2013 PP SHO RE-build/upgrade thread

[Jordan_R]

Block from ford $700
CSS $1400
Manley Internals $1500
Local Machine shop work probably $1000

Total cost under $5k for a built motor that can handle all the power you put at it. You don't have to use a big brand complete box store. Machine shops have been doing this stuff for decades on decades and only thing you get from a "name brand" place is an extra cost.

This would be comparable to LMS $8500 "race series" build

 

[BweegN]

This is great!
Okay so we have:
RMB (great info on the website. The F150 block is different than ours though, right?)
From a marketing stand point, RMB would be my first choice.

CSS (looks like a good local shop but may have to provide them w/ parts?)

Livernois(loud and clear on that one LOL)
See, they get you pretty well on the website as well. But, yes, prices are up there for sure.
I actually stopped in and bought my mods on scene. Bought the car in Mich. and they were close by.
Filled the trunk with goodies and went on my way. I do sit here an wonder if the tune had any responsibility in the motor?

Max Power Auto (gotta check em out...quite a ways away from me tho)

Anyone hear of or deal with RPM in Georgia, VT? Website looks heavy Ford, V8's.

I just hear this block can be specific so I get all nervous.
On the same token, in the end game, it's a fricken internal combustion engine....C'mon!
I'll check out ortiz for parts as well!

Hoping to have the mill out of the car today so I gotta get my @SS calling some ppl ASAP.
Local would be sweet so I can drive it somewhere but I'll take quality and completion over that all day.

 

[BweegN]

EXACTLY! I just have to keep reminding myself of this.

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[Ecoboost_xsport]

This is great!
Okay so we have:
RMB (great info on the website. The F150 block is different than ours though, right?)
From a marketing stand point, RMB would be my first choice.

CSS (looks like a good local shop but may have to provide them w/ parts?)

Livernois(loud and clear on that one LOL)
See, they get you pretty well on the website as well. But, yes, prices are up there for sure.
I actually stopped in and bought my mods on scene. Bought the car in Mich. and they were close by.
Filled the trunk with goodies and went on my way. I do sit here an wonder if the tune had any responsibility in the motor?

Max Power Auto (gotta check em out...quite a ways away from me tho)

Anyone hear of or deal with RPM in Georgia, VT? Website looks heavy Ford, V8's.

I just hear this block can be specific so I get all nervous.
On the same token, in the end game, it's a fricken internal combustion engine....C'mon!
I'll check out ortiz for parts as well!

Hoping to have the mill out of the car today so I gotta get my @SS calling some ppl ASAP.
Local would be sweet so I can drive it somewhere but I'll take quality and completion over that all day.

Follow RMBs IG, he also does transverse 3.5L, just doesn't advertise. Just be aware...he's an...interesting character. If you do research on him, there will likely be some dings against him you will discover. I weighed those in my decision. What ultimately pushed me to go with him was a few things. Both Matt from GH and Uwe from XDI (both whom I respect in this space) still conduct regular business and have working relationships with him. I also openly asked him about the things I read and I was comfortable with what was said. We also spoke very often and he always answered his phone, no matter time or day of the week.

And he really, really, really knows his ecoboosts...if you do decide to go with him feel free to PM me and I'll gladly help where I can.

But Max Power is also a great shop. If we've learned one thing from Livernois, don't judge a business solely on their marketing appearance...

 

[DDLopes]

RMB would be a good choice. But Ryan can be different to deal with at times. He has an excellent reputation when it comes to ecoboost engines. As for Jeff at CSS he can provide you with all the parts needed. He uses custom JE pistons, compstar rods w/ arp 2000 bolts, king bearings and raptor crank. Jeff's shortblock is rated to handle 900+ hp. His setup is almost the same as RMB. In fact RMB sends all his stage 2 blocks to CSS. Cost for the CSS shortblock is roughly $6,000 the last I knew. On my RMB shortblock I upgraded to Boostline rods and Ceramic crowns on the pistons. Ryan gave me a great discount on the rods. Most likely for the miscommunacation during the build. Either one of these builders would be a good choice.

 

[bpd1151]

@BweegN .......

From Brighton, MI. to where Max Power is located, it's roughly 3.5 to 4hrs drive.

I am using them exclusively with this current build. I've already referred a few fellow owners to them, and they to are using them currently as well.

I'm sure those owner's who are using them currently will speak for themselves regarding their experiences to date.

They've brought some extreme custom work to the platform which is highlighted in my (rather novelistic) build thread. Check it out for details.

They're not a big shop, which is fine in my book. But they do perform some incredibly detailed, highly specialized work. You'd be remiss by not at least speaking with them, and/or include them in your decision making process.

I myself was referred to them by my now (R.I.P.) recently deceased, long time mechanic. I am grateful that they are local to me.

If you'd like, you're more than welcome to pitstop at my house, before or after, if you decide to use them. I am only 15min away from them.

Good luck in your build!

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[BweegN]

I don't mind dealing with "difficult"ppl of they are providing high quality service. I live in backwoods VT so I have some famiy and know some people that are .... Interesting.

So, on RMB website I was looking at the stage 2 block so, maybe CSS is the way to go anyway

It would be nice to send the motor out sand just have it come back ready the way I want.

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[BweegN]

Pretty excited how things are coming along.
Time to start making some phone calls.

