Corvette Corral Yea or Nay ?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 163
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From: McHenry Il
Corvette Corral Yea or Nay ?
I have tried the search engine, but no results, so ...... Does anyone have any experience with Corvette Corral / Steve Palmer owner ? Good or Bad - any information would be appreciated.
I am considering them for a either a rebuild on a 350 SBC ( including balancing and bluprinting using my heads, intake, carb, etc) or buy new 350 with ZZ4 heads, performer intake and etc - basically a complete engine in the neighborhood of 400 Hp. It all depends on the final $ amount.
I am considering them for a either a rebuild on a 350 SBC ( including balancing and bluprinting using my heads, intake, carb, etc) or buy new 350 with ZZ4 heads, performer intake and etc - basically a complete engine in the neighborhood of 400 Hp. It all depends on the final $ amount.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,600
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From: Valencia (near LA) CA
Re: Corvette Corral Yea or Nay ? (Rumble 65)
I've called them a dozen times and still can't get a straight answer out of them!! :confused:
They keep promising to send an email with an estimate, but after 3 months I still can't get an answer.
The times when I can get a hold of Steve he seems very friendly and knowledgeable. We had a long discussion a couple of months ago that gave me a very good feeling about their ability to build engines.
The prices on their website http://www.corvette-corral.com are almost half of what others are charging. They also have an artical on blue printing that is very informative.
The price for balanced and blueprinted 550 hp big block is under $4000!
I need a new engine and I may give them a try.... that is if they will let me :(
~Jay
They keep promising to send an email with an estimate, but after 3 months I still can't get an answer.
The times when I can get a hold of Steve he seems very friendly and knowledgeable. We had a long discussion a couple of months ago that gave me a very good feeling about their ability to build engines.
The prices on their website http://www.corvette-corral.com are almost half of what others are charging. They also have an artical on blue printing that is very informative.
The price for balanced and blueprinted 550 hp big block is under $4000!
I need a new engine and I may give them a try.... that is if they will let me :(
~Jay
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 163
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From: McHenry Il
Re: Corvette Corral Yea or Nay ? (Jay M)
Jay,
Thanks for the reply. I am at the same point with them ( waiting for a email response after talking on the phone to Steve ) but in a much shorter time frame. Only talked to Steve last Saturday morning and Robert on Tuesday. So, I think it maybe too soon yet for me but I actually heard the same issue with Steve from another forum member - Crazyhorse. Maybe he is not computer savvy and has lost an email or 2.
I also was impressed with Steve's apparant knowledge and willingness to get out the info. and also good web info on blueprinting and balancing. I wonder if he may be overwhelmed with jobs and thats why he can't respond. I guess that could be an OK thing since this may be an indication he is doing a good job. OTOH it could be a bad thing if I'm waiting to have some work done and it takes too long. He only has 2 other employees that I'm aware of.
I still have no feedback on the quality of workmanship with Corvette Corral. How about it Forum members? Has anyone out there used CC for any engine work and care to comment to the Forum or privately??
Thanks for the reply. I am at the same point with them ( waiting for a email response after talking on the phone to Steve ) but in a much shorter time frame. Only talked to Steve last Saturday morning and Robert on Tuesday. So, I think it maybe too soon yet for me but I actually heard the same issue with Steve from another forum member - Crazyhorse. Maybe he is not computer savvy and has lost an email or 2.
I also was impressed with Steve's apparant knowledge and willingness to get out the info. and also good web info on blueprinting and balancing. I wonder if he may be overwhelmed with jobs and thats why he can't respond. I guess that could be an OK thing since this may be an indication he is doing a good job. OTOH it could be a bad thing if I'm waiting to have some work done and it takes too long. He only has 2 other employees that I'm aware of.
I still have no feedback on the quality of workmanship with Corvette Corral. How about it Forum members? Has anyone out there used CC for any engine work and care to comment to the Forum or privately??
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,600
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From: Valencia (near LA) CA
Re: Corvette Corral Yea or Nay ? (Rumble 65)
When I last called, I think it was wednesday, The owner Steve was out of town to go work on a customer's car. I think that is a good example of customer service. I also think they are really into racing and may have that as their first priority.
I also get the feeling that they are generally un-organized. They are loosing customers. I've met several talented people that could have been very successful, but can't take care of business.
