Rebuilding the engine - opinions wanted

[Orange Stang 04]

Been a while since I've posted here really, but the time has come to start building the engine for my 99 Eaton swapped Cobra.

I'll first start off by saying that the car is mostly a street car, however it does see the drag strip 3-4 times a year and I wouldn't mind taking it out to an open tracking event for some fun.

Secondly, I don't have a desire for more than ~550 rwhp. So, if the time ever comes that I put a Whipple/KB on it, I'm not planning on running more than 16-18lbs of boost. But for now, the Eaton will be staying.

So, what I'm trying to do, is see if I can't keep this build under $2600 to meet these goals and have a strong, reliable engine. Just trying to get as many opinions as I can before I start spending the money. :read:

Some things I've gathered -

Diamond pistons and rings - $800 (Probe possibly as well?)
Clevite bearings - $100
Eagle rods - $550
ARP Main studs and cross bolts - $250
Torque to yield head bolts+gaskets - $120
Assembly balance + Machine work -$450
Melling Oil pump - $325

Grand total - $2595

So with those prices in mind, what do you all think? Cutting some corners I shouldn't be? Brand recommendations? Missing any big items? Any general tips?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated! :beer:

Thanks,
Mike

 

[mustanginky]

probably throw in some extra gaskets that can't be reused

 

[Tabres]

Is that an actual quote on the machine work or are you estimating?

In my experience from when I was calling around for quotes on machining and balancing you're number is way low. I spoke with probably 5 or 6 different reputable modular engine builders and I was being told anywhere from $800 to $1000 estimates.

You're missing estimates for a lot of stuff like gaskets and seals, too... crank damper bolt, assembly lube, good idea to replace some of the sensors... The little things are what will blow your budget.

 

[01yellercobra]

Search for the oil pump on ebay. There's a company that sells them for a little more then half what everyone else does. That's where I picked mine up. I'd stick with the Diamond pistons. Why not look for some used 03/04 rods? I think you can find them for around $400. And they'll handle the power level you want with no issues.

 

[01BlueCobraVert]

When I rebuilt my motor I spent around $400 on gaskets. You'll want new water pump, head, intake, oil pump etc. Also how many miles on the timing chains. My motor was $7000 to rebuild. Your prices seem way low.

 

[Orange Stang 04]

I'm sure I may be missing $200-$300 in hardware/gaskets, however I was already quoted at $3400 from a well established shop for removal, rebuild, and reinstall with all decent parts (ModMax rods, Manley Pistons, Melling pump, etc). Not trying to hold 900+ rwhp here, so I'm not going over the top, however I'm also not going to rely solely on what they tell me to throw in there. $7000 seems very high. However I've never done this, so I'm relying on you guys to help. :beer:

 

[01yellercobra]

The first time I rebuilt my motor it ran me around $4500. That was using my crank, rods, and block. I had to get new pistons, bearings, gaskets, etc. And that was with me pulling the motor and installing it myself.

 

[VirtualSVT]

Honestly what kind of retarded kid rebuilds a motor and only wants 550 rwhp.

Must be damaged or something

 

[01yellercobra]

Honestly what kind of retarded kid rebuilds a motor and only wants 550 rwhp.

Must be damaged or something

We all know it never stays that way.

 

[Orange Stang 04]

Honestly what kind of retarded kid rebuilds a motor and only wants 550 rwhp.

Must be damaged or something

How ya been Matt? Lol... Nice to see your still around (but I assume the Cobra is not anymore. :nonono: )

 

[Brutal Metal]

I'm sure I may be missing $200-$300 in hardware/gaskets, however I was already quoted at $3400 from a well established shop for removal, rebuild, and reinstall with all decent parts (ModMax rods, Manley Pistons, Melling pump, etc). Not trying to hold 900+ rwhp here, so I'm not going over the top, however I'm also not going to rely solely on what they tell me to throw in there. $7000 seems very high. However I've never done this, so I'm relying on you guys to help. :beer:

$3400 for all that is a Wonderful deal, if that shop has a good rep I'd go that route! The labor $$ HAS to be quite low on their end:rockon:

 

[VirtualSVT]

How ya been Matt? Lol... Nice to see your still around (but I assume the Cobra is not anymore. :nonono: )

Good as always...and yeah its been gone for a year now.

I miss the speed though. Looking for a replacement.

 

[05satinGT]

I'm sure I may be missing $200-$300 in hardware/gaskets, however I was already quoted at $3400 from a well established shop for removal, rebuild, and reinstall with all decent parts (ModMax rods, Manley Pistons, Melling pump, etc). Not trying to hold 900+ rwhp here, so I'm not going over the top, however I'm also not going to rely solely on what they tell me to throw in there. $7000 seems very high. However I've never done this, so I'm relying on you guys to help. :beer:

Sadly, $7000 isn't very high. It's actually about dead on IMO. If you bring it somewhere credible and have the motor done the right way, that's about how much your looking to spend. I have a friend who had is 03 cobra motor rebuild with stock internals, a whipple installed and cams and it cost him about $8000 if im not mistaken.

 

[97desertCobra]

Buy a used 03-04 Cobra short block with low miles. Have your heads resurfaced, new gaskets, head bolts/head studs and maybe new timing chains and valve springs depending on the mileage. Then turn around and sell your block and crank to recoup a little bit of cash. That would probably be the cheapest option.

 

[notchstang92]

Sadly, $7000 isn't very high. It's actually about dead on IMO. If you bring it somewhere credible and have the motor done the right way, that's about how much your looking to spend. I have a friend who had is 03 cobra motor rebuild with stock internals, a whipple installed and cams and it cost him about $8000 if im not mistaken.

You're right its not high. That quote for a complete built motor is right on. I got quoted the same figure when I wanted to have mine done. That was with me supplying my stock motor for the crank, block and any other items that were being swapped over. I could have dropped the price a little bit. The quote included billet rods, bigger oil pan, new valves, full head assy too.

 

[gmsux]

Whatever you do, take it to the best builder within driving distance of you. Don't mail it away, taking care of issues after it's built when the builder is states away is losing situation. Speaking from experience here. :-(

 

[Brutal Metal]

Whatever you do, take it to the best builder within driving distance of you. Don't mail it away, taking care of issues after it's built when the builder is states away is losing situation. Speaking from experience here. :-(

Having probs with the new motor??

 

[AntiHeightPunk]

doesn't MMR have a warranty on their motors

 

[edswhite99]

I'm in the process of having my bottom end built using diamond pistons, Manley rods, king bearings, arp hardware plus alll the gaskets (used my stock block, crank). The parts ran me ~$2200. To r&r the motor was $1600. Machining was $800. Total it's going to cost me ~$4600.