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S197 2014 Gen 1 Coyote Refresh or Replace?

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11
12
Exp. Type
Autocross
Exp. Level
3-5 Years
North New Jersey
Hello All,

Still new to forums in general, so excuse my ignorance if a post like this has already been made and addressed, or if this question doesn't belong here!

I autocross a 2014 Mustang GT in SCCA's CAMC class. I've been autocrossing at a rate of around 25 events per year since 2021, so probably over 100 events at this point all with the same car. And so far, my mustang has been very competitive and totally reliable (knock on wood)! At this point, the car has 140,000 miles since it started life as my daily driver and I have to drive to all of my events.

As far as engine modifications, I have:
- MBRP long tube headers with a catted H pipe
- Boundary billet oil pump and crank gears
- Dyno tune with HP tuner software (400whp 410wtq)
- UPR catch can (that for some reason never fills with oil 🤷)
- Not a mod, but I've only used Amsoil 5w-50 or Motorcraft 5w-50 for my oil changes since I began autocrossing
- Boss 302 Alternator
- Not an engine mod, but I run a Centerforce clutch and an aluminum flywheel
- Everything else on and in the engine is stock and original aside from any maintenance items replaced

Currently for autocross, I set the redline to 8,000rpm so I can get ~70mph out of second gear with 3.55 gears and 315/30/18 tires. I absolutely KNOW that is playing with hot fire, but as far as I was made aware, the oil pump gears were the only variable preventing me from safely revving that high....that's part of the reason I'm making this post.

So my extremely long winded questions are:

- Given my engine's record of abuse, am I close to due, or past due for a refresh or full replacement of another Gen 1 coyote?
- If refreshing, what engine components should I address and what are okay to leave alone?
- What can be improved with my engine package to more safely run it how I have been for the last few years? (More power will always be appreciated, but I value reliability for peace of mind much more!)

Any words of wisdom, advice, jokes about me, fun facts are all greatly appreciated :) Thank you all!!
 
Hello All,

Still new to forums in general, so excuse my ignorance if a post like this has already been made and addressed, or if this question doesn't belong here!

I autocross a 2014 Mustang GT in SCCA's CAMC class. I've been autocrossing at a rate of around 25 events per year since 2021, so probably over 100 events at this point all with the same car. And so far, my mustang has been very competitive and totally reliable (knock on wood)! At this point, the car has 140,000 miles since it started life as my daily driver and I have to drive to all of my events.

As far as engine modifications, I have:
- MBRP long tube headers with a catted H pipe
- Boundary billet oil pump and crank gears
- Dyno tune with HP tuner software (400whp 410wtq)
- UPR catch can (that for some reason never fills with oil 🤷)
- Not a mod, but I've only used Amsoil 5w-50 or Motorcraft 5w-50 for my oil changes since I began autocrossing
- Boss 302 Alternator
- Not an engine mod, but I run a Centerforce clutch and an aluminum flywheel
- Everything else on and in the engine is stock and original aside from any maintenance items replaced

Currently for autocross, I set the redline to 8,000rpm so I can get ~70mph out of second gear with 3.55 gears and 315/30/18 tires. I absolutely KNOW that is playing with hot fire, but as far as I was made aware, the oil pump gears were the only variable preventing me from safely revving that high....that's part of the reason I'm making this post.

So my extremely long winded questions are:

- Given my engine's record of abuse, am I close to due, or past due for a refresh or full replacement of another Gen 1 coyote?
- If refreshing, what engine components should I address and what are okay to leave alone?
- What can be improved with my engine package to more safely run it how I have been for the last few years? (More power will always be appreciated, but I value reliability for peace of mind much more!)

Any words of wisdom, advice, jokes about me, fun facts are all greatly appreciated :) Thank you all!!
If it’s not burning oil or down on power, I would keep sending it. With that high redline, I would look at valve spring replacement - relatively easy to do in the car and should be upgraded anyways for 7000+ revs. I used a PAC spring from Modular Head Shop in FL - stiffer than stock, but not quite as aggressive as the popular PAC1234x’s. I believe the specs are in my build sheet.
 
If I had oil pump gears, I don't think I would worry at all about 8k rpm. Though my intake stops making power before 7 so it might take a long time to get to 8k :) As it is, my rev limiter has been disabled for several years and my engine has never been opened.

DaveW
 
Just for general health, I'd probably do a leakdown test and oil analysis. Site sponsor Optimum Performance Mustang (OPM) offers oil analysis kits. Look for signs of bearing wear.

The other thing I'd consider for 8k is the Ford Racing (or MMR) timing wheel originally designed for the CobraJet - it's supposed to supply a better signal at very high rpm. But if everything else is okay, you might wait until the next clutch job to replace it.
 
If it’s not burning oil or down on power, I would keep sending it. With that high redline, I would look at valve spring replacement - relatively easy to do in the car and should be upgraded anyways for 7000+ revs. I used a PAC spring from Modular Head Shop in FL - stiffer than stock, but not quite as aggressive as the popular PAC1234x’s. I believe the specs are in my build sheet.
Thanks for the recommendation! I have to imagine I'm floating valves, even if it's for a moment, and that high of an RPM. So I figured stiffer springs would be the move at some point!
 
If I had oil pump gears, I don't think I would worry at all about 8k rpm. Though my intake stops making power before 7 so it might take a long time to get to 8k :) As it is, my rev limiter has been disabled for several years and my engine has never been opened.

DaveW
Yeah 100% my redline has nothing to do with peak powerband and everything to do with stretching MPH in second gear. I'd love to get a Boss or 2018 intake and get the car back on the dyno to actually make some power up there haha
 
Just for general health, I'd probably do a leakdown test and oil analysis. Site sponsor Optimum Performance Mustang (OPM) offers oil analysis kits. Look for signs of bearing wear.

The other thing I'd consider for 8k is the Ford Racing (or MMR) timing wheel originally designed for the CobraJet - it's supposed to supply a better signal at very high rpm. But if everything else is okay, you might wait until the next clutch job to replace it.
Thank you for the analysis recommendations! Hopefully nothing shows sign of significant wear, and it'd be a good baseline if results come up clean! And I'll look into the timing wheel! I never even considered swapping that out, so that would be great too 🙏
 
Back in the Boss 302/ Grand Am days the only engine changes we were allowed was to replace the stock rods with Manley ones, go .020 on the block, oil pump gears ( road race oil pan) and valve springs.
That should tell you how durable these engines are and it addresses the 3 weak spots of the mod motor.
You can check out Project Superbeater for some other ideas if you want.
 

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