How important is it to be close to your engine builder

[Martin]

Hi all.

I've been wondering about how important it is to be close to your engine builder. We're looking at a 351W EFI stack system, aiming for 375-450hp. So not really stressing the a base build or expecting too much from it.

I've found a really good builder here in the UK, close by (60 minutes), but really expensive. Expensive enough that it made me cringe and have 2nd thoughts.

Then I look at Levy Racing, Fortes Parts, Wayne Presley et al and the prices are about 50% less, so even if I ship it over and pay all the taxes it will come out cheaper.

On one side, I'll save money. On the other, tuning a stack system is hard and the last thing I want is to have it blow up on me or fail after a short amount of time and not have anyone to go talk to about it.

I paid £100 for a FFR t-shirt and poster a few months back for shipping alone. that really convinced me to find ways of minimising shipping, or buy locally where I could.

Now I am just rambling...

Martin

[Mustang Man]

Well you have special circumstances being on the other side of the "pond", but I will say that all three vendors/builders you mentioned you can't go wrong with. There are dozens of FFR owners with Forte and Levy engines, both street based and race based packages, and Wayne's stacks are nothing short of a combination of automotive porn and engine jewlery all rolled in one. Either Forte or Levy can build you what you want/need, add the stacks to it, dyno it so it starts/idles like your wife's daily driver, and then ship it.

But to answer your original question, no. Unless you're rebuilding some rare engine you want to keep tabs on then yes, a local builder. But when you're buying a complete crate engine, I don't see the need for the company to be close. Yes, in your case shipping plays a part, but here in the US shipping is not too big of an issue. My engine came from California and I live in Florida, darn near 3,500 miles away. Just stay with someone reputable and willing to ship outside the US and you'll be happy, and save some money.

HTH...
Mark

[BigLeo69]

hey Martin, how is that right side drivers-side going?
you may look into my ancestory home of Germany, there are some great engine builders over there, and you know the beer is better too
I have found that when my neighbor shipped some early Hemi stuff down under, it was cheaper for shipping to go container, some autopart companies ship overseas this way and parts and engines go this way.
what drivetrain are you looking at?

[efnfast]

You have to weigh the +s and -s. If you have a competent builder then there shouldn't be a problem. if you don't, and build issues arise, you will essentially be scrwed.

[Kevin Davis]

Is it possible to get a short block sent from here (forte, etc.) and then add the rest locally yourself? Even a block with the crank and pistons all set in, that you drop heads, intake, etc. in would save you some weight.

Any reason to just not do the rebuild yourself? I know it's somewhat challenging, but all things considered, it's doable. I'm not sure what the car culture looks like where you are, but it shouldn't be hard to find someone (hobbyist) that could give you some pointers.

What about having the local guy just do the short block stuff?

[Martin]

hey Martin, how is that right side drivers-side going?
you may look into my ancestory home of Germany, there are some great engine builders over there, and you know the beer is better too
I have found that when my neighbor shipped some early Hemi stuff down under, it was cheaper for shipping to go container, some autopart companies ship overseas this way and parts and engines go this way.
what drivetrain are you looking at?

I'm cheating in that the LHD -> RHD conversion will be done by Mark Dougherty, albeit while my wife and I visit him for a week to get the conversion done and "resolve any big problems" before the kit is pulled apart and shipped to the UK. I'm hoping to buy everything in advance, have it shipped to Mark, then fly out and make the changes. Once you pay for the crate/container it doesn't matter how much you fill it.

Looking at a TKO600 or possibly one of Gordons T5 super alloys.

[Martin]

Is it possible to get a short block sent from here (forte, etc.) and then add the rest locally yourself? Even a block with the crank and pistons all set in, that you drop heads, intake, etc. in would save you some weight.

Any reason to just not do the rebuild yourself? I know it's somewhat challenging, but all things considered, it's doable. I'm not sure what the car culture looks like where you are, but it shouldn't be hard to find someone (hobbyist) that could give you some pointers.

What about having the local guy just do the short block stuff?

We can get everything shipped over as short block, long block or turnkey. I bought and read a great book that Ian Hunter recommended a few times - it convinced me that I don't want to try building the engine myself.

I think the situation is either suck it up and use the local guy - he will do a good job, or take a risk and get one of the trusted vendors to do it. Might just go and get a few quotes and see exactly what the difference in cost will be. It might make my mind up for me.

[Pierre B]

Confidence in an engine builder to me is way more important than separation distance. Since communication is so easy nowadays, it's relatively easy to remain in touch as work progresses. Too close a proximity can in fact be costly in certain cases, if the engine builder (or body shop owner - same concept) starts to feel he needs to start charging for update meetings and chats. On the other hand, my engine builder was across town, and I found it handy to be able to stop in from time to time. I guess it's a matter of discipline and what makes you comfortable. Here as in so many things, there's no substitute for competence on the part of the craftsman.

[TimC]

If you are going to be over here working on the RHD conversion, have the engine waiting on you and drop it in before you leave and ship it with the car. Is there any difference in taxation shipping the car with or without an engine>

[Martin]

A crate of parts is taxed at 4%, any thing that even looks remotely assembled is taxed at the full rate.

[MrJeffreyB]

Martin,

I think Mark's advice is spot on. Good luck with the decision. Let us know what you decide.

[BigLeo69]

the headers are different too, aren't they?
maybe Gordon can make you a tuned set for your new beast, Rsocca just got a set.