418 stroker LS3 crate engines
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 616
Likes: 193
From: Gilbert AZ
418 stroker LS3 crate engines
Looking for advice/experience/warnings on finding a reputable engine builder for a 418 stroker LS3 fuel injected crate engine. Expect 500+ hp and torque. Budget is roughly 10 grand with ECU, but without accy drive, etc. Must be aluminum block LS3, not LSX.
I've looked at a half dozen places, but have no experience with any of them.
Price/performance seems similar... How to choose the vendor?
Anyone have personal experience with a builder they'd recommend?
Thanks, Garry
I've looked at a half dozen places, but have no experience with any of them.
Price/performance seems similar... How to choose the vendor?
Anyone have personal experience with a builder they'd recommend?
Thanks, Garry
Last edited by Garry in AZ; Aug 11, 2017 at 08:18 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 261
From: Miami Florida
Check this out take your time ...
https://www.texas-speed.com/c-3188-a...d-engines.aspx
https://www.texas-speed.com/p-354-ts...ort-block.aspx
https://www.texas-speed.com/c-3188-a...d-engines.aspx
https://www.texas-speed.com/p-354-ts...ort-block.aspx
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 24,035
Likes: 2,342
From: Gilbert AZ
LME, Thompson, or HPR.
Or talk with Joe@CPR. His local builder does some great engines.
Examples of thompson stuff
http://www.thompsonmotorsports.net/i...48_447_537_568
Or talk with Joe@CPR. His local builder does some great engines.
Examples of thompson stuff
http://www.thompsonmotorsports.net/i...48_447_537_568
Last edited by Unreal; Aug 12, 2017 at 10:03 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 179
Likes: 7
From: GB Wisco
Definitely not close to your area, but check Out West bend Dyno tuning here in Wisconsin http://www.westbenddyno.com they specialize in LS motors, ask for Vince hes the manager. He's been helping me with my build plans on my C6. He brought up that engine to me as an option and there's a local builder here Wegner Motorsports who he mentioned builds them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 261
From: Miami Florida
Don't use LME if you are across state line cause you are on your own if something happens.
I bought a stroker 402 ls2 long block LME sent with wrong lelucter wheel I had to remove engine desasemble and sent crank out to change wheel, this was back when there was no converter box available I was on my own cause son of a bit ch Brian did not take responsibility or man up to it the credit car company told send back the engine and will refund in full but not wanting to start over had to eat it.
Went to my lowyer and he said NEVER buy across state line.
This was back in 2007 there weren't many messing with ls engines it was around Christmas time even the GM dealer could not find why engine didn't start they said everything was rite it should start after keapping the car for 3 days I had to tow it home.
DON'T trust LME.
I bought a stroker 402 ls2 long block LME sent with wrong lelucter wheel I had to remove engine desasemble and sent crank out to change wheel, this was back when there was no converter box available I was on my own cause son of a bit ch Brian did not take responsibility or man up to it the credit car company told send back the engine and will refund in full but not wanting to start over had to eat it.
Went to my lowyer and he said NEVER buy across state line.
This was back in 2007 there weren't many messing with ls engines it was around Christmas time even the GM dealer could not find why engine didn't start they said everything was rite it should start after keapping the car for 3 days I had to tow it home.
DON'T trust LME.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,820
Likes: 411
From: Montreal
St. Jude Donor '13
I am in Canada and use LME. Would use them again as Brian was amazing with me. One side of one bad experience 10 years ago shouldn't rule someone out. Hear way more good than bad about them.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 24,035
Likes: 2,342
From: Gilbert AZ
Agreed, HPR or LME would be my #1 and #2 choice for a high end build. For a basic ls3 stroker, any of them can do that with ease. LME maybe out the price range since the mostly focus on higher end crazy stuff.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 616
Likes: 193
From: Gilbert AZ
Okay, thanks fellas. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing a very highly respected builder when considering the source for my projects motor. I'm familiar with all the choices you guys mentioned, as well as the GM Performance stuff, Blueprint, Indy Heads, Muscle Motors, Katech and Steve Morris.
At this point I'm kinda leaning towards a local builder, Beck Racing Engines. He just had a normally aspirated LS3 on his dyno that made 568hp and 602 ft.lbs, on premium pump gas. I'm a ways off from ordering the motor anyway, as I'm still welding up the chassis, new suspension and cage. I'll order the motor about the time I start the bodywork. (It's not a Corvette)
Thanks again,
Garry
At this point I'm kinda leaning towards a local builder, Beck Racing Engines. He just had a normally aspirated LS3 on his dyno that made 568hp and 602 ft.lbs, on premium pump gas. I'm a ways off from ordering the motor anyway, as I'm still welding up the chassis, new suspension and cage. I'll order the motor about the time I start the bodywork. (It's not a Corvette)
Thanks again,
Garry
Last edited by Garry in AZ; Aug 13, 2017 at 07:39 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,420
Likes: 1,428
From: Mesa Az
We only use WFO locally, feel free to stop by and discuss your build with us as I can put together the entire setup and have him do the short block. I know what works in AZ and can easily set this up for you.
__________________
Cordes Performance Racing aka "CPR"
Owner of AZ's premier LSX/LTX motorsports shop
http://cordesperformanceracing.com/
www.facebook.com/cordesperformanceracing.com
joe@cordesperformanceracing.com
480-359-5914
Cordes Performance Racing aka "CPR"
Owner of AZ's premier LSX/LTX motorsports shop
http://cordesperformanceracing.com/
www.facebook.com/cordesperformanceracing.com
joe@cordesperformanceracing.com
480-359-5914
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 616
Likes: 193
From: Gilbert AZ
Thanks, I had considered WFO, but everyone told me they were quite a ways beyond my budget... I know they build very good stuff, and stand behind it...
I'm trying to get a 416 with ECU (basically a complete ready to run crate motor minus the accy drive) for as close to 10 grand as possible. I've been told that such a motor from WFO would be 16 to 20. I'll give Kelly a call and get it right from the source before I make a decision.
Thanks again!
I'm trying to get a 416 with ECU (basically a complete ready to run crate motor minus the accy drive) for as close to 10 grand as possible. I've been told that such a motor from WFO would be 16 to 20. I'll give Kelly a call and get it right from the source before I make a decision.
Thanks again!
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 24,035
Likes: 2,342
From: Gilbert AZ
Thompson is where I would go then if that is what you want. There warranty is amazing, and they stand behind it. Joe also gets dealer pricing on their setups.
Basically I would just go over to CPR, and talk about what you want, and let Joe do the rest. He can go through Kelly, or one of his many motor places.
Basically I would just go over to CPR, and talk about what you want, and let Joe do the rest. He can go through Kelly, or one of his many motor places.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,420
Likes: 1,428
From: Mesa Az
Thanks, I had considered WFO, but everyone told me they were quite a ways beyond my budget... I know they build very good stuff, and stand behind it...
I'm trying to get a 416 with ECU (basically a complete ready to run crate motor minus the accy drive) for as close to 10 grand as possible. I've been told that such a motor from WFO would be 16 to 20. I'll give Kelly a call and get it right from the source before I make a decision.
Thanks again!
I'm trying to get a 416 with ECU (basically a complete ready to run crate motor minus the accy drive) for as close to 10 grand as possible. I've been told that such a motor from WFO would be 16 to 20. I'll give Kelly a call and get it right from the source before I make a decision.
Thanks again!