited by built54; 07-01-2009 at 08:35 AM.