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Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: joshking440] #1132381
12/14/11 01:41 PM
12/14/11 01:41 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 370
NASHVILLE
MAVERICKSHEMI Offline
enthusiast
MAVERICKSHEMI  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 370
NASHVILLE
Quote:

So why do you guys think that some of these shops that have messed up builds for folks, or have sold you a bill of goods and come to find out you didn't get anything close to what you paid for still have or get work.

I think as a mopar community we are doing our hobby a complete disservice by continuing to use the shops like this.

It's not so easy a caveman can do it, but looking at the technology and the advancements we have made in our sport in the last 20 years I'm not convinced that cavemen haven't been captaining this ship.

We as a group need to demand improvements in what we are buying.



--------------------------------------------------

One reason Josh is if you do on here you take a beating from the other members, Including other mods. They all stand up for him with no knowlege of the Engine build. I have a motor now that i have put over 20k in it and it still not right. The motor only has 300 miles on it and was built and check over by TWO DIFFRENT HALL OF FAME engine builders.

Parts missing from motor I sent them. Burnt push rods. Bad or used rockers. Rods were not demagnetized. Wrong finish on cylinder walls. Oil pump top plate scored. Paper towels or cloth fibers thick in omberg oil filter. Used parts in ur motor.

Contact the first engine builder He denies its his motor. quote: " Thats Indys S*%$ ! Slams phone down. How ever on HIS own websight he has the same list of parts for his Torque Moster as in my engine. A employee of his dug up old records showing its was his motor.

Secound builder Said about the burnt rods after ran from my phone calls and emails for over a month. " I can tell by the pics you sent me that the rods reach a temp of 1150 degrees which shows you let the engine sit to long befor starting it"
B/S

Other Honest engine builders have confirmed the above on other peoples motors. They say thanks to them, Thats what keeps them in buss.

There should be a Thread for this type of stuff. bad parts, service and so on. IF there was EVERYONE would win. Better parts, service, more sales would be achived from it.

NOW WHO IS GONNA CAST THE FIRST STONE !

Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: joshking440] #1132382
12/14/11 01:55 PM
12/14/11 01:55 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,131
New Lenox IL
cudadon Offline
top fuel
cudadon  Offline
top fuel

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,131
New Lenox IL
Josh I try to use all your criteria.
I don't try to nickel dime my guy it can cause short cuts.

I use Ray Barton Racing Engines. My current 451 LD stroker he built is 12 years old!
It's had freshen ups every 400-500 runs and NO problems.
I will use his knowledge and experience for my future builds!
Don

6966790-451ondyno.JPG (49 downloads)
Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: lewtot184] #1132383
12/14/11 02:31 PM
12/14/11 02:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,065
Niles , Ohio
T
therocks Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks  Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
T

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,065
Niles , Ohio
The guy I use has been a one man shop for at least 30 years.Almost all of his buisness is repeat.That says something about hit work.He is somewhat slow but very very mituclious.That and he has great prices.I sometimes think he is pricing from the 80s.I never ask for a price.Just tell him what I want and pay him.Never had a problem and he builds everytjing from full race motors to old Packards.Rocky


Chrysler Firepower
Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: therocks] #1132384
12/14/11 06:00 PM
12/14/11 06:00 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,910
Eighty Four, PA
B G Racing Offline
master
B G Racing  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,910
Eighty Four, PA
This could be an endless debate,the fact that there are many good/great engine builders out there the facts remain the same for everyone of them.Sometimes shizt happens thats is beyond their control ie: bad parts,other times it maybe an employee mistake,or a bad combination of mismatched parts.
As mentioned time and again paying for a good job is what everyone expects and thats normal business,screw up and the world will know unless the shop has the integrity to man up to any issue and work through the problems with each customer.How problems are handled is what make any good shop or builders reputation.Even if the problem was not the fault of the shop,they at least should help the customer fully understand what happened.
Also like in any business,sometimes growing bigger is not always better.The owners' name is on everything that leaves the shop,good or bad.In all my years of business if a customer has a problem then I have a problem.Many shops hide behind the fact that they build race/performance engines or componants and after the money changes hands they are resolved of any resonsibility and this leaves the customer no recourse but to complain and the internet gives them a world wide audiuance.
The only thing I can recommend is find a shop or builder that you trust,have confidence in and can build a relationship with them so that any issues can be worked out together.

Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: B G Racing] #1132385
12/14/11 06:10 PM
12/14/11 06:10 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 370
NASHVILLE
MAVERICKSHEMI Offline
enthusiast
MAVERICKSHEMI  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 370
NASHVILLE
Quote:

This could be an endless debate,the fact that there are many good/great engine builders out there the facts remain the same for everyone of them.Sometimes shizt happens thats is beyond their control ie: bad parts,other times it maybe an employee mistake,or a bad combination of mismatched parts.
As mentioned time and again paying for a good job is what everyone expects and thats normal business,screw up and the world will know unless the shop has the integrity to man up to any issue and work through the problems with each customer.How problems are handled is what make any good shop or builders reputation.Even if the problem was not the fault of the shop,they at least should help the customer fully understand what happened.
Also like in any business,sometimes growing bigger is not always better.The owners' name is on everything that leaves the shop,good or bad.In all my years of business if a customer has a problem then I have a problem.Many shops hide behind the fact that they build race/performance engines or componants and after the money changes hands they are resolved of any resonsibility and this leaves the customer no recourse but to complain and the internet gives them a world wide audiuance.
The only thing I can recommend is find a shop or builder that you trust,have confidence in and can build a relationship with them so that any issues can be worked out together.




Amen Mr. George. Wish more people felt the same as you.

Last edited by MAVERICKSHEMI; 12/14/11 07:54 PM.
Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: joshking440] #1132386
12/14/11 11:44 PM
12/14/11 11:44 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,225
Charleston
S
sixpackgut Offline
Drag Week Mod Champion
sixpackgut  Offline
Drag Week Mod Champion
S

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,225
Charleston
Quote:

So why do you guys think that some of these shops that have messed up builds for folks, or have sold you a bill of goods and come to find out you didn't get anything close to what you paid for still have or get work.

I think as a mopar community we are doing our hobby a complete disservice by continuing to use the shops like this.

It's not so easy a caveman can do it, but looking at the technology and the advancements we have made in our sport in the last 20 years I'm not convinced that cavemen haven't been captaining this ship.

We as a group need to demand improvements in what we are buying.




in my parts gathering stage in 2002 as i am not from SC, i was asking around at the race track, who does your machine work. i got the same answer every time. as the year passed, i came to realize, these guys were going thru 3 engines a year!!! W! T! F!

to this day, guys still get horribly (not a strong enough word) screwed by this shop


Gen 3 power 6.22@110, 9.85@135
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performance only racing, CRT, ultimate converter, superior design concepts, ThumperCarbs
Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: sixpackgut] #1132387
12/15/11 12:07 AM
12/15/11 12:07 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,587
Great Neck,LI,new york
hemi-itis Offline
I Live Here
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I Live Here

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,587
Great Neck,LI,new york
I have found from my own experience and those of friends that engine builders,chassis shops and machine shop ALWAYS take ALOT longer than promised.BG,I'll use you as an example.You have a fantastic rep with nobody having a bad word about you.I I came to with a build of any kind and you told me you were very busy and could not touch my junk for 4 monthes,that would be an honest answer and I would just have to wait for your quality job.But if you told me you could get it DONE in 8 weeks and it took 28 weeks I'd be rippin mad.Too many shops will low ball the time frame just to get the job in with a healthy deposit and give you the big STROKE


HEMI-ITIS has no cure.
My condition is fully BLOWN!!
Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: hemi-itis] #1132388
12/15/11 04:58 AM
12/15/11 04:58 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,910
Eighty Four, PA
B G Racing Offline
master
B G Racing  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,910
Eighty Four, PA
Al,as you and many others know,we only take on a limited amont of work from the general public.Most of our customers are other shops and hardcore bracket racers.We pass on a lot of work because we have a waiting list and try to have everyone running at the beginning of each race season.It's easier to tell someone we can't do their work then not deliver in a timely manner.We take care of all our loyal customers and racers before taking on new ones.Many times we see a simple engine job turn into a complicated time consumming project because the customer brings in a lot of mismatched parts or decides to change course multipule times during the project or has a limited budget and can only proceed at a slow pace.When have you ever seen us advertize or solicit any work? Heck,we don't even have a website,the people who want to work with us will find us.I have even thought about cutting back and downsizing.At my age and having retired from over 46 years in the heavy construction and having been racing and building engines for the past 50 years,I think I have deserved to finally take it easy.
I plan on spending more time with the wife and grandkids and crew chiefing for Donny on the blower car as well as R&R at the local casino.

Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: B G Racing] #1132389
12/15/11 10:02 AM
12/15/11 10:02 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,587
Great Neck,LI,new york
hemi-itis Offline
I Live Here
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I Live Here

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,587
Great Neck,LI,new york
Bob,I know your appointment book is booked for several seasons and was just using your name as an example because of your squeaky clean reputation.I was just making a point and in no way shape or form want to lead ANYBODY to think you are one of those shops,heck I havn't even been in the barnyard ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,yet


HEMI-ITIS has no cure.
My condition is fully BLOWN!!
Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: B G Racing] #1132390
12/15/11 10:11 AM
12/15/11 10:11 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,366
Lehigh Acres, Florida
rickstershemi Offline
master
rickstershemi  Offline
master

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,366
Lehigh Acres, Florida
The shop I use in SW Florida has done two engines for me.....I've known them for over 20 years and any track you go to around here.....you will see their bullets being run....hell even when I was on the road I found his engines being run in Atlanta, Piedmont and as far north as Virginia.

