Engine Rebuild Question

[Tallboy]

I've been spending a lot of time helping a friend of mine build his 89 Mustang GT. He's pretty much done it all, dropping over 18k into this car in go-fast and suspension mods. The engine is a 331 stroker with a ProCharger D1SC huffing 24 PSI.

Anyway,at the end of the night [and sometimes the beginning] we'll sit around the shop and down a few cold ones and talk about our cars. Since each of us had rebuilt our 302s in the past year or so, we got to talking about engine rebuilding and when/where/why to do it. Then the subject of pushrod vs. modular engine rebuilding came up. Since each of us had our pushrod motors yanked and rebuilt by a local machine shop that specializes in circle-track and drag-strip engines, we wondered, where to get a modular engine rebuild done? Do you take it the local "hot-rod" engine builder like you would your good ol' 302, or is a higher level of knowledge needed with these engines?

I'm just looking to get some opinions on this, no right-or-wrong answers here...

[Joe Walsh]

After contacting a few local engine shops about rebuilding my Modular DOHC and getting this response:
"All engines are basically the same, so we would have NO problem doing your engine."

I went with an out of state engine builder who had LOTS of Modular engine experience. (John and Mike Tymensky at Modular Performance*)

The main things that I worried about were:

1: Familiarity and experience with the DOHC cam, timing chain & tensioner set-up.

2: Familiarity with the Modular engine block's side main bolts & spacers.

This is where the Modular engines differ greatly from traditional small block Fords.

*www.modularperformance.com

[martyo]

ProLine built my motor. They have a strong relationship with Steve Petty and are very well respected since they build the motors for my friend Tim Lynch's car (can you say 6 second Mustang?).

They can build anything from a Mod Motor to a Pushrod package. When we get around to it, they will be building a pushrod motor for my MM.

Find them here:

http://www.prolineraceengines.com/index.html

[Jolly Roger]

I've been spending a lot of time helping a friend of mine build his 89 Mustang GT. He's pretty much done it all, dropping over 18k into this car in go-fast and suspension mods. The engine is a 331 stroker with a ProCharger D1SC huffing 24 PSI.

Anyway,at the end of the night [and sometimes the beginning] we'll sit around the shop and down a few cold ones and talk about our cars. Since each of us had rebuilt our 302s in the past year or so, we got to talking about engine rebuilding and when/where/why to do it. Then the subject of pushrod vs. modular engine rebuilding came up. Since each of us had our pushrod motors yanked and rebuilt by a local machine shop that specializes in circle-track and drag-strip engines, we wondered, where to get a modular engine rebuild done? Do you take it the local "hot-rod" engine builder like you would your good ol' 302, or is a higher level of knowledge needed with these engines?

I'm just looking to get some opinions on this, no right-or-wrong answers here...

Ron Robart at
Fox Lake Power Products in
North Lawrence, Ohio:)

[SergntMac]

It's been said here, but I'll echo it. In short block assembly, there's nothing really different between pushrod and modular. If anything, modular is easier. Whole engine assembly is different, getting the cams set up right is where the talent comes in. Lots of it is "keyed" for assembly only one way, but it's way easy to be one tooth off.

[jstevens]

Can some of you inject $$ into your opinions.

I was at Milan speaking with some mustang people who had a DSS engine. I think I got it right. Anyway's they were quoting about 7K into their complete new engine.

So a rebuild should be about 4K?? I don't know as this is my first go fast car at least from my days of having a crappy go fast car.

[Joe Walsh]

Can some of you inject $$ into your opinions.

I was at Milan speaking with some mustang people who had a DSS engine. I think I got it right. Anyway's they were quoting about 7K into their complete new engine.

So a rebuild should be about 4K?? I don't know as this is my first go fast car at least from my days of having a crappy go fast car.

It really depends on what you do with the 'rebuild':
....forged pistons?....forged crank?....forged rods?....stroker crank?......big bore?....billet oil gears?....cams?....bowl & port work?..........


I've got right around $8000 in my forged rebuild.

(that includes the cost of sleeving for a 3.700" bore)

[TooManyFords]

What ^^ said... I'm at about tick over $11K for my new setup and everything is paid for. The rest is assembly and tuning. Remember though, this is air cleaner to pan with everything new including a one-off S/C configuration. YMMV.

I'd do it all over again too!

john

[SergntMac]

It really depends on what you do with the 'rebuild. I've got right around $8000 in my forged rebuild. It's too easy to spend money when creating your own design, yes?

Picking the right components is half the task, professional assembly is the other half. I believe the average of 4-6K investment will buy you a mild, yet sporty engine.

On the low end, like if you blew up the OEM engine, don't have much money, and can wrench the assembly and install yourself...Professionally built short blocks can be found between 22 and 2500 bucks. Another grand in accessories, fluids and beer, and you can get back on the road inexpensively.

One thing to remember though, is that a built engine isn't going to live as long as the OEM. Generally, the tolerances are much tighter, and the beatings add up. I never saw any race motor hit 50K miles.

[martyo]

It cost me about a thousand dollars to put my motor together. :rolleyes:

[DEFYANT]

It cost me about a thousand dollars to put my motor together. :rolleyes:

I think you forgot at least one zero.

Another engine with the goodies may come in the future. For now, I am very happy with where I am at. Being the 7th fastest Marauder is a nice place, but will not last long. I hope to do better as my driving improves.

[Warpath]

I got my big bore from Lidio (Alternative Auto http://www.alternativeauto.com/) and I would recommend him. Great service and quick turn around. You can also look on Mustang sites for other places. There are plenty. But, there are two other places that come highly, highly recommended from the Mustang crowd (one mentioned above):

1. Modular Performance in Novi, MI http://www.modularperformance.com/
2. Boss 330 Racing in Florida. He's been messing around with putting carbs on 4.6s and 5.4s lately. http://www.boss330racing.com/Default.aspx?tabid=160

I've never heard anything bad about these three builders. I've always heard nothing but praise and they know their stuff.

[MikesMerc]

Lido did my build as well. I went a different route than many have gone in that I went bang for buck rather than write a blank check for "whatever" an engine builder of choice suggests. IMO, getting more for less is what seperates the real deal from those simply with deep pockets.

Chuck, if your interested in what went into my build in detail, PM me. I'm not going to go into much more detail here. Suffice it to say that my motor can keep up with motors built here on mm.net costing much much more. Where you put the dollars is critical. This is something I learned from the guys who've been running modular for years, as well as working close with Lidio.

In short, YES, it really matters where you go and who you get to do the build. If you want to screw together the best motor for money that is. Now, if you just want someone to build up the typical modular race motor for you, there are ton of guys willing to take your money and do it up real nice :)

BTW, I am not being critical of ANYONE here on mm.net. I'm speaking in general terms.

[Tallboy]

Lido did my build as well. I went a different route than many have gone in that I went bang for buck rather than write a blank check for "whatever" an engine builder of choice suggests. IMO, getting more for less is what seperates the real deal from those simply with deep pockets.

Chuck, if your interested in what went into my build in detail, PM me.


I am interested, Mike. But, we'll talk about your engine while we're standing next to it.

In August. On Woodward Avenue. :up:

[shakes_26]

I am interested, Mike. But, we'll talk about your engine while we're standing next to it.

In August. On Woodward Avenue. :up: Doing burnouts :D