AR 383 owners, Can you help??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Angola IN
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Cruise-In 7 Car Show Winner
AR 383 owners, Can you help??
Well I was going to post that I has ready to purchase one of AR's 383's but after looking at some of the posts, I'm concerned that it may not be the best way to go. Are this issues, just a few limited issues or are they becomming common place?
Well I was going to post that I was ready to order one next week, but I think I'll hold off until the general feeling is that all is ok, and that the issues presented here were just a couple glichs.
Anyone here using Sallee Crate motors? They look to be high quality modified ZZ4 motors, I talked with them, but the price will be about 1500.00 more than AR's 383. But if they don't have quaility issues, it might be money well spent.
Any advice would be appreciated. I want/have to do a swap this winter, since my tanny lost 1st gear, and the clutch is now fried. The motor was less than steller on a dyno, and I need to do the other work, so why not do a engine upgrade.
It's not the orginal motor in it any ways, so no big deal with swapping again!!
Frank
Well I was going to post that I was ready to order one next week, but I think I'll hold off until the general feeling is that all is ok, and that the issues presented here were just a couple glichs.
Anyone here using Sallee Crate motors? They look to be high quality modified ZZ4 motors, I talked with them, but the price will be about 1500.00 more than AR's 383. But if they don't have quaility issues, it might be money well spent.
Any advice would be appreciated. I want/have to do a swap this winter, since my tanny lost 1st gear, and the clutch is now fried. The motor was less than steller on a dyno, and I need to do the other work, so why not do a engine upgrade.
It's not the orginal motor in it any ways, so no big deal with swapping again!!
Frank
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Northampton Ma
Re: AR 383 owners, Can you help?? (garandfan)
I'm supposed to recieve mine soon, I let you know how it goes although it may be awhile before I have it up and running. I believe the people who had problems talked to Mark and he said to send the motors back, and he would send them a new one :cheers:
[Modified by Ryan77, 5:51 PM 9/23/2003]
[Modified by Ryan77, 5:51 PM 9/23/2003]
Team Owner
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From: Here to make friends
St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Re: AR 383 owners, Can you help?? (garandfan)
After hearing the latest AR stories and about the cost of shipping, I think I'd look for a local builder that you can trust. It sounds like AR is taking care of their customers, but pulling an engine and shipping it somewhere isn't really that convenient and costs hundreds of dollars. I think I'd much rather have a relationship with someone local. :cheers:
Safety Car
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From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: AR 383 owners, Can you help?? (garandfan)
Frank,
Since you have questions in your mind about AR's engines I would think it might be worth your time to contact many of the buyers on E-bay. I got e-mail from 2 different prospective buyers in the last week alone and I bought my engine almost 10 months ago. Those buyers are actually pretty smart as they probably figured those with their engines for 6 months or so can give them a fair assessment. The newest buyers probably have not installed them, so why even contact them. I wish I would have thought of that before I made a major purchase like this although I cannot say that I have found anything to make me worry about the 355(which I have not started yet). Guys like to talk cars & engines, so I bet you would get alot of answers... just as I answered.
Since you have questions in your mind about AR's engines I would think it might be worth your time to contact many of the buyers on E-bay. I got e-mail from 2 different prospective buyers in the last week alone and I bought my engine almost 10 months ago. Those buyers are actually pretty smart as they probably figured those with their engines for 6 months or so can give them a fair assessment. The newest buyers probably have not installed them, so why even contact them. I wish I would have thought of that before I made a major purchase like this although I cannot say that I have found anything to make me worry about the 355(which I have not started yet). Guys like to talk cars & engines, so I bet you would get alot of answers... just as I answered.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
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From: Thomson Georgia
Re: AR 383 owners, Can you help?? (The_Dude)
After hearing the latest AR stories and about the cost of shipping, I think I'd look for a local builder that you can trust. It sounds like AR is taking care of their customers, but pulling an engine and shipping it somewhere isn't really that convenient and costs hundreds of dollars. I think I'd much rather have a relationship with someone local. :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: AR 383 owners, Can you help?? (Alwyn678)
After hearing the latest AR stories and about the cost of shipping, I think I'd look for a local builder that you can trust. It sounds like AR is taking care of their customers, but pulling an engine and shipping it somewhere isn't really that convenient and costs hundreds of dollars. I think I'd much rather have a relationship with someone local. :cheers:
I totally agree I can't imagine having to deal with someone half way across the country...........But they are a lot of bang for the buck if they live up to their promises...........that is a big IF
I totally agree I can't imagine having to deal with someone half way across the country...........But they are a lot of bang for the buck if they live up to their promises...........that is a big IF
What I would recommend for a buyer is to check a few things on the engine before firing it up (like turning the crank to see if everyting is clearanced right, checking the rocker arms etc...) If you take enough precaution - you should be ok......
