VT engines.....

[Maj1151]

I did a search on VT engines out of Lansing, MI but couldn't find a lot of solid, up-to-date information.

*That being said*

Within a few months time I am going to be contacting a custom engine builder (VT, D.S.S, JDM, etc) to build me a 100% forged cobra motor to replace the stock motor in my 03 300A. So I am currently looking for anybody with first or even second hand knowledge/experience about VT engines. Reliability, craftsmanship and customer service are all obvious subjects for discussion. If anybody could help out I would greatly appreciate it.


Take care.


~M

[RR|Suki]

I own the VT marauder, their stuff is top notch, their builders are some of the best out there... vtengines.com

call the number on the site talk to jim, tell him AJ sent you his way. Nice guys really to the point though, they don't really bs around. Also they are always super busy, so be prepared to wait... alot...

that's about all I got

[MarauderMark]

May want to contact Mad3r as he also has a vt stroker engine .
Mine is built to those specs including heads(this time)by fox lake..

[juno]

I don't know what your plans are, but KARKRAFT has new/rebuilt Cobra motors complete with supercharger for 7500 bucks. In one fell swoop you could get a forged motor and supercharger. Put a smaller pulley on it and you are making some serious power. Then you will be able to use any Cobra upgrades in the future.
The swap will involve relocating the battery and finding a few Cobra accessories. Then you will have the forged motor in and your original standing by if you ever want to sell the car.




I did a search on VT engines out of Lansing, MI but couldn't find a lot of solid, up-to-date information.

*That being said*

Within a few months time I am going to be contacting a custom engine builder (VT, D.S.S, JDM, etc) to build me a 100% forged cobra motor to replace the stock motor in my 03 300A. So I am currently looking for anybody with first or even second hand knowledge/experience about VT engines. Reliability, craftsmanship and customer service are all obvious subjects for discussion. If anybody could help out I would greatly appreciate it.


Take care.


~M

[FordNut]

I don't know what your plans are, but KARKRAFT has new/rebuilt Cobra motors complete with supercharger for 7500 bucks. In one fell swoop you could get a forged motor and supercharger. Put a smaller pulley on it and you are making some serious power. Then you will be able to use any Cobra upgrades in the future.
The swap will involve relocating the battery and finding a few Cobra accessories. Then you will have the forged motor in and your original standing by if you ever want to sell the car.
Really not that easy. Check with Tom Doan, he had it done by JDM. I believe there's a thread about it on here somewhere.

[Zack]

Just buy a Cobra Motor.
Remember, your compression will be 8.5:1
I would not go any lower than 9.5:1

[juno]

Really not that easy. Check with Tom Doan, he had it done by JDM. I believe there's a thread about it on here somewhere.

Uummmm, Tom had a lot of issues not related to his final motor swap.

[STLR FN]

Just but a Cobra Motor.
Remember, you compression will be 8.5:1
I would not go any lower than 9.5:1I'm a little baffled by this comment Zack. Could you please elaborate?

[Zack]

I'm a little baffled by this comment Zack. Could you please elaborate?

What baffles you? I fhe wants to have a forged Cobra internal shortblock, just buy one!
As far as compression, it is suicide to lower your compression lower than 9.5:1, even in boosted applications.

[SergntMac]

I drove out and met the techs at VT a few years back. Great guys, with a full service machine shop in house. Kenny Brown used them for his race engines, and the VT Marauder was built by VT as a friendly "nudge" between them. They do good work, but like most machine shops and engine builders, they build what you tell them to build. So, crack open the books and search engines, and draw your own design.

When speaking of "Cobra" engines, or, short blocks, be advised that they come in several varities depending on year of production. Iron blocks, aluminum blocks, high, medium and low compressions. All of them come with high performance con rods and steel cranks, and most of them still use the Hyperteutetic (sp?) pistons. You really need to do your homework if you are going to buy an assembled "Cobra" short block.

IMHO, the best way to go, is to start with a fresh bare block, and build from there. I seen no real advantage to an iron block over an aluminum block for street use and weekend warrior duties. However, if you're going to pour on the power in an outrageous manner, go Iron. Add a Ford racing 8 bolt steel crank, H beam rods from one of the leading manfacturers. High performance pistons are available in both forged aluminum and Hyperteutetic materials. The forged will be a tad noisy, and they weight more. The OEM Marauder heads clean up nicely for a healthy street build, but you can needlessly spend your money here too. Design carefully, and know what your goal is.

Machining and professional assembly is the most important key here, choose your shop wisely. I could add more, but why spoil your entertainment in research.

One last thing...Everyone has an opinion on what's hot and what's not, do what YOU want to do. It's all good.

[SergntMac]

Oh...And one more thing...

"Forged" engines as we speak of here, do not magically live longer than the OEM Marauder engine when used in similar applications. They take more punishment and produce more reliable power, but they have half the life expectancy over the long term plan. We've seen the Marauder engine go 100K miles here, any of us with built engines will see half that before a rebuild will be in order.

[juno]

What's confusing. I referred to a new Cobra engine with the supercharger. There is only one type of those.

I think there is a huge advantage to buying that motor and sticking it in.
You still have your stock motor.
You know exactly what you have.
You can yank it and get most of your money back. There is a better market for a stock 03/04Cobra then for a custom built motor.
You can use all the Cobra goodies.
Or their Long Blocks are $4895 if you want to keep a Marauder intake.
It's a known entity that you can make as much power as any reasonable person would want. Don't ask me to define "reasonable." :D






When speaking of "Cobra" engines, or, short blocks, be advised that they come in several varities depending on year of production. Iron blocks, aluminum blocks, high, medium and low compressions. All of them come with high performance con rods and steel cranks, and most of them still use the Hyperteutetic (sp?) pistons. You really need to do your homework if you are going to buy an assembled "Cobra" short block.

[SergntMac]

What's confusing. I referred to a new Cobra engine with the supercharger. There is only one type of those. This is true. I wasn't pointing at you, or, anyone else specifically. Just discussing engine mods in general, with my own global view of things to consider. Remember that the '03/'04 Cobra engine is a low compression build for a lighter car with a manual tranny. For the money invulved, it could be a disappointment. One thing for sure, it's not a "drop in" selection for a Marauder.

[Maj1151]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I will consider all of my options and do a lot more research.

I'll keep everybody informed of my progress.



Thanks again and take care.



~M

[STLR FN]

Just buy a Cobra Motor.
Remember, your compression will be 8.5:1
I would not go any lower than 9.5:1OK let me clarify. In the above sentence I highlighted, are you stating that is the compression ratio for the '03/'04 S/C'd Cobra motor? If so why would you not go any lower that 9.5:1 when Ford has already shown 8.5:1 is acceptable for a S/C motor. If your not stating that as a Cobra compression then what are you stating that(engine wise) as a compression ratio? That's what would be baffling.

***EDIT*** I see MAC answer the question.

[juno]

OK, several people have discussed the low compression. Is it because the car will be a real dog until the boost kicks in? You think it may have been acceptable or not really noticeable on a 3400 lb snake as opposed to our cars?



This is true. I wasn't pointing at you, or, anyone else specifically. Just discussing engine mods in general, with my own global view of things to consider. Remember that the '03/'04 Cobra engine is a low compression build for a lighter car with a manual tranny. For the money invulved, it could be a disappointment. One thing for sure, it's not a "drop in" selection for a Marauder.