Over analyzing my motor options?

[dohc324ci]

OK fellas my little brain hurts.

What should I do?



Have a reputable builder re-build my motor (setup for power adder) Force Fed Performance. $$
Buy a long block from Modular Mustang Racing (MMR) so many choices within this options. $$$
Go back to OEM 3/100k warranty - Ford Dealer $

$=Coin

Input is appreciated.

[Pat]

To make a logical choice you need to tell us what is the intended application(s).

1. Daily street use, NA. 3 to 400 hp
2. Occasional strip, NA, 3 to 400 hp
3. Weekly strip, NA, 3 to 400 hp
4. Daily street use, S/C, +/- 400hp
5. Occasional strip, S/C, +/- 400hp
6. Weekly Strip, S/C, +/- 400hp
7. Any application, >450hp

Brain hurting yet?

[Aren Jay]

......................

[dohc324ci]

I would analyse your choices for several years then ask everyone here then think aobut it then think some more, then I would ask many real questions which if they seem far fetched actually will help me find that one special answer that is or has eluded me until I know which is the right choice. Then I would do something else.

Really ask anyone.

I keep meaning to join the procrastination society.

:confused: Ok but really what do you think;)

[dohc324ci]

To make a logical choice you need to tell us what is the intended application(s).

1. Daily street use, NA. 3 to 400 hp
2. Occasional strip, NA, 3 to 400 hp
3. Weekly strip, NA, 3 to 400 hp
4. Daily street use, S/C, +/- 400hp
5. Occasional strip, S/C, +/- 400hp
6. Weekly Strip, S/C, +/- 400hp
7. Any application, >450hp

Brain hurting yet?

Yes...my dilemma is

I am thinking Daily street use and occasional strip. My problem is I live in Cali and to make over 400HP its going to have to be blown or have a BUILT BEEFY NA motor.

The CARB # that the Marauder slipped under is a Vortech kit for the CrownVic and GM. I dont know if I want to build a motor add the power adder then have to take off because the the technicality.

[Pat]

I'm running a stock motor with a Paxton Novi, 10 LB boost (Vortech) no intercooler, 50 shot nitrous and making 400 HP (more or less) and all is fine.

77 K miles, go to strip a couple of times a year, 4-6 runs.

The rebuilt motor should do you fine and save you bucks. A proper tune will keep the motor in one piece (so to speak). Good gas, regular maintenance, etc, etc.

A built motor does not equal power/speed but speaks more to reliability and potential.

I voted OEM replacement.

Good luck

[O's Fan Rich]

Yes...my dilemma is

I am thinking Daily street use and occasional strip. My problem is I live in Cali and to make over 400HP its going to have to be blown or have a BUILT BEEFY NA motor.

The CARB # that the Marauder slipped under is a Vortech kit for the CrownVic and GM. I dont know if I want to build a motor add the power adder then have to take off because the the technicality.

In the vin system, my Marauder always comes up as a GM.
If yours is an early car, that my be how it shows up for you.
Check that out.

Are there any "engine swap" rules that come into play here?
California, being the Pinko, Commie, insolvent, state that it is may have a rule for that too.

[FordNut]

If you can force yourself to be content with 400 rwhp the OEM may be the best bet. When you put the blower on it you void the warranty so don't count on that 3yr/100k doing anything for you.

Another good option since you're planning for a blower anyway would be to get a factory remanufactured '03-'04 Cobra engine. That would give you room to grow (up the boost in the future). The '03-'04 Cobra engine looks just like the Marauder engine so it should be easy to pass inspection. And if you can get the dealer to install it you should be able to get the warranty too.

I had a bad experience with MMR so I would shy away from them. Some others have had good experience with them but I can only speak from my own experience.

If you have a good local shop that may work out. I've had mixed results from that option, too.

[a_d_a_m]

How about option #4:
Ecoboost V6.

You think I'm kidding, but we talked about this last night at the dragstrip...

[FordNut]

How about option #4:
Ecoboost V6.

You think I'm kidding, but we talked about this last night at the dragstrip...

That would never get past the emissions inspection.

[ImpalaSlayer]

a buddy of mine also had a bad expirience with mmr so be carefull. other wise id say if your only gunning for 400ish hp roll with a stocker

[dohc324ci]

If you can force yourself to be content with 400 rwhp the OEM may be the best bet. When you put the blower on it you void the warranty so don't count on that 3yr/100k doing anything for you.

Another good option since you're planning for a blower anyway would be to get a factory remanufactured '03-'04 Cobra engine. That would give you room to grow (up the boost in the future). The '03-'04 Cobra engine looks just like the Marauder engine so it should be easy to pass inspection. And if you can get the dealer to install it you should be able to get the warranty too.

I had a bad experience with MMR so I would shy away from them. Some others have had good experience with them but I can only speak from my own experience.

