Buying parts, getting machine work done is way more difficult and expensive
You might have some sort of issue you were unfamiliar with or miss and it could cost you a fortune. Been there, done that....
I still do some engine work but would buy an engine from one of the big reputable builders in a heartbeat....
I built my own 565 in 2013 and had an odd issue pop up that trashed some lifters and 2 cams and some other valve train parts. Something you'd be hard pressed to find during the buildup
I was very lucky I didn't trash the engine
Found the problem after the second failure and replaced what was causing the breakage
It cost me a couple months and probably a couple thousand dollars
Whatever money I saved doing my own engine went right out the window...
That engine was still running as a 584 when I sold my stuff.....
I do like building my own engines but like I said costs are ridiculous for parts and continue to rise.
A complete engine from a reputable builder is a way better option
I built 2 400 Small Blocks recently and had zero deals on parts..
I did buy some parts from Shafiroff and have in the past....as well as Sunset and R-M.....
Posts: 2735 | Location: Where ever I am, I'm here and it's me | Registered: March 15, 2007
Originally posted by SCDIV1: Buying parts, getting machine work done is way more difficult and expensive
You might have some sort of issue you were unfamiliar with or miss and it could cost you a fortune. Been there, done that....
I still do some engine work but would buy an engine from one of the big reputable builders in a heartbeat....
I built my own 565 in 2013 and had an odd issue pop up that trashed some lifters and 2 cams and some other valve train parts. Something you'd be hard pressed to find during the buildup
I was very lucky I didn't trash the engine
Found the problem after the second failure and replaced what was causing the breakage
It cost me a couple months and probably a couple thousand dollars
Whatever money I saved doing my own engine went right out the window...
That engine was still running as a 584 when I sold my stuff.....
I do like building my own engines but like I said costs are ridiculous for parts and continue to rise.
A complete engine from a reputable builder is a way better option
I built 2 400 Small Blocks recently and had zero deals on parts..
I did buy some parts from Shafiroff and have in the past....as well as Sunset and R-M.....
No doubt building your own can be expensive lessons. LOL
Posts: 3312 | Location: KIEFER, OK. | Registered: August 17, 2007
When I first began racing there were no professional race engine builders so you had a machine shop do the work which you carefully checked before beginning any assembly work. Parts were very difficult to find so you made due with a lot of stock parts that you modified, not like today were a credit card gets everything delivered to your front door. I am an avid reader but have a curious nature I don't trust everything I have read, and yes along the way I've made mistakes, but only once. I never repeat the same mistake twice.
I never regretted buying tools and equipment, for years I made a great living doing side work for other racers while I worked a full time job. That "Side money" is what I used to fund my racing, my full time job only went to pay the family bills.
Bob
Posts: 3324 | Location: Lakeside, Ca | Registered: February 15, 2003
A key thing with engine builders is parts supply. When I decided on Oakley, they had the parts to build the engine I wanted, when others did not have them on the shelf.
The comment on after sales is very important. I had a component failure and Philip took care of it completely.He was good on his commitment to make it right.
Oakley Motorsports will continue to have my business and recommendation.
Rob
Posts: 110 | Location: Toronto | Registered: May 24, 2002
I remember a long time ago a customer tried to put his own engine together then brought the short block down for me to take a look at it. He said it rotated nice on the stand and then the next day just sitting on the stand, it locked up and cannot budge it one bit. He used red loctite on the back side of all the bearings. He said he would keep the bearings from spinning. When loctite cures, it expands which took up any clearance he had. It took some time but it came apart. Another reason why some people should not a temp to put their own engine together.
Worlds Quickest And Fastest 71 Cutlass On The Planet Earth
Posts: 536 | Location: Oak ridge, N.J | Registered: February 09, 2003
There are those that can break an anvil. That said, the #1 reason for not assembling your race engine today is because it doesn’t make economic sense, you’re saving nothing and assuming all the liability of your brand new parts that depending on the engine/HP can cost upwards of $30k.
Posts: 13522 | Location: NJ | Registered: August 20, 2000
If you have the mechanical skills necessary build it yourself. You’ll know it’s done correctly. Reher and Morrison has a nice detailed book that goes into detail on part selection, mock-up, and assembly.