Team Owner
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: (MNJack)
Will they dyno test the engine before they ship it to you? Isn't this usually an extra cost option when you buy an engine? Seems like it would be well worth it. MJ
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 10:18 PM 9/23/2003]
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 89
From: arvada co
Re: AR 383 owners, Can you help?? (garandfan)
After seeing the experience the CCC has had with an AR engine, I would not buy one. AR stands behind their product, but I would not want to deal with the issues.
There will be a very intresting post coming out of the CCC soon.
There will be a very intresting post coming out of the CCC soon.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,844
Likes: 0
From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: AR 383 owners, Can you help?? (colo63sw)
The drama builds. I've got a good seat and went back to the refreshment stand to load up to make sure I don't miss anything.
:lurk: :lurk: :lurk: :lurk:
:lurk: :lurk: :lurk: :lurk:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: AR 383 owners, Can you help?? (garandfan)
If at all worried about an AR racing eng I would look at the GM HT383, a true 383 ci motor (3.80 stroke as opposed to 3.75 bored .030 over) packed with quality parts (forged crank, PM LT4 rods, and hypo pistons) and a GM warranty. This eng should be good to 450 hp with a good cam and exhaust. Out of the crate it makes over the 325 advertised hp and with a cam swap should get you into the 400's, it has a tiny cam. I should have gone this route instead of crate eng from a company that does not stand behind its eng, Speed-o-motive. I ended up buying a cheapo GM crate eng, $1,400 delivered to my office, and beat it pretty good with no failures. I have yet hear of anyone having a GM eng fail on start up or shortly after but I am sure there are some.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: AR 383 owners, Can you help?? (Fevre)
If at all worried about an AR racing eng I would look at the GM HT383, a true 383 ci motor (3.80 stroke as opposed to 3.75 bored .030 over) packed with quality parts (forged crank, PM LT4 rods, and hypo pistons) and a GM warranty. This eng should be good to 450 hp with a good cam and exhaust. Out of the crate it makes over the 325 advertised hp and with a cam swap should get you into the 400's, it has a tiny cam. I should have gone this route instead of crate eng from a company that does not stand behind its eng, Speed-o-motive. I ended up buying a cheapo GM crate eng, $1,400 delivered to my office, and beat it pretty good with no failures. I have yet hear of anyone having a GM eng fail on start up or shortly after but I am sure there are some.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: AR 383 owners, Can you help?? (GrandSportC3)
GS
Oh contrare, the vortec heads are the best value for the money for anything below .500 lift and 450hp. For most those are acceptable numbers. Of course if you want more it costs more but again you weigh GM's reputation against AR's.
Here is a write up on getting 460hp and 500 lbs/ft of torq out of a HT383 with the vortec heads.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/66278/index.html
[Modified by Fevre, 7:47 AM 9/25/2003]
Oh contrare, the vortec heads are the best value for the money for anything below .500 lift and 450hp. For most those are acceptable numbers. Of course if you want more it costs more but again you weigh GM's reputation against AR's.
