What would you trust more, crate or shop built engine? - Moparts Forums

Register Log In Moparts Forums Moparts Question and Answer What would you trust more, crate or shop built engine?

Print Thread

Page 1 of 2

1

2

What would you trust more, crate or shop built engine? #189529 01/10/09 04:17 PM 01/10/09 04:17 PM
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 36,840 South San Francisco, Californi... MidPenMopar OP Looking for fun? Keep looking
MidPenMopar OP Looking for fun? Keep looking Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 36,840 South San Francisco, Californi...	I always get people asking me to refer them to a shop that will rebuild their Chrysler engine. Most just want a nice mild upgrade on an existing block. The results vary so much from build to another at local places. One guy gets a great job and the next is screaming about how he was screwded over. It's almost impossible to recommend anyone that knows Mopar at all anymore. Chevy or Fords no problem. I know some of you build you own engines from start to finish but the majority of people i know can not do that. So is recommending a "crate engine" a better way to go? Like one of those Mopar already finished ones?

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engine? [Re: MidPenMopar] #189530 01/10/09 04:20 PM 01/10/09 04:20 PM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 15,489 the boonies aarcuda I Live Here
aarcuda I Live Here Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 15,489 the boonies	svendiphrenkredualy in other words, its hard to say

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engine? [Re: aarcuda] #189531 01/10/09 04:46 PM 01/10/09 04:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 27,347 Today? Who Knows? 1_WILD_RT Management Trainee
1_WILD_RT Management Trainee Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 27,347 Today? Who Knows?	Quote: svendiphrenkredualy in other words, its hard to say Good Answer!!!

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: 1_WILD_RT] #189532 01/10/09 04:59 PM 01/10/09 04:59 PM
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,179 California mickm master
mickm master Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,179 California	although hasn't it been said that, at least with the hemis, that the quality of the crate engines has gone way up? i know most people aren't looking for a hemi, but do the builders who do hemis do other mopar engines as well?

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: mickm] #189533 01/10/09 05:06 PM 01/10/09 05:06 PM
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,319 Puyallup, WA S StealthWedge67 master
StealthWedge67 master S Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,319 Puyallup, WA	Depends on the shop. I'd generally believe that there's going to be the potential a human factor in both. I'd choose the shop route, go with a shop you're confident with, and involve yourself in the process as much as the shop will allow. If they know you're invested in the build, they will naturally take a little more care in it than a motor that was just dropped off & picked up a month later. ..... This one could be a real can of worms. LemonWedge - Street heavy / Strip ready - 11.07 @ 120

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: StealthWedge67] #189534 01/10/09 05:47 PM 01/10/09 05:47 PM
Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,141 Central NC gch master
gch master Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,141 Central NC	You can get a bad one from either.I think the key is reputation from individuals with CHARACTER.Some whiny butts will complain no matter what.It would be important find one with mopar experience and be very clear about what you expect the motor to do and be honest about your intended usage. A clean well organized shop with someone who is'nt too busy to take the time to discuss the build with you is a good head start.

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: StealthWedge67] #189535 01/10/09 05:53 PM 01/10/09 05:53 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	I would suggest that a person find a Mopar head that they are comfortable with & pay him to do one at home in his garage in his spare time. Pay him well to do it right, get all the parameters straight in the beginning, stay out of his way & wait for him to call you when it's done. I too would not be comfortable with a mass produced eng. live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engine? [Re: MidPenMopar] #189536 01/10/09 07:16 PM 01/10/09 07:16 PM
Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 480 templeton,ma C coro500net mopar
coro500net mopar C Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 480 templeton,ma	My motor was done a shop that did mostly chevy (surprise)but he told me he has done several 440s, had in and out of the car three times.I think the best thing to look for in shop is to make sure they have test stand or better yet a dyno(mine did not)if he had Im sure he would have built it right the first time.

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: RapidRobert] #189537 01/10/09 07:18 PM 01/10/09 07:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,431 USA S SSAAHemiFan top fuel
SSAAHemiFan top fuel S Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,431 USA	Shop built engine in a reliable shop. Lots of crates are built in assembly line fashion and time is money. A shop SHOULD take the extra time to make it right since it is his "name" and reputation.

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: SSAAHemiFan] #189538 01/10/09 08:45 PM 01/10/09 08:45 PM
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 973 South Texas badchallenger Fluff Flipper
badchallenger Fluff Flipper Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 973 South Texas	I know this is not the answer you wanted but I believe any one that can open a book can get one on how to rebuild a mopar engine and read it and then farm out the machine work and put it together themselves! No one is going to put more care and effort into a build than the owner! U.S. Navy Sea Bees (Retired now) U.S. Army Civil Service NDT

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: badchallenger] #189539 01/10/09 09:18 PM 01/10/09 09:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,547 Eagle, Idaho Neil The Doctor is in.
Neil The Doctor is in. Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,547 Eagle, Idaho	They are not that hard to assemble if you take your time. The expensive part is you might need to buy the measuring tools so you can double check everything. I am lucky that my brother is sharp with engines and I gladly pay him to help me with my stuff.

