crate vs. build?
#3
Supreme Member
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Fl.
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: crate vs. build?
I ended up spending around $3k-3.5K on building a motor that was basically a stock build, and penny pinching where I could. Looking back, I should have just bought a crate and called it a day.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Antonio, Tx
Posts: 568
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
6 Posts
Car: 1988 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: LB9 (305 TPI)
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 Positraction
Re: crate vs. build?
It really depends on what you want your end result to be. If you're happy with the crate motor in its stock form, and don't plan on any changes, then that could be the low cost alternative. If you plan on forced induction, nitrous, radical cam profiles, etc, then you might want to look at building a motor. This way you are buying only the specific parts you need for your build, and can specifically match each part to your needs. Weigh the cost of sourcing an engine (new block or junkyard), machine work (if necessary), buying the assorted parts for your build, vs what it would cost to both purchase a crate motor and then modify it to your needs (meaning you just basically paid for excess parts with the crate motor).
Basically, if you want something you can buy, drop in and go, buy a crate motor. If you want to build a engine, a crate motor isn't necessarily the cheaper route.
Basically, if you want something you can buy, drop in and go, buy a crate motor. If you want to build a engine, a crate motor isn't necessarily the cheaper route.
#5
Supreme Member
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Not in Kansas anymore
Posts: 7,732
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes
on
11 Posts
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: 383 SP EFI/ 4150 TB
Transmission: T400
Axle/Gears: QP 9" 3.73
Re: crate vs. build?
Just drop in and go ( fast )
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Antonio, Tx
Posts: 568
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
6 Posts
Car: 1988 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: LB9 (305 TPI)
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 Positraction
Re: crate vs. build?
As I said, it depends on what you want your end result to be. If you're happy with someone else's off the shelf build, their selection of parts, and have no plans for modification, then buy a crate motor. If you want to do something different or specific, then a crate motor may not be the most economical starting point.
#7
Re: crate vs. build?
As I said, it depends on what you want your end result to be. If you're happy with someone else's off the shelf build, their selection of parts, and have no plans for modification, then buy a crate motor. If you want to do something different or specific, then a crate motor may not be the most economical starting point.
I would say the preponderance of swaps are with junkers and those folks probably wish they could have afforded a crate engine, even if it was only a Goodwrench 260 or 290 HP vs the performance crate engines.
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Not in Kansas anymore
Posts: 7,732
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes
on
11 Posts
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: 383 SP EFI/ 4150 TB
Transmission: T400
Axle/Gears: QP 9" 3.73
Re: crate vs. build?
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Antonio, Tx
Posts: 568
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
6 Posts
Car: 1988 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: LB9 (305 TPI)
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 Positraction
Re: crate vs. build?
And at only $12,000 WHAT a bargain...
You're both missing the point of the OP's question. Can it be cheaper to build an engine than to get a crate motor? The answer is yes, and your $12,000 example quite clearly illustrates that. As for using what you call "junkers", you do realize the GM Goodwrench crate motors are the exact same blocks you can find in a junkyard? Speaking as someone that HAS one - a 4 bolt main GM Goodwrench crate motor block and 64cc crate motor heads, sourced from a junkyard 1991 Suburban, fully machined, fluxed, balanced (all courtesy of Kendrick Performance), new rings, bearings, seals, freeze plugs, and a custom build, all at a cost of less than $1000. With my Megasquirt I ECM and TPI system, I have less than $3000 in my engine. If I ever upgrade, it will be with a junkyard LQ4, upgraded with a new cam, all for under $5000.
You're both missing the point of the OP's question. Can it be cheaper to build an engine than to get a crate motor? The answer is yes, and your $12,000 example quite clearly illustrates that. As for using what you call "junkers", you do realize the GM Goodwrench crate motors are the exact same blocks you can find in a junkyard? Speaking as someone that HAS one - a 4 bolt main GM Goodwrench crate motor block and 64cc crate motor heads, sourced from a junkyard 1991 Suburban, fully machined, fluxed, balanced (all courtesy of Kendrick Performance), new rings, bearings, seals, freeze plugs, and a custom build, all at a cost of less than $1000. With my Megasquirt I ECM and TPI system, I have less than $3000 in my engine. If I ever upgrade, it will be with a junkyard LQ4, upgraded with a new cam, all for under $5000.
