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Engine JUST gave out!?! I NEED Swap Suggestions...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lesane
  • Start date Start date Jun 17, 2009

Lesane

New Member
Sep 1, 2004
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Orlando, FL
Jun 17, 2009
#1
  • Jun 17, 2009
  • #1
I have been away from this forum for a long time (while in Iraq, and various other places WITHOUT my car ...) but I'm back with a BIG issue. I need some help, and suggestions. I have a '98 GT with just over 90,000 forced induction miles, and tonight my non-PI stock motor is no longer with us. I want to do a complete engine swap ( 5.0, 4.6PI, 5.4, cobra) and possibly still use a good portion of my accessories ( 6 month old custom FMIC, Vortech S/C, $1,400 worth of tuning software/hardware). Im looking for suggestions on what I should do. Please help me out! Just to let you know, I'm a Marine and I'm married so I'm clearly on a budget, lol! I'm looking to keep it fairly cheap, but I want the car to perform! I drive it hard and want to try to keep it forced induction. A relatively simple swap is ideal as well. I am very knowledgeable, but I dont want to really do any fabrication, or rewiring. What options do I have? And for a little sympathy, I JUST got this car back ONE week ago from getting new a new wing, hood, and paint! I did an oil change, radiator flush, tune up, cleaned my air filter, and gave it a good wash/wax, and minutes later said goodbye to my engine! Bad night for me altogether, so ANY help will be GREATLY APPRECIATED! THANKS IN ADVANCE
 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
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Jun 17, 2009
#2
  • Jun 17, 2009
  • #2
Find a bone yard Mark VIII engine, rebuild with forged pistons and rods (cranks good for 700ish hp) and eaither use the 4v heads or get some TF heads.

If your block is not hurt then your cheapest option would be a forged rotating assembly and rebuild it. Ditch the heads and still put on some TF versions.
 

Mike97gt

it doe snot
Founding Member
Jan 26, 1999
10,633
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89
the people's republic of massachusetts
Jun 17, 2009
#3
  • Jun 17, 2009
  • #3
LaserSVT said:
Find a bone yard Mark VIII engine, rebuild with forged pistons and rods (cranks good for 700ish hp) and eaither use the 4v heads or get some TF heads.

If your block is not hurt then your cheapest option would be a forged rotating assembly and rebuild it. Ditch the heads and still put on some TF versions.
Click to expand...

4V FI = WIN
 

the98stang

Active Member
Aug 12, 2005
2,408
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47
Clovis, CA
Jun 18, 2009
#4
  • Jun 18, 2009
  • #4
Modular Mustang Racing

MMR800 short block for $2800...

Will handle up to 650+ WHP
 

Lesane

New Member
Sep 1, 2004
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Orlando, FL
Jun 18, 2009
#5
  • Jun 18, 2009
  • #5
Yes or no to a 2000 S281 Saleen engine (complete with ECU and harness) with 88,000 miles for $900? Does it have forged internals? More HP? All of my stuff would mate to it, correct?
 

Lesane

New Member
Sep 1, 2004
17
0
1
Orlando, FL
Jun 18, 2009
#6
  • Jun 18, 2009
  • #6
I like the idea of the 4V from the Mark VIII. I would need the harness for that engine as well, correct? As far as rebuilding my block, I dont think it is in good enough shape. There was a lot of metal circulating thru it during the end of its life. Also for that reason, I think I'm going to stay away from the shortblock. It would be a great option, but I would have to invest too much money in addition to it, that I think I would be better off with a complete engine. Thanks for the help so far! Is there anything else? Anybody else? What about the Saleen engine?
 

deftsound

Please ask me how much my supercharger cost
Apr 6, 2004
945
1
39
Texas City TX
Jun 18, 2009
#7
  • Jun 18, 2009
  • #7
Lesane said:
Yes or no to a 2000 S281 Saleen engine (complete with ECU and harness) with 88,000 miles for $900? Does it have forged internals? More HP? All of my stuff would mate to it, correct?
Click to expand...

I don't think they have forged internals, its just a 99-04 4.6 pi as far as i know. But still, my 99 pi has 109k miles, 15k being fi
 

mazen189

Member
Jul 31, 2007
424
0
16
I.E. southern california
Jun 18, 2009
#8
  • Jun 18, 2009
  • #8
i think your best bang for your buck is finding a PI motor with low miles for about 1k. that saleen motor you found seems to be a good steal.
or like everyone else suggested ,go 4 valve. Wish you the best of luck, i was there a couple years ago with my 98 GT, it was the saddest 1yr n half ever.
 
C

CatmanJJ

Captain Tangnet
20+ Year Stangneter
Feb 5, 2002
4,379
1
68
Maryland
Jun 18, 2009
#9
  • Jun 18, 2009
  • #9
Aluminator.
 

SaleenGT2001

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2005
2,811
4
58
Four Oaks NC
Jun 18, 2009
#10
  • Jun 18, 2009
  • #10
Lesane said:
Yes or no to a 2000 S281 Saleen engine (complete with ECU and harness) with 88,000 miles for $900? Does it have forged internals? More HP? All of my stuff would mate to it, correct?
Click to expand...

just better heads than you have.

still gonna be limited to under 450 rwhp.

just pick up a forged shortblock and turn the boost up!!
 

Mike97gt

it doe snot
Founding Member
Jan 26, 1999
10,633
7
89
the people's republic of massachusetts
Jun 18, 2009
#11
  • Jun 18, 2009
  • #11
CatmanJJ said:
Aluminator.
Click to expand...

I am kicking around the idea for a aluminator build myself.. I have a 4v mark motor sitting around to use
 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
9,391
3,537
233
Jun 18, 2009
#12
  • Jun 18, 2009
  • #12
Lesane said:
I like the idea of the 4V from the Mark VIII. I would need the harness for that engine as well, correct? As far as rebuilding my block, I dont think it is in good enough shape. There was a lot of metal circulating thru it during the end of its life. Also for that reason, I think I'm going to stay away from the shortblock. It would be a great option, but I would have to invest too much money in addition to it, that I think I would be better off with a complete engine. Thanks for the help so far! Is there anything else? Anybody else? What about the Saleen engine?
Click to expand...
The non factory blown Saleens dont have anything special inside. As far as the Mark VIII swap you can use your computer. You will only lose the IMRC function but you can bypass them. Because you have a 98GT you will want a 93-96 Mark VIII because it will have the right valve covers. The 97-98s are COP so you would have to get new non-COP valve covers.

Upside is 93-96 are much more plentiful.
Should be able to score a complete engine for $500-$700. You will need a new pipe for the T-body since your new one will be a dual and in a different position.
 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
9,391
3,537
233
Jun 18, 2009
#13
  • Jun 18, 2009
  • #13
Damn double post!
 
C

CatmanJJ

Captain Tangnet
20+ Year Stangneter
Feb 5, 2002
4,379
1
68
Maryland
Jun 19, 2009
#14
  • Jun 19, 2009
  • #14
svttech76 said:
I am kicking around the idea for a aluminator build myself.. I have a 4v mark motor sitting around to use
Click to expand...

If I had to do it over again i might have just done an aluminator shortblock but whatever I'm still happy with the results so far.
 
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