to REBUILD OR BUY NEW MOTOR ?

[K-FAN]

i have a 1994 mark VIII and i need help it has 150k and i want to make it a show/sleeper and i know having 150k miles in due for a rebuild or a new motor but i know it will be time and money so any where can help where do i start? i bought it for 500.00 bucks and the air ride is shot

 

[torquemonkey]

Your engine is good as a daily driver to around 200k+, depending on how the previous owners maintained the vehicle. A compression and oil pressure check ought to clue you in on how much time you have, before a rebuild is necessary. (If you haven't done so already)

As a show car, your money can be spent on your choice of bling.

Sleeper/Showcar...Well, perhaps sourcing a '03 cobra engine.

Check out replacing your suspension components from one of the vendors on the right side of the page. Air bags or steel springs are up to you.

 

[unity]

A 2003+ power plant will run you about $1200 to $1500 for a like new unit. Used in Cobra, Mach 1 and Aviator they are all the same. Intake manifold being the main difference.

@ 150k I would not push the engine too hard, a compression test and such can only tell you so much. Your sorta at the fine line between rebuild/replace or risk blowing it up.

Of course it all depends on the funds available and time you can spend with the car out of service. Done right, the Mark VIII can make plenty of street power without blowing its cover.

 

[Scorpio1118_2000]

You can get it rebuilt and have the forged internals put and then add the mach 1 intake manifold, I dont know if it would be better but its just a suggestion. Good luck with your choice.

 

[segxr7]

Of course maintenance is a big factor, but I wouldn't say it's on its last legs at 150k miles. A lot of people on the various Mark 8 forums have 150-200k+ miles on the original engine, and quite a few have performance mods and run them at the track. I have yet to hear of an engine blowing up, aside from driving while it's overheating. They don't tolerate that too well.

My biggest concern at that mileage would be the transmission. If it's the original, don't expect it to last a whole lot longer.

 

[poniesviii]

A 2003+ power plant will run you about $1200 to $1500 for a like new unit. Used in Cobra, Mach 1 and Aviator they are all the same. Intake manifold being the main difference.

@ 150k I would not push the engine too hard, a compression test and such can only tell you so much. Your sorta at the fine line between rebuild/replace or risk blowing it up.

Of course it all depends on the funds available and time you can spend with the car out of service. Done right, the Mark VIII can make plenty of street power without blowing its cover.

+1

 

[Stack]

Can you put the Terminator Cobra internals into our Teksid blocks?

 

[unity]

Good question. You can put the heads on, but not sure about internals. I don think it would be worth it, better off just getting the engine done. Yes, the teskid block is stronger - but unless your pushing 1000HP plus I dont think you would NEED a teksid.

 

[vr4]

ONE.... an 03 cobra does NOT have the same internals as a mach 1 or aviator.

TWO.... an 03 cobra block is stronger than the teksid. its not the WAP aluminum block. its iron.

you can most likely put 03 cobra internals in. just make sure all measurements are withen spec.

 

[MediumD]

Engines don't just randomly blow up due to mileage. A compression/leakdown test will give you an idea of the health of the motor. Pulling it apart and checking bearings and re torquing if everything is in spec will leave you with a motor with no more chance of failure than a new one...

 

[Sergmark]

You only paid 500.00 for it If you have the time and the cash it is well worth the effort to fix it up , even the suspension !! Just do It !!

 

[LSCGODDESS98]

any pics..let see!!!!

 

[unity]

"Engines don't just randomly blow up due to mileage. A compression/leakdown test will give you an idea of the health of the motor. Pulling it apart and checking bearings and re torquing if everything is in spec will leave you with a motor with no more chance of failure than a new one..."

Thats true. But a compression test and leak-down wont guarantee anything either. Not that it should NOT be done, by all means. I am just getting at the fact that to spend time and money on something that is worn versus building up on something that, by probability, will hold up just fine. I know plenty of NEW engine that have blown. Milage is just ONE indicator and at 150 why spend the time, money not know IF it will last another 10k or 100k when you can spend a little now know that in all likely hood you will have an engine that WILL go another 150k without question.

 

[Roadboss]

Before you start into replacing engines I would get your air ride in shape and maybe go to the module 8 setup for something on the show/sleeper look, then maybe on to replacing the spindles over to the cobra units so you can have more wheel/tire options as well as fancy brake calipers. There is no reason to rebuild your motor at this point unless it is really broke. Hell tune-ups occur at 100,000 miles on these cars

 

[K-FAN]

ill post some pictures when i get back from that cold stat of minnesota on febuary 3rd 2007 k

 

[ALBUNDY]

BTW is $$$ an issue?

 

[K-FAN]

moneys not the issue its just that when i moved from minnesota to NC the air ride setup was acting goofy as h##$ and i coundt fix it in time

 

[K-FAN]

the 500.00 prize from minnesota safley in north carloina

any pics..let see!!!!

 

[98LSC32V]

A good way to tell how well the engine is doing is to get your used oil checked out by BlackStone Labs... they will be able to tell you if their is something wrong with the engine. A compression/leakdown test is very good as well.