MMR vs Mod Max

[4n_eatr]

I couldn't find anything bad about Mod Max, but nothing really good either. Completely different story with MMR, it's either rave reviews or horror stories. Has anyone here had any experience with either company? Looking at a forged rotating assembly for a 5.4. Any other discussion threads at the bigger sites gets taken over by MMR who sponsors on the sites.

[slow86fiveoh]

My brother used a set of mod max rods in his cobra motor and couldn't keep rod bearings in it had it to 3 different machine shops and it spun rod bearings every time could have been a fluke or 3 machine shops didn't know what they were doing

[cstreu1026]

If you are just using them for parts I don't think it matters, bourbon wouldn't let MMR build anything for me.

[rtvickers]

Are you looking for a 5.4 short block or just the rotating assembly? And how much are you looking to spend? Ill see what I can find.

[4n_eatr]

Just the rotating assembly. Mod Max has them for about 2,000, balanced with H-beam rods and ARP2000 fasteners. MMR is about the same with I-beams, but has a military discount. I can pick up a block from pull and pay for about 250 and i cant find much of a difference in the $1000 blocks other than they're "new". Also MMR says all their parts are made in USA and Mod Max doesn't say one way or another.

[4n_eatr]

If you are just using them for parts I don't think it matters, bourbon wouldn't let MMR build anything for me.

Yeah Mike would be putting it together so I'm not too worried about the "build" quality, just parts. I still have to talk to him about it. I'm sure he can recommend some companies. I'm just trying to find a good value ad get different opinions.

[rtvickers]

Have you looked into buying Ford parts? There's a dealership on svtp that offers a hugh discount. 10% over cost is what they charge. They're called Tousley Ford. They have a thread over there called something like WhooHoo online parts. They will give you a quote. Ive dealt with them before and have gotten things for almost half price. For some reason the site isn't loading on my pc tonight so I can get to most of their site. Maybe tomorrow. Get a price on their 5.4 gt500 rotating assembly.

[4n_eatr]

Just signed up over there. Ill post up and see what happens.

[slow86fiveoh]

Why not let the engine builder purchase the parts considering they can prolly save u a few bucks through them

[4n_eatr]

Thats true. I haven't talked to him yet because I'm having my current setup tuned in the next few weeks so when I go in there ill see what he says. I'd just like to get a good idea of which ones are good and which ones are junk so if he gives me a few options I know what route I want to go.

[cstreu1026]

Most name brand pistons are made in the USA. A lot of rods are manufacturered off shore including a lot of big names. Mod Max's pistons are made by CP. I am imagine their rods are forged over seas just like Probe, DSS, etc. I know Probe's rods come from RPM International which is the same rod I have in my car and the same rods Tim Matherly ran in his real sreet engines. Depending on your goals Probe stuff seems to be a pretty good choice.

[4n_eatr]

Ill look at those. With the ModMax I chose the Manley option. Should I be Looking at the CP upgrade over the Manley?

[cstreu1026]

I know Mike's preference is for CP. He used their pistons in his real street car and I'll be using a set in the next engine I build. We were both pretty happy with the DSS GSX pistons in my current engine. At the time I ordered them they were the only people offering off the shelf pistons with valve reliefs for TFS heads.

[Brandon Alsept]

Whoever you have building it for you get the parts they suggest for you. I wouldn't buy a thing off MMR.

[4n_eatr]

Whoever you have building it for you get the parts they suggest for you. I wouldn't buy a thing off MMR.

That's what I mean. All the good stuff you hear about them sounds like the person is sponsored by them. And all the bad stuff is simply "just stay away".
It might be safer to just piece one together instea of buying a "kit".

[Yellow01stang]

My modmax rods are manleys. Bearings looked brand new at tear down.

[4n_eatr]

Ill talk to mike, but Tommy's idea came through in a BIG way. Might just be getting a FRPP Racing 5.4 short block.

