383 GMPP or E-bay or ??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Waverly NY
383 GMPP or E-bay or ??
I'm looking to buy a 383 stroker crate motor. I'm wondering if anyone has purchased one from any vendor on e-bay and what their experiance was? I'm leaning to the GMPP ZZ383 mainly cuz I think I can trust a factory crate. The money diffference from those on E-bay is tempting though...
Thanks,
Kipp
I guess I should have said this would be for a driver. I'm going to use a BTO 700r4 level 2 tranny with it. Good point on the shipping, the warrantee is also a factor.
Thanks,
Kipp
I guess I should have said this would be for a driver. I'm going to use a BTO 700r4 level 2 tranny with it. Good point on the shipping, the warrantee is also a factor.
Last edited by kyeakel; Jan 8, 2006 at 12:42 PM. Reason: additional info
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Golen has a long block for $4200, short block for $3000. Not too bad but on Ebay there are sellers that offer a rebuilt short block with a forged rotating assembly for $2500.
I emailed "theenginestore.com" regarding my stroker project several times and received very good service and advice from Kent. More than likely I'll be ordering from them (it's an Ebay store)
I emailed "theenginestore.com" regarding my stroker project several times and received very good service and advice from Kent. More than likely I'll be ordering from them (it's an Ebay store)
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
From: FRANCE (Lyon)
find a GMPP 383ci at the best price (ebay,...) and ask to summit racing to go with beat a price guarantee if you are afraid to deal with a ebay seller!
ps: i don't want to make summit are the best but it's a way to go! and i have ever use this for my GMPP 385FASTBURN
ps2: i live in france and some seller don't sel out of USA
ps: i don't want to make summit are the best but it's a way to go! and i have ever use this for my GMPP 385FASTBURN
ps2: i live in france and some seller don't sel out of USA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
From: Sick of these TOOLS & AZZHATS in DC
Originally Posted by kyeakel
I'm looking to buy a 383 stroker crate motor. I'm wondering if anyone has purchased one from any vendor on e-bay and what their experiance was? I'm leaning to the GMPP ZZ383 mainly cuz I think I can trust a factory crate. The money diffference from those on E-bay is tempting though...
Thanks,
Kipp
Thanks,
Kipp
Although, as RedBad said, I was very tempted by the one on Ebay from the Enginestore.com......I did a little research on them and it seems like they produce a quality build as well...and about 800 bucks less than I spent on the GMPP that I got.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: Johnsburg IL
my 2 cents
- If the ebay seller is not within driving distance don't use them. If you have a problem you would have o ship back. The upside is you will probably get better internals and a better balance job through a quality builder.
- GMPP motors are a good choice if you are building a driver, not a strip car and want the warranty.
- If the ebay seller is not within driving distance don't use them. If you have a problem you would have o ship back. The upside is you will probably get better internals and a better balance job through a quality builder.
- GMPP motors are a good choice if you are building a driver, not a strip car and want the warranty.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
We installed a crate engine last week (went into a Chevelle). It was mail ordered from out of state. Upon firing it up, the engine has loud lifter type sounds, but good oil pressure. Re-checked the lifter pre-load, was ok. After 30 minutes running, no change. The engine builder says drive it that way, it might quiet down. 
Needless to say, my customer has an attorney handling it now. My advice: build or buy locally. 
Needless to say, my customer has an attorney handling it now. My advice: build or buy locally.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Waverly NY
It sounds like the smart thing would be to buy locally if building one, or maybe Summit/Jeggs and buy a GMPP warrantied new crate motor. I think for piece of mind I'll probably just deal with Summit, I've bought lots of stuff from them without trouble before...
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: Potomac Falls VA
I have been going round and round on this topic for a while now and I am about to order my engine. I looked the engine factory (which is NJ), Golen Engine Service (in NH) and lot of other builders plus the GM motors and also Jasper. After a lot of thought consideration and word of mouth, I have decided to go with Jasper engines. They are a large reputable company and I have talked to quite a few people who have dealt with them first hand and nothing but great experiences. I am going to be purchasing their class II 383 stroker (385hp/440tq) and ave it completely turn-key and dyno-tuned and tested.
Shane
Shane
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
Golen has a long block for $4200, short block for $3000. Not too bad but on Ebay there are sellers that offer a rebuilt short block with a forged rotating assembly for $2500.
I emailed "theenginestore.com" regarding my stroker project several times and received very good service and advice from Kent. More than likely I'll be ordering from them (it's an Ebay store)
I emailed "theenginestore.com" regarding my stroker project several times and received very good service and advice from Kent. More than likely I'll be ordering from them (it's an Ebay store)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
Quite happy with the 383 short block I purchased from theenginestore. I was a real PIA as I didn't want their 'std' short block, but Kent worked with me and I think I paid a fair price for a good product.
I checked all the clearances vs. their spec. sheet and everything was fine.
I would recommend them.
I checked all the clearances vs. their spec. sheet and everything was fine.
I would recommend them.
Navigator
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
I just fired up and drove my ZZ383/425 crate (long block) in a '73 four speed car; I am running super comp headers and 2 1/2" exhaust with GM's recommended 750 Holley setup. It runs very strong with 3:73 gears and I'm only running 32-34 degrees total advance (11 degrees base). Anyone have an opinion about running more advance? When do you have all your advance in? I'm running MSD with a 6AL box and it feels like it would like a little more advance.
It doesn't sound much like a SBC anymore
It doesn't sound much like a SBC anymore
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
gator and glen,
I am still emailing Kent at theenginestore, I may even be a bigger PIA than you glen...
In all these emails I am asking lots of questions and Kent answers everything and it all makes sense, no BS whatsoever... fortunately time is not an issue for me as I don't really need the new short block right now, the original engine is still installed and I won't take it out befor May or so..... but it's great to see that Kent is actually responding to emails as detailed as possible and that he puts a lot of effort in it. So far the customer service is awesome and I hope it'll be just like that after I bought their short block ... so far :
I am still emailing Kent at theenginestore, I may even be a bigger PIA than you glen...
In all these emails I am asking lots of questions and Kent answers everything and it all makes sense, no BS whatsoever... fortunately time is not an issue for me as I don't really need the new short block right now, the original engine is still installed and I won't take it out befor May or so..... but it's great to see that Kent is actually responding to emails as detailed as possible and that he puts a lot of effort in it. So far the customer service is awesome and I hope it'll be just like that after I bought their short block ... so far :
Last edited by MYBAD79; Jan 16, 2006 at 10:46 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
when buying an engine you don't want the lowest bidder....you want the best quality/best price.....how can you argue with the GMPP warranty??? if you can't get the engine locally buy it from a name brand store.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
when buying an engine you don't want the lowest bidder....you want the best quality/best price.....how can you argue with the GMPP warranty??? if you can't get the engine locally buy it from a name brand store.
That company has very good feedback on Ebay which of course can be questioned...(a lot of feedback was left for heads, cams and other parts) but fact is they did not have a unhappy customer so far...
If I ordered from GMPP I would still have to pay shipping if something is wrong.... I am assembling the rest of the engine myself (heads,aso) so warranty would be questionable ...
I could go to a local engine builder and have him do the job... but I dont have the $$$$ to spend on a engine swap right now...
I can only hope that the research that I've done so far is enough... sure I don't want to be disappointed and post here about my nightmare in a few weeks....
Last edited by MYBAD79; Jan 17, 2006 at 10:23 AM. Reason: spelling
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
if a quality rotating assembly costs $1700 wheres there profits coming from?
Sounds reasonable to me, they said it'll be $3000 shipped
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: NC
I was able to get the eagle assembly on ebay (srp forged pistons, Mahle rings, 6" forged H-beam rods, forged 1 piece crank and clevite) for under $1500 on ebay. So even at $1500 there is some profit in the parts.
They even offered a balance job for another $100.
They even offered a balance job for another $100.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
The Eagle rotating assembly is about $1700, their block is $549. The cam, oil pump and 6" rods are extra ($180 for the cam, $40 for the rods and some change for the oil pump, maybe $30) Shipping is $175.... that means they're assembling the short block for roughly $300, machine work is included in the price for the block... I am sure they get a good deal on the parts, too....
Sounds reasonable to me, they said it'll be $3000 shipped
Sounds reasonable to me, they said it'll be $3000 shipped
does the block come already ground for the 383 rotating assembly??? and if that includes shipping where is the profit????