Next thing to research is the trans.

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[Michigan-SHO]

Ecoboost_xsport has done some pretty extensive research on the transmission and has documented it on his build thread. I would give that a look, it might answer a lot of questions and send you in the direction you are looking to go.

 

[High on Ethanol]

There are an insane amount of threads about RMB, I'd make sure I had everything documented and notarized with any business done there. Also pictures of his property looked.....troublesome. As well as the thousands of screenshots posted of conversations with him.
I actually spent hours laughing at most of it but.... I wouldn't if I was a customer.

Just saying..... Cover your a$$ if you do business with him.

 

[BweegN]

Ecoboost_xsport has done some pretty extensive research on the transmission and has documented it on his build thread. I would give that a look, it might answer a lot of questions and send you in the direction you are looking to go.

Great news...I see he's already up in my business so, I'm VERY thankful for that. Not to mention man, his ride looks sick! Thank You!

 

[BweegN]

There are an insane amount of threads about RMB, I'd make sure I had everything documented and notarized with any business done there. Also pictures of his property looked.....troublesome. As well as the thousands of screenshots posted of conversations with him.
I actually spent hours laughing at most of it but.... I wouldn't if I was a customer.

Just saying..... Cover your a$$ if you do business with him.

WOW! Guess I have some research to do. I just want a top quality, reliable mill that I can throw whatever power I choose at it and not have to worry about it. This makes me sad/concerned :-\
Thank You for looking out for me.

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

There are an insane amount of threads about RMB, I'd make sure I had everything documented and notarized with any business done there. Also pictures of his property looked.....troublesome. As well as the thousands of screenshots posted of conversations with him.
I actually spent hours laughing at most of it but.... I wouldn't if I was a customer.

Just saying..... Cover your a$$ if you do business with him.

Yeah, I saw all the same stuff. He's actually got a real shop nowadays. Only thing that pushed me to go with him despite all this was the working relationships he still had with GH, XDI, CSS and Full Race, as well as being blunt about asking him. And along the way I grew more comfortable with him. Remember, negative press usually travels faster and more aggressive than positive press. I know some independent back story on some of the customers who were complaining about him and I'll just say it wasn't all his fault. Two sides to every story. But as @High on Ethanol mentioned, do your research and find your comfort zone on who you want to go with. It's a lot of money regardless of who you choose. I can only speak on my own experiences.

 

[High on Ethanol]

Yeah, I saw all the same stuff. He's actually got a real shop nowadays. Only thing that pushed me to go with him despite all this was the working relationships he still had with GH, XDI, CSS and Full Race, as well as being blunt about asking him. And along the way I grew more comfortable with him. Remember, negative press usually travels faster and more aggressive than positive press. I know some independent back story on some of the customers who were complaining about him and I'll just say it wasn't all his fault. Two sides to every story. But as @High on Ethanol mentioned, do your research and find your comfort zone on who you want to go with. It's a lot of money regardless of who you choose. I can only speak on my own experiences.

I agree with you about negative press, but damn I was shocked people save that many screenshots! I don't save any conversations unless it's some type of shopping list lol

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

I agree with you about negative press, but damn I was shocked people save that many screenshots! I don't save any conversations unless it's some type of shopping list lol

Lol, I also saved everything, but I don't have anything nearly as juicy as what I saw ...but when that much money is on the line, I always save all communications anyway.

 

[BweegN]

Ideally I'm hoping CSS can do everything I need in a one stop shop. They're about 2hrs from me....RMB is 5 or 6hrs. Both are close enough where I won't have to ship anything but 4 hours total driving versus 10 to 12 can make quite a difference in terms of convenience.

What is everyone doing with their heads when they get a new short block?

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[Ecoboost_xsport]

Ideally I'm hoping CSS can do everything I need in a one stop shop. They're about 2hrs from me....RMB is 5 or 6hrs. Both are close enough where I won't have to ship anything but 4 hours total driving versus 10 to 12 can make quite a difference in terms of convenience.

What is everyone doing with their heads when they get a new short block?

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Ryan sent mine off to Headgames, which is who he uses for all is headwork. I got their Pocket Port R. Sure you could save yourself some dough sending it yourself, but I had him do basically a long block minus. He did the complete head install so that he could install the cams, timing chain and all the rest.

Video on the Pocket Port R:

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

Look, let's be honest, there really isn't anything that any of these shops are doing that you can't do yourself (outside of machine work) if you've got:

1) Time

2) Tools/Experience

I personally lack alot of #1 and maybe some of the more advanced stuff as it pertains to ecoboosts of #2. Ask @Jordan_R , he's basically doing it all himself. Sending each component individually to these shops for machine work, but essentially he's doing the install. So it CAN be done yourself.

It's a personal decision. I lack the time and wanted a one-stop shop. But I'm confident enough in my mechanical ability that I could've figured it out myself. It's a choice we all make on an individual basis, but with each choice comes some cons. Save money, just take longer? Or pay more, get it done quicker, and maybe deal with some shop issues (which many have, btw). Keep in mind, most of these engine builders don't really provide explicit warranties, but they all, to varying degrees, will support their product (hopefully) in the event it doesn't go as well as planned.

 

[Jordan_R]

I just don't want to pay full price lol...

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

I just don't want to pay full price lol...
View attachment 18079

Retail price is for chumps! LOL...