When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Looking to purchase a crate engine in the 400 hp range and would like some feedback. Local shop goes to someone out west, but the last two engines have had issues, so not sure that will continue. First engine had a lifter bore that was so tight the lifter would not move and the engine had to be shipped back. Second engine (same mfg) had a timing cover leak and cover and gasket had to be changed. Also had a friend who had a Thunder Engine (something like that) brand and it required some rework as well. Everything at both mfg's was handled under warranty, but I'm just looking for opinions and experiences.
I am not a buyer of crate engines, but within reason I get the idea from reading about failures that crate engine shopping should not focus on the cheapest price, but quality. It seems that many crate engines are thrown together with little care. Good luck.
I have an Edelbrock 350 crate engine in my ‘61 installed by the PO. He did share that the rockers were changed under warranty, but it seems fine now. I’ve had three GMPP crate engines over the years (350, 383, 502) and never had any problems.
Well, I don't know about today but in years past GM crate motors were assembled in Mexico. I spoke with many shops that bought them and they would not install and warrant them unless they took them apart for inspection before installing them.
Back in the late 80s early 90s I had an engine shop. Ran a pretty good size one prior to that. I charged $1000 to rebuild a sbc. Chevrolet sold a brand new one for $999. It didn't take me long to figure out I needed to choose another line of work! True enough they may be made in Mexico but so are Chevy trucks. I have installed several and NEVER had an issue with one. They do make a 604, not cubic inches, engine that makes 400hp. It's a complete 350.
Well, I don't know about today but in years past GM crate motors were assembled in Mexico. I spoke with many shops that bought them and they would not install and warrant them unless they took them apart for inspection before installing them.
I wouldn't buy a GM crate engine on a bet. Too many problems with them. A simple search will confirm. When I don't have the time to build an engine myself, I go with Blueprint engines. I know many that have bought them and not a single complaint. They come with a 30 month/50K mile warranty and are broke in on a dyno and you get the dyno sheet. They offer some incredible high horsepower engines with the same warranty. GM can't come close.
I have purchased two GM crate engines. The first was was a Ram Jet 350 purchased in 2000. It arrived with no compression on #2 cylinder, complete engine replaced under warranty The replacement engine was fine and has almost 50K miles on it. The second engine was a 572/620. Incorrect length push rod installed on one exhaust valve. Luckily I caught it during the pre-oiling. http://www.carols62.com/59/oct05.htm
I’m in the process of installing Blueprint Engines 383 stroker (430/450) in my ’66. Did a lots of researching and lots of good companies out there but they seem to be on top. They have built more than 200,000 engines. They dyno each engine and send results with shipments mine came out to be 448/483. I talked to other that were happy with them also. Warranty 30 months/50,000 miles
George
BTW…I installed crate GM ZZ4 with no problems in my ’65 10 years ago and it was manufactured in Mexico.
Last edited by Black_Magic; 08-26-2018 at 10:38 AM.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I'd probably go with Blueprint or Texas Speed from Florida. Both seem to have real good reputations and stand behind their builds.
My machinist told me that every GM crate motor he's had in had to be checked from top to bottom and they were rarely within specs. Especially the 502s. They stay together well enough but aren't up to their full potential, so I'm told.
Blueprint gets good reviews. Probably a sound choice. One I'd go with if it wasn't for my need for an early style block. My current 383 was built long ago on a '68 block that still had the rear road draft hole and tomato can hook-up for the breather. A friend of mine just ordered and received a SBC 427 stroker from Skip White Engines. Dart block, aluminum heads, etc. It was expensive as heck....14k, I believe. But it dynoed at 578HP and 561 TQ......so it'll be a screamer in his '68 Camaro. Skip White has a lot of good reviews, too. They built his to order, and he had it here in CA in 3 weeks. If I didn't want to fool people into thinking I was running a stock 283, I'd probably go with a Blueprint 383 420HP engine.
I always use a local machine shop for my rebuilds but I have them machine and I assemble. Not the best idea since I do less than one per year but I enjoy doing it so I take the risk.
For about $250 more the same shop would assemble my engine and give me a warranty. Local shops can be very good but listen to word of mouth advertising on these guys.
Many are great and some terrible.
Jasper engine has not been mentioned. If you want a stock to mild performance engine they can do a great job and have a long reputation for quality. They are a production builder not a custom builder.
In the 90's they were building something like 1,500 engines a week. That number is reduced today because newer cars engines are so much more reliable than the old engines.
But the plant and people know what they are doing.
I’m in the process of installing Blueprint Engines 383 stroker (430/450) in my ’66. Did a lots of researching and lots of good companies out there but they seem to be on top. They have built more than 200,000 engines. They dyno each engine and send results with shipments mine came out to be 448/483. I talked to other that were happy with them also. Warranty 30 months/50,000 miles
George
BTW…I installed crate GM ZZ4 with no problems in my ’65 10 years ago and it was manufactured in Mexico.
I bought the same BluePrint engine and put it in my '62 Corvette. I mated it with a Bowtie overdrives 700R4. It was an amazing combination. Absolutely no leaks. Ran great. Dyno sheets were included. They use the later blocks with a one piece rear main seal. The only thing I probably didn't like was the camshaft's thumpity-thumpity-thumpity idle. I pulled the valve covers off and they used Comp roller rockers on it.
Good information guys and I appreciate it very, very much. If you do internet searches you can find issues with all the major brands of crate engines. Even found some on BluePrint in 2016 and before, but they did try to resolve the problem and they seem more customer service oriented. Everything is a roll of the dice and you hope you don't get the one in a hundred engine that has issues.
08-25-2018, 09:05 AM
Opinions on Crate Engine Mfg's
I wouldn't buy a GM crate engine on a bet. Too many problems with them. A simple search will confirm. When I don't have the time to build an engine myself, I go with Blueprint engines. I know many that have bought them and not a single complaint. They come with a 30 month/50K mile warranty and are broke in on a dyno and you get the dyno sheet. They offer some incredible high horsepower engines with the same warranty. GM can't come close.
