Calling out all you guys that have done a PI Swap

[Dr.Apex]

I've been looking around for PI intake and heads and found a junkyard that has several 99-04 mustangs that have them. Pricing is 100 for each head and 45 for the intake, which is the best price I've been able to find.
Now before I get into the questions that I want to ask, I just want to let you all know that I'm not interested in the PI cams as I plan on sending the heads to a shop to have them ported, as well as, buying aftermarket cams.
I've done tons of reading up on the swap and feel that I'm more than capable of doing it, but there isn't much info on "shopping" for the parts. I'm a total noob, so I don't want to make a mistake by buying garbage.
Here are the the things that I need your help on:
1) How do I tell whether or not the heads/intake are good? What do I look for? Does mileage play a part?
2) This junk yard is a pick and pull lot, so I'll have to remove the parts myself. Can someone give me a specific list of tools I will need to remove the intake/heads? (I don't want to make the 45min one way drive to realize I don't have a needed tool.
3) Are the intakes in the 99-04's still made of plastic? I plan on getting the heads ported getting the intake portmatched to the heads but I'm not sure if thats possible with a plastic intake. Basically, if it's not possible with plastic (if they're plastic on 99-04), I'll just pass on it and buy an aftermarket intake.
4) What "other" parts will I need to complete the swap? I've read about PI swaps that say you need a new coolant hose, gaskets, ect.

That pretty much covers what I thinnk I need to know, for now. If you guys got anything else for me, that you feel I should know, please do tell.
Thanks

 

[pp_puncher]

I like your format LOL ok here we go;
1) When you pop the heads check for any cracks, or dings especially in the chambers, typically not a problem, but it is in a salvage yard so who knows what it has been through?! mileage not an issue as the wear parts will be replaced when you port the heads and put in cams.
2) Tool list should be found in the stickies of PI swap how-to's
3)Yes they are a composite material, except the bullitt intake from 2001 which is a nice piece, or you can go aft. mkt.
4) See answer 2)
Also pull the heads, keep the cams in, and sell them to recoupe some cost. And if the intake doesn't have an aluminum crossover for the coolant ( see pics in how to's) don't buy it. if it does buy it and sell it.

 

[Dr.Apex]

I like your format LOL ok here we go;
1) When you pop the heads check for any cracks, or dings especially in the chambers, typically not a problem, but it is in a salvage yard so who knows what it has been through?! mileage not an issue as the wear parts will be replaced when you port the heads and put in cams.
2) Tool list should be found in the stickies of PI swap how-to's
3)Yes they are a composite material, except the bullitt intake from 2001 which is a nice piece, or you can go aft. mkt.
4) See answer 2)
Also pull the heads, keep the cams in, and sell them to recoupe some cost. And if the intake doesn't have an aluminum crossover for the coolant ( see pics in how to's) don't buy it. if it does buy it and sell it.

Yeah, after I posted this, I found a sticky that had the parts list that I needed. I never found a tools list, but I may have just looked over it. There's so much info in these stickies, it gives me a mind job, lol.
I was thinking of selling the PI cams out of the heads, but I wasn't sure if people were interested in just cams. I did read, in a sticky, that some people just do the PI intake and cams while keeping the NPI heads, so I guess I will sell the cams and intake as a cheap package. (thanks for the idea) That will deffinatley help with money towards an aftermarket intake.
Also, thanks for the heads up on what to look for, as far as cracks and dings.

Ok, so it's back to diggin through the stickies for a tools list. I hate bein a noob.

 

[DropTopPony]

If you run across a 03 or 04 2V in your junk yard searches grab those heads first. They have more threads in the spark plug to help prevent spark plug blow out.

 

[Dr.Apex]

If you run across a 03 or 04 2V in your junk yard searches grab those heads first. They have more threads in the spark plug to help prevent spark plug blow out.

Thanks, that's good to know. I have heard of the heads that have the deep threads, but I thought they were just in aftermarket heads.

 

[Dr.Apex]

ok I found the list of tools I'll need for the swap. I'm a little confused as to why I'd need a crank pulley puller though. Can someone clarify this for me? I don't see why I'd need one to pull heads and intake.

 

[1bad95]

i tihnk on the 4.6 you have to pull the whole front cover off of the motor to remove the heads, so the crank pulley will have to be pulled

 

[pp_puncher]

I don't think you'll need the crank pulley puller, you should be able to just unbolt the timing cover from the front of the head. After the rest of the bolts are removed just pry it straight up. If you do it this way you will need to pop off the timing chain from the cam sprocket, or just unbolt the cam sprocket...make sure to do one side at a time and rebolt them on before you buy them.