New motor, need advice.

shifty4.6

Member
Sep 1, 2003
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I have a 2002 gt that I recently blew my motor. I've been expecting it to happen but for some reason in my mind I thought getting a new motor would be an easy task. I've talked to a few people and I keep getting different opinions. I have a vortech T-trim with a pro charger 3 core inter cooler, I have all minor bolt ons and I would like to get decent power but I would prefer a more bullet proof motor. I'm looking at spending anywhere from 5k to 10k but that would include everything. I've always been intrigued with the 4v, especially the aluminator but I'm not 100% sure on how many different upgrades I'll need to fit my car, or if it's even price effective. Also if I have some bore my motor and stroke my motor is that even durable? Am I better off buying a crate motor and if so through who? I've looked at Sean hyland and that looks like I'd be spending upwards of 15k! Any advice from someone who's been there or has had good experience.
 
What power levels are you wanting? That will give an indication of what you are going to pay. I just priced out 2 longblocks, one from DSS one from MMR. Easily under 10k with heads and cams (TFS heads too). Then all you got to do is install it. They will hold 600rwhp....but at that level, you are going to have to start upgrading a lot more stuff.

Just let us know what you are wanting in the end, and we can help figure something out.
 
I was actually looking for around 500rwhp. I still have the stock transmission and I was already sort of planning on replacing that as well. I have even thought of selling my supercharger to get a twin screw but with the power I'm looking for I don't know if I really need too.
 
You didn't specify what went wrong with your engine. If the heads are fine, then you can get a MMR 600 short block or an MMR 900 short block and just move over all of the components from your current engine to the new engine. If you did the work yourself you could easily do it all for under $5K. OTOH, if you wrecked the heads when the engine blew, then that will add $1000 to $2500 to the cost of the short block depending on what heads you buy (stock, ported, or TFS)
 
The heads are fine my pistons have just worn and it flooded the motor. The actually motor didn't blow but it's non operable. I I sure I could reuse the heads but from with the power I was looking for I figured the stock heads wouldnt be enough. Am I incorrect in that assumption.
 
What was happening is whenever I drove over 3000 rpm's my motor would bog out. It finally got to a point where it wouldn't even idle with out stalling. Dumb move for still driving it but it was my only at at the time and I was planning on replacing it.
 
Ported heads would probably be a good option for you. Nick McKinney at MHS has a good deal on ported head/cam combo's, and that actually would decrease the amount of stress on the short block because you'd be making the engine more efficient. He'll also give you some money for your stock heads towards the purchase of his heads, though it isn't much (like $50 or $100).

Regardless a ported head/cam package from MHS would be between $2000 - $2500, and it would include assembled heads that already have the cam and cam gear installed and degree'd. IMO he offers some of the best head/cam packages in the 2V industry, and he's very knowledgeable and helpful if you have questions. Add these heads and cams to a MMR short block and I think you'd be quite pleased at the results.
 
Ported heads/cam are the only way to go. I used Livernois on mine and I have to retard my timing to 9 degrees for pump gas. I still get 500rwhp and 28mpg on the highway. When I use better gas, I can get 650+ (probably closer to 700 now) and go berserk.