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A good article about crate engine purchases. What is the real price for convenience and affordability regardless of their source. Internet purchase maybe the most horsepower for the money but how many speed shops machine shops and engine builders have had to close their doors due to this shortcut. I believe this forum is helping me decide to make parts fo a personal statement vs buying convenience.
and on the other hand....building and selling crate engines employees a number of people too...
For me, always depends on what the engine is for.... for a driver or mild mannered cruizer the more economical crate engines do fine and come with a warranty. But if I'm goin' racing, then I want to know the quality of the components going into it, and the skill of the man doing the machine work.
for some reason i cannot see spending over 10 grand to buy a 500 horsepower motor , it just doesnt cost that dang much to build one, i agree it does employ alot of people, but i really like to be able to go see my motor's machine and head work come alive as it happens.
Both Ford and GM (don't know about MoPar) build some very good crate motors that in many cases can be really inexpensive back bones for some serious Hp. My originally priced $1300 SB Ford crate motor has many improvements over the OEM though not for big Hp gain - mostly higher reliability pieces like ARP bolts throughout, a better Melling standard oil pump and ARP drive, a double roller SVT timing chain, Stewart NASCAR water pump, SFI flex plate, etc (plus MSD/Edelbrock pieces/-E SVT camshaft for a few more ponies)
Good specialty engine shops will survive - unfortunately their bread and butter mom and pop repairs to the family carrier have almost disappeared with more reliable engines from the car companies - we have only a couple left locally and their wait list is long.