4.6L rebuild - inquiring about engine builder

Temptation · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 03:47 PM

I have an 03 4.6L Terminator, which we have tore down, and inquring on a builder in the chicagoland area. My goal is to have 500-550RWHP.

The engine was run hard and suffured oil starvation effecting 2 main bearings the the piston and ring with #5. Not knowing what the cost of rebuilding these days, does anyone have an recommendations with a builder in the Chicagoland area?

Also maybe some do's and don'ts on thes mod motors?

Appreciate your help and time

Michael

slider701 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 04:12 PM

You might want to check out Paul's High Performance in Jackson, Michigan. It is about 3 hrs from the Chicago area but there is no one better at tuning and building 03' Cobra's than Paul. Paul did a lot of our early dyno work for us on the 2003 Cobra program and is regarded as one of the best in the mid-west.

http://www.paulshp.com/

sparks · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 04:17 PM

Theres a place called DSS Racing in st. charles il....www.dssracing.com
From what I've heard they build a good engine. They have been around for quite some time..

Jerry Clayton · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 05:52 PM

Michael

Give Corey a call at 630-532-4052

he does several supercharged motors including the Cobra 4 vaLVE

where are you located--we're in Bartlett

Jerry

slider701 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 06:23 PM

Another option is to buy one of the Ford Racing "Aluminator" short blocks like the one below:

http://www.roushyatesparts.com/4_6L_...6009-a46sc.htm

For $4300 you get a brand new aluminum short block that you can bolt your heads, supercharger, and all other accessories on. This will shed about 80 lbs off the Terminator engine that has a cast iron block....which weighs around 800 lbs as a complete engine, which I believe is heavier than a FE cast iron engine. I'm sure most people would agree that taking 80 lbs off the front of a Cobra can be valuable.

I highly doubt a local shop can rebuild your engine for less than $2500 if it needs a crank and other parts associated with oil starvation. These engines didn't like being run lean and had a tendency to severely scuff pistons and damage bearings in the process.

As part of the development team for the 2003 Terminator program with Ford I can attest to this first hand, seeing this on many test and customer cars.

SPF2245 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 08:07 PM

I second DSS, they have been around for years, they have great packages for any budget and I've watched plenty of mustangs on the west coast do well bracket racing with their 5.0/4.6 options. I'd give them a call and see what they recommend for your budget/goal.

poboy427 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 09:44 PM

DSS in St Charles, Ill. My son has used them and we have visited their shop. Great people to work with right in your area.

Temptation · #8 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slider701

Another option is to buy one of the Ford Racing "Aluminator" short blocks like the one below:

http://www.roushyatesparts.com/4_6L_...6009-a46sc.htm

For $4300 you get a brand new aluminum short block that you can bolt your heads, supercharger, and all other accessories on. This will shed about 80 lbs off the Terminator engine that has a cast iron block....which weighs around 800 lbs as a complete engine, which I believe is heavier than a FE cast iron engine. I'm sure most people would agree that taking 80 lbs off the front of a Cobra can be valuable.

I highly doubt a local shop can rebuild your engine for less than $2500 if it needs a crank and other parts associated with oil starvation. These engines didn't like being run lean and had a tendency to severely scuff pistons and damage bearings in the process.

As part of the development team for the 2003 Terminator program with Ford I can attest to this first hand, seeing this on many test and customer cars.

The issue with the engine was not severe as the crank and rods are in great shape. I have considered going with an aluminum bottom end... but was curious on the difference a properly balanced engine rebuild would quote out at.

I will agree that shedding weight up front would be good for these cars, but thought the weight of a terminator was more around 550-600lbs than 800lbs but cannot recall.

Thanks

Temptation · #9 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poboy427

DSS in St Charles, Ill. My son has used them and we have visited their shop. Great people to work with right in your area.

DSS appears to be the word... I have been to their shop (actually my uncles shop is a few blocks away) in the past and was looking for others in the area for comparison. I will give them a call.

Thanks everyone.