Here is a write up on getting 460hp and 500 lbs/ft of torq out of a HT383 with the vortec heads.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/66278/index.html
[Modified by Fevre, 7:47 AM 9/25/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: AR 383 owners, Can you help?? (Fevre)
GS
Oh contrare, the vortec heads are the best value for the money for anything below .500 lift and 450hp. For most those are acceptable numbers. Of course if you want more it costs more but again you weigh GM's reputation against AR's.
Here is a write up on getting 460hp and 500 lbs/ft of torq out of a HT383 with the vortec heads.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/66278/index.html
Oh contrare, the vortec heads are the best value for the money for anything below .500 lift and 450hp. For most those are acceptable numbers. Of course if you want more it costs more but again you weigh GM's reputation against AR's.
Here is a write up on getting 460hp and 500 lbs/ft of torq out of a HT383 with the vortec heads.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/66278/index.html
I'll take on anybody at the track that runs a GM crate engine with stock heads and no nitrous or supercharger - and I bet that I'll win... and I only spent 1/2 the money...
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 9:06 AM 9/25/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: AR 383 owners, Can you help?? (GrandSportC3)
GS
Oh contrare, the vortec heads are the best value for the money for anything below .500 lift and 450hp. For most those are acceptable numbers. Of course if you want more it costs more but again you weigh GM's reputation against AR's.
Here is a write up on getting 460hp and 500 lbs/ft of torq out of a HT383 with the vortec heads.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/66278/index.html
Just check what the total cost would be to make 460 HP with that engine .. You could almost buy 2 AR engines for that kind of money (especially if you have to pay somebody to make the changes to the GM engine)
I'll take on anybody at the track that runs a GM crate engine with stock heads and no nitrous or supercharger - and I bet that I'll win... and I only spent 1/2 the money...
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 9:06 AM 9/25/2003]
Oh contrare, the vortec heads are the best value for the money for anything below .500 lift and 450hp. For most those are acceptable numbers. Of course if you want more it costs more but again you weigh GM's reputation against AR's.
Here is a write up on getting 460hp and 500 lbs/ft of torq out of a HT383 with the vortec heads.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/66278/index.html
Just check what the total cost would be to make 460 HP with that engine .. You could almost buy 2 AR engines for that kind of money (especially if you have to pay somebody to make the changes to the GM engine)
I'll take on anybody at the track that runs a GM crate engine with stock heads and no nitrous or supercharger - and I bet that I'll win... and I only spent 1/2 the money...
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 9:06 AM 9/25/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: AR 383 owners, Can you help?? (GrandSportC3)
Here is a approx. total cost for the mentioned 383 build:
HT383 Crate engine:................$3895 (+shipping)
Intake.................................. ....$170
Install of Intake.........................$150
Roller Rocker arms....................$200
Install................................. ......$100
Cam + Install............................$300
Valve Springs + Install...............$400
Pulling Heads and installing
different head gasket.................$200 +++
Pulleys etc installed....................$300 +++
........................................ ...----------------
Total for people that
don't do the work themselves:... $5715
If you do the work yourself... you maybe save $700 - $800... You'll still end up paying around $5k+++ total...
You'd have to send back the engine many times until you reach $5700 with your AR engine..
For me personally - I didn't have to spend close to 6k and still take on anybody with such $6k engine...
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 9:21 AM 9/25/2003]
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 9:24 AM 9/25/2003]
HT383 Crate engine:................$3895 (+shipping)
Intake.................................. ....$170
Install of Intake.........................$150
Roller Rocker arms....................$200
Install................................. ......$100
Cam + Install............................$300
Valve Springs + Install...............$400
Pulling Heads and installing
different head gasket.................$200 +++
Pulleys etc installed....................$300 +++
........................................ ...----------------
Total for people that
don't do the work themselves:... $5715
If you do the work yourself... you maybe save $700 - $800... You'll still end up paying around $5k+++ total...
You'd have to send back the engine many times until you reach $5700 with your AR engine..
For me personally - I didn't have to spend close to 6k and still take on anybody with such $6k engine...
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 9:21 AM 9/25/2003]
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 9:24 AM 9/25/2003]