Choice of crate engine

[Joacim J]

Hi there,

I am planning for my GT40 build based on Tornado.
Looking for a suitable engine and would like your opinions/arguments.
* It will be used with an Audi 01E DQS transmission.
* I am not ready to renovate a used engine so would prefer a crate engine.
* I am mostly interested in a Ford 347 Stroker but potentially a 331 Stroker if convinced that it is a better choice.
* I would prefer to have fuel injection (I would love an 8-stack but to limit the budget for the initial build that is on parking lot)

I have created a small summary of a few options (attached as PDF)

From that summary it feels that ATK Engines have a most-bang-for-the-buck alternative (HPE-HP20C-EFI)

Some questions:
* How is ATK as a suppler and the quality of the engine?
- From this review page it seems to have a bad rating https://www.trustlink.org/Reviews/A-T-K-North-America-205702895 and in case of problems when ordering from US to Sweden - it will be complicated. I know that for every such delivery though...

* About EFI systems - any pro/cons on the included ones - FiTech vs FAST EZ-EFI ?
* Any other EFI systems that are better?

I am very interested in any other opinions you might have, so please post

Best Regards
Joacim

 

[Larry L.]

- the GT40 chassis (as I recall - someone correct me ASAP if I'm wrong) was designed for ABOUT 450 h.p. 'max'. So, bowing to that while at the same time applying the ole adage "there is no such thing as too much horsepower" to the mix - I'd go with the 347 since it comes closest to the chassis limit between the two you're considering.

- I'd be inclined to order the engine from an outfit close enough that you can walk thru their front door if things don't seem to be going as they should. I take it from what you said above, you're in Sweden. Obviously, the USA is a looooong swim away. I'd avoid a long distance purchase unless there's absolutely no other QUALIFIED shop that's a whole lot closer.

- 8 stack injection: I know a number of people who've installed 'em (various brands) and went thru hell trying to get them to run right. (Numerous hours attempting to 'tune' over the phone AND on site.) All but one has replaced their F.I. with carbs as a result. 'Just sayin'...

Just my personal opinion. Others may vary - and probably will, sir...

 

[Jason Lycett]

Hi Joacim.

One problem with a crate engine is that you will almost certainly need to strip it apart again to get the crank, rods and pistons balanced to your clutch and flywheel. That is unless you find a builder to supply you a zero balance crankshaft. I spoke with Prestige Motorsports of North Carolina, who gave me a great quote to include a forged 331 crank with a zero balance. This means I only need to get my clutch and flywheel balanced. If I ever change my flywheel and clutch combo I don't need to remove my engine internals to get them rebalanced. Worth considering. I'm also going to use the Fitech efi system as they are warranted in the UK and get very good reviews. They are also less messy than other efi systems that have separate ECU's and sensors etc.

 

[Joacim J]

- the GT40 chassis (as I recall - someone correct me ASAP if I'm wrong) was designed for ABOUT 450 h.p. 'max'. So, bowing to that while at the same time applying the ole adage "there is no such thing as too much horsepower" to the mix - I'd go with the 347 since it comes closest to the chassis limit between the two you're considering.

- I'd be inclined to order the engine from an outfit close enough that you can walk thru their front door if things don't seem to be going as they should. I take it from what you said above, you're in Sweden. Obviously, the USA is a looooong swim away. I'd avoid a long distance purchase unless there's absolutely no other QUALIFIED shop that's a whole lot closer.

- 8 stack injection: I know a number of people who've installed 'em (various brands) and went thru hell trying to get them to run right. (Numerous hours attempting to 'tune' over the phone AND on site.) All but one has replaced their F.I. with carbs as a result. 'Just sayin'...

Just my personal opinion. Others may vary - and probably will, sir...

Thanks @Larry L. for your opinion. As there is (almost ) no right or wrong - just compromises
Yes, my gut feeling says 347 also so most likely going for that, even if I have heard that 331 handle higher revs.

I know it is a bit of risky business to order a large engine with a lot of water in between. But the market is a lot bigger in US than in Sweden. Likely that motivates to shop from a large supplier like Ford Performance or maybe Roush Performance.

About 8-stack injection - I agree. Beside cost I also suspect complexity and I want to build the version 1 of the car as "good enough for now" and improve over time. So carbs or "integrated" EFI system to start with.

 

[Joacim J]

Hi Joacim.

One problem with a crate engine is that you will almost certainly need to strip it apart again to get the crank, rods and pistons balanced to your clutch and flywheel. That is unless you find a builder to supply you a zero balance crankshaft. I spoke with Prestige Motorsports of North Carolina, who gave me a great quote to include a forged 331 crank with a zero balance. This means I only need to get my clutch and flywheel balanced. If I ever change my flywheel and clutch combo I don't need to remove my engine internals to get them rebalanced. Worth considering. I'm also going to use the Fitech efi system as they are warranted in the UK and get very good reviews. They are also less messy than other efi systems that have separate ECU's and sensors etc.

Thanks @jason lycett for the input.
I like "modularized" things (also when working as IT Architect ) - not needing to change everything when one part need change.
Summit had a FAQ for Blueprint saying this "but this engine has a 28oz. imbalance. This would require you to change the flexplate/flywheel and balancer to 28 oz. " and the same for ATK with the note "Engine Balance:External, 28 oz. imbalance "

Ford Performance instead says "Engine Balance:Internal" - if that means 0 oz imbalance I don't know. If so, yet another vote for Ford Performance. Need to be investigated. I have not seen Roush Performance to mention the balance...need investigation also.

FiTech EFI, I think there are a swedish agent also

 

[Larry L.]

or maybe Roush Performance.

Whether deserved or not, Roush engines have had a long-standing reputation for being 'oil leakers'...but, if one Googles that situation, there's nothing to be found. 'Rather odd. Perhaps it's been addressed and is no longer the case?

Anyway, I know two folks who've owned Roush engines afflicted with that malady.

'Just a 'heads up'...

 

[Ian Anderson]

https://www.gt40s.com/threads/connecting-rod-to-stroke-ratio.52323/

Read and learn from Jac!

If you can specify and get stuff built as he suggests you will get a great motor

Ian

 

[Dave Hood]

My car uses the FAST 2.0 self-tuning EFI on a Borla Eight Stack system. Paul Whitlock (here in Charlotte) installed that in 2017. The system has worked great. No problems.