Since when do customers pay for someone else's R&D?
Either a shop can deliver what's promised at a agreed price, or they can't.
Happens all the time. When I learn new thing I incorporate them into the next opportunity I have. If that didn't happen, we'd all still be doing 3 angle valve jobs with a stone (for just one small example).
Economics 101: the CUSTOMERS pays it all, no matter what. Taxes go up, the customer eats it. Costs go up, the customer eats it. R&D time is no different either.
And, not to bash the OP here (because that is NOT my intent) we do not know how many times a customer changes his mind during a build. Some of the most costly engines I have done have been a customer who is like a fart in a skillet. Constantly going on the web, getting the new trick of the week part or procedure and wanting to change something in mid stream. That costs big money and lots of time.
That's all well and good. But it has nothing to do with the machining errors and lack of attention to detail assembling the engine. No matter the engine, paying a professional should result in professional results. Not backyard mistakes
69 Dart GTS A4 Silver All steel, flat factory hood, 3360race weight 418 BPE factory replacement headed stroker, 565 lift solid cam Best so far, low 10.30’s 1/4 1.41 best 60 foot 6.56 at 104.17
