Engine Suggestions Please

[PsRumors]

Thanks for all the info Bill. Go ahead and pick this apart. This block with this rotating assembly. This will be on the budget end but I am on a budget. They will do this assembled for $1700, is close enough to pick up and will be ready in a week. I can put the remaining parts together. If I wasn't afraid of screwing something up I'd buy the block and an Eagle assembly and put it together myself.

Thanks again for the input,

Ron

[Billla]

Originally Posted by PsRumors

Thanks for all the info Bill. Go ahead and pick this apart. This block with this rotating assembly. This will be on the budget end but I am on a budget. They will do this assembled for $1700, is close enough to pick up and will be ready in a week. I can put the remaining parts together. If I wasn't afraid of screwing something up I'd buy the block and an Eagle assembly and put it together myself.

Thanks again for the input,

Ron

I take it you're buying this from White Performance and you're not working with a different builder that's buying this stuff from eBay

A couple of thoughts:

• You're clear that this is an LT1/LT4 (GEN II) and not a GEN I block, correct? I don't see a problem, but that's where the roller cam is coming in. Be sure as you're looking at parts you're looking at LT1 stuff; MOST things are the same, but some are definitely different! One plus is that LT1 iron heads are in fairly good, cheap supply and the reverse cooling means 10:1 is perfectly streetable on regular gas. Vortecs are a cheaper option (and outstanding!) but the CR is limited to 9.2 - 9.5 max.
• You absolutely must (there's strong words have the cam before you let them build the short block. DEFINITELY need to check the rotating ass'y-to-cam clearance during mock-up; it should take them 15 minutes and IMHO this is a must-do if you're walking out the door with the shortblock. They note the rotating ass'y has rods clearanced for the cam, but go on to say you're responsible for checking clearance. I suggest having the heads, too - I haven't looked but
• Note that the ass'y is externally balanced - not my first choice
• When they say "Procomp", I think they're talking about the Scat Pro Comp 9000 series. That's a decent crank, but I would be sure on the brand.
• I have to admit I don't understand how they can bore and hone the block unless they already have pistons selected, since this is done to match the pistons.
• They note the deck height as being 9.015; stock deck is 9.025, so they've cut ten thousandths.

Overall, I like shops that can spell but this looks like an OK deal for $1700 and some of my comments above are picking nits . I see some touches like chamfers on the head bolt holes that give a fair level of comfort that they're a good shop. My worry is that they're using individual components and then balancing them...I have to wonder what the price would be if the ass'y came to them from a single vendor and balanced.

Happy to discuss real-time if you'd like - PM and I'll give you my cell.