Over the past several years, I've seen numerous Threads posted by forum members who are trying to decide whether they want to build a performance engine or purchase a create engine.
I recently built a 496 cu in big block for my 73 Coupe and wanted to share what it took and the cost involved so others could see the actual costs.
This Thread isn't about why I used certain parts or whether it is the way others may have built an engine, but it is to show what it took to get a good quality engine put together.
I hope other Members will share what they built and the cost involved so others can get a real world idea when trying to decide if building an engine, stock or performance, is better for them or purchasing a create engine is a better choice.

I started with a bare 454 MKIV, four bolt main block.
I went with a Scat stroker rotating assembly kit which included a forged crank, forged I beam rods, forged pistons and all the good upgraded parts.
The Edelbrock heads are Performer RPM, oval port with 110cc chambers.
Final compression ratio 10.3 to 1.
Total cost for what I have so far comes to about $18,500.00

PARTS LIST

ENGINE AND UNDER HOOD COST

Headers, Hedman, Summit Racing $509.99
Edelbrock, Performer, RPM Heads, Summit Racing $2,088.99
Starter, Power Master, LJ’s Speed $231.95
Edelbrock Timing Chain Cover, Summit Racing $79.95
Quick Fuel Billet, Bypass Fuel Pressure Regulator, Summit Racing $102.96
Quick Fuel Pressure Regulator, Bracket, Summit Racing $38.95
Crane Roller Cam, LJ’s Speed $493.50
Crower Roller Rocker Arms, LJ’s Speed $566.77
EPW Roller Lifter Set, LJ’s Speed $538.70
ATI Internal Balance Harmonic Balancer, LJ’s Speed $339.95
Moroso, Oil Pan, LJ’s Speed $335.00
Moroso Oil Pickup, LJ’s Speed $53.00
Meling Oil Pump Select, LJ’s Speed $119.00
Scat Rotating Assembly, LJ’s Speed $2,079.95
Quick Fuel, Q-850 Carburetor, LJ’s Speed $759.00
Quick Fuel, throttle/return spring bracket, Summit Racing $89.95
MSD Distributor, LJ’s Speed $439.95
MSD 6AL Box, LJ’s Speed $259.99
MSD Coil, LJ’s Speed $59.99
MSD Coil Bracket, LJ’s Speed $9.95
Melonite Distributor Gear, LJ’s Speed $69.95
Edelbrock, Water Pump, LJ’s Speed $359.00
Edelbrock, Performer RPM Air Gap, LJ’s Speed $462.55
Moroso Carburetor Spacer, LJ’s Speed $40.22
Holley Fuel Pump, LJ’s Speed $89.95
Liquid Fuel Pressure Gauge, LJ’s Speed $29.95
Red Horse Fuel Filter, LJ’s Speed $39.95
Red Horse Tube Nuts = 2, LJ’s Speed $9.98
Red Horse T Fitting = 2, LJ’s Speed $9.98
Red Horse AN Port Adapter = 2, LJ’s Speed $28.50
Red Horse 3/8” X 1/8” Bushing, LJ’s Speed $3.75
McLoed Mid Weight 168 Tooth Billet Steel Flywheel, LJ’s Speed $283.00
McLoed 11” Clutch Kit, LJ’s Speed $350.00
Valve Covers, Tall, Polished, Plain, Teague Custom Marine $238.36
Engine Block, Bare, MK4, 4 Bolt Mains, No Receipt, Cash, LJ’s Speed $650.00
Radiator, Aluminum, HP, 1.25” Tubes, Natural, Manual, DeWitt’s $997.00
Radiator Cap, Billet, Gripper, DeWitts, Summit Racing $49.99
Radiator Cusions = 4, Rubber, DeWitts, Summit Racing $19.96
Motor Mounts, Solid, Moroso, LJ’s Speed $35.77
Breather, Valve Cover/Crankcase, Catch can, Moroso, LJ’s Speed $108.95
Breather, Valve Cover/Crankcase, Catch can, Moroso, Summit Racing $111.95
-10 AN Bulkhead Fitting = 2, Valve Cover, Red Horse, LJ’s Speed $31.52
-10 AN 90, Swivel = 2, Valve Cover, Red Horse, LJ’s Speed $31.90
Alternator, Powermaster, 100 AMP, LJ’s Speed $149.90
Power Steering Pump, Tuff Stuff, LJ’s Speed $174.95
Power Steering Pump Bracket, Tuff Stuff, LJ’s Speed $126.73
Power Steering Reservoir, Billet Specialties, Summit Racing $153.89
Rod End Clutch Linkage Kit, Speed Direct, Corvette Central $125.66
Engine Machining, Assembly, Assoc Parts including Timing Chain,
Timing Gear Set, Push Rods, Gasket Set, ARP Rocker Studs, Replacement
Valve Springs , Retainers, Surface and Tune Up Heads, LJ's Speed $4,613.45

Here is a couple of pictures of my engine when I picked it up from LJ's Speed.



I hope others will post what they have and the costs involved.

