I have to say that I couldn't be happier with my choice to use Michael (and crew) at L&M Engines to build the engine for my 2014 Shelby. I did a lot of research and talking with people that had used Michael before and I had even installed several of his engines in customers vehicles over the years that they had purchased from him and brought to me. I am a Senior Master Ford Technician that could have very easily put my own engine together but made the choice to let someone that puts these HIGHEND engines together everyday tackle this project. Michael and I talked several times before the engine was ever sent his way and he ALWAYS had/made time to come to the phone or call me right back even before I was a customer. Once the engine was shipped his way, I asked for a short deadline so I could make the March Texas Mile event. He got started on my engine in a VERY timely manner and called anytime there was something that needed to be decided or I needed to know about. I told him I wanted a reliable engine and to let me know if there was anything extra we needed to do. I realized that anytime I am going for a "all out" build there is a chance of failure. If 1000hp was easy to control, make reliable, and be cost effective then Ford would have done it in the first place.
As for the engine build, I shipped Michael a brand new 5.8L aluminum block after we had lengthy talks about pros/cons of sleeving my damaged block. I also shipped him the factory crank, heads, and the aftermarket cams I already owned. I told him if I could make more power with his cams to make it worth spending the extra money then to install his cams. He measured and checked the specs on my used cams at no charge to me and informed me that he didn't feel the difference would be worth the costs, which I respected the fact he was honest and not trying to make easy money that I had already said I would spend. The engine was built to what I consider the "normal" L&M Engines GT500 engine build with diamond pistons, manley rods, factory crank(balanced), ported heads, oil pump gears, and my camshafts. After several talks we did make the decision to go ahead and upgrade the timing chains to the "FORD GT" timing for the added security that maybe it would help save the motor if limiters were hit too many times.
Engine was then sent back to me in half the deadline time that I had asked for(remember I am a first time customer with no connections). Engine was then set in the car with American racing headers, fore fuel system, ati balancer(Michael double keyed hub and installed for me), factory intercooler, ported tvs blower by billet pro shop, jlt 155 intake. I would like to thank Jordan Weir over at Weir Racing for supplying everything that went into this build except for the engine. All worked was performed by myself. Vehicle received a "email" tune for the guys over at Lund Racing. Everything wrapped up and engine was fired for the first time on the Monday before the Texas Mile, strapped it down on the dyno on Tuesday and on the first tune that was sent the car made 959hp at 7000rpm. Car went into the trailer on Wednesday and was running the Texas Mile on Friday. We bumped up the boost and tweaked the tune at the Texas Mile to get well up over the 1000hp mark. Car ran 214.8MPH on Sunday morning after going through licensing on Friday and Saturday. Was kindly hinted at by track officials to put it in the trailer due to rollcage only tech'ed to 215MPH.
Car has since been back to the Colorado mile, many many many street hits, and then went 9.51@149 in the quarter mile with FULL vehicle weight. Car has been driven everytime I get in it like it was built to be driven and keeps on ticking. I would love to say that I am a perfect driver and have not missed a shift here and there but I am human. The engine keeps on ticking and make huge power for the low boost we are feeding it. I am sure everyone as usual is going to say it is impossible and I can save you the time. It is a SUPER efficient engine with VERY low restriction and everyone knows boost is only a measure of restriction. The car is pullied to make over 20psi of boost but we never even come close to seeing that number! The MPH in the mile and et/mph in the 1/4 is all the proof I need and dyno's don't win races, but L&M engines with Weir Racing parts/support and Lund Racing tuning does win races!!!!
Special Thanks to the following because none of this would be possible without them!!!
Michael and Denise and Crew @ L&M engines for the heart of the beast
Jordan Weir @ Weir Racing for every other part
Mat and Sylvain @ Billet Pro Shop for their TVS work
Jon Lund Jr @ Lund Racing for the tuning
My better half and boss for their support and patience
As for the engine build, I shipped Michael a brand new 5.8L aluminum block after we had lengthy talks about pros/cons of sleeving my damaged block. I also shipped him the factory crank, heads, and the aftermarket cams I already owned. I told him if I could make more power with his cams to make it worth spending the extra money then to install his cams. He measured and checked the specs on my used cams at no charge to me and informed me that he didn't feel the difference would be worth the costs, which I respected the fact he was honest and not trying to make easy money that I had already said I would spend. The engine was built to what I consider the "normal" L&M Engines GT500 engine build with diamond pistons, manley rods, factory crank(balanced), ported heads, oil pump gears, and my camshafts. After several talks we did make the decision to go ahead and upgrade the timing chains to the "FORD GT" timing for the added security that maybe it would help save the motor if limiters were hit too many times.
Engine was then sent back to me in half the deadline time that I had asked for(remember I am a first time customer with no connections). Engine was then set in the car with American racing headers, fore fuel system, ati balancer(Michael double keyed hub and installed for me), factory intercooler, ported tvs blower by billet pro shop, jlt 155 intake. I would like to thank Jordan Weir over at Weir Racing for supplying everything that went into this build except for the engine. All worked was performed by myself. Vehicle received a "email" tune for the guys over at Lund Racing. Everything wrapped up and engine was fired for the first time on the Monday before the Texas Mile, strapped it down on the dyno on Tuesday and on the first tune that was sent the car made 959hp at 7000rpm. Car went into the trailer on Wednesday and was running the Texas Mile on Friday. We bumped up the boost and tweaked the tune at the Texas Mile to get well up over the 1000hp mark. Car ran 214.8MPH on Sunday morning after going through licensing on Friday and Saturday. Was kindly hinted at by track officials to put it in the trailer due to rollcage only tech'ed to 215MPH.
Car has since been back to the Colorado mile, many many many street hits, and then went 9.51@149 in the quarter mile with FULL vehicle weight. Car has been driven everytime I get in it like it was built to be driven and keeps on ticking. I would love to say that I am a perfect driver and have not missed a shift here and there but I am human. The engine keeps on ticking and make huge power for the low boost we are feeding it. I am sure everyone as usual is going to say it is impossible and I can save you the time. It is a SUPER efficient engine with VERY low restriction and everyone knows boost is only a measure of restriction. The car is pullied to make over 20psi of boost but we never even come close to seeing that number! The MPH in the mile and et/mph in the 1/4 is all the proof I need and dyno's don't win races, but L&M engines with Weir Racing parts/support and Lund Racing tuning does win races!!!!
Special Thanks to the following because none of this would be possible without them!!!
Michael and Denise and Crew @ L&M engines for the heart of the beast
Jordan Weir @ Weir Racing for every other part
Mat and Sylvain @ Billet Pro Shop for their TVS work
Jon Lund Jr @ Lund Racing for the tuning
My better half and boss for their support and patience
