Originally posted by ScottK97SEMTX:
I know there have been a LOT of blown SVT engines, but way back when on the American.edu mail list, before the SVT's were around much there were almost NO stories of low mileage blown 2.5's (even with a bunch of us having MTX's).
Thanks - Scott Kauffman
Scott, I think its true that initially we saw the SVT failures at about 40-50K miles and I actually was talleying them. But I have noticed a second pattern emerge. Several Contours and now Cougars with somewhat higher miles (but still low for a modern car) about 70-90K with the spun bearings/broken rods. My theory is it is all high RPM area under the curve (the bending danger zone). SVTs have peak power at 6600-7000 RPM and they pull hard to redline. They are run up high and often. Normal duratecs peak a good 800-1000 RPM lower. On average, you will be less tempted to run up to 7K. No need to either with a sub 6K power peak. So SVT accumulates more RPMs faster and thus fails earlier. But, it seems that eventually many normal Duratecs get there too.
This is my speculation about why SVTs have had problems quicker. I have no data myself but this theory fits the data available. Only other possibilty I have figure is the oil cooler as a restriction. But this makes no sense as it is on Euro Mondeos which are doing about as well as regulaer Duratecs when I checked with Mondeo.org. You REALLY should talk to Judge about the issue of crank whip. I have, its scary. But in view of the fact that his job is an issue, it can't be discussed here by me. Talk to Judge....or just get the DMD..
One more thing, I think the DMD may actually gain power over stock. The 1 extra pound of such small radius is negligable BUT the reduction in crank whipping in the bearings MUST cut down on frictional power loss. It is not a small difference, you will feel it..
