Crate or build

[HawkinsTexV8]

In the end which is the best way to go, rebuild or crate? Assuming that your block is worth rebuilding to begin with.
The ability to rebuild isn't an issue,but having one with a good warranty after is nice.
I know everyone has different opinions but I am on the fence as to what I want to do. I am thinking of going 383.. I haven't ran across a thread that ask this straight out so figure I may not be the only one thinking it. Thanks for all the help.

[ZR1BLAZER]

it depends on the deals you find? i just picked up a raw GM 1 pc block machined to order for $700 to my door. and a complete 383 eagle balanced rotating assembly for $660 to the door so all i needed were the gaskets. i also picked up a new set of aluminum 190cc 64cc heads with 2.02/1.60s and 1.6 aluminum roller rockers and the correct pushrods for the heads for $800 all new parts. thats 2100 plus the gaskets?? 130-140 so close to 2300 a 383 long block is going to cost you more then that.

[HawkinsTexV8]

summit has a 383 long block for 3k with a 30 month warranty. and 405 hp.blue print engines . Plus shipping i am sure.I am not building a racer,so 405 hp seems like plenty to me for an S10. Yes its more but it is also dynoed already which cost money as well if you build it yourself. Before anyone thinks I am for one or the other I just want the best bang for my buck....I am sure there are cheaper ones out there but ,Think Summit is a good place to buy. When I do build my truck I have to watch every little penny on my budget.

[Ryoung68]

It really depends, if you have alot of the parts on hand already, you can beat the price of a crate motor, but there are some killer deals out there.

[XTEN]

If you look into whats in the crate motors,and add it all up,they're not that great of a deal.If you can find one and honestly say "I cant buy the parts for that kind of money",then go for it.Couple of my buddies bought them,and when you start making changes like "I want that motor,but I want forged pistons" it starts gettin pretty pricey.My buddy ordered a 555.It came with a solid roler.He wanted a hydraulic roler.They changed the cam and lifters,but not the valve springs.What a mess.Theyre gonna give him another motor,but he has to drive 8 hrs to get it.He spent over $13000. on this motor.If you do it yourself,you know whats in there.

[td7172]

Build it yourself, alot less surprises and you know exactly what you've got!

[Scuba]

Also look at the fine print on some of those warranty, some of them specify that you have a qualified machinic install them for it to be valid. So if you do it yourself there is no warranty so you spent extra money for nothing....... Build it yourself, smoke some tires and enjoy it...

[HawkinsTexV8]

I am really surprised at the response to the build or crate. I figured most would go for the almighty crate engines.....In the same thought , the way our world has turned you can not trust those big companies to actually put the parts in them they say are in it.....

[coppergmc]

I was building about 20 engines a year for different people. It has slowed down a little lately, to about one a month, due to the current economic situation. I make a little money but really just like building the hot street/strip engines similar to what you are looking for.

I think the first thing you have to think about is your core. Do you have a good core that is complete with heads and other key components? Do you have any experience in building an engine?

Be aware that a lot of the cost of completely assembling a running engine goes into hoses, belts, plugs, wires, carb, intake, and a whole list of other components. If you build your own or buy a long block, you still have to purchase all the other goodies that go with it.

Also, be realistic about what you want the engine to do. Do you want a stocker to drive every day or do you want a racer for the weekend. You can have a nice compromise between both but you better do some research before you start buying parts.

[manyfire]

As you have read from the other gentlemen do a lot of research, Look around with the economy you may be able to pick up a steal from somebody "down on their luck", that's where I got mine. I myself have still taken it apart and modified it to fit my needs, if you buy a crate and you manage to get them to honor the warranty you cant do s#%t with it until the time is up, you may not like the way the cam idles, may not like the intake, distributor or other items. I say get a good core and have it machined and build it yourself!

[Toobad101]

There are so many loop holes companies can jump threw to not grant you the warranty. One thing you always have to remember is they are in it for the money first and the customer second. One little tiny small thing can kill your warranty. I would just build it yourself less headache plus if something does happen you just bring it home grab a beer with friends and rip it apart. Crate you have to call and wait. Plus its not as fun to just order an engine as it is to build it. But then again all the money I have spent on beer during the build could have paid for a crate.

[OH_YO]

Best bang for your buck is here in crate engines. http://www.tandlengines.com/index.html

I have one of the Blue Print engines in my truck. We didn't find T&L till after I had done bought mine. We have bought one of the 408's with 510hp and one of the 383's with 485hp and there GREAT!

[OH_YO]

BTW, if they build one for you ship ask them to dyno your engine with your distributor and carb. The 383 we bought was for a guy with cancer, we called them and told them this guy had cancer and that he wanted his motor quick. They had it ready in 4 days plus the guy went to there shop to pick it up and they let him watch them assemble the last few parts and he got to watch them tune it on the dyno.

[BigMean]

There are so many loop holes companies can jump threw to not grant you the warranty. One thing you always have to remember is they are in it for the money first and the customer second. One little tiny small thing can kill your warranty. I would just build it yourself less headache plus if something does happen you just bring it home grab a beer with friends and rip it apart. Crate you have to call and wait. Plus its not as fun to just order an engine as it is to build it. But then again all the money I have spent on beer during the build could have paid for a crate.
Jasper crate that I bought few years back WAS NOT everything I hope for. Simple 355. I had valve train problems. Lifter nosie $2300 got me a pain in the ass! Id never buy another Jasper, or crate again from no one but GM, and thats still a maybe! Warranty work wasn't there cost me more in the long run. They made everything my fault! Even the intake bolt holes in the head weren't right, heil coil them at the factory! The ARP hardware I bought didn't match.The list of SH#t I had screwed up was long! Jasp NEVER once owned up to that! I know I prob just had a bad apple, but I still have the sour taste in the mouth! :icon_mad: Glad that S.O.B is gone!

Build it yourself, your way, better than a reman! Get the good parts!:nono:

[85SS]

I say build it your self. My modo is " it's not what you can buy, it's what you can build". However, a buddy of mine bought the HT383 from Summit to put in his 98 s10. And it runs real good. No problem so far. Been running for about 3 years. Very relieable.

[adh383]

I have built my own many many times-- I have bought one crate motor--- Basically bought it on a dare from a real good friend of mine-- very glad I did. But, it sure feels good to drive one down the road that you actually put your hands in and on. I say build one with good shit and let er rip.