Based on great advice from the team, plan to take my #match 396/350 out of my 69 chevelle ss and replace with crate engine. Been searching serveral sites. Found turn key assmebly at enginefactory.com. Anybody used one of their turn-key engines, the 454/440 and the 502/510HP got my juices to flowing ......compared to GM performance crates, certainly more $$

Novice looking for advice thanks. Harry

I talked to Matthew Walsh several times at length via the internet and he was very accomadating.They have some nice packages (I was looking at their Rolling Thunder 475hp/383 stroker motor for $6813 ready to run) but in the end I decided to go with Chad Golen (www.golenengineservice.com) in NH.
I know,I know,it sounds crazy to have a motor built on one coast and have it shipped to the other coast but Chad was the one who I felt most comfortable with.His price was a little higher ($7700) but I'm getting a 550hp monster with all the good forged components and will be dyno tuned with my carb & flywheel which I sent Chad.He will also allow you to drop ship any part from Summit or Jegs so you don't pay any extra for the middleman.
The Engine Factory didn't really offer the quality of components I was looking for in their packages but like most,they will use whatever you prefer...for an additional price.

GM crate motors are pretty much slapped together so don't expect a trick,race motor no matter what anyone tells you.The hp claims of their motors are pretty weak if you ask me.I considered a ZZ383 for around $4800 too but didn't want the whole modern,center-bolt valve cover look.If you want a custom-built close-tolerance performance motor that'll last,you'll need an expert.

I get the impression nothing leaves Golen until Chad has signed off on it and he keeps me updated weekly by email.He was also 6 weeks for completion vs the 3-4 months I was hearing elsewhere.

There are tons of good engine builders out there.Beck in AZ (www.beckracingengines.com) is another one I've heard good things about.
Do your research,ask a ton of questions and note how each one treats you BEFORE the sale because you don't want it to head south one you give them you CC number.

What are your power expectations and what is your budget?

John

John,

thanks for the insight. Power, bumping up to throw you back in your seat and leave that mustang at the lite. My budget is 0!, according to my wife! was hoping to stay around 8k installed, however the turnkey package plus labor to install puts me at 10k....painful... maybe santa will load up my stocking, do you think?

I emailed Beck because they don't post prices on the web and their "Street Kill 383" is $10,995 dyno tested and shipped complete.Nice motor but not as radical and less hp/torque,and compression than what I'm aiming for.

Out of my budget but I'll only be about $1k less after I'm done shipping mine out...and I thought I'd be at $7500 too!

Good luck with the project...

John

GM crate motors are pretty much slapped together so don't expect a trick,race motor no matter what anyone tells you.The hp claims of their motors are pretty weak if you ask me.I considered a ZZ383 for around $4800 too but didn't want the whole modern,center-bolt valve cover look.If you want a custom-built close-tolerance performance motor that'll last,you'll need an expert.

John

yeah, just slapped together john..... zz383CID/425HP is pretty weak, but they are dyno'ed at SAE, not gross, many people who dyno the motors see HP above advertised..... and the fast burn heads on the ZZ383, if you did your homework you'd see that it'll take 4 bolt center or 4 bolt perimeter, so you could have used the old covers.

BTW, what warranty do your builders have? I see beck has 1 year on parts, but labor is not covered. I see golen has lifetime labor, but after initial start up, no warranty on parts whatsoever....... hmmmmm, 12 month 12,000 mile warranty on GMPP crate engines.

Harry,

I sent you a PM on this. Let me know if you get it.

I purchased an Engine Factory chevy 383 stroker for my truck. I did a long research with different crate engine companies. The Engine Factory, Matt and Bruce, is absolutely amazing.

They built the engine for my needs, I am towing my Harley once in a while. Also when you have questions, they will have an answer for you!

Get the matching March serpentine system also, it not only looks great but works even better. The engine is hot tested and runs right out... of the box. Everybody who has seen it so far is just wowed. I wanted a daily driver I can depend on and that is what I got.

This was one of the best decisions I made on the truck!

Good luck, give them a call you will not regret it.

Gunther
http://enginefactory.com/letters.htm

notice the date on this thread? Nov 24th, 05, 11:57 AM