modular engine build ideas/ opinions.

bsn95w · Nov 5, 2010

since most of you may know, the engine knocks on my 00 gt.

engine has fairly low compression, quite a bit of blow by under hard acceleration, and the valve seals in the heads are bad.

i was planning on sticking a stock 5.4 in the car, but now that im looking for one, cant seem to find one...

any idea as to what to do?

i have about a 2k budget, and will be doing all of the work my self, so... that 2k basicly is all performance parts if i stick with a 4.6, or basicly all goes to a 5.4.

right now, im concidering hi tech stage 2 cams, pypes long tubes, re-ring kit, barrings, and all nessicary gasgets... this set up has run 12.16 on a full bolt on car with 4.10s.... ill be happy with anything under 13.0 (14.0 if im honest haha.)

anyways, looking for opinions, ideas, and advice.

MadStang · Nov 5, 2010

03 cobra crank - $300
03 cobra rods - $300
Mahle Pistons -$700-$1000
HP 292 Cams - $420
Manley Nextek Springs(not necessary w/ HP 292's) -$300

Call it a day after that. trust me, if you're stripping the short block down anyway like I did, might as well go forged. Hell if cams are too much just wait on those too. Cams are easy to swap out, internals... not so much. If you know how to do a little port work, might as well work the heads a little bit too.

bsn95w · Nov 5, 2010

MadStang said:
03 cobra crank - $300
03 cobra rods - $300
Mahle Pistons -$700-$1000
HP 292 Cams - $420
Manley Nextek Springs(not necessary w/ HP 292's) -$300

Call it a day after that. trust me, if you're stripping the short block down anyway like I did, might as well go forged. Hell if cams are too much just wait on those too. Cams are easy to swap out, internals... not so much. If you know how to do a little port work, might as well work the heads a little bit too.

did you just sorce everything seperately? where did you get the cobra crank/ rods?

MadStang · Nov 5, 2010

bsn95w said:
MadStang said:

03 cobra crank - $300
03 cobra rods - $300
Mahle Pistons -$700-$1000
HP 292 Cams - $420
Manley Nextek Springs(not necessary w/ HP 292's) -$300

Call it a day after that. trust me, if you're stripping the short block down anyway like I did, might as well go forged. Hell if cams are too much just wait on those too. Cams are easy to swap out, internals... not so much. If you know how to do a little port work, might as well work the heads a little bit too.

Click to expand...

did you just sorce everything seperately? where did you get the cobra crank/ rods?

I didn't buy them personally, but a couple of friends have done it that way. It's cheap reliable power. I just spent the $2500 at Livernois for there kit.

What you could do, to save even more money is source a 03/04 cobra shortblock and just swap in different pistons. Or... if you want steep compression ratio since the dish is much smaller on the cobra pistons you could run the full short block. it'll be about 10.5:1. The short block I was looking at locally was about $700 complete with 90k miles. It's very much doable, then you won't have to pay to machine anything, just drop in and go.

Best places to look are:

forums.corral.net
www.modularfords.com
www.craigslist.org
www.eBay.com

bsn95w · Nov 5, 2010

$700 bucks?!>!>!?

they sell for about 3k here! shit.

and all the cobra cranks ive found on google are over 700 bucks alone.

MadStang · Nov 5, 2010

bsn95w said:
$700 bucks?!>!>!?

they sell for about 3k here! SH*T.

and all the cobra cranks ive found on google are over 700 bucks alone.

I'm talking short block. no heads, no timing cover etc. bare bones with just crank, pistons, and rods.

I'll see what I can find you.

MadStang · Nov 5, 2010

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...613302127&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MESELX:IT

just for starters...

vermilion · Nov 5, 2010

i would have saved a ton if i went with just stock stroked shortblock but i wanted a stroked 2v, cammed. it cost me a small fortune.

Cobracarlo · Nov 5, 2010

I sold my cobra crank for like $250-300 and it was in great shape. Ill have another one next week also. just keep looking the parts are out there. If you want 4v parts like the crank and rods try svtperformance.com

Ninety8stang · Nov 5, 2010

make sure you plan a build with forged rods. Chances are that knock you hear is result of crappy powdered metal rods.

duff daddy · Nov 5, 2010

If your plan to build a short block or 2k you can,but you will still need a little machine work on that block, dont forget about your bearings, your assmebly bolts (oe or arp) ect you will be at 2k well before you know it, ask me how I know.....

1996mustangGT · Nov 5, 2010

Duff Daddy said:
If your plan to build a short block or 2k you can,but you will still need a little machine work on that block, dont forget about your bearings, your assmebly bolts (oe or arp) ect you will be at 2k well before you know it, ask me how I know.....

+10000000000

To be honest, to start off wouldnt be a bad idea just to buy a complete shortblock, and transfer your stock parts over. Yes, I know, not near as fun, but as was stated before, its helluva lot easier to put on H/C's/I than to re-do your entire bottom end.

vermilion · Nov 5, 2010

i recommend ARP Fasteners. iron blocks dont require much machining other than removing the old gasket material and clean surface I.e(oil dirt removal). clevite 77 has bearings for 89-99$. when you buy rods or a kit it should come with all bearings that youll need.

Win · Nov 5, 2010

i can't wait to see yours on the dyno jason i am def going to be there for that

bsn95w · Nov 5, 2010

MadStang said:
bsn95w said:

$700 bucks?!>!>!?

they sell for about 3k here! SH*T.

and all the cobra cranks ive found on google are over 700 bucks alone.

Click to expand...

I'm talking short block. no heads, no timing cover etc. bare bones with just crank, pistons, and rods.

I'll see what I can find you.

thats what im talking about too.

i found a 5.4 today from my machine shop guy, for $250. but needs barrings and rings aswell.

im probably going to buiild one of my 4.6's back to stock, and cam it... i didnt realize this before, but people want an arm and leg for forged modular stuff... i built my 383 stroker in my old chevelle fully forged for less then 1500 bucks.
-------

what does everyone think about stock bottom end? car isnt a race car, and the 4.6 can support around 400hp stock.

Win · Nov 5, 2010

^^^^

Do it right and as long as your not pushing i would say over 10#'s of boost or High shots of NOS you should be just fine i would think.

1996mustangGT · Nov 5, 2010

Win said:
^^^^

Do it right and as long as your not pushing i would say over 10#'s of boost or High shots of NOS you should be just fine i would think.

Agree.

Only reason I push the forged rod's on a 5.4 is you have to be really careful spinning them out with the stock rods. We've had quite a few ventilate blocks pushing them to 5.5K regularly.

bsn95w · Nov 5, 2010

Win said:
^^^^

Do it right and as long as your not pushing i would say over 10#'s of boost or High shots of NOS you should be just fine i would think.

i doubt ill ever add forced induction to the can now.

i was actualy concidering selling it for a newer car 05+mustang, or 04-06 gto, but now that it needs a motor, i was thinking cams, have a little fun and sell in a year or two.