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: badchallenger] #189540 01/10/09 09:25 PM 01/10/09 09:25 PM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	Quote: I know this is not the answer you wanted but I believe any one that can open a book can get one on how to rebuild a mopar engine and read it and then farm out the machine work and put it together themselves! No one is going to put more care and effort into a build than the owner! Agreed wholeheartedly. If you cannot crack open a how to rebuild your mopar engine book and understand the process, maybe you have no business building a race engine. I'm not saying you have to know every little thing, but just cutting a check to either a mass engine producer or a shop is not the answer IMO. Most people do it like that but I could not.

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #189541 01/10/09 09:56 PM 01/10/09 09:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,266 Renton Washington T Triple Threat master
Triple Threat master T Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,266 Renton Washington	I would buy a shop built engine over a crate motor any day. -Dustin 67 Dart, 9 second, 392" G3 Hemi 68 Barracuda 340 F/SA

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: Triple Threat] #189542 01/10/09 10:25 PM 01/10/09 10:25 PM
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 12,481 Chino Valley RodStRace I Live Here
RodStRace I Live Here Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 12,481 Chino Valley	for your question (a bit more than stock, long block), I'd first suggest getting a how to rebuild book and read it. Determine what you really want from the engine. Then I'd research local builders. Find out who does quality work. Often, the budget racer will be under too much money pressure. The guy that does class racers or higher end stuff is a better choice (don't want to step on toes here, but the guy knocking out claimer motors is either going to make up his fees on the one-time guy, or lowers his standards across the board). Go to the shop and see how the customer is treated, the parts are treated and where the motors are assembled. If it's right next to the grinding wheel and flywheel surfacer, RUN!

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: Triple Threat] #189543 01/10/09 10:30 PM 01/10/09 10:30 PM
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 30,424 Florida STAYcation dOrk ! The village idiot's idiot
dOrk ! The village idiot's idiot Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 30,424 Florida STAYcation	According to some people ..... no matter who puts the motor(or even the assembly of parts) together you should check EVERYTHING yourself !! So WHY pay anyone to do the assembly at all ?

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: RodStRace] #189544 01/10/09 10:42 PM 01/10/09 10:42 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,428 Dandridge TN D Dabee master
Dabee master D Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,428 Dandridge TN	It all depends on what you want. A mild street only engine for going to and from car shows and cruising, I would believe a crate will work or you could do it your self. If you want a race engine with big power that will last find a reputable shop that specializes in MOPARs. He will know all the little tricks required inside a race engine to make it reliable. There's a big difference between screwing an engine together and building an engine.

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: Dabee] #189545 01/10/09 10:46 PM 01/10/09 10:46 PM
Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,278 San Jose, California D DennisH Vacation
DennisH Vacation D Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,278 San Jose, California	I open books, but not engines. MoparEnginesWest (Nedbal-since sold business) did an outstanding job on mine. Sweet and I romp on it a lot. Have heard many crate horror stories.

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: badchallenger] #189546 01/11/09 02:16 AM 01/11/09 02:16 AM
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,319 Puyallup, WA S StealthWedge67 master
StealthWedge67 master S Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,319 Puyallup, WA	Quote: I know this is not the answer you wanted but I believe any one that can open a book can get one on how to rebuild a mopar engine and read it and then farm out the machine work and put it together themselves! No one is going to put more care and effort into a build than the owner! Agreed! I'm buying parts right now for my 451. When I have everything, I'll take it to a machine shop for the bore, hone, mainline hone, & decking. From there, its all mine. there certainly are people that have more experience building than I do. But noone will watch the details on my motor like I will. If I run into something I'm not sure about, I go ask my machinist. Not only that, but with me, I just want the satisfaction of putting it together myself. Learning and understanding the motor inside and out is just as fun for me as driving it (well, maybe). LemonWedge - Street heavy / Strip ready - 11.07 @ 120

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: MidPenMopar] #189547 01/11/09 07:13 AM 01/11/09 07:13 AM
Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,337 the house on the left. C cogen80 master
cogen80 master C Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,337 the house on the left.	Quote: One guy gets a great job and the next is screaming about how he was screwded over. problem is allot of times the guy yelling he got screwed over is a person that half a$@ed something and brought said problems on himself.

Re: What would you trust more, crate or shop built engi [Re: RapidRobert] #189548 01/11/09 07:59 AM 01/11/09 07:59 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT C CJK440 master
CJK440 master C Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,982 Ansonia, CT	Quote: I would suggest that a person find a Mopar head that they are comfortable with & pay him to do one at home in his garage in his spare time. 2017 Contusion Blue Challenger T/A 392 M6 "BLKNBLU"

Page 1 of 2

1

2

Moderated by Al_Alguire, Hotwheelsjr, moparts, not_a_charger, RangerDan440, tboomer

Hop To

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1