I'm not that competent, and I don't have the time or experience. $2000.00 is the way to go. 
Motors
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 0
From: Auburn Washington
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06
Motors
Would you rather buy a built motor or build it yourself? What would you do? With crate motors all ready to go I, myself would rather buy one. 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,793
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From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
it depends on your application. If you want a street machine with some extra grunt, the ZZ4 or equivalent is a perfect choice. Just as you mentioned it has been clearenced, built, and tested to work and comes with a warranty.
On the other hand, you have people who want more than what the crate motor offers. Either for racing purposes, or bragging rights, there are many who just want stuff done to their specifications. It's a toss up really, but I'm with you. I'd probably buy a crate motor and install myself
On the other hand, you have people who want more than what the crate motor offers. Either for racing purposes, or bragging rights, there are many who just want stuff done to their specifications. It's a toss up really, but I'm with you. I'd probably buy a crate motor and install myself
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 0
From: Auburn Washington
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06
If I had alot of miles on my motor I would definitely buy the crate motor. It just seems to be more practical. I think most Vettes should only be able to handle 400-450 hp and still be streetable. 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I did the engine build route... I did a near stock L98 for $2000.00.
The people I feel for are the ones who have no choice, cause they don't know better, and pay someone $4000.00 for the same motor.
The people I feel for are the ones who have no choice, cause they don't know better, and pay someone $4000.00 for the same motor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: MidOhio
Personally I'd rebuild one myself--might as well use what I know how to do and get exactly what I want-MAYBE save a little cash for other goodies. There is also a lot to be said in being able to say "I did it". I don't have any problem with a guy that doesn't have the capability to rebuild one and ops for a crate if he's doing the swap himself (herself). At least they're learning and get a feel for the hard side of things.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,786
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From: Minneapolis MN
I built a 406 a couple of years ago for my mud truck. And yes saying you built it is something to be proud of.(Well me and my builder built it) If I had it to do all over again I would go crate. More bang for the buck.
Last edited by redvette6spd; Mar 27, 2005 at 09:52 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Any time I have paid a pro to do a complete motor, I have been unlucky. They all blew up. Then I discovered that parts sold were not installed in the motor. Made for an unpleasant (legal) situation. I do the final assembly and specing of parts myself. This assures me of the contents. Now if I pay for arp rod bolts(for example) I am sure to get them. The money spent to buy the basic tools to double check the machinists work were minimal compared to the cost of the steaming hot pile of broken, oily pieces. I enjoy building them so I prefer to do as much as I can. Certain amount of pride when they run well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati Oh
i think half the fun of driving it is knowing how much of a PITA it was putting everything together! 
I'd rather build it myself to learn about the car that I'm flogging on a daily basis, know I got what I paid for, and also the peace of mind so then when something does break, I'll know there was only one guy to blame....
I'm looking at my second rebuild (for fun, not problems) and I can certainly see the allure in buying one "off the shelf." Building engines and busting knuckles certainly isn't for everyone with the time or money spent...
I'd rather build it myself to learn about the car that I'm flogging on a daily basis, know I got what I paid for, and also the peace of mind so then when something does break, I'll know there was only one guy to blame....
I'm looking at my second rebuild (for fun, not problems) and I can certainly see the allure in buying one "off the shelf." Building engines and busting knuckles certainly isn't for everyone with the time or money spent...
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: Midddleburg FL
I'm planning on rebuilding mine (hopefully) in about another year. Yes, there will quite a few mods done, but nothing radical. The main reason I want to do it myself is, to learn. I've never built an engine, but I want to learn. And I want to have the satisfaction of doing it myself. And I think it will make me appreciate the car that much more. I can see the advantages of going with a crate motor. For someone who already knows how to build one, or has no desire to learn how, then I think a crate motor would be the way to go. I would imagine that it would be cheaper to pay someone to do an engine swap than it would be to have them pull it, rebuild it and then put it back in.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I'm told that finding a "quality" machine shop can be more difficult than some of the other challenges in the rebuild. I also believe Bogus when he says the R&R is the hard part. Is this due to all of the complex systems that have to be disconnected and then put back in working order? The reason for the question is my experience R&R engines ended prior to modern (I have done 68 vette for example) and the way ours opens up seems like it would be easier to work on. We need some teams made up of experienced C4 members in each area of the U.S. who will show up and help with the pull out and return for the install/get running phase kind of like the old days when people helped each other raise barns.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
I've never had a problem with ones I've built. As low as prices are on motors these days though, it can be considered easeir if you don't have the mechanical ability. I agree that the R&R is the hardest part-Especially on a C4
Last edited by cv67; Mar 28, 2005 at 09:42 AM. Reason: spelling
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Originally Posted by KAZ2
I'm told that finding a "quality" machine shop can be more difficult than some of the other challenges in the rebuild. I also believe Bogus when he says the R&R is the hard part. Is this due to all of the complex systems that have to be disconnected and then put back in working order? The reason for the question is my experience R&R engines ended prior to modern (I have done 68 vette for example) and the way ours opens up seems like it would be easier to work on. We need some teams made up of experienced C4 members in each area of the U.S. who will show up and help with the pull out and return for the install/get running phase kind of like the old days when people helped each other raise barns.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 4
From: Severna Park MD
Originally Posted by KAZ2
I'm told that finding a "quality" machine shop can be more difficult than some of the other challenges in the rebuild. I also believe Bogus when he says the R&R is the hard part. Is this due to all of the complex systems that have to be disconnected and then put back in working order? The reason for the question is my experience R&R engines ended prior to modern (I have done 68 vette for example) and the way ours opens up seems like it would be easier to work on. We need some teams made up of experienced C4 members in each area of the U.S. who will show up and help with the pull out and return for the install/get running phase kind of like the old days when people helped each other raise barns.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Sorry for the confusion FELNGR8, I wasn't suggesting a group of non qualified nabobs gather to put their best efforts towards installing a C4 engine. I was saying that if there were qualified vette owners (like Bogus) who did have expertise and could be on hand to assure that the owner completed a successful installation. The owner would be responsible for the beer/pizza/heavy lifting and the travel expenses of the pros and would owe help to other members down the line. I know that many members have already helped each other in this exact way. Regards
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 3
From: Mount Vernon OH
If it was between building or buying and I could afford to buy I would buy. However, a high horsepower Duttweiler small blocck turbo engine starts at around $40,000 from what I hear so I will continue to build them for now.
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: Kewanee IL
I Disagree if you do it correctly, anybody can turn a wrench, Not everyone can make every important measurement, know what ones to make,and definetly won't care about what's going in u'r car as much as U (MY 2 CENTS) Do you really think a production worker takes as much pride in your car as you????? As far as the orig. ques. I my self have a 406 4 bolt main High nickle block from 71 and I don't think that u'r gonna buy that in a box( well atleast from any mexican assembly plant where 95% of the create motors come from.........)P.S. I haven't seen any big inch small blocks in create w/ out BIG money..If you do it your self u'll only have your self to blame and you can't go wrong there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Mike 
Last edited by flyboycorvette; Mar 28, 2005 at 09:33 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,252
Likes: 6
From: The Colony Tx
I don't know about today, but in the 60's one of the biggest problems around were shadetree mechs that did a bad mix and match on parts and ended up with a garbage running car. Putting parts together is pretty stright forward. But knowing what parts is another story. You really have to know what you want the car to do. If it is going to be a DD or street rod you have to build a car you can live with.
I made a few mistakes when I did my first engine but I still felt pretty good the first time it lit off and I knew I had done the work.
I made a few mistakes when I did my first engine but I still felt pretty good the first time it lit off and I knew I had done the work.