 

Pan milodn 7 qt, oil pump/pickup $350ish
New block from PAW 600
Manley H beams 800?
4340 crank 600
Probe forged domed pistons 600ish
Machine work to new block....bored line honed lots of prep/detail work 1k
New (at the time) Dart Conquest heads 1200
2k to have Mamo port and flow back then
1200 Jesel shaft rockers
Valvetrain hardware 800
Custom Isky solid roller cam, Crower lifters 1400
Team G intake 250, machining due to angle milled heads add 200
Did the porting myself, flow bench time $150
AED carb $600
Richard Childress pulley system, then had Chris Jones racing change pulley sizes changed; upgraded to a mini 80/120 amp alternator, arp hardware Roughly 1500
Saved some by stripping the black anodize off and polishing it all same with the heads.
Dougs headers 600
Fluidampner, HO water pump 350ish
MSD system, pay to recurve/rebush (was junk out of the box 900
Balance rotating assy, lighten FW and balance clutch $400
All new stainless ARP fasteners everywhere $400ish??
Gaskets est $250

Carter 172gph pump $180
Fabbed 1/2" stainless lines, fittings $250
Close to 17k ouch
Could do one more powerful without the fancy stuff for 10 or less

 

That's what the wife and I paid for our first house....back in the day.

 

Back in 64 my parents paid that for a tri-level on a golf course.
Things have changed.

 

You guys keeping track of how much you are spending take all the fun out of this hobby. Nice build BTW.

 

I like the Black/Alum contrast, nice build.

I won't bother listing parts as I think I have other posts that give some details but $18,000 is about what my 460 tri-power build cost with similar parts as the OP (560ish corrected crank HP) three years ago.

 

Some people get a kick on how little they spend- others brag how much they spend-

I don't know or want to know ...but it gives me a smile on my face- so to me- that's what matters!!!


Greg-

That is one nice build- I know you've spent a ton of time on it and it shows!!!

Trust me- I know it costs to do something right- and you have done it!!!

Richard

 

His list is short. No water pump.
I suggest a Stewart. Good stuff.

 

Never cared sure wasnt cause I had it..many 7 day work weeks.
I get a bigger kick about lower buck resourceful builds that kick ****.

Nicely ported iron heads, lots of compression and solid flat tappets.
had to go all out just once to see what happened.

 

That’s what this thread is about.
Not about how much or how little someone spent.
Its about what you did, with what, and your cost.
That way others can see and make a better decision.
I’ve been collecting parts for over four years and finally got the beast together.
Ive had a lot of engines in boats and cars over the years and this is the one I wanted to go all out on, so I did.

 

Thanks,

 

Thanks Richard.
I’d like to see you post what you’ve got in yours.
The cost doesn’t matter to me, but would be interesting to see a list of what you’ve got in that V12.

 

I bet it looks like a Dead Sea Scroll too. Like a CVS receipt.

 

The cost is better not to ever add up! If you are paying a shop to do everything, it is probably best to not own an older vette.

A lady walked up to me once and said that she sure would look nice cruising around in that Vette. How much she ask? (Me) It's not for sale. (her) What year is it? (me) 1979. (her) can't be worth much being so old, but it is pretty. I'll give you $8500 cash right now. (me) Lady $8500 is what the transmission, Rear End, and tires and wheels probably cost and I doubt if you could even drive it!

 

Get lots of sideways looks and nasty comments when I est i got over 90k in my half breed car.
Adds up fast

 

Over 30 years and god knows how many upgrades and rebuilds. Never once kept track of recipients or records of costs. I do know my engine rebuild with new heads and all was under 5 grand. But overall, I really don't want to know how much I've spent on her. Far, far more than I could ever dream of selling it for. And that's OK.

 

cheap, fast, durable. choose only 2.

 

I brought Mike Lewis at Lewis Racing Engines a 4 bolt bare 454 block and that's it. And about a year later I was in no hurry, And 15,000 dollars. I got my 496 726HP on pump gas road-street engine

 

For the most part, you get what you pay for. The guys who are always "trying to build it cheap" have a goal, and its honorable, but fact is money buys horsepower and quality. It really depends on what you want the car to be. If its going to sit in a garage 99% of the time, only to be driven down to the local car show, where the lawn chairs, stuffed animals and photo books come out, then you can get away with anything, NCRS included. If you want a quality car that is reliable, powerful and capable of driving regularly, it cost money.....no way around it. My car and my new 406 engine, is built far better than GM ever dreamed of, with all top notch American made components, and yes, its cost money.........but I still have less in it than a new Corvette, and I would take my 77 over any new Corvette, any day.

 

Much as your costs and spec' OldCarBum 489 rotating assy, Race Rite oval port heads, hyd flat tappet cam. I had sourced a number of the parts over a number years and didn't really keep a tally of total expenditure (no need for 'er indoors to know everything) your post has made me realise how much I most probably did spend in total - and even though some items were purchased when exchange rates were better than now (in £'s sterling) I'm guessing £15K+