Re: What do you look for in a Machine Shop/ Engine Builder?
[Re: DJVCuda]
#1249573
06/18/12 04:19 AM
06/18/12 04:19 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,847 Missouri
StrokerPost
master
|
master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,847
Missouri
|
Back when I decided that I wanted to step up my cars performance I wondered the same thing and when word got out among my friends they all said "go with my guy, he's the best". What I did instead was take a couple of seasons and just watch.....watch who was going fast, who was spinning their motors hard and always race ready, meaning they were staying together all year. If there wasnt a sticker on a car of interest I would ask the guy who does his motor work and nothing else. At the end of a couple of seasons the vast majority of cars that fit my criteria were pretty evenly split between 2 shops, and one of them was closing the doors to go work for Reher and Morrison. I went to the other shop, talked with the owner for a bit and went from there. He showed me his shop, but I told him I wouldnt really know much about what you were showing me anyway and that his attitude, personality and reputation had already sold me. 13 years and thousands of rounds later I have zero regrets about my choice. In all those years I had only 2 failures of any kind, and they were parts failures, nothing within his control. All machine shops are gonna tell you "warm fuzzies" to hopefully win your business, but I look at what their product is doing at the track long before I talk with one. Just my . Ken.
|
|
|
Re: What do you look for in a Machine Shop/ Engine Builder?
[Re: goldmember]
#1249575
06/18/12 11:08 AM
06/18/12 11:08 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 490 St Clair Shores, MI
DonnyBrass
mopar
|
mopar
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 490
St Clair Shores, MI
|
I look at the girlie posters in the back of the shop; if they are 80's looking, I know they are not staying up on the latest technology..........
Chevy infiltrator 12.34 @ 109.45 with a 1.73 sixty foot
Pure Stock
|
|
|
Re: What do you look for in a Machine Shop/ Engine Builder?
[Re: Dago Red]
#1249577
08/17/12 10:45 AM
08/17/12 10:45 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 41 MD
Motoman172
member
|
member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 41
MD
|
Quote:
EASY.............
The machine shop that doesn't think every engine is based on a small block Chevy.
LOVE IT!!!!
|
|
|
Re: What do you look for in a Machine Shop/ Engine Builder?
[Re: StrokerPost]
#1249578
08/17/12 12:44 PM
08/17/12 12:44 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,544 Syracuse,NY
CompWedgeEngines
master
|
master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,544
Syracuse,NY
|
Quote:
Back when I decided that I wanted to step up my cars performance I wondered the same thing and when word got out among my friends they all said "go with my guy, he's the best". What I did instead was take a couple of seasons and just watch.....watch who was going fast, who was spinning their motors hard and always race ready, meaning they were staying together all year. If there wasnt a sticker on a car of interest I would ask the guy who does his motor work and nothing else. At the end of a couple of seasons the vast majority of cars that fit my criteria were pretty evenly split between 2 shops, and one of them was closing the doors to go work for Reher and Morrison. I went to the other shop, talked with the owner for a bit and went from there. He showed me his shop, but I told him I wouldnt really know much about what you were showing me anyway and that his attitude, personality and reputation had already sold me. 13 years and thousands of rounds later I have zero regrets about my choice. In all those years I had only 2 failures of any kind, and they were parts failures, nothing within his control. All machine shops are gonna tell you "warm fuzzies" to hopefully win your business, but I look at what their product is doing at the track long before I talk with one. Just my . Ken.
Coming from someone who builds engines, this is very good advice and extremely logical...I am often shocked at why some people choose who they do, and the " razzle dazzle" and dog and poney show some shops put on to get customers.We have a local guy who hasnt ever won a damn thing, but because he has a fast car, guys go to him like he's a King...and it always amazes me...great post..
RIP Monte Smith
Your work is a reflection of yourself, autograph it with quality.
WD for Diamond Pistons,Sidewinder cylinder heads, Wiseco, K1 rods and cranks,BAM lifters, Morel lifters, Molnar Technologies, Harland Sharp, Pro Gear, Cometic, King Engine Bearings and many others.
|
|
|
Re: What do you look for in a Machine Shop/ Engine Builder?
[Re: mopartoby]
#1249580
08/17/12 02:49 PM
08/17/12 02:49 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,367 Las Vegas
Al_Alguire
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,367
Las Vegas
|
Well being military folks we have moved around a lot over the years. So I am not sure I have ever found a formula that works for this issue. We do build stuff for other folks and yes I have someone build my own stuff for the race cars. Just feel 1000+ hp stuff is above my pay grade. When it comes to that stuff I am MORE than happy with the guy who does those for me. Jason Pettis is a very smart guy and I think his record speaks for itself. He will continue to be my guy for all that kind of stuff. I am currently still trying to find a local shop to do some of the simpler stuff we need done from time to time. I ask local racers and look at what they do with thier cars. I look around at the local circle track stuff as well as they tend to use a machinist more than the local drag racers do. I also have asked around at other shops who thye use or recommend. Seems many bracket guys build an engine once every 10 years or so Frankly when it comes to bracket stuff it is really hard to tell sometimes how well stuff was done. I mean it is not rocket science to build a low 10 second car, sorry but its the truth. You can do many things wrong and still get there. In the end I talk to a lot of folks and then make a decision on a shop to use after talking to the shop owner. Then we usualy give them something fairly simple to accomplish and then we check it over thoroughly. As I say I am still looking for a compitent shop here
"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."
"It's never wrong to do the right thing"
|
|
|
Re: What do you look for in a Machine Shop/ Engine Builder?
[Re: StrokerPost]
#1249582
08/18/12 11:39 AM
08/18/12 11:39 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,206 New York
polyspheric
master
|
master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,206
New York
|
You have to get used to the fact that some experts (meaning: excellent work, few failures) are not nice people. Big ego, never on time, liar, won't accept criticism, out to make every buck, bad-mouths all competitors.
No, I won't give a name.
Boffin Emeritus
|
|
|
|
|