Chicago-area BB engine rebuild

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Nov 21, 2007 | 09:54 AM

Ravine Speed

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Pro

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From: No longer in Heaven

Chicago-area BB engine rebuild

Hi Members. I am in Chicago and I'd like to have my '69 427/435 engine rebuilt this winter and put back to basically stock (I have most major original components), get it dyno'd, and have the engine compartment detailed. Can any of you recommend a good shop within approximately 200 mi. of Chicago that has a good reputation for Corvette engine rebuilds? Thanks in advance for your information.

Nov 21, 2007 | 10:11 AM

63mako

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Joined: May 2005

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From: Millington Illinois

St. Jude Donor '08-'09

Performance Motorsports in Sandwich IL. 50 miles west i block north of Rt 34. Tim has state of the art equipment, A Superflow Dyno and is meticulous and reasonably priced. He is not the fastest but is the best around. R&R of engine and compartment detail will have to be done by others though.

Last edited by 63mako; Nov 21, 2007 at 10:14 AM.

Nov 21, 2007 | 10:21 AM

NassyVette

Melting Slicks

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From: Chicago

Whatever you do, don't go to D&M corvettes. For the engine rebuild, Midwest Engine Tech in Tinley Park would be a good choice.

Nov 21, 2007 | 10:30 AM

63mako

Race Director

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 10,674

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From: Millington Illinois

St. Jude Donor '08-'09

Quote:

Originally Posted by NassyVette

Whatever you do, don't go to D&M corvettes.

They tuned and detailed the engine compartment of my buddies 58 (was already pretty nice). Over $6000 later it still ran like crap. I took one look under the hood and seen his aftermarket tripower had bonnet style air cleaners on it. They have about a 1/4" gap between the filter and housing. I suggested O' Brian trucker air filters and modified the base plate to fit under his hood. It took about 2 hours and his mileage doubled and the difference in the cars performance was night and day. Any decent mechanic should have figured this out. He also hired them to install his 58 hardtop on the car that originally didn't have a hardtop. They screwed up his perfect paint job when they put it on without replacing the gasket at the bottom rear of the top that keeps it from sitting on the rear deck. Something that should have been checked before the top was installed.

Last edited by 63mako; Nov 21, 2007 at 10:35 AM.

Nov 21, 2007 | 11:05 AM

wjsullivan

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From: Warrenville IL

Check out Midwest Hot Rods in Plainfield.

Nov 21, 2007 | 11:48 AM

Ravine Speed

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Joined: Jun 2004

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From: No longer in Heaven

Thanks guys, I'll try those places. I had some bad experiences with D&M myself on my '66 427/425. That's why I want to try to find another source.

Nov 21, 2007 | 11:59 AM

Edzred72

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 5,943

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From: Wildwood IL

For an engine rebuild and restoration, I could suggest "Tri-Power" in Libertyville. He consistantly turns out Bloomington Gold award winning restorations. Don't know pricing.
For "just" the engine rebuild & dyno, I would suggest "Fast Times Motor Works" in Morton Grove. It's close to Chi-Town at Demptster & the Edens Expy. He builds & dyno's race engines for all classes of racing.
Good Luck
Eddie (born & raised on the north side in Jefferson Pk)

Nov 21, 2007 | 12:23 PM

71406

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 1999

Posts: 1,047

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From: CA

I would recommend Opel Engineering in Steamwood, IL. They built my 406. http://www.opelengineering.com/index.php

Excellent reputation and great guys to work with. Ask for Ted, he's the owner and has a vette. You can tell him Paul recommended him. Check out their website for some basis pricing and information. If you would like more info you can e-mail me at bronyaur@att.net