blueprint engines?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Blueprinting is really a process rather than a brand. Basically blueprinting an engine means making all the dimensions of the engine match the design or "blueprint" dimensions the manufacturer intended for the engine. When an engine is blueprinted all the production tolerances are eliminated and everything is machined to exact dimensions. For instance the block is measured for deck height fore and aft on both head surfaces and squared up so all cylinders have exactly the same deck height, and both head surfaces are at 90° to each other and exactly the same distance from the crank centerline.
Many engine builders dislike the term blueprint and just say they build the engine to the exact manufacturer's dimensions.
The engine in my '69 was built to blueprint specs. - squared and decked, line honed, the crank was straightened, and all throws 90°, and so on. On a race engine the basics to keep the engine alive, on a street engine possibly overkill, but how much it too much?
Many engine builders dislike the term blueprint and just say they build the engine to the exact manufacturer's dimensions.
The engine in my '69 was built to blueprint specs. - squared and decked, line honed, the crank was straightened, and all throws 90°, and so on. On a race engine the basics to keep the engine alive, on a street engine possibly overkill, but how much it too much?
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Blueprint Engines is a brand. MSvetteman had one that he had issues with but they made it right.
http://www.blueprintengines.com/
http://www.blueprintengines.com/
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
Pete, there is a step in a true blueprint that you didn't mention. Most folks check tolerances when an engine is built, but every tolerance and dimension must be recorded for a true blueprint. It's done so that when a race engine is torn down for "freshening", all the tolerances can be checked against the last rebuild's figures to see if any clearances, etc. have changed. It's a tedious process but means a lot to a racer with a 15K engine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Yeah, about 2 years ago, MSVetteman had a very long thread going on Blueprint. He had a problem with his engine, as stated above, in the end they were proven a stand up company and made everything right.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
i'm not for sure about gm crate engines as to if you have a problem, weather or not the dealer will warranty the engine, but if you buy from blueprint, or world do they pay for you to ship it back, or do they make you pay, i figure if i bought a crate engine it would probably be gm, but price for hp and tq some of the other company's prices seem to be economic, but since this is the car i've wanted since i was six or eight, i want it right, and am not for sure if with gm if your are buying the name, service, or what, so i figure to research it to the fullest, and i know that you guys have more experience in this area, so give me ideas, and tell me what you think.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
5 minutes or 5 miles whichever comes first 
Blueprinting a motor is a very involved process. You measure everything, and another engine builder could build the exact same motor with the blueprint, simple as that, really has nothing to do with what work was done or the quality of the work.
However if someone is actually going to blueprint a motor you can be sure all the work done would be top notch. I blueprinted my 427ci, I recorded all measurements.
Another note, you sometimes hear "balanced and blueprinted" when looking at these crate motors, ask to see the blueprint
One more thing, don't buy a crate engine, go to your local track and ask one of the guys who has made more than one pass where he got his motor built
Blueprinting a motor is a very involved process. You measure everything, and another engine builder could build the exact same motor with the blueprint, simple as that, really has nothing to do with what work was done or the quality of the work.
However if someone is actually going to blueprint a motor you can be sure all the work done would be top notch. I blueprinted my 427ci, I recorded all measurements.
Another note, you sometimes hear "balanced and blueprinted" when looking at these crate motors, ask to see the blueprint
One more thing, don't buy a crate engine, go to your local track and ask one of the guys who has made more than one pass where he got his motor built
Last edited by MotorHead; Jan 13, 2009 at 07:07 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
World and Shafiroff warranties are both third party, basically insurance policies. They won't pay the full cost of the engine and if it's proven that the engine has been raced, the warranty is void. Not worth the paper they're printed on, IMHO.
I agree with the above post, talk to the folks at your local track, there should be at least a couple of local builders that have good reputations. Then visit both shops, you don't have to be an engine builder to tell a professionally run performance shop as compared to a bunch of guys that happen to build a few engines.
I agree with the above post, talk to the folks at your local track, there should be at least a couple of local builders that have good reputations. Then visit both shops, you don't have to be an engine builder to tell a professionally run performance shop as compared to a bunch of guys that happen to build a few engines.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
World and Shafiroff warranties are both third party, basically insurance policies. They won't pay the full cost of the engine and if it's proven that the engine has been raced, the warranty is void. Not worth the paper they're printed on, IMHO.
I agree with the above post, talk to the folks at your local track, there should be at least a couple of local builders that have good reputations. Then visit both shops, you don't have to be an engine builder to tell a professionally run performance shop as compared to a bunch of guys that happen to build a few engines.
I agree with the above post, talk to the folks at your local track, there should be at least a couple of local builders that have good reputations. Then visit both shops, you don't have to be an engine builder to tell a professionally run performance shop as compared to a bunch of guys that happen to build a few engines.
Get one built. Quality Matched parts and plan your build for your intended use and gearing. Do it once and do it right. You will be happier in the long run.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Pete, there is a step in a true blueprint that you didn't mention. Most folks check tolerances when an engine is built, but every tolerance and dimension must be recorded for a true blueprint. It's done so that when a race engine is torn down for "freshening", all the tolerances can be checked against the last rebuild's figures to see if any clearances, etc. have changed. It's a tedious process but means a lot to a racer with a 15K engine.
. Something you definitely need to do. Pete
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
ok so lets say that i plan to have the lower end built at a machine shop, and i wanted in the mean time to put cam intake heads, headers and stall converter on the original l48 lower while i do the research and save enough money to have the proper block and lower end configuration put together, can i put new heads on a lower with decent compression and only 59000 miles on it with out a ring job, and what are some suggestions for headers, muffler city sells doug thourley headers, in which the sales rep said were good, the flange was "thicker" as not to warp, 519.00 per set. next question is that if i am going to have a lower end built, it would be preferable to use a block that had a one piece rear main seal as not to fight the two piece leaking syndrome, so are the bolt patterns the same for the heads and intake on the newer style block, and from reading on this forum, their a different bolt patterns for the headers on different make heads. you guys really are a well of knowledge, and i appreciate all input.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I built a 010 2 piece 4 bolt main block. If I had it to do over again I would go with the later model 1 piece 4 bolt main block that would accept a factory roller cam.