My 565" took 5 weeks from order to in the car ready to race and the cost was less than his initial proposal.

Same deal with my 360/408 stroker, on budget and on time

2-man shop that you could eat off the floors, does everything in house and they are dedicated racers as well

Feel free to pm me if you'd like more info

Rickster

Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: rickstershemi] #1132391
12/15/11 12:28 PM
12/15/11 12:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,840
S.E. Michigan
ZIPPY Online content
I Live Here
ZIPPY  Online Content
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,840
S.E. Michigan
I do it the same as Mr. P Body.

I do it 99.9% because I enjoy it, I take pride in it, and I want to learn something from it.

Budget does also figure into it, as I am not independantly wealthy, but if I wanted to pay somebody, I could.

I don't want to

A checkbook X second car is no faster (or slower) than a homebuilt X second car, so I see no reason to knock either one


Rich H.

Esse Quam Videri




Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: hemi-itis] #1132392
12/15/11 12:29 PM
12/15/11 12:29 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,910
Eighty Four, PA
B G Racing Offline
master
B G Racing  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,910
Eighty Four, PA
Quote:

Bob,I know your appointment book is booked for several seasons and was just using your name as an example because of your squeaky clean reputation.I was just making a point and in no way shape or form want to lead ANYBODY to think you are one of those shops,heck I havn't even been in the barnyard ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,yet




Al,didn't take it that way,I was just generalizing how things happen and how things can be resolved.As far as squeaky clean reputation(thanks),we also have some issues from time to time and it's how we handle it that makes us who we are.We would rather lose money than a friend,racer or customer.I always recall my first real experience from back in the early 70s when I bought my first rail(top fuel dragster)from Cekus& Palmer it was the Ex. Bougher and Reese top fuel car that was the hottest thing in these parts.The engine tossed the crank on the first pass.We pulled the engine and found a lot of junk parts and found a lot of damage from salt water(oxidising)like it came out of a offshore race boat .We called the famed engine builder(on West coast)that built the engine.Before he hung up on me,he said "quote" Son if I guarranted every engine that left this shop,I'd be out of business tommarrow. I had just spent my lifes saving for one pass and learned a hard lesson that lives with me still today.

Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: B G Racing] #1132393
12/15/11 01:33 PM
12/15/11 01:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,394
Q
Quicktree Offline
I Win
Quicktree  Offline
I Win
Q

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,394
I think as customers we just want the truth. don't take in a job promise a date and then don't deliver.it's not except-able. if there is a reason that was not seen get on the phone and explain it.I think most machine shops and body shops over book/take in more than they can handle. it sucks when you have races or things planed out and can't get your stuff back. and usually the machine shop doesn't get their money until the job is completed so it makes no sense

Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: Quicktree] #1132394
12/15/11 02:21 PM
12/15/11 02:21 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,910
Eighty Four, PA
B G Racing Offline
master
B G Racing  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,910
Eighty Four, PA
Quote:

I think as customers we just want the truth. don't take in a job promise a date and then don't deliver.it's not except-able. if there is a reason that was not seen get on the phone and explain it.I think most machine shops and body shops over book/take in more than they can handle. it sucks when you have races or things planed out and can't get your stuff back. and usually the machine shop doesn't get their money until the job is completed so it makes no sense




Well put Tony. We have turned down a lot of work because we know most racers are on a deadline.

Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: B G Racing] #1132395
12/15/11 02:37 PM
12/15/11 02:37 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 339
western PA
S
stevet340 Offline
enthusiast
stevet340  Offline
enthusiast
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 339
western PA
I have been VERY lucky to find the engine builder/machinist/friend that I did when I was in high school. (24 years ago). I learned a long time ago that if you are in a rush, go somewhere else, if you want it cheap, it will not work or be fast, and good/great things take time and to those that are patient and not a P.I.A. it will happen sooner rather than later. You really do get what you pay for and if you rush, mistakes will be made. My builder/machinist/friend is a one man shop with his wife and son and thats it. he can fix and build anything from 9N tractors to top sportsman engines, anything that is mechanical in nature. It's funny that most guys on here want a shop to drop everything for them and then either don't have the money to pay for the work or think it cost too much or think that E-bay and Summit sell really good really fast engines/ parts that will work better than what a professional engine builder recomends... And most guys want an 8 second street car they can drive to work everyday for under $500.oo... lmao

Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: joshking440] #1132396
12/15/11 03:54 PM
12/15/11 03:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 659
Regina, SK, Canada
charger Offline
mopar
charger  Offline
mopar

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 659
Regina, SK, Canada
Quote:

When you are going to choose who builds your next bullet, what are the things that you use as factors when picking your builder?

