quote:

Originally posted by FootbrakeJim:

quote:

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.

Top, I specifically said "not saying I can build them better, or faster".
And I absolutely agree that the Pro Builders have to deal with grief that self-builders don't, they have no control over the end user, such as: Does the guy even maintain his engine properly, does he bounce a stone-cold engine off the limiter for 8 seconds on his first burnout, etc.
In a way, though, you also back up a couple of my points, namely with the "assembly line" deal, volume production in order to make a profit, (which I do understand), vs taking time to triple-check every bolt torque, measure every bearing journal at multiple degrees of crank rotation, etc (which the production line deal probably cuts out a lot of). And how is the assembly line production of pre-machined parts a "Build", not just "assembling parts"?
Again, I highly respect the professional engine builders, and in a different life I would love to be one of them, because I thoroughly enjoy doing it. Yes, it takes thousands of hours of learning, reading, studying, and doing, to understand the many factors that come into play, and many guys have much more knowledge and experience than we self-builders. But any of us who put our blood, sweat, tears and time into building our own, and see it perform on the track, and withstand the abuse that a racing engine takes, and see it survive for hundreds or thousands of runs, and win many rounds, races and a good chunk of money, know that we damned well DO have every right to stage our machines, and that it took a lot more than bolting together a pile of parts to achieve that success. Not the fastest, or most powerful pieces, nope. But absolutely satisfying and a part of the game that we truly enjoy.
Two different approaches, for different requirements, that's all my point is.
Not better than the Pro's, nope.
Worthy of staging the car? For every self-builder I know and race with, Yep.

quote:

Originally posted by SLICKSTER:
Will Harrison, Those are very impressive numbers for a 4 link 533. Great job and I see its a single carb. Will does your 235 4 link have .032 body or .040 body panels? Carbon body? Either way it cant be lighter than 1800 and probably more like 1850 with an iron dart block. Add a 175 driver and thats 1975-2025lbs and makin bacon haulin butt. Again more with less great job.

quote:

Originally posted by FootbrakeJim:
Congrats Mark, that is a really nice run up on the mountain!
Curious what your ET differential is up at Bandimere, vs Florida? For my slow stuff, I was off 6-7 tenths there, vs. TX tracks at around 600' elevation.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Koehler:
I read the first page and was puzzled as to the intent so I skipped to the last.
1:Was there a point the OP was making?
2: $950 sounds less than minimum wage for the time involved for a first build. A freshen sounds more logical.
3:Was the OP submitting that he could not assemble an engine? Not that there is anything wrong with that.

quote:

Originally posted by 555RAT:
WTF is the point to this post? Look at me, I have a lot of money?

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:
Who said anything about “having lots of money” and what would that have to do with the few here that think they are special because they assemble their engines?

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:
NOC