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ECS, Phil (AKA Roadrebel), LPE, Turnkey Engines, Synergy Motorsports, cartek, neverlift, and Speed Inc..
I'm sure theres 1 or 2 that i'm missing, but I am sure you can get what you need from one of these guys.
MOST IMPORTANT.... DO NOT "Settle" on anything. Also, do NOT use anything less than the best avail. One of the things that I like about ECS is that they WILL NOT build you a motor if they dont have the ability to use race proven parts. You cant call them and ask them to build you a "Budget" motor..
Originally Posted by DBFCO2
Who would you recommand to build a forged bottom end
I do not agree with just put in the best parts available!
start by looking at what you want out of the engine the plan around that.
It is a waste of money to put a $2k stock stroke crank in an engine that is only going to see street duty.
1. identify what you want out of the engine and how you are going to use it.
2. research the parts that are right for your use.
3. after you have established the above you can play with parts and maybe upgrade for insurance if budget allows.
I will say NEVER cut below the targets you have established above, if budget becomes a problem and you find yourself cutting safety corners, just save untill you can afford the targeted level of parts.
Who would you recommand to build a forged bottom end
Considering you are in Maryland I would advise a shop on the East Coast. American_HP recommended a few good ones and M_T_O's advise is right on the money.
From: Elmhurst, IL (West Suburb of Chicago) & Home of MEGA Horsepower
St. Jude Donor '06
LME (Late Model Engine) out of Houson, TX, and Wheel to Wheel are my two TOP CHOICES that I had it narrowed down to after doing A LOT of research and ultimately I went with LME!!! There are many decent options you have out there and do your homework and narrow it down to a couple of shops and then go with the one you feel most comfortable with and is offering you the best customer service early on and who fits within your budget!!
Last edited by Mopar Jimmy; Nov 28, 2006 at 11:54 PM.
LME (Late Model Engine) out of Houson, TX, and Wheel to Wheel are my two TOP CHOICES that I had it narrowed down to after doing A LOT of research and ultimately I went with LME!!! There are many decent options you have out there and do your homework and narrow it down to a couple of shops and then go with the one you feel most comfortable with and is offering you the best customer service early on and who fits within your budget!!
Btw, my initial motor which failed was more $$$$ than what's working perfectly for me now. I would always recommend someone local and if you're paying for the installation, it's ideal to buy it from the same place... if the unexpected happens, it just keeps people from pointing fingers.
If you're installing it yourself, then do the second best thing and choose a shop that does their own machine work.
Mail ordered my ECS motor -- no issues so far. They use some pretty high quality Manley components and build a TON of these forged boost motors. That's the other thing I'd look for in a shop -- not just one that builds motors, but one that has done so many of the same thing that there are no kinks or bugs to worry about.
W2W built me a 382 iron block , so far so good and Doug at ECS has the car now , were tring to stuff more air in her 15-17 psi well see what happens soon
I couldn't agree more. Chances are there will be some issues, so someone close is very important unless you can wrench yourself.
The ECS boys have had some good luck, and are on the same coast as you. I would not buy from a shop that acts as a "middle man", and just jacks the price up to the consumer. Make sure you are dealing with the people that built it!!
Don't forget the guys that built the quickest C5 on the east coast......The Vette Doctors....www.thevettedoctors.com. They must be doing something right.
From: Elmhurst, IL (West Suburb of Chicago) & Home of MEGA Horsepower
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by jbsblownc5
The ECS boys have had some good luck, and are on the same coast as you. I would not buy from a shop that acts as a "middle man", and just jacks the price up to the consumer. Make sure you are dealing with the people that built it!!
Good luck,
JB
That is best to have the same shop that built the motor also install and tune it in a perfect world and if I lived closer to ECS this is what I would have certanily done as i am running there complete BLOWER KIT and it ROCKS!
That being said, since you are on the east coast it would make the most sense to bring ECS your car and go with one of their built motors and have them install and tune it as their motors, workmanship, f/i kits and customer service are AWESOME and this would be the best way for you to GO!!! If you did not have them do the install and tune for whatever reason like maybe your doing the work yourself, then i know for quality control reasons that ECS does not like to ship their built motors to other tuners/persons, and if that is the case with you then you will have made a GREAT CHOICE going with either an LME or W2W forged motor with great workmanship, top notch parts and very competitive pricing.
Last edited by Mopar Jimmy; Nov 29, 2006 at 02:46 PM.
Since you live in Maryland, you should pm Phil97SVT. He lives in Maryland too, and his motor has through some SERIOUS Battle tested track time (not to mention N20 tested). Just a suggestion. Good Luck!
Buy it from a reputable builder that has good practices and references. I have heard so many horror stories shops closing and people not getting their money or motor back.
for street duty, a ls6 block that has eagle rods with upgraded rod bolts, some good forged pistons of the right CR and basic quality short block build is a budget short block. you can spend 3 X the $'s, and not realize any additional hp or durability (again for a street engine up to 800 rwhp)
If you are building a 1200rwhp drag car then that is where I would be installing the best parts available like luganti (sp) rotating assambly etc.