Built motor vs stock factory motor - 2003-04 Mach 1 Registry Owners Club

Hpstang · 04-23-2016, 12:55 PM

Was talking to some fellow mustang guys today and we got on a topic that I never really thought about. We were talking about built motors not lasting as long as factory motors. It seems that there is some truth to this. Maybe because we drive it harder. Push more boost or rev farther. Just wondering what you guys think? I thought it was a good topic to discuss. So for you guys with built motors is it holding up and is it as reliable as the stock motor. Knowing what you know now would you have left it alone.

Mach828 · 04-23-2016, 09:25 PM

The factory tune and components are built to last with a stock engine vs someone who is piecing everything together on a different quality standard than an auto manufacturer.

DSG2003Mach1 · 04-23-2016, 09:36 PM

Hard to beat oem for longevity, there are lots of "builders" that don't know as much as they need to for one thing. The other half being as mentioned, built motors are typically worked pretty damned hard

SLO-RIDE · 04-24-2016, 07:00 PM

Typically, an OEM motor has years of testing and engineering before we get to see it. A motor built at the local "Engine builder" only has limited time invested, and the machine work is not usually done on state of the art equipment. The tolerances kept with OEM is always much tighter too. It all adds up to a longer life.

Explosive · 04-25-2016, 09:05 AM

Apples to oranges IMO. A "built" engine is built for a purpose and usually has the snot beat out of it and will be pushed to its limits.

67bigblock · 04-26-2016, 11:37 AM

OEM motors are built to have as few issues and warranty claims as possible while providing a nice clean powerband.
A built motor is looking for more power which almost always pushes the envelope of reliability.

iudelt89 · 04-26-2016, 04:18 PM

There are a lot of factors to consider. But usually, someone with a built motor has done so for a purpose, and that is to run it to the max.

One other huge factor is the break in procedure. I think most people neglect proper break in and just go out and wail on it. Properly breaking in a motor, stock or built, can have a huge effect on power output and longevity.

You need to seat everything properly. It is hard to do though. A lot of people just go out on the highway and drive the break in miles. This is not the best way to go about it. Exercise the rev range and don't rev too high for the first couple hundred miles. Then slowly work up the rev range as you put miles on it.

DSG2003Mach1 · 04-26-2016, 04:27 PM

^^^ my builder has pretty explicit instructions on break in and the first two oil changes are some expensive *** break in (15.50/qt...Im hating life with this 9qt pan lol)

01yellerCobra · 04-26-2016, 06:07 PM

I think it's all in how well it's built. Yeah, when we build a motor we build it for more abuse. But that's why we're building it. So it can handle that abuse. My big bore set up had 20k miles on it when it died. The lower end looked pretty good when I pulled it apart. So I do believe a properly built engine can last a long time.

As for break in, I'm one of those that believes in breaking it in how it's going to be driven. If it's going to blow, it's going to do it no matter what. When I built my engine it saw full boost within the first quarter mile. It turned 100 miles on the dyno.

blk 04 mach 1 · 04-26-2016, 06:32 PM

First and foremost enjoy the car! Decide which way you want to go... I built mine to be a N/A Monster. I also show my car at local and MCA events... If you decide to build it, do your research. Ask questions in the forums... There are some amazing people here on this website that will help you out as much as possible. I think the key to a good build is research! Good luck and enjoy that beautiful rare Mach1!!!!

04-23-2016, 12:55 PM	#1
Hpstang Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Kingsland ga Posts: 398	Built motor vs stock factory motor Was talking to some fellow mustang guys today and we got on a topic that I never really thought about. We were talking about built motors not lasting as long as factory motors. It seems that there is some truth to this. Maybe because we drive it harder. Push more boost or rev farther. Just wondering what you guys think? I thought it was a good topic to discuss. So for you guys with built motors is it holding up and is it as reliable as the stock motor. Knowing what you know now would you have left it alone. __________________ 2004 Mach 1 torch red, 5 speed, Borla stingers, off road Mac ss pro chamber, k&n drop in,sct x4 with custom dyno tune 308 rwhp 324 rwtq upr delete puck, MM flsfc, wild rides upper and lower torque box reinforcement kit. MGW shifter with standard handle, speed of sound pillar with dual aeroforce gauges,Bullitts black polished lip 17x8 front 17x10.50 nitto 555r's 315/35/17, smoked tail lights,smoked 3rd brake light. Engine dress up parts. It's only just the beginning procharger coming soon

04-23-2016, 09:25 PM	#2
Mach828 Dark Knight Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 5,759	The factory tune and components are built to last with a stock engine vs someone who is piecing everything together on a different quality standard than an auto manufacturer. __________________ Vortech V2 S-trim, E85, A2A Treadstone, Comp cams, built engine, full exhaust, built rear, built 4r70, more mods. Tuned by me with SCT Advantage

