New AKE short block

I haven't really talked about it but my oil pan collected the remains of #2 Piston and Rod. (first picture)
As you can see by the picture, I needed some new parts. After thinking about it, I decided to get something with better than stock parts to hopefully keep this from happening again. After talking to Adam, I checked pricing and availability on a new short block from MAP, CP-E, FFTec and AKE, I went with AKE due to the price ($3000) short time frame (2 weeks) and no core charge!

This is the entry level Stage 1 short Block. The Stage 1 has Manley H beam rods, custom spec'd .5mm over Manley pistons, balanced rotating assembly with Balance shaft delete and Keyed crank to lock the timing gear in place. Stage 2 adds a Deck support, for my power level stage 1 should be just fine!

This should support my Wes King ported head and Vargas stage 2 turbo nicely!

I also purchased Beehive Springs and TI retainers from AKE, I did this to prevent any chance of valve float.

Pictures of my ported head, it now has MAP +1mm valve, MAP valve guides and AKE beehive springs. The flow numbers listed are with stock valves and no valve job. Stock head flow maxed out at 154 Intake and 124

Very cool! I haven't heard of AKE.

Good stuff!! What are you target power goals? I really sometimes wish my car would snap a rod just to use it as an excuse to build it. Lol.

Nice upgrade. Are you doing the work yourself? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on what made the stock block end up like that too.

Subbed: Pure Engine porn there

What are your plans for aux fuel? I remember Adam saying a ported head would outflow the stock fuel system easy.

3k hmm I have 3k....and the vargas too!!! Lol
Good luck with build

Nice, good luck!

Very awesome, I've been thinking of going the ported head and built shortblock route. How much did everything set you back?

PewterCam said:

Good stuff!! What are you target power goals? I really sometimes wish my car would snap a rod just to use it as an excuse to build it. Lol.

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My power goals are 450+ Believe me it would be way cheaper if parts could be re-used from the old engine. I don't wish anyone's oil pan to look like mine

Bullitt said:

Nice upgrade. Are you doing the work yourself? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on what made the stock block end up like that too.

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with the exception of the short block I am assembling it. As for what happened to the engine, I'm not sure if the rod or piston let go first. biggest piece of the piston is about 1"

Glenn G said:

Subbed: Pure Engine porn there

What are your plans for aux fuel? I remember Adam saying a ported head would outflow the stock fuel system easy.

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I had just put this head and FR cams on my stock short block, made it 270 miles and the bottom end gave up. I was out of fuel on pump gas. I'll be looking for a aux fuel system after I get it back on the road and recover from all the money I've spent on the engine.

Damn, it sucks that this happened to your engine. Somewhere I have a similar picture of the oilpan from my 572" chrysler big block that tossed one. Previous owner accidentally disabled the rev limiter. A 15:1 motor with light internals revs quickly, faster than he could lift his foot. We're guessing it saw about 10,000 rpm, but we don't know. It tore the hell out of a lot of stuff, cracked the block (which is repairable since the block is aluminum), made a real mess. That's why I was able to afford the car. I'm glad a built shortblock for these is so cheap, and considering how new they are, 3 grand with no core charge IS cheap.

Fast64ranchero said:

My power goals are 450+ Believe me it would be way cheaper if parts could be re-used from the old engine. I don't wish anyone's oil pan to look like mine

with the exception of the short block I am assembling it. As for what happened to the engine, I'm not sure if the rod or piston let go first. biggest piece of the piston is about 1"


I had just put this head and FR cams on my stock short block, made it 270 miles and the bottom end gave up. I was out of fuel on pump gas. I'll be looking for a aux fuel system after I get it back on the road and recover from all the money I've spent on the engine.

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Oh man, you absolutely cannot run a ported head on this engine at all without aux fuel, you will be super lean, that's probably what killed your stock block!

Logs show I was ok on fueling but no room for E30 like I was hoping. I'm going to try straight race gas and or N2O until I get something for aux fueling

Kuronos said:

Very awesome, I've been thinking of going the ported head and built shortblock route. How much did everything set you back?

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Sorry didn't your post. I haven't figured everything out yet but I'm into the head as much as the short block. I can tell you if you upgrade a running engine it will be alot cheaper, due to being able to reuse stuff like oil pump, pickup pan, chain, oil squirters, that stuff adds up fast