interesting topic. we do a lot of work for other machine shops in the area. as far as the average customer goes, the conversation usually starts out with "how much do you charge to" (fill in the blank). i'd have to think that's usually the foremost thought in peoples minds when they call. we have a very good local racer client base and those guys don't usually ask for prices on anything, they just want the work done and done right. i think a lot of them have gotten burned by a couple of the other local shops, so price shopping isn't what they do.
it seems like every time we get a new customer referral they want to come by and tour the shop. we're alway's happy to show them around and answer any questions they might have. we're proud of our shop and our capabilities, so any of you guys in the area, stop by any time.

For me, by the time I get to the shop I already have narrowed down the choices. So when I ask, "How much will it cost?" I'm more seeing if I can afford it or maybe have to go a different direction. So the shop owner may hear that question first but that's not the first priority. For example, my 318 project could really use 0.030" shaved off the deck. But it costs $180 around here, and I don't know if it's worth that to me. Both places I checked were close to that number, and they both are good. So the deal isn't what's the least amount, but rather, if it costs that much to get a decent job, do I want to spend the money? Obviously, I'm operating on a shoestring.

R.

This post is timely--I have jacked my rates into the stratosphere because I'm SICK of being nickel and dimed to death! J.Rob

We are not interested in doing work for the Nickle,Dime,Nonsense crowd,in the past every time we tried to save a customer money ,We shot ourselves in the foot,Eighty percent of sportsman racers race by price alone ,the other twenty percent win most of the races and spend less money in the long run with More runs per dollar spent on the right people and parts.Bill C.

A machinist who looks at the numbers and not the green or red. A lot of the guys will call it good when things are in the "green", and not on the numbers. I personally know 3 machinist who are like this and their stuff hangs together.

There is a reason in my eyes that there is numbers on a guage and not colors.

Good topic,

heres is a bump

EASY.............

The machine shop that doesn't think every engine is based on a small block Chevy.

He' gotta know how to use a mic.

I had a conversation with the machinist I use now when he was about to bush my block, and he measured a lifter for sizing. .9043 he says...and I said I had measured that one @.9042. He promptly told me that temp makes a difference while holding the lifter in a clenched fist, then opened his hand and measured the lifter @.9044. I thought back, and sure enough when I measured it, the garage was quite chilly in the morning. I was a little embarassed, but happy to know I'd found a competent machinist.

(.)(.)'s.....

So Eric, what your saying here is BG has nice ta-ta's....why i never knew...

I never mentioned money until it was time to pick up my stuff.....then I asked " what do I owe you ?".
Reputation and experience.......not just with MoPars , but the wide variety of interesting stuff he has put his hands on told me he knew his business.
I did have a ball park figure in mind for pricing on this last build , and he was anywhere from right on to a touch less for all I had done.
If I were having him assemble it , then it would be more important to have a " MoPar guy " , but for machining , it is right or not.
For porting , knowing what a certain head likes is more of a factor I suppose.
But I was very happy with the numbers so far.
The dyno will tell the rest of the tale , but I am not worried in the least.
Reputation and experience ( how long he has been in the business ) are primary for any high end work I need done.

I think on the engine building side of things, the internet has been a thorn in the side of many, many engine builders. Unfortunately there are many instances of mis-information out there and in some cases of too much information. I am sure that some of the magazine build up over the years have created a few headaches as well.

Whilst it may not affect the US & Canadian based engine builders as much, selling parts for Australian engine Builders has basically all but ceased. In many cases the customer can land certain items for less than the builder can buy it for. Certain distibutors of performance parts over here can be somewhat over priced compared to others. The problem is the one in question is probably the largest here in Australia.

No matter where you are, you are going to get guys wanting work done for next to nothing, and they are usually the ones to complain the most when something goes wrong.

Further on to what Jim said, with class style racing, if the engine builder doesn't have a National record or a championship, I won't be handing my $$$ to someone else to come second or be first round fodder.

This thread has been a very interesting read

Very well put Alan...

A GOOD engine builder,machine shop will get good results with ANY Brand of engine ,The process is the same for Chevy,Ford,Chrysler,Pontiac etc.Bill C.

the machine shop i use came highly recommended by many people, and has been around 30+ years.

but when i went in and happened to see the cylinder head for a jag 6 cylinder engine that he was making, from scratch! that sold me.