2-9-04: Now that my engine has been up and running for a few months I can write a faithful review of the engine build.

After leaking down my junker 306 in Dec of 02 I started saving up money for a new engine.  As you may recall the cheapie fel pro rings didn't take too kindly to 525rwhp and 16 pounds of boost.  Most of the rings were broken and brittle when I took the engine apart.  Other than that there was no major damage.  The stock rods and crank were fine, the pistons and bores had seen better days though.

Finally around May I had a bit of money saved up so I contacted Beau at Mental Addiction Motorsports about doing an engine build for me.  I knew that Beau was a dealer for many good companies and he had been in charge of building quite a few small block Fords.  We discussed my goals for the car and settled up on the following parts list.  Beau let me in on a deal he had on the 3.1" stroke Eagle 4340 cranks.  At the time Eagle was blowing them out to dealers and Beau passed the savings on to me, I believe it was $250 for the forged crank!  We also went with Eagle 4340 forged H-beam rods with the ARP2000 rod bolt upgrade, CP Pistons, Speed Pro Plasma Rings, Clevitte 77H bearings, Morosso oil pan and pickup, stock oil pump w/ARP driveshaft, ARP head studs, Pioneer balancer, etc.  The result would be a 316 ci 8.8:1 CR longblock.  I stuck with my TFS 185cc CNC TEA ported heads that I purchased from Mental Addiction in 2002.  I also stuck with my custom Cam Motion cam and Scorpion 1.6 rockers.  (I later purchased some Crane Pro Magnum 1.6 rockers which are installed now)

The engine assembly and machine work would be handled in conjunction with 1st Performance in Mesa, AZ.  This shop has a reputation for standing behind their products and services and that is a very hard thing to find in the marketplace today.  Once 1st performance had the block they started on the machine work.  1st Perfomance uses Brooks Racing for their machine work which is located just up the street from them.  Then all the parts were in and the rotating assembly was balanced and trial fitted. At this time the heads were also o-ringed.  During the shortblock assembly Beau from Mental Addiction Motorsports was there to make sure everything was assembled to his specs.  I also dropped of my flywheel, front accessories, lower intake, valve covers, distributor, heads, roller rockers, and fuel rails.  1st Peformance prefers to deliver primed and ready to fire longblocks.  All I had to do was bolt down my upper intake and hook up the fuel lines. 

I dropped the engine in along with a whole new fuel system and engine management system.  I have put about 2500 miles on the car with no problems other than a blown headgasket which occured during the tuning process.  1st performance checked out the head and had the valve seals replaced at that time.  Thus far the engine has held up against everything I have thrown at it and I am extremely pleased. The car has made 500rwhp and 520rwtq at 9psi.  Click here for a dyno chart.

Thank you Mental Addiction Motorsports and 1st Performance!  I am happy to finally have an engine that works and takes abuse.