BON: Such as?

Ford: The marketing people didn't really see a general need for a 5.4 Mustang considering that the Mustang's performance image is very well alive, and when you take into account that something like 67% of all Mustangs sold are base V-6 models. . . . then you realize that it's the bread and butter Mustangs that they are REALLY concerned about. That along with the sales success of the Mustang as compared to that of the Camaro. . .it really doesn't make much of a case for engineers and marketing to do battle with executives to authorize an ultra high performance production Mustang. Another consideration is the Mustang's budget,or lack of enough of it.

BON: A lot of Mustang fans would say that Ford executives lack vision - that not using the 5.4 makes the Mustang look bad when compared with the Camaro.

Ford: First, the Mustang isn't really in danger of going extinct, sales are up - something you cannot say about the Camaro. Lack vision? I don't think that's true. When the Mustang redesign was approved in the early 90's, a budget was set for the then new 1994 (SN-95) Mustang. The same was true for the 1999 Mustang as well. The newly redesigned 1999 Mustang didn't receive a budget large enough to do everything that we wanted to do - if fact the 1999 Mustang went WAY over budget anyway. Now I do understand that when looking in from a consumer's point of view, it would seem simple to just increase the Mustang's budget, but the car has to make money for Ford to continue making it. As for placing the 5.4 in the 1999 Mustang - there just wasn't enough money available to make it reality.

BON: What would it take to make it reality?

Ford: The big reason behind the decision not to use the 5.4 in the 1999 Mustang was more of a packaging issue. That is, it won't fit without altering the current chassis because the engine bay's shock towers are too narrow for the extra width required for the 5.4 engine. If you watch the assembly plant install a 4.6 into a Mustang, you will notice that IT barely fits. The assembly plant itself has to take extra precautions when installing these 4.6's so they don't bend lines, cables and such. Another factor is the allotted amount of engine roll that is allowable (clearance between the engine and engine bay). Let's say that we're allowed 7 degrees of roll now (and some 4.6 Mustangs still rub), then imagine what would happen if we used a 5.4? We'd be in a real tight bind since it is so much wider than the 4.6. Then not only does it become an assembly problem, but an engineering one as well - one that would require money to solve, and wouldn't you know it, we are back to a budget problem again.

BON: A lot of people would say that Ford has enough money to make it happen. . . to place the 5.4 in the 1999 Mustang.

Ford: The Mustang's profit margin isn't really all that great. In fact, the Mustang has actually been LOSING money recently. It's difficult to proposition a Ford executive by telling him/her to move CAFE credits from our truck line to our Mustang line....it's really a complex issue in itself. And it's also difficult for the project vehicle team to go and ask for additional funds when the car is selling well. I mean, briefly let me tell you how the 5.4 Mustang (besides an R model) would become reality.

1.You would have to modify or engineer a new engine bay since the current shock towers won't allow the 5.4 to fit.

2) After the new shock towers are in place, you would then need to test out the fitment by building a prototype, make new dies to stamp out the "5.4 only sheet metal" for the engine bay. . .then you would also require a new hood to be designed with a huge bulge in it (the 5.4 is taller), test it and once again tool up for a "5.4 only" production hood. And then you would also have to consider the liability limitations since this new hood would certainly obstruct some of the driver's forward view of the road.

3) Then naturally, there comes the issue of keeping the car cool. More design, engineering and testing work - And there are many other factors such as braking and chassis too. . . not to mention more assembly line time to manufacture it.

Then, after all of these things are considered do you dare ask how much all of this is going to cost to do - because ultimately it will be reflected in the cost of the Mustang - which was lowered in 1998 after making many options standard features - which in itself has been attributed to the Mustang's recent sales success. Another obstacle is the consumer itself. How are they going to react to price hikes, which are becoming harder and harder to impose due to increased competition. It's a hard sale. It would take a loaded gun to ask a Ford executive to approve a much larger budget, and a possible raise in the Mustang's sticker price just to approve the 5.4 engine.

BON: Will Ford ever consider the 5.4 as a regular Mustang production option?

Ford: The 5.4 was not overlooked for the 1999 model. It just didn't make much sense at this time when the Mustang is doing so very well...Yes, the 5.4 engine might appear in the Mustang's next chassis redesign, you never know. But for right now, the 1999 Mustang will get a power increase across the board and I think most consumers are satisfied with that. And Ford knows and understands that there are always driving enthusiasts who desire more power no matter what we do - and we'll always try to address those people. But Ford has to also consider that "happy medium", and we think we're right on target with the 1999 Mustang's 4.6 power increase.