Hey everyone,
As you may or may not have seen in the projects section, I am building a show going LJ, Mainly going to be used for Burnout Competitions and Driving events (motorkhana and the like) ...
I have a 308 that I have pulled apart ready to be rebuilt to go into the car, but had a thought that maybe a crate motor would be easier hp for money etc..
My question is, has anyone had any dealings with Crate Motors from http://www.eagleautoparts.com.au or even anywhere?? Do these sort of motors have the ability to have the tits revved off them in a burnout scenario, or are Crate Motors mainly for cruising etc...
Any information on them would be great, i know that buying a crate motor you lose the ability to chose what goes into the motor (to some extent) and so that would be a down point, but they seem to have the right combination in them anyway.
Thanks guys, look foreward to some replies.
Crate Motor Vs Build Your Own
Started by
_RpM_
, Jul 02 2006 08:37 PM
14 replies to this topic
#2
_MYLJ_
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Posted 02 July 2006 - 08:54 PM
nothing wrong with the crate motors , personnally for your application I would get something built to suit your needs, if you know a good engine builder you would be better off IMPO setting up something with a bit more poke than a crate motor 
#3
dattoman
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Posted 02 July 2006 - 08:59 PM
I prefer to build
It may cost more but I get what I want
And I get more personal satisfaction that way too
It may cost more but I get what I want
And I get more personal satisfaction that way too
#4
_RpM_
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Posted 02 July 2006 - 09:09 PM
I prefer to build
It may cost more but I get what I want
And I get more personal satisfaction that way too
I agree with the personal satisfaction side of things. However i'm not confident enough to rebuild my own motor further than just freshening it up, gaskets etc... Which is a shame, because i'd love to build it all myself, but i just dont have the experience in it i guess.
I also like the idea of sending it away to someone and getting them to build it for me, as i'd get the freedom of chatting to them about what would be best suited in the motor and whatnot, but i dont really know many engine builders that dont want to charge $10,000 and up...
Another factor that i need to consider is the reliability of a motor. It needs to be able to be rebuilt and freshened up without costing me an arm and leg, as it's bound to go bang or clunk at least once or twice during multiple competitions
#5
dattoman
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Posted 02 July 2006 - 09:15 PM
PM Tiny
He knows an engine builder or 2 in NSW that might be able to help you
He knows an engine builder or 2 in NSW that might be able to help you
#6
_doucmyuc_
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Posted 02 July 2006 - 09:26 PM
By the sounds of it, your not after something with massive hp figures?
You could get a bottom end a freshen up with new bearings rings selas etc, then basically have some descent headwork done, throw in a cam, find some good extractors and match the motor with a good carb. This would be easily achieved for under 6 grand from what i know and provide about 400hp depending on the tune.
Most reputable engine builders would be able to achive this.
I know my builder would do this and provide a 3 year or 60thou warranty.
You could get a bottom end a freshen up with new bearings rings selas etc, then basically have some descent headwork done, throw in a cam, find some good extractors and match the motor with a good carb. This would be easily achieved for under 6 grand from what i know and provide about 400hp depending on the tune.
Most reputable engine builders would be able to achive this.
I know my builder would do this and provide a 3 year or 60thou warranty.
#7
_[BOTTLEDUP]_
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Posted 03 July 2006 - 09:45 AM
I don't know ANYONE that will warrant an engine that is going to be used for burnout comps.
For what you pay the GM performance engines are a good bit of kit, I'd say for what you want to do then the 395hp engine on Eagle's special's page would suit you nicely. $7000 is not a bad price when you see what it comes with.
For what you pay the GM performance engines are a good bit of kit, I'd say for what you want to do then the 395hp engine on Eagle's special's page would suit you nicely. $7000 is not a bad price when you see what it comes with.
#8
_MYLJ_
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Posted 03 July 2006 - 10:27 AM
I agree , no one will warrant an engine that is going to be used in burnout comps. (not unless there crazy,Jul 3 2006, 09:45 AM]I don't know ANYONE that will warrant an engine that is going to be used for burnout comps.
For what you pay the GM performance engines are a good bit of kit, I'd say for what you want to do then the 395hp engine on Eagle's special's page would suit you nicely. $7000 is not a bad price when you see what it comes with.
!!!)I'd love to see one of the GM 395hp engines on a dyno
and actualy see it make all 395 hp (anyone had any experience with one ? or had one on a dyno?) personally it sounds like a fair bit of hp for the combo they come with, thats the same hp as my 454 big block burnout motor puts out 
#9
_Duck05_
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Posted 03 July 2006 - 12:49 PM
Hey RpM,
Where are you in this great country of ours????? If your in Vic I know an engine builder who builds race engines for both cars and Southern 80 boats and has built a couple of big HP engines for me and mates. He has never let us down so I would recommend him no worries.
His business is Steve Smith's MotorPro, if you or anyone for that matter wants details let me know. If you contact him just say that Duck sent you it may count for a few bucks off who knows..
Regards
Duck050
Where are you in this great country of ours????? If your in Vic I know an engine builder who builds race engines for both cars and Southern 80 boats and has built a couple of big HP engines for me and mates. He has never let us down so I would recommend him no worries.
His business is Steve Smith's MotorPro, if you or anyone for that matter wants details let me know. If you contact him just say that Duck sent you it may count for a few bucks off who knows..
Regards
Duck050
#10
_RpM_
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Posted 03 July 2006 - 01:45 PM
I'm an hours drive from Sydney, but i travel all over the place with work and what not, so if you could PM me some contact details etc, it would be greatly appreciated. I have had a few PMs already on this issue, thanks to everyone who is so willing to help out!!
