E bay Crate motors???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 245
Likes: 2
From: Jersey shore NJ
E bay Crate motors???
I normally would not buy anything like this from E Bay , but there is a company called T&L Engine development in North carolina that says they build Nascar engines? They have a 440 hp 383 for around $3600. sounds good.
Has anyone ever used this company?
Has anyone ever used this company?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
The general consensus around here is not to buy an ebay crate motor, unless you can drive there and check it out. You need to know exactly what you are getting for your hard earned dollars. The price attracts buyer but a low price for what ends up to be scrap metal is no deal. 
Not saying anything about this particular engine builder but enough horror stories have been posted here about internet crate motors to scare most people off. The same goes for buying a Vette on ebay Get someone to build your motor locally, hopefully a reputable shop, ask around at local tracks and car shows
Not saying anything about this particular engine builder but enough horror stories have been posted here about internet crate motors to scare most people off. The same goes for buying a Vette on ebay Get someone to build your motor locally, hopefully a reputable shop, ask around at local tracks and car shows
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
And it's not just the general consensus around here- every forum I've been on from the H-D forums to truck to vettes- all the same.
Buyer beware.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
From: Canastota Ny
ebay is a tricky subject - ive read legal documents on how the auction IS NOT a legally binding contract, I've had issues with paypal that WILL NOT honor sent wrong item/ description complaints even though the item was completely wrong...and lastly WARRANTY! say you have a problem with this engine. do you think they will fly out to help you with it at all? plus as we've all read in one of the on going threads "just start already" how do you know (even if they say dyno tested) that it actually runs to begin with? If they build nascar engines ask what teams they build for. have you seen any adverstiments on the cars for their work at all? Usually nascar teams wont display a shady product on their cars. "except ford products"! 
i would go with a reputable company such as jasper, jegs, summitt, etc so that you have some recourse if there would be an issue. Or if you have a local guy who could help you rebuilld what you have there already. believe me you will sleep better in the end knowing that the engine is correct and that its covered for a period of time before you really break anything!!
i would go with a reputable company such as jasper, jegs, summitt, etc so that you have some recourse if there would be an issue. Or if you have a local guy who could help you rebuilld what you have there already. believe me you will sleep better in the end knowing that the engine is correct and that its covered for a period of time before you really break anything!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 3
From: belle plaine ks
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Widgets & Pencils are easy to return if they don't work. Books & Blenders too. But an engine for a hot rod? Nawww. Hell no!
Play your own devil's advocate here and think of what it would take to return the engine if it is DOA. Then multiply that by 100 and you may be closer to the actual amount of pain involved.
Learn to build 'em yourself or hire a local builder with a known reputation. Go by repuation not warranty.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 245
Likes: 2
From: Jersey shore NJ
OK! You guys don't like E Bay
I searched some more and the company T and L engine Development has built engines for nascar, busch and craftsman series. According to one web site they said that David Vizzard does write ups from their shop? and has recommended them? then I started seeing some posts of people who waited a long time to get their engines and that they were back up for a while? Unfortunatly it looks like a good shop , but now i'm nervous.
If you have time google T&L engine development and let me know what you think.
I searched some more and the company T and L engine Development has built engines for nascar, busch and craftsman series. According to one web site they said that David Vizzard does write ups from their shop? and has recommended them? then I started seeing some posts of people who waited a long time to get their engines and that they were back up for a while? Unfortunatly it looks like a good shop , but now i'm nervous.
If you have time google T&L engine development and let me know what you think.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
It is right that they work together with David Wizard. You can see one of his articles about T&L's 408 here:
http://tandlengines.com/article_pict...%20Article.pdf
I basically has the same engine from them just with a solid roller upgrade, and I'm very pleased with it now.
I had a warranty issue with the rocker arms, they used some cheapo arms instead of the Pro Magnums I ordered and one broke down. When I called T&L they admitted there mistake and sent me the right arms free of charge, so I guess it's ok.
They are very friendly and helpful but very busy and you should be prepared that they are slow on deliveries so go somewhere else if you are in a hurry.
Best regards, DK.
http://tandlengines.com/article_pict...%20Article.pdf
I basically has the same engine from them just with a solid roller upgrade, and I'm very pleased with it now.
I had a warranty issue with the rocker arms, they used some cheapo arms instead of the Pro Magnums I ordered and one broke down. When I called T&L they admitted there mistake and sent me the right arms free of charge, so I guess it's ok.
They are very friendly and helpful but very busy and you should be prepared that they are slow on deliveries so go somewhere else if you are in a hurry.
Best regards, DK.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
OK! You guys don't like E Bay
I searched some more and the company T and L engine Development has built engines for nascar, busch and craftsman series. According to one web site they said that David Vizzard does write ups from their shop? and has recommended them? then I started seeing some posts of people who waited a long time to get their engines and that they were back up for a while? Unfortunatly it looks like a good shop , but now i'm nervous.
If you have time google T&L engine development and let me know what you think.
I searched some more and the company T and L engine Development has built engines for nascar, busch and craftsman series. According to one web site they said that David Vizzard does write ups from their shop? and has recommended them? then I started seeing some posts of people who waited a long time to get their engines and that they were back up for a while? Unfortunatly it looks like a good shop , but now i'm nervous.
If you have time google T&L engine development and let me know what you think.
In the 8 or 9 some odd years I've been perusing this forum the number of people who have been happy with their mail-order crate purchased from shops few had never heard of before is perhaps not surprisingly few.
In my opinion buy it local or build it yourself.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
It is right that they work together with David Wizard. You can see one of his articles about T&L's 408 here:
http://tandlengines.com/article_pict...%20Article.pdf
I basically has the same engine from them just with a solid roller upgrade, and I'm very pleased with it now.
I had a warranty issue with the rocker arms, they used some cheapo arms instead of the Pro Magnums I ordered and one broke down. When I called T&L they admitted there mistake and sent me the right arms free of charge, so I guess it's ok.
They are very friendly and helpful but very busy and you should be prepared that they are slow on deliveries so go somewhere else if you are in a hurry.
Best regards, DK.
http://tandlengines.com/article_pict...%20Article.pdf
I basically has the same engine from them just with a solid roller upgrade, and I'm very pleased with it now.
I had a warranty issue with the rocker arms, they used some cheapo arms instead of the Pro Magnums I ordered and one broke down. When I called T&L they admitted there mistake and sent me the right arms free of charge, so I guess it's ok.
They are very friendly and helpful but very busy and you should be prepared that they are slow on deliveries so go somewhere else if you are in a hurry.
Best regards, DK.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Too many times they have fine print somewhere saying they have the right to substitute whats advertised for an "equivalent"=putting cheap crap in your motor. Talked to a crate outlet thats very popular yesterday and when trying to come up with the right C.R. started off on this "other pistons available" crap. As the conversation progressed it was obvious they wanted to sell the motor with everything but the piston they advertised even after I explained Im open to cutting the heads to whatever CC required to get the piston I wanted.
Wont be buying anything for this person there.
What burns me is when you tell them what you want and let on you know what the heck youre talking about they still try and BS you anyway with a big smile on your face. Getting tired of putting them together but looks like thats the only way.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Was talking personally to crate motor manufacturer about the parts used. He told me straight up they wouldn't be selling many crate engines if they had to use brand name quality parts, the price get too high and no one is interested 