With Corvette-corral I think that if you can get them to build an engine it will be a very good one, but it's just the getting them to do it that is very difficult!
The guy I last talked to even metioned that they have a lot of engines just sitting in the wharehouse waiting to be sold. But he couldn't give me any details about them :(
~Jay
I also get the feeling that they are generally un-organized. They are loosing customers. I've met several talented people that could have been very successful, but can't take care of business.
With Corvette-corral I think that if you can get them to build an engine it will be a very good one, but it's just the getting them to do it that is very difficult!
The guy I last talked to even metioned that they have a lot of engines just sitting in the wharehouse waiting to be sold. But he couldn't give me any details about them :(
~Jay
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Re: Corvette Corral Yea or Nay ? (Jay M)
Look up his address - Weaver, IA. The town doesn't even show on most maps !!
This is a small town guy, and I am surprised he even has a web page and e-mail.
Now - This may sound like bashing, but follow along with me.
These are the types of people I trust the MOST. The ones that will answer their phones, talk to you, work with you. I would prefer a one-on-one with any engine builder in the middle of the sticks than an e-mail response from some "tech" (admin) at a large company.
Don't be discouraged if you don't get e-mail back from him. It's probably not his style. Call him and talk to him - and make your judgements from that.
This is a small town guy, and I am surprised he even has a web page and e-mail.
Now - This may sound like bashing, but follow along with me.
These are the types of people I trust the MOST. The ones that will answer their phones, talk to you, work with you. I would prefer a one-on-one with any engine builder in the middle of the sticks than an e-mail response from some "tech" (admin) at a large company.
Don't be discouraged if you don't get e-mail back from him. It's probably not his style. Call him and talk to him - and make your judgements from that.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 163
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From: McHenry Il
Re: Corvette Corral Yea or Nay ? (Jay M)
Jay:"I also get the feeling that they are generally un-organized. They are loosing customers. I've met several talented people that could have been very successful, but can't take care of business.
With Corvette-corral I think that if you can get them to build an engine it will be a very good one, but it's just the getting them to do it that is very difficult!"
These are my impressions so far also. I will wait a few more days and give Steve another call to see whats up. In a friendly manner I'll ask if he is just too overbooked or what's the delay. :sleep:
Thanks for the input Jay.
With Corvette-corral I think that if you can get them to build an engine it will be a very good one, but it's just the getting them to do it that is very difficult!"
These are my impressions so far also. I will wait a few more days and give Steve another call to see whats up. In a friendly manner I'll ask if he is just too overbooked or what's the delay. :sleep:
Thanks for the input Jay.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
From: McHenry Il
Re: Corvette Corral Yea or Nay ? (BSeery)
BSeery,
I have looked up CC's location because I wondered how far he is away from me ( about 250 miles ). Yes, he is out in the boonies. I may take a trip there just to see the place to get a feel for quality and etc. I tend to be like yourself - trusting more in the smaller firms because I think they are working harder to earn their identity.
I did ask him to give some references, but he was to include that in the email - which I have not received as of yet. Robert mentioned someone in Milwaukee with a 58 he put in a new ZZ4 for. I'll give him a while longer for the email and then try another friendly call. :yesnod:
:seeya BSerry Thanks!
I have looked up CC's location because I wondered how far he is away from me ( about 250 miles ). Yes, he is out in the boonies. I may take a trip there just to see the place to get a feel for quality and etc. I tend to be like yourself - trusting more in the smaller firms because I think they are working harder to earn their identity.
I did ask him to give some references, but he was to include that in the email - which I have not received as of yet. Robert mentioned someone in Milwaukee with a 58 he put in a new ZZ4 for. I'll give him a while longer for the email and then try another friendly call. :yesnod:
:seeya BSerry Thanks!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 240
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From: kennett square,pa,us
Re: Corvette Corral Yea or Nay ? (Rumble 65)
I have talked to them breifly on the phone and then followed up with an e-mail. I had an e-mail response back in about two days. I was asking a question the performance of my 355, a list of componets. My question was not as complicated as the ones from other Forum members, it did not involve money, ordering an engine etc. . Steve is certainly knows Chevy engines. I am planning to e-mail him later this week and try to pin him down on the absolute best cam choice for my 355.
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