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I have to admit. When I started reading this thread I was preparing for the worst. Maybe because there doesn't seem to be great customer service out there and most people don't take the time to write good reviews.
I am in the market for a crate for my 70 Nova. I really wish there was a way to tell that they dyno and break in each engine. It's hard to believe the dyno sheet of the exact engine. I would assume it was one with same specs but not yours. Obviously yours wasn't run with the disty they sent you.
If I ordered one from them instead of GM I would likely pick it up in person as Nebraska is my southern neighbor.
I have to admit. When I started reading this thread I was preparing for the worst. Maybe because there doesn't seem to be great customer service out there and most people don't take the time to write good reviews.
I am in the market for a crate for my 70 Nova. I really wish there was a way to tell that they dyno and break in each engine. It's hard to believe the dyno sheet of the exact engine. I would assume it was one with same specs but not yours. Obviously yours wasn't run with the disty they sent you.
If I ordered one from them instead of GM I would likely pick it up in person as Nebraska is my southern neighbor.
I recently received my Blueprint 383 long block and they in fact are dyno'd. You can see where intake gasket was and had residual break in oil.
When I received the engine, I remembered a YouTube post of a guy that was complaining that the engine wasn't of all new parts due to scratches etc... I took the spark plug out and put a cam in to check. Also did the same with exhaust ports and intake manifold. This engine was fired and tested. I agree with your statement, The only real way is to have a video. However this company has been honest and up front with everything. Also stands behind the product. The motor comes with a dyno sheet and tech name assigned. My thought was they could get into a load of problems if was forged and if you take the motor apart it could easily be proven. Why would they take the time and put themselves at risk if it wasn't. Nope, I have no doubt it was done.
Agree Rodney. There are a few (1 large junk dealer in mind) that gives dyno sheets but those #s are pie in the sky...plus the guy sells so much junk losing some biz wont hurt him.
BP are budget engines, for the price they seem decent. I do like the fact they make a 400 block thats appealing...
GM screwed the pooch by not doing this themselves, along with disconinuing all their older muscle car parts.
They could sell plenty of 327s...a double hum iron head with a nice port and vortec CC would be a gold mine.
Ok, started 500 mile break-in. Racked up 5 miles and had a concern. The BluePrint install guide indicates to adjust the Holley carb. However the Holley install guide indicates that all settings on the carb are factory set and need no modifications except idle screw. Naturally you you will leave the carb alone since the manufacture indicates adjustments are not needed. Being the worry wart that I am I called BluePrint on this and was told that the carb is installed and adjusted for controlled conditions of the dyno process and MUST be readjusted for your location, altitude, humidity etc... Else the motor is not installed correctly and your warranty will be voided. I connected a vacuum gauge and adjusted the carb for maximum vacuum. I also checked the torque bolts on the carb. And now the engine is even more smooth than before. I read some posts of people complaining about this. I think both instructions conflict. My logic was call BluePrint, the motor is far more expensive than a carb and you don't want to mess with the warranty.
Ok, started 500 mile break-in. Racked up 5 miles and had a concern. The BluePrint install guide indicates to adjust the Holley carb. However the Holley install guide indicates that all settings on the carb are factory set and need no modifications except idle screw. Naturally you you will leave the carb alone since the manufacture indicates adjustments are not needed. Being the worry wart that I am I called BluePrint on this and was told that the carb is installed and adjusted for controlled conditions of the dyno process and MUST be readjusted for your location, altitude, humidity etc... Else the motor is not installed correctly and your warranty will be voided. I connected a vacuum gauge and adjusted the carb for maximum vacuum. I also checked the torque bolts on the carb. And now the engine is even more smooth than before. I read some posts of people complaining about this. I think both instructions conflict. My logic was call BluePrint, the motor is far more expensive than a carb and you don't want to mess with the warranty.
Hope this helps.
There is no way a carb manufacturer can know what you're bolting that carb onto, what your altitude is, vacuum level, what the overlap on the cam is etc, etc. In anything other than a bone stock or very close engine at sea level, it's gonna need some adjustments.
I am in the market for a crate for my 70 Nova. I really wish there was a way to tell that they dyno and break in each engine. It's hard to believe the dyno sheet of the exact engine. I would assume it was one with same specs but not yours. Obviously yours wasn't run with the disty they sent you.
ATK says they will dyno on request, and send a video of your motor on the stand. Assuming you buy one complete, versus a short or mid build.
I remember reading in forums where someone was complaining about their purchase and the company exec replied with assistance. I say really think about it, the company exec steps in on a forum to assist. (What exec has ever done that!). This company is 100% top notch, no nonsense, no bull, no double talk. Will I purchase from them in the future or recommend to others? You better believe it I will. “Without a doubt or hesitation.” I got better customer service in one phone call than all the companies and local machine shops combined. Other companies can take a lesson.
I’ll update with the next process timing shortly after I ask another round of questions.
