Crate Motor
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Crate Motor
I'm looking for some expert opinion on crate motors. I "think" I have it narrowed down to to companies. The engine factory and T & L. I'm looking at the 460hp 383 from the engine factory or the 470hp 408 from T & L. I know there have been issues with T&L's costumer service, but it looks like they deliver a stout motor. I like the dino results they have listed and I know from others that have purchased their engines the numbers are fairly close. I'm not sure the parts that the Engine Factory uses are as high quality. The Engine Factory also doesn't give sample dino results. If anyone can give more info on the two companies or these two engines, I would appreciate it.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Madison NJ
http://www.tandlengines.com/chevy_sb...408%20A-1.html
408....408.....408...I'm in love with this motor.
It should kick the crap out of any 383. Just look at the flat dyno tq. line.
This was the best HP/TQ. for the money$ that I found when looking for crate motors.
You will be replacing everything from the motor back so plan on it now or have your AAA paid up.
I was going to order that motor. But I don't have the deep pockets to set the car up correctly with a motor like that.
There was a guy on the forum that has one and he told a story of doing 50 hitting the gas and the car going sideways.
It has lots and lots of power.
408....408.....408...I'm in love with this motor.
It should kick the crap out of any 383. Just look at the flat dyno tq. line.
This was the best HP/TQ. for the money$ that I found when looking for crate motors.
You will be replacing everything from the motor back so plan on it now or have your AAA paid up.
I was going to order that motor. But I don't have the deep pockets to set the car up correctly with a motor like that.
There was a guy on the forum that has one and he told a story of doing 50 hitting the gas and the car going sideways.
It has lots and lots of power.
Last edited by Sweet; May 16, 2009 at 10:25 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
I also am doing a major build and went through a bunch of the crate options, T&L was on my list too, I scratched them off for the reasons you mention.
I looked at lots of options and called several and spoke on the phone with them.
I ended up going with a 427 small block from Shafiroff, it's more $$$$ than I initially intended to spend, but I feel I'm getting alot more motor too.
525HP and 550 Ft lbs TQ out of a small block, with two year warranty and they are certainly a very recognized name in the racing world.
I had never heard of T&L until that recent Hot Rod article.
I spoke with Tom at Shafiroff and could not have felt more confident once I got off the phone, some of the others left me feeling far less confident.
As has been mentioned, at those power levels you better replace everything from the engine back with stronger components. I was doing a Keisler anyway so that was no factor in my decision.
Here's a link
http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/427_realstreet.asp
I looked at lots of options and called several and spoke on the phone with them.
I ended up going with a 427 small block from Shafiroff, it's more $$$$ than I initially intended to spend, but I feel I'm getting alot more motor too.
525HP and 550 Ft lbs TQ out of a small block, with two year warranty and they are certainly a very recognized name in the racing world.
I had never heard of T&L until that recent Hot Rod article.
I spoke with Tom at Shafiroff and could not have felt more confident once I got off the phone, some of the others left me feeling far less confident.
As has been mentioned, at those power levels you better replace everything from the engine back with stronger components. I was doing a Keisler anyway so that was no factor in my decision.
Here's a link
http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/427_realstreet.asp
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 154
Likes: 3
From: Indiana
JayChris,
Talk a look at the T&L site Sweet sent you and look at the dyno charts. Torque is what you feel in the seay of your pants and that sucker makes 500 all day. If you drive like me, few times per week just for fun, I seldom go over 4500 RPM but I like going from one light to the next in a hurry on occasion. That's the motor I have my eye on! (soon as I hit the lottery)
Talk a look at the T&L site Sweet sent you and look at the dyno charts. Torque is what you feel in the seay of your pants and that sucker makes 500 all day. If you drive like me, few times per week just for fun, I seldom go over 4500 RPM but I like going from one light to the next in a hurry on occasion. That's the motor I have my eye on! (soon as I hit the lottery)
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 154
Likes: 3
From: Indiana
JayChris,
Take a look at the T&L site Sweet sent you and look at the dyno charts. Torque is what you feel in the seat of your pants and that sucker makes 500 all day. If you drive like me, few times per week just for fun, I seldom go over 4500 RPM but I like going from one light to the next in a hurry on occasion. That's the motor I have my eye on! (soon as I hit the lottery)
Take a look at the T&L site Sweet sent you and look at the dyno charts. Torque is what you feel in the seat of your pants and that sucker makes 500 all day. If you drive like me, few times per week just for fun, I seldom go over 4500 RPM but I like going from one light to the next in a hurry on occasion. That's the motor I have my eye on! (soon as I hit the lottery)
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Madison NJ
Here is a thread I started to find out about T&L. In it you will find a response from gyopp who has the 408 from them.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...l-engines.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...l-engines.html
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
The engine factory 383 lists a Scat stroker crank, Probably their 9000 series which is cast and Hyper pistons. The T&L 408 is a Fully forged bottom end. They use Eagle rotating assemblies. A much better engine for less $. T&L 408 is the best option IMHO. I would upgrade to AFR 195 Eliminator heads with this option though. Not much price difference through vendors. The Shafiroff 427 is better yet but you can buy the T&L 408 and a Keisler 5 speed kit for the price of the 427. Depends on how deep your pockets are.
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Hi all this is my first post but i've spent hours on this forum reading. I don't have a vette yet but very interested in this topic of my future purchase. I like both of the crate motors mentioned above. If i were to drop the 408 in a vette what else do i need to replace to handle that hp? I'm guessing tranny will need to be replaced? I'm looking at getting a 4 speed if that makes any difference.
PS
Not meaning to thread jack
PS
Not meaning to thread jack
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: Rockford TN
Keep in mind, dyno numbers are acheived under ideal conditions and will be different once you get it under your hood and an air cleaner bolted on. Engine dyno numbers are ok but I prefer chassis dyno numbers better. Just my .02...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
The engine factory 383 lists a Scat stroker crank, Probably their 9000 series which is cast and Hyper pistons. The T&L 408 is a Fully forged bottom end. They use Eagle rotating assemblies. A much better engine for less $. T&L 408 is the best option IMHO. I would upgrade to AFR 195 Eliminator heads with this option though. Not much price difference through vendors. The Shafiroff 427 is better yet but you can buy the T&L 408 and a Keisler 5 speed kit for the price of the 427. Depends on how deep your pockets are.
The chassis dyno numbers from what I hear from others who own these engines is right on target or slightly over what the company advertises.
My other question is to Jeff from Keisler. Which one of your transmissions will hold up best to this motor?
Last edited by jaychis; May 17, 2009 at 10:40 PM. Reason: incomplete
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: Rockford TN
This is what I was looking at. I love the fact that the T&L is all forged. I am also planing on going the 5 speed route as well to handle the torque. I also had the rear end rebuilt with a 3.70 gear to handle things better than an old stock rear end. In fact everything from the motor on back will be new, including the trailing arms.
The chassis dyno numbers from what I hear from others who own these engines is right on target or slightly over what the company advertises.
My other question is to Jeff from Keisler. Which one of your transmissions will hold up best to this motor?
The chassis dyno numbers from what I hear from others who own these engines is right on target or slightly over what the company advertises.
My other question is to Jeff from Keisler. Which one of your transmissions will hold up best to this motor?
It also has the more friendly 2.87 1st gear compared to the 3.27 1st in the 500. If you haven`t chosen a gear yet I would say go 3.5-3.7 with this trans.