#10
Re: crate vs. build?
And at only $12,000 WHAT a bargain...
You're both missing the point of the OP's question. Can it be cheaper to build an engine than to get a crate motor? The answer is yes, and your $12,000 example quite clearly illustrates that. As for using what you call "junkers", you do realize the GM Goodwrench crate motors are the exact same blocks you can find in a junkyard? Speaking as someone that HAS one - a 4 bolt main GM Goodwrench crate motor block and 64cc crate motor heads, sourced from a junkyard 1991 Suburban, fully machined, fluxed, balanced (all courtesy of Kendrick Performance), new rings, bearings, seals, freeze plugs, and a custom build, all at a cost of less than $1000. With my Megasquirt I ECM and TPI system, I have less than $3000 in my engine. If I ever upgrade, it will be with a junkyard LQ4, upgraded with a new cam, all for under $5000.
You're both missing the point of the OP's question. Can it be cheaper to build an engine than to get a crate motor? The answer is yes, and your $12,000 example quite clearly illustrates that. As for using what you call "junkers", you do realize the GM Goodwrench crate motors are the exact same blocks you can find in a junkyard? Speaking as someone that HAS one - a 4 bolt main GM Goodwrench crate motor block and 64cc crate motor heads, sourced from a junkyard 1991 Suburban, fully machined, fluxed, balanced (all courtesy of Kendrick Performance), new rings, bearings, seals, freeze plugs, and a custom build, all at a cost of less than $1000. With my Megasquirt I ECM and TPI system, I have less than $3000 in my engine. If I ever upgrade, it will be with a junkyard LQ4, upgraded with a new cam, all for under $5000.
When i say "junkers", it's about the folks who go off and buy a used engine and just drop it in. I would never do that myself. Those are the folks that i say probably wish they could get a goodwrench crate.............or pay for the machine work like we do.
A purist will want to be there every step of the way to be sure that the brand parts they want are being installed, that every bolt is in fact torqued to sepc etc etc.
IMHO that becomes overkill unless the engine is going racing. Heck, we buy brand new cars with the assumption that things are done right. Then we see videos of the assembly line workers smoking pot and getting drunk during their lunch hour
#11
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Somerset, New Jersey
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 95 Z85 S10, 99 Formula
Engine: 4.3 CPI , LS1
Transmission: NV3500, T56
Axle/Gears: 3.08, 3.42
Re: crate vs. build?
if you go the crate route you can enjoy it, then if you want more power, sell the heads and cam and buy a new combo
#13
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Somerset, New Jersey
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 95 Z85 S10, 99 Formula
Engine: 4.3 CPI , LS1
Transmission: NV3500, T56
Axle/Gears: 3.08, 3.42
Re: crate vs. build?
that all depends on them, some would be happy with the 290 horsepower as a cruiser then down the line may want a little more umph. others like myself would opt for the highest powered build/crate i could do
#14
Moderator
iTrader: (5)
Re: crate vs. build?
Just a footnote to the conversation. My 85 IROC was originally an anemic LG4, which left me completely dissatisfied (this is an IROC for goodness sake!). I modded it until it was the equivalent, or a bit better, than an L69. I was happier with the car, but it still left a lot to be desired, IMO. Finally, making good on a promise to myself (new motor before retirement), I chose, for the sake of simplicity, a turnkey GM crate, the 350 HO Deluxe (350/330). That rascal at last provided the 'Wow' factor that I'd been missing. Still brings a smile to my face.
JamesC
JamesC
Last edited by JamesC; 03-04-2011 at 08:07 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post