Engine Build

[ryanralston07]

I've talked about this several times and it is finally looking like a reality. I'm probably soon to sell my jeep and have some extra cash lying around and want to put in forged rods and pistons since I never plan to go over 600rwhp and don't want to change out my clutch. I'm on a budget of a max of $4k. I'm looking at either getting a BBR block (one with stock crank) or either getting a rotating assembly and then tearing down and assembling it myself. I have a friend who is a very experienced builder of different engines and will help me. I figured I could sell my stock block for around $1k? If I go with a pre-built shortblock then I'll spend a little more in the long run, but be running quicker and also have a sureness that the block wasn't messed up by friend or myself. Would you get the rotating assembly and do it all from there or go with the BBR block and then assemble? No matter what I do I can't get out of the other things I need like gaskets, hardware, oil, etc. So what do you guys think? Built block or go with a rotating assembly? The assembly is pretty much going to be cheaper for me, but I don't want to jack this thing up...

 

[Steedman07]

subscribed..My winter project..Hope you get some good experienced info..

 

[ryanralston07]

Plan is for around 550rwhp (maybe a little less) through the stock trans without cams or head work.

 

[GrnBullitt08]

Subscribed

 

[killr3v]

Do you have another car to use while this one is down? If so I would buy the rotating assembly man.

 

[ryanralston07]

I've got a f150 that is my DD...mustang is just a pretty day car I guess you could say.

 

[BruceH]

I've talked about this several times and it is finally looking like a reality. I'm probably soon to sell my jeep and have some extra cash lying around and want to put in forged rods and pistons since I never plan to go over 600rwhp and don't want to change out my clutch. I'm on a budget of a max of $4k. I'm looking at either getting a BBR block (one with stock crank) or either getting a rotating assembly and then tearing down and assembling it myself. I have a friend who is a very experienced builder of different engines and will help me. I figured I could sell my stock block for around $1k? If I go with a pre-built shortblock then I'll spend a little more in the long run, but be running quicker and also have a sureness that the block wasn't messed up by friend or myself. Would you get the rotating assembly and do it all from there or go with the BBR block and then assemble? No matter what I do I can't get out of the other things I need like gaskets, hardware, oil, etc. So what do you guys think? Built block or go with a rotating assembly? The assembly is pretty much going to be cheaper for me, but I don't want to jack this thing up...

I can share how I built mine and how much it cost. Built mine in November of 2009. Bought a new stock shortblock from Tousley for $1550 shipped. Manley rods and cp pistons with rings and bearings for $737 off of ebay from the company that bought out Saleens inventory. About $400 in gaskets, hardware, and misc. $550 in machining. Total was $3200. Sold the shortblock rods and pistons, my old block, crank, rods, and pistons for about $550. Total investment $2650. Today you would have to add about $500 for the forged rods and pistons since the Saleen surplus stuff is gone.

Assembly wasn't hard. All I had to do was follow written directions, keep things clean, and take a few measurements along the way. I think finding the right machine shop was the most important part of the build.

I've been driving it for 9 months now. It runs very good, haven't had any issues. I currently swap between pullies for 505 rwhp or 523.

Since then FRPP Aluminators have come down in price by $1000. If I was to do it now I'd get a 3v Aluminator and call it a day. They are going for $3200 shipped.

 

[ryanralston07]

Thanks for the help man. I'm really wanting to keep the stock crank and put together a package from modmax for around $1300 with rods, pistons, rings, etc. and all balanced. I figure with that, having a friend who has built a couple engines (all imports though...but he is a certified mechanic along with having a few other friends at the local ford dealership) the rotating assembly might be the way to go...I've got another friend whose dad owns a machine shop and they build diesels all the time so the rotating assembly might be the way to go to keep it cheap...

 

[BruceH]

Here's the online Ford manual for the motor disassembly and assembly. Read through it and you will have an idea of what's in store.

http://iihs.net/fsm/?dir=158

 

[bullitt boy]

aluminator + whipple = monster.

 

[ryanralston07]

Here's the online Ford manual for the motor disassembly and assembly. Read through it and you will have an idea of what's in store.

http://iihs.net/fsm/?dir=158

Thanks man. I've looked through some builds and contacted my ford mechanic buddies so it shouldn't be too much for all of us. I've never built an engine, but figure with their help it shouldn't be too bad

 

[BruceH]

Subscribed

GrnBullitt, That's one hell of an avatar. Damn!

 

[ryanralston07]

After thinking about it and talking to my friends...looks like currently a rotating assembly will be on order by the end of next month and then probably another month or so till I can get all the other small odds and ends...unless the jeep sells...

 

[GrnBullitt08]

GrnBullitt, That's one hell of an avatar. Damn!

Yup, motivation....If you comfortable with your buddy's knowledge I would say go ahead and build it. Its not all that bad, but buying from a vendor like BBR would be the quicker way to go.

 

[Corpo]

I have a complete livernois rotating assembly I would be willing to sell for $1800 usd plus shipping. 9.7:1 cr, h-beam rods.

Oh yeah, new, never used.

 

[JeremyH]

I built up my stock shortblock, if i had to do it over gain, I would buy an assembled shortblock. Cheaper, easier, less down time, you still have the stocker if you need it or can sell it.

 

[usafimj]

If you're looking into modmax internals then get with SD. Also get with him on a shortblock

 

[ryanralston07]

If you're looking into modmax internals then get with SD. Also get with him on a shortblock

I talked with him awhile back when I was making plans for it. I will soon talk to him again about it though

 

[ryanralston07]

I have a complete livernois rotating assembly I would be willing to sell for $1800 usd plus shipping. 9.7:1 cr, h-beam rods.

Oh yeah, new, never used.

Thanks, but I'm keeping the stock crank.

 

[ryanralston07]

I built up my stock shortblock, if i had to do it over gain, I would buy an assembled shortblock. Cheaper, easier, less down time, you still have the stocker if you need it or can sell it.

I'd like to do that, but I'd spend around $1000 more and I've got a DD so if it takes more than a weekend (after machining) to build that's ok. I figure it will be cheaper and with my friends' experiences we should be good to go. I figure by the end of next month parts should start being ordered.