Fordracing.com short block vs. aftermarket internals

[CheeseEater88]

I was wondering what would be better, cheaper and faster...

My cougar is my daily driver... and I do have a back-up... a Colbalt ... its not really a car if you ask me. *cringes at the thought of driving it's automatic slowness*


I was talking to some friends and they seem to lean towards the short block... just for simplicity.

this car is going to be boosted... over 230hp but under 300hp

the nice thing is... the short block cost only $615... and is like a new engine.

or should I get a complete focus zetec for around $2500, do cams and everything else including F/I and have a summer engine.


so can I get some pros V. cons on the aftermarket side of things

[kpeeks]

Just build the block with aftermarket internals. The FRPP block is a waste of money honestly. If you want tough block go to Focus Power, you can get a stroker block for a decent price.

[Turbo Zetec 'tour]

just save yourself the hassle and buy the focus power engine. in order to build an engine yourself and have it equivelant to the focus power engine would cost you close to $6K.

if you have no intentions of EVER going above 300BHP then why not buy a used focus engine with low miles. put your oil pan and head on it and go from there.

[CheeseEater88]

dumb question... cougars have the ZX3 or 2?
or does it matter?
also could I just get the short block from focus power? and save myself $1000 minus new injectors?

[Turbo Zetec 'tour]

for the extra $1000 you get a complete engine including a ported head and cams. its worth spending the little extra to get those.

i believe due to the VCT it would actually be a ZX2 engine but since i think they delete the VCT (you will have to get it turned off in your tune) it doesnt really matter.

[CheeseEater88]

well, it seems like I am not commited to $5000+ overhaul..... just yet...
what I'll do is spend the $615 on ford's short block.... maybe cryo freeze it for good measure .... then I'll put the money I saved from not buying focus power's kit into nice turbo/intake setup...
just something feasable by spring of 09' or fall of this year.
from what I hear anything below 300 was safe... its not like I want to need a 5 or six point roll cage in the cougar just to take it down the track.

and if I want that 500HP I'll buy focus powers stroker kit


btw the I4 cougar stock is low 17s with a crap driver....could only get 17.02 if I recall correctly... but its great on fuel *thumbs-up*

I'll take you advice Dan when I have a lot of cash lying around. $3500 for an engine is a great deal... and I thank you for pointing it out... but to acrew that much money would take a while especially when I have yet to buy said turbo to go with it (which is really the only reason I am building this up).
The cryo treatment should bring the endurance close to a forged internals level...
if something does go wrong.... I know what I have to buy the next time.

I also have to replace the Weapon intake.... ugly as sin... and screams something worse than rice.

[cbman]

You're going to buy the focus short block? Why?
It has stock components, so why would you do that?

If you're really going to cryo treat your engine components, just do it to your current components, and hone your cylinders and get a new set of rings. ( if you need it).

Waste of money IMHO.

Now, if you could get a slightly used SVT focus block, then there would be a block worth spending some money on. Stronger components, increased C/R, and oil squirters. But you're going to need a tune, and that will cost you approximately $400 just for the flasher. That doesn't include tuning costs, which will be more than $200. So, you're going to be spending at least $600 on just tuning.

[kpeeks]

cb is right, the fr block is a waste as you already have it in the car. now, if your gonna cryo anything get the crank treated. buy yourself some je pistons & some pauter rods.

You could build a decent block for around 1500. the head is gonna cost the most to upgrade...just a lot of labor cost & depending on your choice of valvetrain it can cost equal to or more than the labor.

[CheeseEater88]

Ok, I really didn't want to replace the valve train... like you said very expensive... and to avoid some labor issues I was thinking of getting it all done at once ie short block... I don't want to deal with sizing boring or honing, even ordeing parts.

The FR block was going to be a temporary fix and yes I know its stock.... but it does include a new everything... including stuff that is a pain to find aftermarket... ie. the crank..

I guess the point is... I am impatient... I have enough money right now to get started on something small. Enough to get a turbo set up, and possibly suspension.

So should I hold off on any form of internal mods, and boost it to around 200-225 hp... and run like that till something breaks or when I actually have enough for a stroker kit or what have you?

I have close to $3000 in the bank.. so not much to work with.
my 3K might go a little farther than normal though.... I already have friend that said they'd build up a kit for me, so parts are my major cost with 10% of the part cost going to labor. Don't worry hes a licenced mechanic, and a racer/tuner.

would I be ok running stock internals with boosted 200-225hp? so as to avoid waisting my money on the FR block... to save it up for a focus power one

[Turbo Zetec 'tour]

you have a PM.