[cstreu1026]

They only offer one 5.4 shortblock and they run about $4K
http://www.fordracingpartsdirect.com/5_4L_FORGED_IRON_SHORT_BLOCK_p/m-6009-c54sc4.htm

I'm not sure but if they are intended as a replacement for GT500's you might run in to issues with motor mounts. I'm not positive but I think the 05+ cars have different mounting locations or somethign like that.

[rtvickers]

Im not sure if the Navigators had forged internals but you could check on the parts for one of them that had the 5.4.

[4n_eatr]

You can get it through SVTperformance for $3500 with free shipping. I'm not buying it tomorrow but its an option. I'm still getting everything figured out before I take the plunge. They also offer a forged GT500 rotating assembly for 1500.
Tommy, I'm trying to find that out. I keep getting different people saying different things. From what most people are saying, all 5.4a up to 2001 had forged crank, rods and pistons. After 01 they went to a cast crank and forged rods/ pistons except the lightnings which kept the forged crank. But then some people say they had powdered rods after 2001. It's a cluster%^*#.... Good thing I have some time to figure this out, lol.

[cstreu1026]

I don't think the Lightnings had good rods from the factory like the 03/04 Cobras. They might have had forged cranks and pistons with powdered metal rods.

[jeep45238]

What about an Eagle rotating assembly? Fully forged (with crank) from summit for $2000-$2400 depending on what you want.

It may not be a 5.4L, but they do have stroker kits, and it might save some hassle in the end.

[rtvickers]

Something I found while I was playing on google.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ENGINE-MOTOR-LONG-BLOCK-Lincoln-Blackwood-2002-03-Navigator-2003-04-/151065698122

[rtvickers]

Here's a discussion I found when searching on google.

http://www.f150online.com/forums/v8-engines/363221-difference-between-lightning-regular.html

And here's some reading material from Sullivan.
http://www.sullivanperformance.com/yvs450/tech/tech.htm

And some from Corral.
http://forums.corral.net/forums/svt-dohc/1250177-my-4v-5-4l-swap-thread.html

[rtvickers]

See what you did? I cant stop. We need to sit down and talk.

http://www.sn95mustangs.com/index.php?page=articles&op=readArticle&id=80&title=5-4-Swap-Write-Up

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/4-6l-tech/166185-5-4-2v-engine-swap.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqMOF2I4qV8

[4n_eatr]

Damn! Lmao... See what I miss by not having a computer? The mobile search function sucks...

[cstreu1026]

Out of curiosity if you have an engine with forge rods and pistons why would you go through all of the trouble to swap a 5.4?

[rtvickers]

Damn! Lmao... See what I miss by not having a computer? The mobile search function sucks...

I searched for some of it on google from my phone.

[4n_eatr]

Out of curiosity if you have an engine with forge rods and pistons why would you go through all of the trouble to swap a 5.4?

Mike called DSS and it doesn't. It just has forged pistons so I was going to upgrade everything anyway the only extra thing if have to buy is a block, intake adapters and modifying the exhaust. If I can ever get the time off to get over there and drop my car off, he's going to bore scope the pistons to see what kind of condition they're in. The prognosis probably isn't good, seeing as how the car has been a weekend track car so it was ran hard with 150 shot used on it for who knows how long. That's why I haven't ran it at the track yet. I get on it on the cruises but for the most part I'm pretty easy on her.

Ok Tommy I have no excuse, lol...

[orangeconv]

I have a few blocks and a crank if your interested. navi crank so its forged

[jeep45238]

And seal that dang gone IAT sensor up already. Want me to bring a tube of silicone to Lebanon Ford on Saturday?

[4n_eatr]

I have a few blocks and a crank if your interested. navi crank so its forged

PM sent


jeep45238 And seal that dang gone IAT sensor up already. Want me to bring a tube of silicone to Lebanon Ford on Saturday?


Lol, I already did. Along with a bunch of other stuff that decided to go bad in the last few days, lol