A perfect example of the Nebraska work ethic. My son bought a Blueprint engine and a Monster Transmission on the same day. Blueprint engines is located in Nebraska and Monster Transmission is in FL. My son is currently stationed in Key West. The engine arrived almost 2 weeks before the Monster Transmission arrived. The Monster transmission was nothing but trouble from the get go and of course the warranty was as good as the paper it was written on. He ended up purchasing another transmission from Summit Racing Monster Transmission was trash. The engine has been no problem at all, so cannot say how the warranty is because it will simply never be needed.
Funny the engine choice for me and my 75 was between the same 2 companies. Although in my case there was nothing wrong with my original 75 L48 motor at 66k miles other than it was a 75 L48 lol.
For me the decision came down to more of a “it’s a Chevy. It came with a Chevy sbc. Therefore a Chevy sbc should go back in it. The End”.
I don’t have a lengthy pre-sale buying experience with The General to report as the op had with BluePrint. My experience was determining who sold the most of these things and that turned out to be some outfit called Scoggin-Dickey. My one call to them consisted of me asking which flywheel to get with my ZZ6 turnkey. The guy called me back with the info and then I went on their website and clicked a few buttons. A few days later a big, heavy box showed up. “Made in Mexico” stamped everywhere lol.
I can also also point out that I did try to give the business to my local Chevy dealer. I am associated with a large indy repair shop just 200 yards from a massive Chevy store. Their price was $1500 more than Scoggin-Dickey. But hey I tried!
Anyway. The engine I got has been fantastic. It looks like it belongs in the car. I followed the instructions and it all came together without a hitch. The thing lit off the first 1/2 second I turned the key with a ferocious noise and has never missed a beat over a year later. Mine did come wiih all the accessories and a serp belt conversion. I had to mod a passenger side idler bracket slightly to clear rhe suspension on my C3 but I knew that going in.
I’m always the guy that picks local coffee over Starbucks. I abhor Costco, Walmart, Mickey D’s, Home Depot, etc. However in this case I decided to pay the premium and went with corporate America. I feel ok about it.
Funny the engine choice for me and my 75 was between the same 2 companies. Although in my case there was nothing wrong with my original 75 L48 motor at 66k miles other than it was a 75 L48 lol.
For me the decision came down to more of a “it’s a Chevy. It came with a Chevy sbc. Therefore a Chevy sbc should go back in it. The End”.
I don’t have a lengthy pre-sale buying experience with The General to report as the op had with BluePrint. My experience was determining who sold the most of these things and that turned out to be some outfit called Scoggin-Dickey. My one call to them consisted of me asking which flywheel to get with my ZZ6 turnkey. The guy called me back with the info and then I went on their website and clicked a few buttons. A few days later a big, heavy box showed up. “Made in Mexico” stamped everywhere lol.
I can also also point out that I did try to give the business to my local Chevy dealer. I am associated with a large indy repair shop just 200 yards from a massive Chevy store. Their price was $1500 more than Scoggin-Dickey. But hey I tried!
Anyway. The engine I got has been fantastic. It looks like it belongs in the car. I followed the instructions and it all came together without a hitch. The thing lit off the first 1/2 second I turned the key with a ferocious noise and has never missed a beat over a year later. Mine did come wiih all the accessories and a serp belt conversion. I had to mod a passenger side idler bracket slightly to clear rhe suspension on my C3 but I knew that going in.
I’m always the guy that picks local coffee over Starbucks. I abhor Costco, Walmart, Mickey D’s, Home Depot, etc. However in this case I decided to pay the premium and went with corporate America. I feel ok about it.
Hombre, ese es un motor mexicano sexy que tienes ahí!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scoggin-Dickey is local to me. Good company. They are a 4 generation family owned business that is 90 years old. In addition to their nationwide GM parts service, they are new car dealers for Chevrolet, Buick, & Subaru here in Lubbock. They also have a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep dealership in nearby Levelland Texas. Something that is not well known about them is that they build high end racing engines for customers all over the world.
Hombre, ese es un motor mexicano sexy que tienes ahí!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gracias amigo!
Last year I was in the middle of my upgrade. Had not started the car yet with all it’s new bits but it was mostly assembled. Decided to take a break for a week in Sayulita.
I was not expecting my new GM crate to say “hecho en Mexico” all over it but I didn’t care. It seemed like a quality unit! I was south of the border drinking cerveza and eating lobster on a stick on the beach. At the same time reading this thread about Corvette guys getting all frightened about being down there:
I found it all quite ironic that I was building the most iconically American of cars with genuine Mexican bits/labor (sourced from GM) all the while listening to whiners complain about the beautiful place I was currently enjoying.
Did you get the one with hydraulic roller tappet or hydraulic flat tappet cam and why did you choose the one you did?
I went with the roller, just because I don't want to bother with a zinc additive And I read on Lunati's website that roller offer more potential for aggressive cams and that you don't need to replace roller tappets when replacing the cam so the deal was sealed, in case i ever want to get a different camshaft.
