Thread: Turn-key crates?

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First of all I'd like to say Hello since I'm new to the forums here. I have a 1985 Chevy El Camino and am looking to upgrade the engine. My question is where is the best sites around here to get a turn key crate chevy small block. My budget is around 5K could maybe go a little bit more and I'd like 350 hp+. Just wanted to see where the best place would be to get a value without getting something "cheap." I see engines on Ebay around 3.5K and such but they never seem to mention the exact parts they usually use brand wise. Wouldn't like an engine filled with generic overseas parts. Here is one i found that seems pretty promising. SBC Ebay Any help is appreciated and thanks in advanced.

Yeah............I do buy quite a bit of stuff on ebay, but on the engine thing it would take a lot more investigation of a supplier to get my money. They all sound good............but the people who did business with Madoff thought he sounded good too. Verify, verify, verify. One source for SBC crates who does have a strong reputation is; Crate Engines, Bare Blocks and Long Blocks

There are likely others, but that's a start.

Do a Google search for Five Star Engines. Read several postings on them. I'm looking for an engine myself. A sbc 327. I've looked at Ebay too. I also looked in Craigslist. Through Craigslist I've found a few shops near me that build engines. Some of them even invite you to visit their shop. So right now I'm between having an engine built for me or building it myself. If I was you, I'd find somebody local you can visit and go back to if you have problems later.

I always build my own stuff, but I'm aware that not everyone has the wherewithall to do that. Recently, I was involved in a thread that prompted me to investigate where to get a good crate motor and learned that these guys supply Summit and Jegs with their crate motors.....
BluePrint Engines | Crate Engines, Stroker Engines & Other Custom High Performance Engines

Also, there are engine builders on Club Hot Rod, Pat McCarthy and Jerry Clayton. You might PM them and ask what the story is.

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Just looking at reviews on Summit's site. No negative reviews on the blueprint engines, all 5 stars. I considered these before buying a GMPP motor. As an example, here is one that's 375hp for $2900;

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ml...make/chevrolet

Here is another. 430hp for $3700. Check out the reviews from guys that actually bought it;

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ml...13ct1/reviews/

I purchased a 9" Ford 3rd member off of Ebay once. I liked the pictures of his shop (very clean and organized) on his web site and after corresponding with the guy who was responsive, even a couple of calls, I got my pumpkin,... in a milk crate,... secured with zip ties,... No packing and a tight spot when I rotated the yoke by hand.

I cant imagine buying an engine there. I'm sure there are good guys selling stuff on Ebay but maybe its just me, I want someone to be there if I have issues. Just MHO.