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Autox4fun

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Snap shot story..
Ford replaced my engine with a Ford reman, 30k miles in it lifted the head due to not cleaning one of the head bolt locations in the block. While apart I ported the heads and had them drop in ARP studs. 8K later and out of warranty it eats a couple rod bearings. I drop a used engine in with the hopes of rebuilding the reman to be better. Watching from the sidelines while @802SHO @Jordan_R @Ecoboost_xsport @bpd1151 are building their setups and taking notes.

So here we are today...
I scored a junkyard core engine for any weird extras only to find out the shop who did the swap sucked at diag-ing cars and this engine is actually still good..... needed turbos and a teflon seal on the cam actuator.... other than that it could use a valve port clean up.. dumb ***** could have save thousands... MY GAIN.

Current plans
CCS the CORE block and use that as the fun engine build, Stock rebuild the REMAN block (cus it's like when you find out who the ex-boyfriend is when you start dating a new girl - somebody has been there before)

On the shelf and ready
ARP head studs
Ported heads
Kelford springs and retainers
ported exhaust manifolds
Intake manifold prepped for water meth
raptor crank (and needed parts)
Gearhead gen 3 turbos
2 sets of Mahle gasket kits (cus it's ford anyway)
 

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Autox4fun

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Did they give you a heads up on their turnaround? They have unfortunately had staffing issues. But guaranteed me the quality will not change. I'm also letting them do the partial build, since they can balance all that on their end.

No, I did call and the guy seem bugged that I call to make sure it arrived okay.... hope that's not a sign..

Once back, If any follow up machine work is required I have a local shop that is top notch at builds. I however am going to assembly myself and save a few dollars, already have the tools.

I'll also be rebuilding a stock engine during this time, to end up selling, and there is always the one in the car currently... 3 engines one car lol what to do..
 

FREAK_SHO

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No, I did call and the guy seem bugged that I call to make sure it arrived okay.... hope that's not a sign..

Once back, If any follow up machine work is required I have a local shop that is top notch at builds. I however am going to assembly myself and save a few dollars, already have the tools.

I'll also be rebuilding a stock engine during this time, to end up selling, and there is always the one in the car currently... 3 engines one car lol what to do..
Keep rebuilt one lubed and in bag, for the unfortunate (hopefully not) event of Vvvroooom-pop of the fully machined built engine. Eliminate down time.
 

Autox4fun

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Updated the front lower control arms, inner and outer tie rod ends. Swapped out the 5 year old Powerstop rotors for some R1 guys it was clearly time.
 

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SeanDev

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No, I did call and the guy seem bugged that I call to make sure it arrived okay.... hope that's not a sign..

Once back, If any follow up machine work is required I have a local shop that is top notch at builds. I however am going to assembly myself and save a few dollars, already have the tools.

I'll also be rebuilding a stock engine during this time, to end up selling, and there is always the one in the car currently... 3 engines one car lol what to do..
He has had some attitude lately, but it's because he is doing the work of three people right now.
 

Autox4fun

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Paid for the CSS block upgrade, in a couple days it will be home, to ship - CSS - and a block cleaning = around $1300 all in toward the block update.... I think a set of Manley H beams will be on order by the weekend. Once the block is back I'll measure up the cylinders and go after a set of JE Pistons.

Over size valves have any merit in this engine? @bpd1151 @802SHO @Jordan_R @Ecoboost_xsport
 
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Ecoboost_xsport

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Paid for the CSS block upgrade, in a couple days it will be home, two ship - CSS - and a block cleaning = around $1300 all in toward the block update.... I think a set of Manley H beams will be on order by the weekend. Once the block is back I'll measure up the cylinders and go after a set of JE Pistons.

Over size valves have any merit in this engine? @bpd1151 @802SHO @Jordan_R @Ecoboost_xsport
Honestly, until cams are a reality, not really. You could splurge for some higher quality Ferrera (spelling) valves and some titanium springs/retainers, but it wouldn't be worth going larger, they won't contribute much, if anything.. IMHO.
 

802SHO

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Paid for the CSS block upgrade, in a couple days it will be home, two ship - CSS - and a block cleaning = around $1300 all in toward the block update.... I think a set of Manley H beams will be on order by the weekend. Once the block is back I'll measure up the cylinders and go after a set of JE Pistons.

Over size valves have any merit in this engine? @bpd1151 @802SHO @Jordan_R @Ecoboost_xsport
I’ve got a performance 5 angle valve job on the stock valves with supertech valve springs
 

Autox4fun

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Well, got the block back... but, missing the alignment dowel for the heads, and the head mating surface wasn't machined.... Shame on me for not removing the dowels and confirming, but one would assume the surface would have been decked to complete the service. As of now, not a 5 star review for lack of info given on the website to steer a customers knowledge of what to expect when requesting work to be completed.

The block was also return in a foamed box, not my structure I built, I assume its fire wood now lol
off to the local machine shop it goes......
 

Ecoboost_xsport

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Well, got the block back... but, missing the alignment dowel for the heads, and the head mating surface wasn't machined.... Shame on me for not removing the dowels and confirming, but one would assume the surface would have been decked to complete the service. As of now, not a 5 star review for lack of info given on the website to steer a customers knowledge of what to expect when requesting work to be completed.

The block was also return in a foamed box, not my structure I built, I assume its fire wood now lol
off to the local machine shop it goes......
Did CSS do it themselves or did you have another shop do it through CSS?
 

yaycandy

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Well, got the block back... but, missing the alignment dowel for the heads, and the head mating surface wasn't machined.... Shame on me for not removing the dowels and confirming, but one would assume the surface would have been decked to complete the service. As of now, not a 5 star review for lack of info given on the website to steer a customers knowledge of what to expect when requesting work to be completed.

The block was also return in a foamed box, not my structure I built, I assume its fire wood now lol
off to the local machine shop it goes......

Yea ive heard mixed reviews from that place. I had just gotten my miata block back from very good local shop that is just one older guy that does the ecoboost engines also. Exceeded my expectations in every way. Kinda was my trial run. Yea i can fit a ton of those engines in the trunk of my caddy lol
I have a sho block on order that he will close the deck on and do some custom work to that ive been working on in Solidworks with the engine oiling and whatnot. I drew up a dry sump system that should work with some custom work. And working on an oilpan design now.
Wont be going into my sho. I will just build it and sell it for someones project car.
DD764C20 C7AC 446C AA92 55BF8C813E46
 
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Autox4fun

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Did CSS do it themselves or did you have another shop do it through CSS?
This was direct from CSS, the office Gal wrote me a long email, stating everything is per request and always extra. In which it looks like crap currently, the plate is wavy there are small plates wedged in between the cylinder walls but not flush with the current height. Why would you want your work to go out looking like this... IMHO the job is half done, decking should be the final touch before completion... but people will read my rants and know what to ask for, and call and demand time on the phone to finalize the order prior to start...
 
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