Pushrod vs. Mod Motor

[SmokinStang]

Here it is folks........this thread is specifically for the sake of holding an open discussion in an effort to better understand, learn, weigh options, etc......and covers both Street & Strip application/scenarios.

The SmokinStangs......PUSHROD ENGINE VS. MODLAR MOTOR THREAD
DISCLAIMER: This tread is by no means, a, my engine is better than yours kind of deal!!

We at SmokinStangs.com knew this day would come, just didn't know when (I guess 6-months after the sites lauch makes complete sense).
The tread was originally spawned from this thread: http://www.smokinstangs.com/showthre...to-repair.....



Pushrod (Wikipedia) - [Also known as OHV (Overhead Valve)]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pushrod
Ford Modular Engine (Wikipedia): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Modular_engine

[SmokinStang]

I will open up the discussion by stating that the Pushrod engine has been a long standing/proven motor.

The Modular motor was designed as an answer to tighter emissions standards.

It appears that the Mod (Modular) Motor has never looked back since it's inception.

__________________________________________________ _________________

I personally am the proud owner of both......and digg the hell out of them both none-the-less!!

[Duff Daddy]

Its funny look at what we do with a block that weighs 84 lbs, 281 ci and can withstand 1500 hp (claimed by shm) yet EVERYONE isnt talking about the AMAZING POWER of a pushrod today, no every magazine, every test company, every review company is giving rave reviews to the new MODULAR 5.0

I dont think pushrods are bad, nor do I think modulars are the end all be all, what ticked me off is the e myth that modulars are SOOOO expensive and are sooooo much more complicated to work on then a pushrod.

I personally dont know if we need this thread, we dont need to argue peoples opinions. There are no facts of which is better, its personal preferance. Can Jake bolt a KB on his car and strip it out and run 8's suuure, could he add some more squirt and do some head work and run low 8's sure. Could I put a 350 shot on my Modular after its built and run 9's (suspension allowing) I think we would be suprised. Pushrods can be built quite simble with a good trans, and in a light set up and run 11's NA all day, great. Its 100% if you want to be that guy. Do you want to be that guy who spent all his money to run 11's na with a 2v just to say you did what not alot of people car to do, you better fuucking believe it.



I will close with this. Its not whats right or wrong with these motors, it s not what set up is better or what is the "ultimate" combo. Its what you want at the end of the day. Will I ever own a pushrod in a race car? Never, but thats just me, hell I prob wouldnt buy a cobra for the fact of them having 4 valves.

Duffy

[only90s]

If it does not have Pushrods I am not interested.

I kind of want a 2011 5.0 someday, but may actually go to the darkside and get a Vette---they still man up and use pushrods...


I concede that the Mod motors are technologically advanced and they make good power, but they are a gimmick IMO...too many valves and cams etc...

[Mr03mach1]

I love all motors

(this will be my only comment in this thread)

[Mustang5L5]

Have no real preference...

but having owned a pushrod mustang and mod mustang....i like the mod motors a bit more.

Silky smooth, high revving, sound the balls.

If i ever come across a good deal on an 03/04 cobra 4.6 or a coyote 5.0....i'm taking the pushrod 5.0 out of my fox an dputting one of those in!

[saleenstang88]

Are we talking small blocks only?

[only90s]

In all seriousness...I do prefer pushrods, BUT

My 5.0 HO in 1990 made 225 horse

A Coyote 5.0 in a 2011 makes 412 horse

That is almost 200 more horse from the same displacement---That is SICK...

[LILBLKSNAKE]

I have one of each, problem solved :)

[Bill (ACM)]

I like both. With that said, you all know what I'm putting in the '86. The '85 had a 5.0 4V. I do believe that the cost of the mod motor build has come down over the past couple of years. You can do an all aluminum 2valve that will do 300 to 500 pretty cheap now. I realize that with the volume of pushrod motors produced over the years, there are a lot of used parts on the market, but the mod motor is comming up on 20 years as well. From a technical standpoint, the teksid block is hard to beat. The pushrod blocks that compete with it are really high end. The mod motors do tend to be a bit tempermental, depending on how they are set up. It isn't that they are harder to work on, but there are a lot of things that aren't foregiving of beginner mistakes. Some parts are significantly more expensive on the mod motors. Since they have at leaste two cams, you can expect that the manufacturing costs for that part will be similar to a single cam pushrod motor, so cost of acquisition will be higher for the set. There aren't quite as many choices out there for the mod motor as there are for the pushrod motors in terms of heads, manifolds, etc. The mod motor also presents some challenges for engine swappers, althgouth not as many for Fox body guys as it used to. I think choice has a lot to do with it. Cost really isn't all that much different anymore. By the time you're talking about running 8s on an NHRA track event, your costs are already up there. From a balance perspective, the all aluminum option is lighter than the 5.0, so putting a big boned Mustang on a diet is easier. If you already have a 5.0, I don't know that I would tell you to change. They are really good engines and have proven themselves worthy. If you are doing an upgrade from a blown motor or a 4 or 6cyl., and don't mind the "some assembly required" concept, the mod motor is a good way to go. If you are having to pay someone to do the work for you, it will be expensive either way. Here is an interesting senario for you to consider. You buy a 32 Valve from a Mark VIII for about $400. You sell the heads for around $100 each on ebay. You pick up a set of 99 to 04 PI heads for about that same price, which makes your other parts cheaper and easier to come by. Its not a bad way to go. You can use the computer and harnes out of a 99 to 04 GT as a stand alone with an SCT tunner, a set of comp cams... The point is, don't be intimidated by the mod motors. The newer variable cam timing stuff is a bit complicated, but for a Fox body, who needs it. Mod motors respond well to old school hotrodding, just like pushrod motors did.