PROF. Installed New Vortech Kit Blew My Engine in Under 20 Miles

cgel12866 · 05-08-2008, 09:52 PM

Hi,

I have a 2003 Mustang GT with about 65K miles on it. No mods other than CAT-Back exhaust. I just had a new Vortech High Output, intercooled kit installed on my car by a motorsports shop in San Jose that has been in business over 10 years (computer was sent to Vortech to have them install their tune). I picked my car up Friday, which was May 2nd at 7:30 pm.

I drove it a few miles, picked up my girlfriend, took it on the highway, and was in fourth gear switching to fifth, when I heard a ticking noise. I immediately went to cover the brake, and in that instant there was a loud noise, followed by white smoke. This all happened in under 20 miles.

I had it towed to the shop, and they say a connecting rod went through the block. Now the shop is pointing the finger at Vortech, and Vortech is pointing the finger at the shop, and no-one is willing to help me out in any way. Now I am quoted an engine swap, that is about $5K with parts and labor.

My question is what I should do? What is the point of paying out the nose for a new supercharger from one of the most established companies, then paying out the nose for a professional installation, only to have the engine blow in under 20 miles?

Please help!!! Any ideas will help. I have never abused my car, and now I have to put the entire engine swap on credit cards at high interest because I spent all my cash on what I thought was a reliable set up.

**PureVenom** · 05-08-2008, 10:24 PM

THat sucks about your car, but I hope you weren't going into boost in 5th gear....bad idea.

Vortech tune on a car is also a bad idea. You can't tune a car by sending a computer away to get tuned. Every car is different, I've seen saleen S/C tunes be pig rich and very dangerously lean on cars with the same setup.

What I think happened was a rod was on its way out, and the extra boost took it out.

OUt of curiousity, how much boost were you running? IF it was more than 8-10 psi, your motor was on borrowed time anyhow with stock internals, good tune or not.

**MonteCitan** · 05-08-2008, 10:44 PM

If you were driving normally when it went.. any sign of oil leakage around the oil feed/return lines to the SC? Might be worth trying to find out before the shop sees their mistake (if this is the case) and cleans it up

Also, you can get a reman motor, or used motor, etc, etc.. or even a performance built short block for less than $5k..

**PureVenom** · 05-08-2008, 11:10 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by MonteCitan If you were driving normally when it went.. any sign of oil leakage around the oil feed/return lines to the SC? Might be worth trying to find out before the shop sees their mistake (if this is the case) and cleans it up Also, you can get a reman motor, or used motor, etc, etc.. or even a performance built short block for less than $5k..

+1 A bullet proof Boss 330 short block is ~3500 from Lethal Performance. Several other builders have them for around that as well fully forged and ready for boost.

**SpectorV** · 05-09-2008, 09:01 AM

I wouldnt pay 5k for another stock gt engine to go back in it. I also would not suck up all the cost either since it happened in only 20 miles.... if the shop that did the install for you is as good as you say... then they wouldnt have let you drive off with a CAN tune from vortech.

**Herbstang** · 05-09-2008, 02:08 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV I wouldnt pay 5k for another stock gt engine to go back in it. I also would not suck up all the cost either since it happened in only 20 miles.... if the shop that did the install for you is as good as you say... then they wouldnt have let you drive off with a CAN tune from vortech.

Very Good Point !!! Most good shops would use the vortech tune as a guide line for a real tune

SimplyOrangeTPS · 05-09-2008, 02:16 PM

im guessing by high output kit, you mean 10+ psi which is a little much like venom stated, if this is the case, the shop should have known better than to run that kit, if a customer of ours insists on running something rediculous, they have to sign a waiver.i would try to get the shop to come up with the amount for a new gt long block, then you take up the rest of the money to do a forged bottomend.

wut up rob?