#11
enderwigginau
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Posted 03 July 2006 - 03:30 PM
IF you go the crate motor - make sure you get FULL details of the engine, as some have been known to come into the country slightly less capable than they should be if you get my drift.......
Grant..
Grant..
#12
_torana_
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Posted 03 July 2006 - 04:02 PM
go buy yourself a torque wrench, feeler guages and a 308 rebuild book, and have a go yourself. If you can replace a head gasket , you can put a motor back together. No experience? Ask. The more tech guys on this forum are such a great help and would be stoked to help anyone who has enough get up and go to actually try it for themselves.
You allready have a 308 motor ( preferably was going and not smokey or noisy ) so put it back together with a rebuild kit and see if you can get it going. ( way cheaper than $6000 ) Who cares if its a bit noisy or smokey, it will be a huge confidence boost for yourself, and you will be more prepared to do mods on it. If its not a daily driver, who cares if its not a gem, cause you are going to flog the guts out of it ( if a crate motor you will have to get it rebuilt anyway after a while ) Its not that hard to replace bearings and rings as long as you have the right tools ( the tools will come in a lot less than $6000 beleive me )
hope this inpires you to have a go ( and nothing sounds better than a motor you put together yourself! )
cheers julian
You allready have a 308 motor ( preferably was going and not smokey or noisy ) so put it back together with a rebuild kit and see if you can get it going. ( way cheaper than $6000 ) Who cares if its a bit noisy or smokey, it will be a huge confidence boost for yourself, and you will be more prepared to do mods on it. If its not a daily driver, who cares if its not a gem, cause you are going to flog the guts out of it ( if a crate motor you will have to get it rebuilt anyway after a while ) Its not that hard to replace bearings and rings as long as you have the right tools ( the tools will come in a lot less than $6000 beleive me )
hope this inpires you to have a go ( and nothing sounds better than a motor you put together yourself! )
cheers julian
Edited by torana, 03 July 2006 - 04:05 PM.
#13
_chevy_253_torana_
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Posted 10 July 2006 - 10:47 PM
yea i agree 100% even though im only 16 ive pulled down 2 253s and reassembled one with just directions from dad and an old hq manual i found it p!ss easy really first time maybe confusing but once youve done it a second it becomes familar
just make sure you dont mix up parts like rockers push rods etc as it can sometimes effect an engine badly if they are put somehwere where they orginally werent ??? not sure if thats true but just to be on the safe side i do
make sure you get a tourque wrench before attempting to assemble an engine though
cheers chevy
just make sure you dont mix up parts like rockers push rods etc as it can sometimes effect an engine badly if they are put somehwere where they orginally werent ??? not sure if thats true but just to be on the safe side i do
make sure you get a tourque wrench before attempting to assemble an engine though
cheers chevy
#14
_Lostit_
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Posted 12 July 2006 - 08:57 AM
BEfore you doing anything with your hard earned cash , some info from the wise .
You probadly wont get more hp for $$ , if you buy one of these crate motors honestly, BUT
My last crate motor i build for a customer we pulled it down just to check all is correct and all clearence are correct and stuff( normal practise) and found the big end was a bit on the tight side for clearence so it most probadly would of span a big end after a little.
So honestly do your maths and if a crate motor is the way to go , then pay that extra $$ to get someone who has a idea and get them to recheck all clearence in motor especially since you going to give it a hard time.
The crate motors are good motors but they have AVERAGE parts in them , for normal driving and stuff the parts will last forever but if you want to run it on the revlimiter , like the old saying what you pay for is what you get !This is why eg touring car motors cost $50K plus to build.
Another saying that all car builder should keep always in there mines " Dont trust no C...T!" check it yourself!
Denis
Lostit
You probadly wont get more hp for $$ , if you buy one of these crate motors honestly, BUT
My last crate motor i build for a customer we pulled it down just to check all is correct and all clearence are correct and stuff( normal practise) and found the big end was a bit on the tight side for clearence so it most probadly would of span a big end after a little.
So honestly do your maths and if a crate motor is the way to go , then pay that extra $$ to get someone who has a idea and get them to recheck all clearence in motor especially since you going to give it a hard time.
The crate motors are good motors but they have AVERAGE parts in them , for normal driving and stuff the parts will last forever but if you want to run it on the revlimiter , like the old saying what you pay for is what you get !This is why eg touring car motors cost $50K plus to build.
Another saying that all car builder should keep always in there mines " Dont trust no C...T!" check it yourself!
Denis
Lostit
#15
_RpM_
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Posted 12 July 2006 - 08:27 PM
Thanks for all your input guys ... it is good to see the different opinions floating through here.
I'm still not sure about building it myself, as time is partially a factor (i want it done NOW, NOW NOW NOW!!! *tantrum* ) ... but all jokes a side, i don't want to spend days on end chasing my tail... but... I guess you dont learn if you dont try, right... So i think i might give it a go myself. After lookin around the forums here, it seems there's a lot of people who'd be willing to jump in with answers to most questions!
Cheers guys.
I'm still not sure about building it myself, as time is partially a factor (i want it done NOW, NOW NOW NOW!!! *tantrum* ) ... but all jokes a side, i don't want to spend days on end chasing my tail... but... I guess you dont learn if you dont try, right... So i think i might give it a go myself. After lookin around the forums here, it seems there's a lot of people who'd be willing to jump in with answers to most questions!
Cheers guys.
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