Built Motor

[Kaiden]

So I had a random question that I couldn’t find any answer to. Is there any mileage number set for how long a mildly driven built motor (rods and pistons) would last? Would love to do built motor+boost just for reliability and peace of mind but the car is driven a LOT

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[ice445]

Too many variables to answer this with any certainty. You're certainly going to be far ahead of the game if you do build the shortblock though. A sealed OEM motor can do just fine for a while at around 750 or less, unless you're beating on it in specific manner (like miles of full throttle). But the risk is there.

How much power do you want to run? A built shortblock gives you a lot more flexibility. I wouldn't be surprised if you could hit OEM levels of reliability making around 750WHP, assuming your tuner knows what they're doing. It's the everything behind the motor that won't hold up at that point

 

[Kaiden]

Too many variables to answer this with any certainty. You're certainly going to be far ahead of the game if you do build the shortblock though. A sealed OEM motor can do just fine for a while at around 750 or less, unless you're beating on it in specific manner (like miles of full throttle). But the risk is there.

How much power do you want to run? A built shortblock gives you a lot more flexibility. I wouldn't be surprised if you could hit OEM levels of reliability making around 750WHP, assuming your tuner knows what they're doing. It's the everything behind the motor that won't hold up at that point

I was thinking 700-800whp. I’ve seen stock motors make it to 150k boosted, I feel like a built motor would be able to do that due to the nature of built components wearing faster under heat cycles?

 

[Kaiden]

I was thinking 700-800whp. I’ve seen stock motors make it to 150k boosted, I feel like a built motor would be able to do that due to the nature of built components wearing faster under heat cycles?

Wouldn’t*

 

[EFI]

Depends on what components you use. The biggest factor is going to be piston type, as 2618 pistons are more forgiving but they wear out the skirting quicker due to the much bigger PTW clearance. If you go with a 4032 or M142 material, those should last tens of thousands (if not hundreds) of miles as they are spec'd much tighter in the bore and are actually used in production motors.

Other than those, the rods, bearings and piston rings don't really wear out any faster on a "built" motor than stock components.

This of course if you are doing a mild boost application and by driven alot you mean mainly on the street. If you road race the car alot under boost, it's going to wear out ALOT quicker than just street driving.

 

[Kaiden]

Depends on what components you use. The biggest factor is going to be piston type, as 2618 pistons are more forgiving but they wear out the skirting quicker due to the much bigger PTW clearance. If you go with a 4032 or M142 material, those should last tens of thousands (if not hundreds) of miles as they are spec'd much tighter in the bore and are actually used in production motors.

Other than those, the rods, bearings and piston rings don't really wear out any faster on a "built" motor than stock components.

Well that’s great to know then I’m basically a noob when it comes to built components I didn’t even know they used different materials. So theoretically couldn’t a forged OEM BOSS 302 piston, or one of the 4032 pistons you mentioned be used with a forged connecting rod like Manley to create a near indestructible boost ready 5.0 to daily drive and beat on?

 

[EFI]

So theoretically couldn’t a forged OEM BOSS 302 piston, or one of the 4032 pistons you mentioned be used with a forged connecting rod like Manley to create a near indestructible boost ready 5.0 to daily drive and beat on?

Basically yes, the Boss/Roadrunner pistons I believe are 4032. I don't think they came out with the M142 material just yet, which is in the Predator engine.

It all depends on how much boost you run, there's still very much a cylinder pressure limit on what you can safely and reliably run even on those. Anything under 12psi of boost you can run it forever on a good tune and fuel. But go with more boost than that and it will greatly reduce the life span especially if the tune and/or fuel is not top notch.

 

[Kaiden]

Basically yes, the Boss/Roadrunner pistons I believe are 4032. I don't think they came out with the M142 material just yet, which is in the Predator engine.

It all depends on how much boost you run, there's still very much a cylinder pressure limit on what you can safely and reliably run even on those. Anything under 12psi of boost you can run it forever on a good tune and fuel. But go with more boost than that and it will greatly reduce the life span especially if the tune and/or fuel is not top notch.

Ah gotcha good to know them might be the plan honestly, that’s what I meant tho, near indestructible at 700-800, Ik past that it’s the block that has issues. Appreciate ur help!

 

[Jstang23]

A very reputable tuner near me drove his 1100 whp gen 2 coyote (just pistons, gaskets, and longer studs) for 120000 miles before it blew a head gasket. Then just replaced the gasket and kept on driving. Not to say you'd have the same experience, but the coyote is a very strong motor and can handle a lot more than people give it credit!

 

[Kaiden]

A very reputable tuner near me drove his 1100 whp gen 2 coyote (just pistons, gaskets, and longer studs) for 120000 miles before it blew a head gasket. Then just replaced the gasket and kept on driving. Not to say you'd have the same experience, but the coyote is a very strong motor and can handle a lot more than people give it credit!

Holy crap that’s insane, any idea what pistons?

 

[Jstang23]

Holy crap that’s insane, any idea what pistons?

I believe they were Diamond 2618 Forged Pistons!

 

[Kaiden]

I believe they were Diamond 2618 Forged Pistons!

Will definitely need to look into it haha. I DON’T need all that power so maybe not those exact ones but great to know even 2618 pistons last that long!

 

[Jstang23]

Will definitely need to look into it haha. I DON’T need all that power so maybe not those exact ones but great to know even 2618 pistons last that long!

My advice to you is if you want to have a "bulletproof" motor that lasts a long time, then go for the upgrade just above the power you want to make. So in this case buy pistons that are rated for 1000 hp!

 

[Kaiden]

My advice to you is if you want to have a "bulletproof" motor that lasts a long time, then go for the upgrade just above the power you want to make. So in this case buy pistons that are rated for 1000 hp!

Sounds great! That was reletively the plan just didn’t know how many miles they would last, as I do DD the car a LOT

 

[Jstang23]

Sounds great! That was reletively the plan just didn’t know how many miles they would last, as I do DD the car a LOT

It'll definitely last a long time but keep in mind the higher power engines require more maintenance and care. For example, you'll need to run higher weight oil, change gaskets and plugs more often. Its also imperative you let your engine warm up before driving. Just gotta take car of your engine like a princess so you can drive it like a monster!

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