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picking someone that specializes in mopars does make a difference.....they have more of their heart put into the build not just a paycheck.

Personally I think that's crap. A QUALITY machine shop, puts their best effort forward regardless of the brand of engine, because WHAT MATTERS is their name is on the valve cover and hence their reputation.

I used to work in an engine shop that was voted IHRA engine builder of the year several times. Translated, that means we did great work and made good power. We took pride in EVERY engine we pushed out the door being right and the best it could be. We primarily did Chevy's, but also did lots of Fords and Mopars as well. An engine is an air pump, no more, no less. Making power is making power and the brand on the valve cover is irrelevant..............Now sure, a MOPAR specialty shop per say, may have a few more little cool tools that are Mopar specific, but that does NOT mean they are any better. It only means they have tools to speed the process involved with an engine they do a lot of. Does not mean other shops don't do the same work.

Now I do agree with the shop you choose should have the torque plate for your motor, or at least willing to buy it. I recently had a 360 block line honed by a local shop. The owner used to run the engine shop for a well known Pro-Stock team and they do Pro-Stock quality work. When I mentioned line honing the 360, he said he had never done one of those and would have to buy the rings from BHJ. So did him NOT having the rings mean he was not capable of the work......HELL NO, it simply meant he didn't have THOSE rings.......he DID have 340 rings by the way

It was mentioned above about bolting an oil pump on a SBM while honing it, either the bores or the line hone......Well yeah, that's a given on ANY engine that the pump mounts on a main cap, Mopar, Ford, or Chevy. Solid machine practices apply to all engines.

And lastly, just because somebody IS specialized, sure don't automatically qualify them as good. I can think of a couple pretty well known "Mopar" shops, that I wouldn't let work on my lawnmower engine...........too many people drinking the "koolaid" these days

These comments in no way shape or form reflect on Tim Banning or RAMM engines. We ALL know they do great work and are excellent choices. My comments are geared toward the fact that many think a Mopar HAS to be built by a MOPAR shop

Monte