And that was pretty much my suggestion in the first post where I mentioned the 4.6 as a better enigine for the LS, (without having to deal with VVT/VCT). I have mentioned the Aviator version mostly because I think it would be easier to find a low milage version of that engine in a boneyard,,, at considerably less cost than a boneyard Marauder or Mach 1, (even with additional cash outlay for Mach/Marauder intake and other misc parts).
When the car in my sig went Bye-Bye... I was looking at Marauders. I actually wanted one before that, (I used to drool on the 2004 Marauder brochure). The reasonably price ones had been beat to death,,, or had high miles. The low milage or customized ones... were over double the cost of what I paid for my LS. But at the same time I always had a soft spot for the LS. I'll admit... the LS isn't perfect,,, but I can't complain too much. I'ts been fun reliable transportation for me, (so far... with 140K on the clock). Granted... typical coil, cooling system, brakes, center driveshaft support, and minor suspension issues... but really no worse than some other vehicles, (barring the startup rattle, and possibly some piston slap).
Anyway...
I somehow saved the 302 LS conversion from LVC. When I bookmarked it,,, it was on page 8, but has grown since then. This was about the time I joined this forum. You'll see... that some of what we have been discussing,,, is already old news.
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/forum/showthread.php?79118-Lincoln-LS-302/page8
Loud,
As far as the 3.5 Ecoboost. When I was doing some research on the LS cam phasers,,, and engines that wwould fit the LS... I found a web page that suggested a few engines for the LS. Some that seemed very oddball. The guy seemed to have done his reasearch,,, and considered fully assembled engines ,,, which would include the twin screw exhaust. When I was at a Ford dealer recently... picking up parts for a different project,,, I popped the hood on a new F150 that had the 3.5 in it. I was curious about the exhaust, same as you. The manifolds are tucked up under the heads,,, and the turbos seem very small, (compared to what I am used to seeing). From my perspective, (without a tape measure), the 3.5 is a "drop in" engine for the LS. I will admit however,,, that I didn't crawl underneath the F150 and take a "bottom up" look. Also... "drop in", doesn't mean "plug and play".
Interestingly,,, this has also been discussed before on LVC,,, but not with the 3.5.
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/forum/showthread.php?81831-engines-that-fit
I tried to duplicate my search that provided me a link to the guy who said the 3.5 would fit... and have been unable to find it. One thing about the 3.5 I don't like. It has VVT/VCT which means cam phasers. Unless Ford has fixed the issue with the 3.9 and 5.4... I'm not sure I want another VVT engine.
I did however re-find these links: Some on this forum may recognize "Quick's" vehicle, ( a member on this forum). Telco, you may appreciate the link at the bottom for an LS1 LS.
http://www.drivingenthusiast.net/sec-blog/?p=10971
Second: This one points to what I previously mentioned as a "One day race", but was actually a "One Lap Race". Either way,,, the 4.6 fits fine... and shouldn't overheat unless you throw a supercharger on it.
http://www.drivingenthusiast.net/sec-blog/?p=787&
Getting late and gotta go.