Is price really the deciding factor??? as we all know that lower price comes with lower quality parts, or lower attention to details

Location of the shop?

What you have heard?

What you have read from an online forum?

Is it the personality of the folks that are at the business that sway you?




For me, my only considerations were results and reputation. They have built many proven track winners and have a very favourable reputation among everyone I ever spoke with about the subject.

I had Best Machine build 2 motors for me, and my brother had one done and we are in Central Canada, while they are far off in Michigan. And if I need another motor, they will be building that too.

The motors I own are done right, and make great power for what they are. No one around here understands how I'm running low/mid 11's with a 5000lb C-body with manifolds and restrictive exhaust in a 446ci motor.

Chuck and Pete are good to work with.

Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: Quicktree] #1132397
12/15/11 04:01 PM
12/15/11 04:01 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 901
oh
julian2007 Offline
super stock
julian2007  Offline
super stock

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 901
oh
I see your point fore sure but to put a date of completion on something as fluid as a race engine build or a body job is very hard to say the least.Too many things can go wrong like back ordered parts,bad parts,a change in the original plan ect ect.Also in the body end of it some shops do old cars for fill in work so when a good hit comes in you have to do it because it pays WAY better.If you paid for every hour spent on a old car resto or just a repaint no one with any brains what so ever would have it done.It just would not be cost effective to do, you could buy a new car cheaper.

We use to do old cars from time to time at the Dealership but they always got in the way of a good paying collision.So Now I do that stuff in the other shop and I don't bring in anything else till the present job is done.

The best thing you can do is start on your engine project as early as possible so when bad things happen you have the time to correct them and move on.

My new block came in at Best Machine this week and went wright back Because Chuck didn't like some tooling marks on the main caps.I'm very glad he took the time to be picky so I get the very best he can produce.That's why I like him its the wright way or the highway with those guys.

A very good friend told me once"get your work done early in the morning so you can fuc!@# around in the afternoon"


God made cold beer,good friends,hot ladies and race cars don't spit in his face by pi$$ing and moaning about how life sucks!!!
Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: Quicktree] #1132398
12/16/11 11:41 PM
12/16/11 11:41 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,587
Great Neck,LI,new york
hemi-itis Offline
I Live Here
hemi-itis  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,587
Great Neck,LI,new york
Quote:

I think as customers we just want the truth. don't take in a job promise a date and then don't deliver.it's not except-able. if there is a reason that was not seen get on the phone and explain it.I think most machine shops and body shops over book/take in more than they can handle. it sucks when you have races or things planed out and can't get your stuff back. and usually the machine shop doesn't get their money until the job is completed so it makes no sense




That's pretty much my point.If you choose a shop with a good rep,waiting is part of a good build.No need to give a short ETA if it can't be delivered.A good shop will already be booked for some time which creates a longer waiting time.I can handle that,it just when you get BS'd on an eta.


HEMI-ITIS has no cure.
My condition is fully BLOWN!!
Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: fishy340] #1132399
12/19/11 10:42 AM
12/19/11 10:42 AM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 189
long island new york
K
kingdust Offline
member
kingdust  Offline
member
K

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 189
long island new york
Quote:

quality+honesty,i can deal with being a tenth slower,i'd rather not have my engine apart every 6 passes.ps i dont want a kid on a friday putting my motor together,when he's got a date that he's in a rush for.


you ain't racin nobody anyway. and you dont know [Edited by Moparts - Family Friendly Site - Keep it clean] about a car!


LIFE IS A LESSON,YOU LEARN IT WHEN YOUR THROUGH!
Re: Engine Builder Selection [Re: B1Johnny] #1132400
12/19/11 10:47 AM
12/19/11 10:47 AM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 189
long island new york
K
kingdust Offline
member
kingdust  Offline
member
K

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 189
long island new york
Quote:

for me cost is not a issue,i buy the best parts.i only want to do it one time.i have gone to a bunch of builders so i have a feel for what is good.i met pete from best machine at norwalk in 2009 and had a good feeling.i talked to pete and chuck and got the pso motor started.they went out of their way to find a buyer for my old b1 motor so could build the new one .they held a set of heads for me.they put all the best parts in it ,the motor made sick power i am a customer for life.i drive 11 hours to get there,when you know you have a good shop you just know thanks again best machine


hey johnny, your car looks awsome bro! when we taken out billy hicks?LOL.


LIFE IS A LESSON,YOU LEARN IT WHEN YOUR THROUGH!
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