Crate Motor builders. Who to trust?

[70cudaFun]

In light of what I have read on the recent Crate Hemi Disaster thread about the poorly built crate motor, I'm baffled at how a "crate motor" could turn out this way.  None the less since I may be in the market for a crate myself but I wonder, are there some trusted engine builders who back up their work these days with some kind of quality assurance or warranty?  I may be asking for a lot here but the only company I found who provide a 30 month /50,000 mile warranty is Blueprint Engines.

In researching this forum, I have read about IndyHeads Crate Motors, Muscle Motors Racing & Blueprint.  Any feedback on these engines or other builders or options I should be looking at?  My goal is to get 500hp to 550hp out of a package solution from a 440 stroker.

Thanks

[dfrazz]

I bought a crate motor from Carolina Machine Engines and had nothing but problems, and it leaked like a stuck pig.  They have a warranty but this is after you pull the motor, send it them, then if THEY find something wrong they will not charge you parts or labor.  If THEY don't then the they will start adding up the bill.

Indy has horrible customer service so if something goes wrong you will have no help.  IMO - find an engine builder locally that has a good rep, tell him what you want performance wise, buy the parts and have him build it.  Then if something goes wrong he is local to you and can fix it.

[7212Mopar]

Check out Hughes Engines and MRL Performance.

[turbostang7]

I second the local builder. Word of mouth means quite a bit so ask around at car shows, races etc to see who everyone is using.

[EMCD]

My buddy's Z28 had a 383 stroker built by Carolina Machine Engines and had nothing but problems. It blew a HG in the first 500 miles. He left many messages and only called back when he left a message saying he wanted to buy a crate motor. Total crooks

[70cudaFun]

Check out Hughes Engines and MRL Performance.

Will do, thanks.

[70cudaFun]

I bought a crate motor from Carolina Machine Engines and had nothing but problems, and it leaked like a stuck pig.  They have a warranty but this is after you pull the motor, send it them, then if THEY find something wrong they will not charge you parts or labor.  If THEY don't then the they will start adding up the bill.

Indy has horrible customer service so if something goes wrong you will have no help.  IMO - find an engine builder locally that has a good rep, tell him what you want performance wise, buy the parts and have him build it.  Then if something goes wrong he is local to you and can fix it.

Not a bad idea Dan.  I will consider that for sure.  Picking each part for the build seems to be the more expensive option compared to buying a crate considering I would be selling my existing 440 to offset the price of the new stroker motor.  Crate packages obviously don't have the highest end parts but still produce the desired HP I'm looking for.  Thanks for the suggestion.

[cudabob496]

I think Muscle Motors is good, from what I've heard.

[Topcat]

I think Muscle Motors is good, from what I've heard.

I wouldn't even trust them.

They sent me a stroker crank kit.

The crank shaft had 12 holes drilled in it and some were re filled.
It's like they knew they F'd it up and tried to fix it.

They did send me a new crank and I had it balanced by my machinist.

[marc70challenger]

Crate motors are a crap shoot - at best. Not like it's a pair of shoes that doesn't fit and you can send them back

The shop we use - and who are now great friends, have some stories. 

Find a local ENGINE shop - that build engines. If they make motors for racing. Even better.  But a shop who builds engines from scrap. Not a repair shop. Or restore shop.

More expensive. But why take chance. And then you get exactly what you want.

[djw383]

I would have a crate engine run in a dyno before install to see if runs, leaks, dial in the carb and show real power numbers. But, I too recommend a local shop.

[Racer57]

Ask people that race at the local drag strips and stock car tracks who builds their engines. I live in a town of 20,000 and there's people here that I would put up against the best in the business.

[KillerBee]

To me a "crate" engine from Mopar is nothing more than a convenient way to ship all the engine parts at one time. Once you get the engine it is mandatory you have it totally disassembled and checked over by someone you trust.
So forget any price savings you might get on a crate engine.


I also suggest you ask around and do some research yourself and find someone local who has experience with Mopar engines.

I recently had a mild 440 engine built for my wife's Challenger.
Buying a complete high $$$ engine from a builder out of state wasn't even a consideration for me as if, and many times there are problems trying to get an out of state builder to take responsibility and make it right is impossible.

I did some talking to a few trusted Mopar friends who are local to me about engine builders in our area that are honest, affordable and know their way around a big block Mopar.
I found a guy who was highly recommended about an hour away from me.
He specialized in Mopar engines and runs all his rebuilt engines on his break in stand to make sure everything is working properly and there are no leaks.
I took my wife's 440 engine core to his place.
He contacted me after he inspected the engine and we discussed what I wanted and my options.
We made a plan as to what parts were needed. 
He didn't try to sell my anything I didn't need.
I bought a Sealed Power total engine rebuild kit (with forged pistons) and all the other needed parts myself from Summit Racing(which is close to me) and new aluminum heads from 440 Source and took the parts to my engine builder who inspected everything.
The builder sent me daily texts and pictures of the engine's progress, invited me to drive over anytime I wanted to check things out.
I was able to be there when the engine was first started and run on the break in stand and he told me if there were any issues he would stand behind his work.

His prices were very reasonable and I am extremely happy with the results.
I'm getting ready to take another 440 down to his place to real soon.

[1 Wild R/T]

The situation really sucks cause Chevy guys can buy a dozen varieties of small blocks, half a dozen big blocks & half a dozen LS based engines, all fairly priced, all reliable & all with some level of warranty...

Ford guys choices are a little more limited but still good reliable horsepower for a fair price with a warranty...

Mopar, well....  I hear allot more bad than good & the prices are like all things Mopar..  Expensive... & if you have a problem you bought it you own it....

[cudabob496]

The situation really sucks cause Chevy guys can buy a dozen varieties of small blocks, half a dozen big blocks & half a dozen LS based engines, all fairly priced, all reliable & all with some level of warranty...

Ford guys choices are a little more limited but still good reliable horsepower for a fair price with a warranty...

Mopar, well....  I hear allot more bad than good & the prices are like all things Mopar..  Expensive... & if you have a problem you bought it you own it....

ya, the price, reliability, and power you can get from a new LS engine is pretty amazing. All aluminum with 6 main cap bolts!