Engine Builders -> How to spot junk/quality internals?

Back2Mustangs · Jul 4, 2007

Application: Aluminum Cobra block, freshly machined +.020...looking for internals to handle 15+ lbs of boost up to 650-700 BHP.

I'm looking into internal rotating components and was wondering about the quality of each manufacturer's parts. Manley seems to make some good pistons (like the ones they make for MMR) and they seem to have good rods. Diamond seems to have made a good name for themselves, but their pistons are a bit pricey. I don't hear much about JE, but I thought they've been making good pistons. What about Probe pistons?

I just don't want to pay too much for parts that may be equal quality to the competitors. I don't mind paying extra when I'm getting extra, but I want to be sure that I'm getting what I pay for.

A complete IRA seems to run about $1,800.00 for good forged pieces to handle the HP I want. If I can piece together my own rotating assembly for less, I don't mind doing the foot-work and spending the time shopping, but again, I want to know that what I'm buying is a quality part.

Any suggestions or tips would be helpful.

tomustang · Jul 4, 2007

I've hear of people that had probe and ended up with disasters, I stick with manley, just choose an application that'll support your level of power, I would suggest going with billet for over 600hp, just to be safe, and for a crankshaft try to get a cobra one, they are forged and can take 1000hp, and some claim 1500+

JE, manley, mahle, diamond.. you can't go wrong with either

Back2Mustangs · Jul 4, 2007

tomustang said:
...for a crankshaft try to get a cobra one...

I've heard of stock Cobra cranks being weak. I've heard it more than a few times. People seem to suggest that the nodular iron GT cranks are stronger, but that they don't hold up under high RPM's. I keep referring back to MMR because they've been great about sharing alot of details with me regarding their parts and the specifics of who makes their stuff and how their parts are made. They tell me, their Cobra cranks "are made by the same company that produces the factory OE Cobra Crankshafts, however the cranks sold by MMR include addtional heat treatings, polishing and shot peening to make them stronger." Unless anyone can assure me that an oem Cobra crank will be strong enough for my application, I'll probably buy one of MMR's cranks. They have pretty good deals on Manley h-beam rods, and MMR also claims their pistons (made for them by Manley) are among the strongest available. I feel comfortable with MMR since they seem open to questions about what they sell instead of just trying to make a sale. But at the same time, I wonder if I could get just as good of quality for less $$.

I'm not a cheap a-double-s, but I like my dollar to go as far as I can make it go... At the same time I'm not afraid to spend the necessary cash now to protect my investments and avoid future costs like engine rebuilds from failed parts. Spending wisely is work.

Back2Mustangs · Jul 4, 2007

Oops, double-post

tomustang · Jul 4, 2007

Back2Mustangs said:
I've heard of stock Cobra cranks being weak. I've heard it more than a few times. People seem to suggest that the nodular iron GT cranks are stronger, but that they don't hold up under high RPM's. I keep referring back to MMR because they've been great about sharing alot of details with me regarding their parts and the specifics of who makes their stuff and how their parts are made. They tell me, their Cobra cranks "are made by the same company that produces the factory OE Cobra Crankshafts, however the cranks sold by MMR include addtional heat treatings, polishing and shot peening to make them stronger." Unless anyone can assure me that an oem Cobra crank will be strong enough for my application, I'll probably buy one of MMR's cranks. They have pretty good deals on Manley h-beam rods, and MMR also claims their pistons (made for them by Manley) are among the strongest available. I feel comfortable with MMR since they seem open to questions about what they sell instead of just trying to make a sale. But at the same time, I wonder if I could get just as good of quality for less $$.

I'm not a cheap a-double-s, but I like my dollar to go as far as I can make it go.

the cobra crank is forged steel, far superior than the gt cranks

the manley pistons under the company name are by Manley, just built to their (MMR) specs

Since you're interested in MMR check to see if they can bundle you a packagefor your rated hp, if it's high of a hp and you want more just get the upgrade, like billet

MMR and VT Engines should be the first to call, for packages

Back2Mustangs · Jul 4, 2007

tomustang said:
the cobra crank is forged steel, far superior than the gt cranks

the manley pistons under the company name are by Manley, just built to their (MMR) specs

Since you're interested in MMR check to see if they can bundle you a packagefor your rated hp, if it's high of a hp and you want more just get the upgrade, like billet

MMR and VT Engines should be the first to call, for packages

MMR frequently runs deals over on the Corral. They have one right now for their Cobra crank, 4340 rods (or Manley upgrade for $95), Manley's MMR spec pistons, rings, bearings and bolts that they claim is good up to 800HP for $1700.00. Thats the best deal I've found so far, but I wanted to get some last minute feedback before I ordered. I'll probably call MMR before the end of this week to order the whole balanced IRA.

Thanks for the help, Tom.

98GTfromGA · Jul 5, 2007

CP makes the best blower pistons you should see how thick the top ringland is

Back2Mustangs · Jul 6, 2007

98GTfromGA said:
CP makes the best blower pistons you should see how thick the top ringland is

That's one of MMR's claims to their Manley piston strength. They've said:

"...Manley/MMR pistons have the thickest upper ringland available, we have never had a ringland failure up to 2000 HP. For the other brand we cannot say the same and so we no longer offer them."

I don't remember what other brand they were talking about.

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