If you have a good local shop that may work out. I've had mixed results from that option, too.

FordNut,

Thanks I think...my head hurts more;) Did MMR do your stroker motors 5.3 in your sig? I think the only safe options is OEM. The shop that I am considering doing the work is fairly close to Ford OEm budget wise if I dont go crazy with the options.

[LIGHTNIN1]

According to how rich you are= how much risk you can AFFORD to take. As was mentioned MMR is a risk. So is a local rebuilder. May just be in my area, but I've never heard of a rebuild lasting near as long as an OEM factory motor. If mine goes out I will let dealer do OEM replacement with factory warranty. If you need more power do what everyone are doing now.

[dohc324ci]

In the vin system, my Marauder always comes up as a GM.
If yours is an early car, that my be how it shows up for you.
Check that out.

Are there any "engine swap" rules that come into play here?
California, being the Pinko, Commie, insolvent, state that it is may have a rule for that too.

Yes everything has to have a CARB EO# if aftermarket. With that said as long as it passes smog and they don't see anything visually your usually home free. Depends on the smog station. As far left as people perceive CA to be most of the state is red except The Bay Area and LA (voting isn't weighted the same across the state). The Central valley from north to south is much more conservative.

Any how 30 Billion Dollar deficit = state might be desperate for money and REALLY go after people who knows at this point. Sacramento is all Partisan Politics so nothing gets done. Our state budget is due but nada....IOUs and checks that you cant cash until October!

[FordNut]

FordNut,

Thanks I think...my head hurts more;) Did MMR do your stroker motors 5.3 in your sig? I think the only safe options is OEM. The shop that I am considering doing the work is fairly close to Ford OEm budget wise if I dont go crazy with the options.

No, they didn't do my buildup but I got some of the stuff for my head upgrades from them. Didn't meet the specs they claimed when they sold it to me, then they charged me a restocking fee for their false advertising. Their super-duper cryo-treated oil pumps have destroyed a few motors when they shattered too. And several people over at modularfords.com have had problems with mmr engines.

[babbage]

Wow, I've heard good things about MMR. Really any shop that's big enough to have a reputation will have some customers with bad experiences. Too bad about them. I almost ordered a 4.6 2v from them.

Ask Fordnut, lord knows hes had (5)? engines built. Brian who did you use? Then again you may not have his budget to spend.

I'd consider these shops:

http://www.hitechmotorsport.com/
http://www.seanhylandmotorsport.com/modular_crate_engines.shtml
http://www.livernoismotorsports.com/

I bet you can find a horror story too with any of them. Some day I'd like to get a new engine too. Happy Hunting!

[ctrlraven]

You need to figure out what you want your end goal to be with a little room to play. If you really want to get the Aluminator FRRP motor, Carson City and Reno are not that far away and are within driving distance to get the Aluminator yourself, just an idea if there is Ford Racing dealers around those two cities.

Checked eBay for an Aluminator engine?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD-ALUMINATOR-4-6L-DOHC-LONG-BLOCK-N-A-6007-A46NA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksi dZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQhashZit em3ef53a6088QQitemZ27040221607 2QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fP artsQ5fAccessories

Used Aviator long block?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-04-05-Lincoln-Aviator-Mustang-4-6L-DOHC-Engine-Motor_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksi dZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQhashZit em19b161623dQQitemZ11035013177 3QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fP artsQ5fAccessories

[FordNut]

I had my latest motor buit by Modular Performance out of Novi, Michigan.

[merc]

Wow, I've heard good things about MMR. Really any shop that's big enough to have a reputation will have some customers with bad experiences. Too bad about them. I almost ordered a 4.6 2v from them.

Ask Fordnut, lord knows hes had (5)? engines built. Brian who did you use? Then again you may not have his budget to spend.

I'd consider these shops:

http://www.hitechmotorsport.com/
http://www.seanhylandmotorsport.com/modular_crate_engines.shtml
http://www.livernoismotorsports.com/

I bet you can find a horror story too with any of them. Some day I'd like to get a new engine too. Happy Hunting!


Sean Hyland Motorsports ...WTF...Not in this life time.

[FordNut]

SHM is another of the shops that got a great reputation early on and grew to the point they were too busy chasing the $$$ instead of keeping the quality up.

[dohc324ci]

I had my latest motor buit by Modular Performance out of Novi, Michigan.


Brian, that is a very good choice for a builder I almost went with them. John's article on Mustang 5.0 and Alternative Auto on the BB/Stroker really did it for me. I went with MMR because I am 4-5 hours away and the speed shop I am going with has installed many of their motors plus they are insured (you never know).

Its funny looking back on this thread and the poll......and how it all worked out guess you can say you all convinced me to do my current build:beer: