That's where I would look first. Shafiroff builds some beautiful things.. 
Big Block crate engines.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
Your first two choices are good as well I run a Skip White 427 sbc and its a solid build. Every part is brand name and he is fair priced for sure.
The other builders people mention are good as well so your really gonna have to talk to each company and go with who you feel most comfortable. If ya call White ask for AL .
The other builders people mention are good as well so your really gonna have to talk to each company and go with who you feel most comfortable. If ya call White ask for AL .
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 487
Likes: 160
From: Two Lane Black Top
My best experiences with engine building involved finding a local shop with an excellent reputation. This happened through the local fbody car club. It also helped me avoid some big names that weren't alli they were advertised to be.
The local car clubs or local Corvette club could be an excellent source of info.
With that said when researching internet crate motors builder Smeding Performance has a good reputation. If I did go local I would call Smeding and discuss what sort of motor I wanted.
Last edited by 99 Black Bird TA; Jul 4, 2016 at 06:34 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 607
Likes: 122
While you can buy your engine from any of the names you mentioned and probably not go wrong. Why not find a local builder in your area? You are going to have a ton of questions and while you can pick up the phone and ask them, with a local guy you can swing by and ask. You get pointers from his shop, plus chances are you can hear and see it run on the dyno. Not to mention if something goes wrong, you can take it back versus shipping it back. It will be quicker, and probably cheaper in the long run. Not to mention you can bounce ideas off your builder to get that ideal motor you are looking at.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
While you can buy your engine from any of the names you mentioned and probably not go wrong. Why not find a local builder in your area? You are going to have a ton of questions and while you can pick up the phone and ask them, with a local guy you can swing by and ask. You get pointers from his shop, plus chances are you can hear and see it run on the dyno. Not to mention if something goes wrong, you can take it back versus shipping it back. It will be quicker, and probably cheaper in the long run. Not to mention you can bounce ideas off your builder to get that ideal motor you are looking at.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
VortecPro Performance- Mark Jones. Great quality, great reputation, great price, proven performers at the track where it counts.
Lewis Racing Engines- Great quality, reputation and price..also real good customer service.
At least 3 of my buddies and myself all have 496s from Vortecpro and everyone is very happy with them. He can build you whatever you want.. 540+... He builds lots 750hp 496s so......you can imagine what one of his 540s would make.
Lewis Racing Engines- Great quality, reputation and price..also real good customer service.
At least 3 of my buddies and myself all have 496s from Vortecpro and everyone is very happy with them. He can build you whatever you want.. 540+... He builds lots 750hp 496s so......you can imagine what one of his 540s would make.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,240
Likes: 1,013
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
VortecPro Performance- Mark Jones. Great quality, great reputation, great price, proven performers at the track where it counts.
Lewis Racing Engines- Great quality, reputation and price..also real good customer service.
At least 3 of my buddies and myself all have 496s from Vortecpro and everyone is very happy with them. He can build you whatever you want.. 540+... He builds lots 750hp 496s so......you can imagine what one of his 540s would make.
Lewis Racing Engines- Great quality, reputation and price..also real good customer service.
At least 3 of my buddies and myself all have 496s from Vortecpro and everyone is very happy with them. He can build you whatever you want.. 540+... He builds lots 750hp 496s so......you can imagine what one of his 540s would make.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 13
Hi 540vette!
We saw your post here and wanted to say hi and thank you for your interest in BluePrint Engines.
We your budget of $12,000, you could definitely get either of our 540's or even our extremely popular 815 hp 632.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions on our engines.
Scott Liggett
BluePrint Engines
1(800)483-4263
info@blueprintengines.com
www.blueprintengines.com
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
How about a new GM Performance engine?
http://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/19201333.html
$13 grand delivered from GM. You could probably shop around and get it cheaper.
http://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/19201333.html
$13 grand delivered from GM. You could probably shop around and get it cheaper.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
Hi 540vette!
We saw your post here and wanted to say hi and thank you for your interest in BluePrint Engines.
We your budget of $12,000, you could definitely get either of our 540's or even our extremely popular 815 hp 632.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions on our engines.
Scott Liggett
BluePrint Engines
1(800)483-4263
info@blueprintengines.com
www.blueprintengines.com
We saw your post here and wanted to say hi and thank you for your interest in BluePrint Engines.
We your budget of $12,000, you could definitely get either of our 540's or even our extremely popular 815 hp 632.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions on our engines.
Scott Liggett
BluePrint Engines
1(800)483-4263
info@blueprintengines.com
www.blueprintengines.com
I was looking at the 632. I want to get my 80 into the low tens. I also plan on a trans swap and upgrade the rear.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 451
From: Central NJ
They just built me a pump gas 582 (20 degree heads) that made 950 hp.
Little more than $12k though.