04-23-2016, 09:36 PM	#3
DSG2003Mach1 700 HP Mach Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 8,384	Re: Built motor vs stock factory motor Hard to beat oem for longevity, there are lots of "builders" that don't know as much as they need to for one thing. The other half being as mentioned, built motors are typically worked pretty damned hard __________________ 03 dsg mach1 - MPR built 9.5:1 motor, D1, cams, ported intake, full exhaust, magnum t56, built rear, E85 etc... '12 F150 FX2 Supercrew with Ecoboost daily beater

04-24-2016, 07:00 PM	#4
SLO-RIDE Registered User Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Turbotville, PA Posts: 211	Re: Built motor vs stock factory motor Typically, an OEM motor has years of testing and engineering before we get to see it. A motor built at the local "Engine builder" only has limited time invested, and the machine work is not usually done on state of the art equipment. The tolerances kept with OEM is always much tighter too. It all adds up to a longer life.

04-25-2016, 09:05 AM	#5
Explosive Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 876	Re: Built motor vs stock factory motor Apples to oranges IMO. A "built" engine is built for a purpose and usually has the snot beat out of it and will be pushed to its limits.

04-26-2016, 11:37 AM	#6
67bigblock Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northeast Posts: 163	Re: Built motor vs stock factory motor OEM motors are built to have as few issues and warranty claims as possible while providing a nice clean powerband. A built motor is looking for more power which almost always pushes the envelope of reliability. __________________ 00 R 03 Mach1 DSG 04 Mach1 Red 04 F250 Harley Edition Orange/Black 04 F350 Harley Edition Black/Black

04-26-2016, 04:18 PM	#7
iudelt89 United We Stang Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Libertyvile, IL Posts: 985	Re: Built motor vs stock factory motor There are a lot of factors to consider. But usually, someone with a built motor has done so for a purpose, and that is to run it to the max. One other huge factor is the break in procedure. I think most people neglect proper break in and just go out and wail on it. Properly breaking in a motor, stock or built, can have a huge effect on power output and longevity. You need to seat everything properly. It is hard to do though. A lot of people just go out on the highway and drive the break in miles. This is not the best way to go about it. Exercise the rev range and don't rev too high for the first couple hundred miles. Then slowly work up the rev range as you put miles on it. __________________ Black Staggered FR500's, SSS Adrenaline Cat-Back, JBA o/r h-pipe, MGW Short Throw Shifter, H&R SS Springs, Bilstein HD's, MM Bumpsteer, MM CC Plates, Kenny Brown Extreme Subframe Matrix, FRPP Alum Driveshaft, 2000 Cobra R front brake kit, MM pan hard bar, MM LCA's, K&N FIPK Intake, Bama Tune, Shaker Diverter, FRPP 3.73s, Moser 31 spline axles, FRPP diff cover, FRPP Traction-Lok diff, Kenny Brown Brake Ducts '04 Black 5-Speed Mach 1, 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee

04-26-2016, 04:27 PM	#8
DSG2003Mach1 700 HP Mach Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 8,384	Re: Built motor vs stock factory motor ^^^ my builder has pretty explicit instructions on break in and the first two oil changes are some expensive *** break in (15.50/qt...Im hating life with this 9qt pan lol) __________________ 03 dsg mach1 - MPR built 9.5:1 motor, D1, cams, ported intake, full exhaust, magnum t56, built rear, E85 etc... '12 F150 FX2 Supercrew with Ecoboost daily beater

04-26-2016, 06:07 PM	#9
01yellerCobra Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,104	Re: Built motor vs stock factory motor I think it's all in how well it's built. Yeah, when we build a motor we build it for more abuse. But that's why we're building it. So it can handle that abuse. My big bore set up had 20k miles on it when it died. The lower end looked pretty good when I pulled it apart. So I do believe a properly built engine can last a long time. As for break in, I'm one of those that believes in breaking it in how it's going to be driven. If it's going to blow, it's going to do it no matter what. When I built my engine it saw full boost within the first quarter mile. It turned 100 miles on the dyno. __________________ New Ride: 2004 Mystichrome Cobra-Accufab SBTB and plenum, Steeda 2.8" upper, Bassani X, Borla Stingers, Mcleod RXT, MGW shifter, Level 5 halfshafts, chrome FR500's, Stiffler's FIT system and DS safety loop, GT pumps, BA3000, tuned by owner

04-26-2016, 06:32 PM	#10
blk 04 mach 1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hallsville Texas Posts: 953	Re: Built motor vs stock factory motor First and foremost enjoy the car! Decide which way you want to go... I built mine to be a N/A Monster. I also show my car at local and MCA events... If you decide to build it, do your research. Ask questions in the forums... There are some amazing people here on this website that will help you out as much as possible. I think the key to a good build is research! Good luck and enjoy that beautiful rare Mach1!!!!

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