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Originally posted by Bucky:

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Originally posted by 68TSCAMARO:
bolting together premachined and manufactured parts from a vendor is not building a engine ... assembling yes

What qualifies as building?

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Originally posted by "The Bender":
^^^^^Awesome. Dead on!^^^^^

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Originally posted by AFA Racing:
STFU Ed

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Originally posted by FootbrakeJim:

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Originally posted by Bucky:

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Originally posted by 68TSCAMARO:
bolting together premachined and manufactured parts from a vendor is not building a engine ... assembling yes

What qualifies as building?

Good question, Bucky. Maybe if we all had a specific definition of "Building", we could agree.
I don't know anyone who simply assembles a pile of parts for a race engine.
I don't machine my own blocks, (for obvious reasons). I used to do all my own headwork, from porting to seats, but there are guys who can do it faster & better, so maybe in that regard I am a "checkbook racer"
In my mind, "building" an engine starts with a series of mental decisions, (determining the goal and budget for the build), moves to paper for establishing and listing many of the component specifications, to come up with the best possible combination of heads, cam, intake, compression, springs, bottom end parts that support target RPM range, compile a list of parts required, preferred clearances, information that will go to the machine shop, discussions with suppliers and shop(s) to hopefully result in pieces as close to spec as possible.
The build process includes so much more than merely assembly work, for example many measurements, cleaning steps, clearancing, adjusting things like ring end-gaps, (I personally try to get each one of them to the thousandth of an inch), establishing adequate valve to piston clearance, modifying parts, (yes, even mating parts from the same manufacturer often don't "mate" properly), setting up clearances such as oil pickup to pan, proper push rod lengths to achieve correct rocker arm / tip to valve stem geometry, travel & angles, etc., etc.
So if a Professional "Builder" has his crew machine the blocks, and ready the heads, what is he doing any differently than what I am doing, that makes him a "Builder", vs an "Assembler"?
And because I have the luxury of not trying to crank as many bullets out the door as I can in a week or month, I guarantee I can take more time and pay way more attention to detail than even the best of the "professional builders" will put forth on their customers engines. Again, not saying I can build them better, or faster, but to call anyone who builds their own race engines an assembler of parts, sounds like the thoughts of someone who has never built an engine, nor has the knowledge of the many different skills, tools, actions, time and activities the task entails.

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Originally posted by 68TSCAMARO:
some of these home engine builders should branch out into pro stock or comp they spend so much more time than the pro builders ASSEMBLYING a engine

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Originally posted by 1320racer:
Must be true, I read it in an internet message message board posted by an idiot who is known as retard rietow amongst Florida bracket racers and who has raced once in the past 8 years and was DQ’d for hitting a timing block.

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Originally posted by AFA Racing:
STFU Ed

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Originally posted by TOP38:
...the time is takes to build a motor, you or anyone for that fact, is not directly related to the quality of the build! The pro's take the time to develop a combo first then roll with it in order to achieve a more assembly line deal so they can make money, otherwise they would be out of business! Next, the true pro's have more data, testing, experience etc than you. That doesn't mean you would or have built bad engines. But does mean they can build a better engine than you? My money is on the pro 99.9% of the time. But one thing that seams to escape the so called non pro builders out there who feel they build a better more powerful engine than the pro's, their advertised combo's are built to withstand the racers who let's just say are hard on parts vs achieving the max power. They have no choice because it's bad for business if these guys blow stuff up! Bad news travels at light speed!

If you or others out their have a good understanding of all aspects of what it take to picks the right parts to achieve the desired goals of any build ,I believe this can also be done but that person needs to have a good understanding of how a race motor works and he or she is not just a great mechanic! They need a decent amount of technical knowledge and understanding which most do not have. Hence this is where the Pro's will shine 99.9% of the time.

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Originally posted by Coloradoracer:
Well, my homebuilt junk managed a 7.38 tuesday night in about 8000' DA...