complete motor off ebay
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
complete motor off ebay
has anyone bought a motor off ebay? i'm going to put a 383 in my 68 and the prices I've been getting at local shops are a lot more. Can anyone tell me if you have had success and good luck with using ebay. If you know the names of companies I could check on that would be helpful. The prices through ebay are cheaper but I worry about the condition and internal parts being used, quality etc. If anyone has had a problem with warranty work being done.
Thanks for all input.
Thanks for all input.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
The old expression, "You get what you pay for..." comes to mind. The engines bought from reliable engine builders cost what they do based on price and quality of parts, time to assembly and machine, and warranty. I would avoid any REALLY good deals unless you can see it Dyno and read reviews and see warranty details in paper.
There are a lot of quality good deals out there, as a lot of our C3 brethren buy crate motors. I have always had good luck with GM crate motors, give or take some checking of torque specs.
There are a lot of quality good deals out there, as a lot of our C3 brethren buy crate motors. I have always had good luck with GM crate motors, give or take some checking of torque specs.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Cheap crate motors on the internet are...well cheap motors. They might say they have certain parts in them but they might not as one forum member found out. I wouldn't buy one period.
I have been saying this for years and fortunately enough I think people are listening because I don't see any " My crate motor just blew up " threads for some time now.
So either they are going to a quality machine shop near them and getting one built or they are too embarrassed to post that their crate motor just blowed up real good .
I have been saying this for years and fortunately enough I think people are listening because I don't see any " My crate motor just blew up " threads for some time now.
So either they are going to a quality machine shop near them and getting one built or they are too embarrassed to post that their crate motor just blowed up real good .
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Ray City GA
Alot of people like to trash the stuff on e-bay, but it's not all bad. Alot of quality engine builders like Speed-O-Motive are placing engines up for sale on e-bay. Just do your reasearch on the companies and you will find a quality product for a better price than you will typically find locally.
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
Alot of people like to trash the stuff on e-bay, but it's not all bad. Alot of quality engine builders like Speed-O-Motive are placing engines up for sale on e-bay. Just do your reasearch on the companies and you will find a quality product for a better price than you will typically find locally.
Example - When I built my 396 I used a speed shop recommended, local shop. The master machinist had done a lot of Eagle kits, but had always balanced them himself. When I brought in an Eagle balanced kit for them to install, the master personally checked all aspects of the balance job to verify how well Eagle's job was. Do the ebay guys check such things or just throw them in & assume it's correct?
BTW - The Eagle kit balance was spot on.
Last edited by ratflinger; Nov 28, 2007 at 11:05 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,234
Likes: 19
From: Freestate Corvette Club! Elkridge, MD
St. Jude Donor '17
I have been struggling with this too. I have been thinking hard about getting this motor from and Ebay builder - it SEEMS to be a killer deal. The guy has 52 reviews with 100% positive rating. I emailed hime several times he was responsive - BUT after getting screwed on the car I am VERY hesitant EVEN though this guy seems first rate...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...176945466&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...176945466&rd=1
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
I have been struggling with this too. I have been thinking hard about getting this motor from and Ebay builder - it SEEMS to be a killer deal. The guy has 52 reviews with 100% positive rating. I emailed hime several times he was responsive - BUT after getting screwed on the car I am VERY hesitant EVEN though this guy seems first rate...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...176945466&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...176945466&rd=1
The corner hasn't been cut, it's been completely rounded off!
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,234
Likes: 19
From: Freestate Corvette Club! Elkridge, MD
St. Jude Donor '17
At least his shop pictures show a clean, organized shop. Get a parts list first. Chinese parts are cheap, in many ways. This guy is making money or he'd quit, and yes you can get great prices if you buy pistons a train car at a time, but he's talking big numbers for a small price.
The corner hasn't been cut, it's been completely rounded off!
The corner hasn't been cut, it's been completely rounded off!
I would like to avoid Chinese rings in my new motor. This and the trans swap are pretty much going to take my budget out for a while.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield PA
I bought a 350 motor from Phoenixmusclecar on eBay. It was a total piece of ****. Was advertised to have 380hp with 400lb of torque. It was more like 200hp with maybe 250lb or torque. With-in a thousand miles on the motor it blew a headgasket & bent a rod. I pulled the motor and disassembled it to find out it had 305 heads with the absolutely cheapest rods, crank and cam known to man kind. I concluded that I paid $3000 for a nice carb and water pump, which is all that I reused on my new 383 that I built my self. I built my 383 for $5500 with all high quality parts that is estimated to have 490hp with 510lb of torque. You could build yourself a quality 400hp motor for $2500 to $3000 with the motor you have. Do yourself a favor and built it yourself or find a local guy that is reputable. I never did get any of my money back because I installed it after the warranty.
Quote: Getting ripped off across the entire country “priceless”
Quote: Getting ripped off across the entire country “priceless”
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Alot of people like to trash the stuff on e-bay, but it's not all bad. Alot of quality engine builders like Speed-O-Motive are placing engines up for sale on e-bay. Just do your reasearch on the companies and you will find a quality product for a better price than you will typically find locally.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,234
Likes: 19
From: Freestate Corvette Club! Elkridge, MD
St. Jude Donor '17
I bought a 350 motor from Phoenixmusclecar on eBay. It was a total piece of ****. Was advertised to have 380hp with 400lb of torque. It was more like 200hp with maybe 250lb or torque. With-in a thousand miles on the motor it blew a headgasket & bent a rod. I pulled the motor and disassembled it to find out it had 305 heads with the absolutely cheapest rods, crank and cam known to man kind. I concluded that I paid $3000 for a nice carb and water pump, which is all that I reused on my new 383 that I built my self. I built my 383 for $5500 with all high quality parts that is estimated to have 490hp with 510lb of torque. You could build yourself a quality 400hp motor for $2500 to $3000 with the motor you have. Do yourself a favor and built it yourself or find a local guy that is reputable. I never did get any of my money back because I installed it after the warranty.
Quote: Getting ripped off across the entire country “priceless”
Quote: Getting ripped off across the entire country “priceless”
Thanks for the post! I am cured of this one too, I am just going to do my own....
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 700
Likes: 0
From: Lantana TX
The best deal on the planet 3K for roughly 400+ hp and 400+ tq.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Okiehoma
I have one of the 383 from the builder that does them for Year One. I have been to the manufacture and seen them put it on the dyno and even meet the owner, tour of the shop etc. They are roughly 2 hrs north of me in OK.
The best deal on the planet 3K for roughly 400+ hp and 400+ tq.
The best deal on the planet 3K for roughly 400+ hp and 400+ tq.
I also toured the shop and watched my engine get dynoed, very professional and a great engine. Here is the address http://www.dpmpower.us/home.htm
DO NOT buy from the all chevy shop (Lackey Performance Engines) on ebay, a total scam artist.
