Information Center

Projects, Diagnostic, Technical and How to

Forged Engine Build

Since 2007 I have been sitting on a used engine that I pulled from a rolled over 95 Mx6 V6 MTX, the car had over 200k miles on it but the engine ran strong. Over the years 2007-2019 I have scavenged and sold parts off this engine never having any intended purpose for the engine. I have always figured if I blown the engine in the Turbo Mx6, this engine could be a quick fix for it..but not a reliable fix with the high mileage. But in 2020 I still have the basics of a short block left of it making it a perfect candidate for a engine build.

When the opportunity to get in on a bulk buy for Forged Connecting rods came up during spring of 2020, I decided to join in on it and build an engine over the duration of of winter 2020-2021. 

The goal for this engine build is to reduce the compression a bit from stock, and have stronger internal parts. Everything else on the engine, such as valve-train, cams, oil pump, etc will remain stock. 

After receiving the forged KAI connecting rods,  I began buying all the parts needed to rebuild this spare engine.

 Initially I planned on re-using the cylinder heads from the spare engine, but I found damage on a cam journal on the front head.  I had also used this front head as a mock up for fabricating coil pack mount brackets. The mating surface of the head had suffered some deep gouges during all the handling of it when fabricating parts.  

Additionally I did not want to invest the time into cleaning all the valves and valve seats. So I opted for OEM ford cylinder heads that I found on eBay for a reasonable price. These heads didn’t come with valves, so I bought those separately. 

Below is my full parts build list and prices

VendorPart #DescriptionPriceTax/ShippingSub Total
KAi Injection KAi Mazda/Ford KL 2.5 V6 Forged connecting rods$460.00 $460.00
Race EngineeringXTP-562P85RCP Forged PISTONS MAZDA/FORD 626/PROBE 85.0mm 8.5:1 V6 2.5L +RING (20mm Pin) (SET)$960.00$27.75$987.75
EbayF42Z-6049-LNew OEM Ford 2.5 Cylinder Head LEFT$139.95$14.33$154.28
EbayF42Z-6049-KNew OEM Ford 2.5 Cylinder Head RIGHT$139.95$10.67$150.62
EbayMA-4216935525Evergreen 12 Intake & 12 Exhaust Valves$69.00$5.26$74.26
EbayTB214K1Continental Engine Timing Belt Kit$47.95$4.33$52.28
EbaySSI-MAZ/FORDKL2.5L-MCVVS2.5L “93 – 02” VITON VALVE SEALS – Set of 24$22.95$2.51$25.46
EbayMA-4216955677Evergreen Head Gasket Set w/ head Bolts and HLAS$109.00$8.22$117.22
EbayKL01-14-100JEvergreen oil pump$69.00$13.57$82.57
Rock Auto5S1738Ultra Power Crank Position Sensor$14.46$2.50$16.96
Rock AutoAW9318Airtex Waterpump$31.79$8.20$39.99
Summit RacingKGB-CR6655AMKing Rod Bearings, Standard Size, Bi Metal, Alecular Alloy, Mazda,$27.99$3.05$31.04
Summit RacingKGB-MB496AMKing Main Bearings, AM-Series, 3/4 Groove, Standard Size, Bi Metal, Mazda$37.99$3.05$41.04
EbayTW256King Crank Thrust Washers$9.99$2.51$12.50
Auto Value Machine Shop Clean and Bore Engine Block to 85mm$300.00 $300.00
Auto Value Machine Shop Mic and Polish Crankshaft$50.00 $50.00
Rebuild Tools / Supplies  $0.00
Summit RacingWIS-RCS08500Piston Ring Compressor, Aluminum, Black Anodized, PTFE Coated, Tapered, 3.346 in./85.00mm Bore$33.82$1.05$34.87
Summit RacingAAF-ALL96475Plastigage, Plastigage Kits, 0.001 in. Minimum Clearance, 0.006 in. Maximum Clearance, 12 in. Individual Piece Length, Kit$7.99$1.05$9.04
AmazonRED80312Redline Engine Assembly lube$9.99$0.76$10.75
     $0.00
     $0.00
   Total$2,650.63