383 short block deals

[SP20096]

I'm looking for the best price and performance package for a 383 shortblock. I was looking at speedomotives 525hp short block, but heard bad things about speedomotive. thanks.

[brickyard69]

I just bought a nice 383 from M&R engines.

Check them out. They build great motors for the money.

Ask for Matt. Tell him Steve from Chicago sent you.

http://www.mandrengines.com/store/

[Carver67]

Here's another business to try.
Golen's Engine Service
golenengineservice.com
Good parts and reasonable (?) prices.
Make sure to ask what shipping is. :scared:
I bought a short block from them a while back and have slowly been acquiring other parts as the budget allows. A friend of mine (30 yrs engine building and machinist) is impressed with the quality and finish.
Hope this helps,
Mike

[Lowend]

Speed-O-Motive may be the worst engine builer in the country... awful reputation that they have earned.

I'm gonna give my engine building speech (again)...

All machine shops pay about the same for engine components. Because of the market, there is virutally no profit margin (3% to 20%) to be had on any engine components.
So using this logic, if any one is selling a shortblock for signifigantly less than every other shop they are either
1) cutting corners on the machine work
or
2) using substandard parts somewhere

[Norwoodx55]

Speed-O-Motive may be the worst engine builer in the country... awful reputation that they have earned.

I'm gonna give my engine building speed (again)...

All machine shops pay about the same for engine components. Because of the market, there is virutally no profit margin (3% to 20%) to be had on any engine components.
So using this logic, if any one is selling a shortblock for signifigantly less than every other shop they are either
1) cutting corners on the machine work
or
2) using substandard parts somewhere

This should be a sticky.

[Lowend]

I post it about once per month
:D

[Norwoodx55]

I post it about once per month
:D
I know, and it always stands true. I wish magazines would publish a little more truth than fantasy sometimes. I've had to learn this lesson repeatedly over the years:hammer:.

[80Camaro]

I agree Norwood... but the magazines depend on their advertising dollars!!

[camcojb]

I post it about once per month
:D

You're doing a hell of a job! :cool: I kinda get tired of warning about them over and over, but I get over it! :3gears:

Jody

[redss86]

I know it isn't a 383, but what do you guys think about Shafiroff street short blocks? Has anybody ever dealt w/ them, or know any info. $4395 doesn't seem like to bad of a price for a 434 short block. What do you guys think? Here is a link to there site: http://www.ultrastreet.net/

Not trying to steal the thread but wanted other opinions.

Thanks in advance,
Joe

[Lowend]

They are using all the right stufff. Sharifoff has a pretty good rep.
Bill Mitchell also has a 434 package

[trapin]

Jody...Lowend, are you warning people from a racing standpoint or from a cruising standpoint?

The reason I'm asking is...my cousin bought this engine from A&R Racing Engines in Virginia about 3 years ago and aside from an oil pan leak he has had no problems with it, and he drives it everywhere. He paid $3200 for it on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/383-440hp-chevy-stroker-edel-rpm-hds-crate-style-engine_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33615QQhashZitem 170031688218QQihZ007QQitemZ170031688218QQrdZ1

Of course...I'm not sure how it would hold up under normal racing conditions. But as a cruiser, it was a pretty good deal.

[Lowend]

Tony, before you read this understand that I am not trying to insult you. I took a genuine look at the and here are some things that stood out as warning flags

Select Hi Tin block 4 bolt main machined 030-060 I would not use a 60 over smallblock in a lawnmover.
press - pistons to rods not the end of the world, but floating is better
Port blue print cylinder heads... $200 For $200 you cannot port heads with any accuracy. they are probably doing more harm than good
hyperutectic pistons That is a fancy way of saying "cast pistons" with a hi-silicon content. very brittle
# After market - oil pan. baffeld 5 qt $59.99
# After market - timing cover... $19.99that might as well say cheap crappy Chinese potmetal. You can bet on these leaking
110 center line 488 - 490 lift corrected 1.6 ratio = 520/522 lift. 226/228 dur @ 050 there is no way in hell that motor is doing 440HP on that cam.
For the prices I see quoted I don't see how they could have good quality machine work or decent gaskets. Edelbrock's reccomended head gaskets are ~$99/set by themselves.

[trapin]

Oh don't worry...I'm not insulted at all. Actually I'm glad you popped in with that information. You make some good points. If I could ask you...what do you know about M&R Engines? They're selling engines on eBay too but they're a bit more expensive. Here's one they're selling now; http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-CHEVY-383-COMPLETE-CRATE-ENGINE-HP383_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33615QQihZ005QQit emZ150035181558QQrdZ1

[Lowend]

I don't know that builder specifically, however the price of the engine and the components list is about right to do what they are advertising.
In general dealing with non-local engine builders ; even reputable ones makes me nervous. But that setup looks legit to me.

[DWG]

Lowend,

Pardon the interruption/hijack for a moment.... but who do you recommend in the bay area to build or work on a serious street motor? Do I assume Speed Merchant in San Jose? Anyone else? Are you familiar with Dave's Engine Machining in Newark?

Feel free to PM or email me if you prefer. Thanks for the help.



I don't know that builder specifically, however the price of the engine and the components list is about right to do what they are advertising.
In general dealing with non-local engine builders ; even reputable ones makes me nervous. But that setup looks legit to me.

[Lowend]

Dyno West ( www.dynowest.com )in San Jose is run by Paul Casaleas, my former mentor. He is expensive and worth it. If Paul does the motor it will be perfect.

Victory Machine off Capitol Expressway is good if you are working on a budget. Their work is not a clean as Paul's, but they are still good.

[USAZR1]

Mike Lewis Race Engines near Petaluma does very nice work. His handle on Team Chevelle is Wolfplace.