At one point in their lives the professionals had never built an engine.
Posts: 561 | Location: somewhere between been and never was | Registered: November 03, 2002
Agree but at this point in my life I’m not starting especially due to the fact that I’m only “saving” $1500 by assembling it and apparently the vast majority of serious bracket racers and my competitors feel the same as they too are having professionals build their engines, transmissions and carbs too.
Posts: 13522 | Location: NJ | Registered: August 20, 2000
There is absolutely nothing wrong with paying someone to build an engine for you. Everyone is free to make their own choices.
The difference comes into play with what you are building I believe. As I already said. Building a 600hp small block is much different than a 1300hp 665. Still the OP asked about builder recommendations so opinions on doing yourself are moot.
Posts: 3312 | Location: KIEFER, OK. | Registered: August 17, 2007
Originally posted by CURTIS REED: There is absolutely nothing wrong with paying someone to build an engine for you. Everyone is free to make their own choices.
The difference comes into play with what you are building I believe. As I already said. Building a 600hp small block is much different than a 1300hp 665. Still the OP asked about builder recommendations so opinions on doing yourself are moot.
Normal DE-RAIL again
Posts: 1291 | Location: USA | Registered: December 04, 2008
All the major builders listed are known for their BBC's. I was a diehard SBC guy for years and it's a different market. Deal with someone who does a lot of SBC's and you will be much happier. I don't know how many the guys listed do. I DO know Huntsville does a large amount for brackets and pull trucks. Keep them in mind.
Scott, I’m sure you would agree that the OP doesn’t need Patterson to build a run of the mill sbc bracket engine and the reason why the builders listed are known fir their bbc’s is because when you want 800 and more HP, the least expensive way to build it and keep the rpm under 8000 is a bbc.
Posts: 13522 | Location: NJ | Registered: August 20, 2000
Just to be clear. For me, it was not about the money saved or wasted. I loved the challenge of building a great reliable engine as much as going rounds. I was also very proud of the learned skills that let me select and use parts others my not understand and reap the performance rewards. I felt I could build engines, glides and select better converters, than I could race, but that’s a different chapter. Historically, I had lots of company in this regard, but guess things change and few have the time or desire to roll their own.
2005 2000lb 4 link dragster home brew 582 BBC Dart 355 1.058 2.98 4.629@149 6.094 7.310@185
Posts: 12178 | Location: 33463 | Registered: February 04, 2004
My little PAR 434 has been a best of 5.64….not bad for 3150LBS….just saying…and a tenth faster if I pull the hood off lolThis message has been edited. Last edited by: WHOMPWHOMP,
Posts: 1291 | Location: USA | Registered: December 04, 2008
Originally posted by 1320racer: For a sbc bracket engine that will make good power and not break the bank you should look at Shafiroff. That said, everyone will recommend who they use and some might tell you who to stay away from if they had a bad experience.
Both the engine builders you mention are very capable but their clients are very different. For a bracket engine, Wilson would be the better choice. Several of our friends and competitors run BBC engines built by Chris as do a few here and we race with Chris on a regular basis throughout the season,
Others who have very good reputations and supply power to numerous past and present World Champions, Division Champions and big $ gambler race winners are Sunset Performance, SDPC The Race Shop and PAR. You'll find more engines from these 3 builders than anyone else when competing in big $ brackets and the NHRA LODRS across the country and I have engines from both The RACE shop and PAR who IMO and many others builds the most reliable power for the money. PAR is also the largest BRODIX dealer in the country as well CALLIES which is important today when you want an engine now and other builders are telling you 8-12-16 weeks to get blocks, heads, cranks, etc. Another good builder is OAKLEY and APD. While all these engine builders can certainly build you a sbc engine, keep in mind their R&D is mainly bbc engines because that's what the market demands and what they are primarily building/selling.
Stay away from builders advertising on/selling on RACING JUNK, EBAY, ETC. and stay away from Steve Schmidt.
Customer service AFTER the sale should you have any issue, is EVERYTHING, have the tough conversation before you give anyone your money and if they don't say what you want to hear, take your business elsewhere, your money is green and good everywhere!
