I have an '01 formula that i recently bought from my sister with 88k on the clock. I run the car pretty hard because that is why I bought it. I am kinda having afterthoughts about the purchase because it cant be good to beat on a motor with that kind of miles. The real question is if I blow the 5.7 can I buy a 4.8 or 5.3 long block and install it in the F car? This would be a dramatic loss of power but I would need something cheap and temporary until I could get a bigger motor built. I am broke and going to college and see the smaller truck motors for cheap sale all the time with very low mileage. There is no way I could afford a $3500 rebuild but I could prolly handle and $800 longblock purchase and could do the work myself. Any input would be appreciated.

 

The engines seem to hold up to beatings pretty well, barring 7k shifts...
But what you're saying sounds very contradictory...

Why don' t you just go easier on it?

 

Beat on it till it blows, you might be suprised how long it lasts as long as your not missing shifts and over revving. Just keep up with general maintenance and use quality lubricants

 

Here's the deal. I bought the car to beat on and I am not going to quit..EVER. I am going to beat on it until it blows. This is my question. What can I do that is cheap WHEN it blows. All I want to know is will the 4.8 or 5.3 work as a cheap replacement until I can get enough money put together to go with a big inch motor if I dont get one built before this thing craps out although it doesnt smoke or knock or use oil.

 

u can get away with usinga 6.0 l engine shortblock for 800-1000+$
depends on the miles of use
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