Figured I'd tap the knowledge of the L-boys for parts

Right now, I'm looking seriously at some Mahle H-beam rods and PowerPak pistons in a kit for $835. Any experience with them? How do they hold up for power? Any problems with piston slap?

I'm also liking the prices I see on SCAT H-beam rods. $419 for the set for the 5.4L. Any experience with them?

This will most likely be a lightning-motor clone, using PI heads and a lightning upper/lower intake with a stock/ported Eaton blower. I'll probably set a cap of 500 hp to start after the build, but the option to upgrade to more if the desire should strike.

I was initially planning on turboing, but this route will prove to be a little easier to break into parts when it comes to buying all the necessities.

Any suggestions? Anyone got a lower/upper intake for sale?

-Flea

 

Flea

I think you'll find most of us use Manley (or Modmax by Manley) H Beam Rods. Of course you'll need all new Main and Rod Bearing's, Rings, Wrist Pins, Oil Pump, etc. Buying a complete motor kit is the easiest way to do it.

As for Piston slap, you really can't point the Blame FULLY at the pistons.

See here on the stock pistons, even Ford eventually added a Coating to prevent it



Unfortunately you WILL NOT find that coating on the aftermarket pistons, (at least not the ones I've seen, or used myself.)
Here's one of mine


I think Piston Slap is more directly related to Cylinder Boring, Piston Clearance in the cylinder, and Ring Gap.

It's quite simply, build a motor too tight and it'll wear more, run a little slower, and hotter.

Build it too loose, and it might smoke a little, make some noises, but it will run faster.

Built motors usually do have some piston slap, at least when cold.


I have a stock L upper, I may sell it ?
It does have two Nitrous Nozzle Taping's in it, but they have countersunk plugs in them, and you cant even notice it

 

I read in MMFF mag that the piston slap was due to the nature of the long stroke design/rod angle...or something like that, but anyway, they said that offset piston pins have virtually eliminated that problem..

 

Mahle pistons are coated.

 

I've been very satisfied with the info I've read regarding the Mahle pistons. I'm still just not sure on the rods yet. I've heard the Eagle rods have had large weight discrepancies (more than 10 grams in some cases!) and that Manley had quality problems? Perhaps I've been mistaken. The point is, I only want to have to build this engine once to stand up to a fair amout of abuse, but nothing more than what any of you guys would do on a built block in a daily driver.

 

for the Mod Motor H beams, Manley=Eagle=Scat=Modmax

they all come off the same forge in china. Just make sure you get the ARP2000 rod bolt upgrade

 

Exactly ^ what I've heard also.

I've read countless articles of 1500HP turbo mustangs running these "offshore" H-Beam rods and they all work. So, in a 500-75 HP Lightning, there's no worry about brand.

 

I'm back in miami and will be at the fudds meet tonight. Will i see you there?

 

If your going for major HP I would use Oliver billet rods.