Crate Engine Recommendation

AuburnTiger · Mar 18, 2015

All,
I'm in the process of finding a new engine for my '75. I had originally settled on Proformance but they're simply too expensive. I then looked at Phoenix but was worried about several reviews.

Do any of you have a solid source? I know Summit is the stand by for a bunch of folks but I'm looking for the best value/quality combo.

Looking for 302 with high torque.

Thanks in advance.

DJs74 · Mar 18, 2015

I suggest visiting your favorite local auto part store (Napa / CarQuest / Orielly's / etc) and talk to them and see what they have to offer dollar wise and warranty wise - they might even custom order you something to your specification.

Even if it cost you a few bucks more, at least you have the store as a partner / ally in case something goes wrong or problems arise - otherwise, if you go strictly internet - you are pretty much alone dealing with problems if they arise

DJs74

Timmy390 · Mar 18, 2015

AuburnTiger said:
Looking for 302 with high torque.

Maybe consider a 351W if you want lots of torque. 1996 351W in stock form will give you 210HP (3800 RPM) and 328 torque (2200 RPM). For a stock engine, the price will be about the same.

I looked at http://www.promarengine.com/ but decided to build my own.

Tim

AuburnTiger · Mar 18, 2015

Thank you DJ and Tim.
I have spoken with local parts suppliers and they all come back with Jasper and Summit.

I'll look into Promar.

Hard to believe there are so few options but I guess it is not a high volume business. Heck, took me 10 years to decide to do this on my '75.

Rustytruck · Mar 18, 2015

Check out ATK engines

jw0747 · Mar 18, 2015

Have your engine rebuilt by a local machine, engine or speed shop with parts they recommend to make it like you want it.

Timmy390 · Mar 18, 2015

AuburnTiger said:
I have spoken with local parts suppliers and they all come back with Jasper and Summit.

Jasper builds their own but Summit is just a reseller. They buy from many different sources and resale. To get the Jasper warranty you will need the engine installed by a jasper approved shop.

Tim

mritchy1 · Mar 18, 2015

I got a ford racing 302 .I am real happy with it

zonian · Mar 18, 2015

mritchy....if you don't mind, what was the ballpark in cost for the ford engine? Thinking the same thing. Thx, Dale

DJs74 · Mar 18, 2015

jw0747 said:
Have your engine rebuilt by a local machine, engine or speed shop with parts they recommend to make it like you want it.

x2 on this one

or at least put a "rebuild at your local shop" on paper and compare costs to a turnkey crate motor

You have your platform now (your current 302), just try to work with your local auto parts house / machine shop and ask them to run through a rebuild scenario for you. Ask them to include all machine work (cylinder boring, cylinder head machining, crank turning , etc) and then add new component costs (camshaft, pistons, timing sets, gasket kits, etc) and then ask for assembly labor. You'll have a price for the rebuild and then can compare that number to a crate motor delivered to your door. Piece of cake

DJs74

dao1980 · Mar 18, 2015

I had a good experience with Promar Engines.

They were happy to slap a nice cam, GT-40 3bar heads with Scorpion rockers on it, and did it very quickly.

AuburnTiger · Mar 18, 2015

Great feedback, thank you everyone.

Just hung up with local engine shop, they are going to come up with some options and present to me tomorrow. Seems like a less expensive route (adding in the local aspect in case of issues).

Timmy390 · Mar 18, 2015

My local shop is charging me $487 for the machine work on the block. I'm doing my own heads(cleaned them up, lapped the valves and installed new vale stem seals).

I took them a disassembled block, crank and old pistons/rods. They worked the block over giving it a .020 bore, new cam bearings, line hone, a couple good washes, reconditioned the rods, put the pistons on the rods and painted the block.

I'm doing the assembly myself. The engine kit cost me $400. I used the kit they suggested but you can get one from Summit for $350-$400 depending on what you want. My kit did not include a cam as I'm reusing the roller cam and lifters.

Tim

bronconut73 · Mar 18, 2015

Rustytruck said:
Check out ATK engines

Yup yup yup

mritchy1 · Mar 18, 2015

I Summit has them with intake carb and distributor For just under 5500

DuctTape · Mar 18, 2015

I used engine factory. Not the cheapest route probably.

Think hard on the 351 option. If I had it to do over that's how I would have gone.

blubuckaroo · Mar 18, 2015

Timmy390 said:
Jasper builds their own but Summit is just a reseller. They buy from many different sources and resale. To get the Jasper warranty you will need the engine installed by a jasper approved shop.

Tim

^
This is an important thing to consider. Jasper isn't the only builder to require this. The warranty could end up scrap paper if you don't meet all the details. It doesn't even matter if you are capable of a better installation than their approved shop. And who could blame them? There are more than a few goobers out there.

gr8scott · Mar 18, 2015

AuburnTiger said:
Thank you DJ and Tim.
I have spoken with local parts suppliers and they all come back with Jasper and Summit.

Really? Napa deals with ATK. Napa part # HP99F:

AuburnTiger · Mar 18, 2015

I don't have a NAPA close to me.

ChrisC74 · Mar 18, 2015

AuburnTiger said:
I don't have a NAPA close to me.

AuburnTiger - your tag say Johns Creek, GA - if that is current the NAPA in Suwanee is about 10 miles from you.

NAPA AUTO PARTS
Genuine Parts Company
1029 Industrial Court
Swanee, GA 30024
(770) 904 - 6515

That being said - I don't know anything about ATK engines.

I am just up the road from you in Sugar Hill.

Crate Engine Recommendation

AuburnTiger

DJs74

Bronco Guru

Timmy390

Bronco Guru

AuburnTiger

Rustytruck

Bronco Guru

jw0747

Bronco Guru

Timmy390

Bronco Guru

mritchy1

Full Member

zonian

Full Member

DJs74

Bronco Guru

dao1980

Jr. Member

AuburnTiger

Timmy390

Bronco Guru

bronconut73

Bronco Guru

mritchy1

Full Member

DuctTape

Bronco Guru

blubuckaroo

Grease Monkey

gr8scott

Bronco Guru

Attachments

AuburnTiger

ChrisC74

Sr. Member

Similar threads