West Coast Engines 383

[LonghornJPS]

Guys,
I am considering getting West Coast Engines 383 Stroker turnkey engine for my 67 Camaro. I've searched the forum with limited success for reviews (pro or con) of both the engine and the company. Anyone here have any dealings with WCE? Please share any thoughts. I'm a bit hesitant to order from them, simply from a distance-standpoint (I live in North Carolina). Any thoughts you can provide are much appreciated.



http://www.westcoastengines.com/383-stroker-500hp

[TheJDMan]

I have never heard of WCE but if you are uncomfortable I would listen to your instinct. I have heard good things about BluePrint crate engines.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/m...3ct1/overview/

[SSLT1KID]

My 1968 Camaro came with a Stage 2 WCE 383. So far, no complaints. I figure any engine shop that is willing to offer a warranty like that on their engines can't be bad.

[kimosabi]

Always follow your gut feeling. Both times I've ignored it I've been burnt. Not saying these guys aren't good just my 2c. $8k for a stock block 500hp 383?

You're in NC, why don't you check with Shafiroff and get a Dart block 400sbc with all the good stuff in it for a couple grand more??

[LonghornJPS]

I've decided that I'm definitely going to go with a 427 SBC, naturally aspirated. Just seems like everyone is doing the LS thing, which is understandable, as it is an awesome platform. I just want to go more old school, and I've always loved the 427. I've spent countless hours researching the various "name" builders online (Shafiroff, Bill Mitchell, Nyes, CNC Motorsports, TriStar, White Performance). As expected, all have both positive and negative reviews. I emailed Bill Mitchell Performance today, as they are the only website that doesn't advertise a long block or turnkey option. Will be interested to hear from them.
Anyway, I suppose at the end of the day, I will just have to take the plunge with one of these builders, and hope for the best. They wouldn't still be in business if they consistently built inferior products. I am also well aware the s**t happens...hopefully not to me this time! I don't plan on flogging the hell out of the car often, but do plan on scaring myself a few times.
If you guys have any thoughts or experiences with the above builders, I would love to hear them.

[Fuelie Nova]

I know Nyes has a good reputation. I personally have a CNC Motorsports 400 SBC in my 66 Nova right now. It has been flawless for 4 years, I just did a compression and leakdown test on it and everything is still great.
I have driven this car coast to coast with zero engine problems.
Tom

[Decline]

I was considering a blueprint 383 short block at one point. Good reviews online and the price was right. LS with throttle body efi so it still looks old school will be my eventual move tho, guaranteed no leaks!

[kimosabi]

I've decided that I'm definitely going to go with a 427 SBC, naturally aspirated. Just seems like everyone is doing the LS thing, which is understandable, as it is an awesome platform. I just want to go more old school, and I've always loved the 427. I've spent countless hours researching the various "name" builders online (Shafiroff, Bill Mitchell, Nyes, CNC Motorsports, TriStar, White Performance). As expected, all have both positive and negative reviews. I emailed Bill Mitchell Performance today, as they are the only website that doesn't advertise a long block or turnkey option. Will be interested to hear from them.
Anyway, I suppose at the end of the day, I will just have to take the plunge with one of these builders, and hope for the best. They wouldn't still be in business if they consistently built inferior products. I am also well aware the s**t happens...hopefully not to me this time! I don't plan on flogging the hell out of the car often, but do plan on scaring myself a few times.
If you guys have any thoughts or experiences with the above builders, I would love to hear them.

I got the 400(or 402 as they call it, I guess it really is a 401) short block from Shafiroff. Everything looked nice and dandy and I asked them beforehand what oil clearances they went for so I could double check and all clearances were right on the money when I got it here. Built the rest of the engine myself and it runs real nice with virtually no blowby. Real nice and sealed up cylinders. Pistons and rings are a great fit. All lifter bores were within spec, my Morel lifters were basically just a check and drop in, crank end play on the money etc etc.

To my experience atleast they do the block work they advertize and I would assume they do the same quality work on a turnkey engine. I bought the deluxe short block option that was supposed to have their cam as well but I got my own cam grind from Jones so didn't need theirs. Only thing I didn't use in the deluxe kit was the oil pan gaskets. They are the four piece ones. The short was shipped within a week.