jmd88iroc-z

I LOOK ON EBAY ALOT FOR ENGINES. YOU KNOW, FOR THAT "GOOD DEAL". I KEEP SEEING THIS ENGINEBUILDER 1 PLACE IN ARIZONA SELLING ALL THESE CRATE ENGINES. THEY SEEM AWFUL CHEAP PRICED. I'VE HAD MY EYE ON THIS 350 TPI 350HP/408FTLB ENGINE FOR $2700 FOR A WHILE. HAS ANYONE BOUGHT ONE OF THESE MOTORS. THE MAN SAYS HE'LL STAND BEHIND THEM AND SHIPPING IS FREE.


IF ASKING THIS QUESTION IS AGAINST THE RULES, I'M SORRY. LET ME KNOW MODS AND I'LL NOT DO IT AGAIN. THANKS

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

There's a better forum, that's all.

The name of the outfit would help, too.

(And, the all-caps isn't really necessary. Makes reading it harder.)

jmd88iroc-z

The ebay engine builder is D&J Machine and Performance Engines.
These folks have alot of engines for sale for all types of applications. Just wondering if any one has any experience with these engines.

robsgta

Well we all know that replacing a motor is very expensive and time consuming .I have blown ummm around 2 motors being breaking a piston skirt and blown about 3 head gaskets.
Speaking from my past experiences buying a cheap motor might be a good deal but having to replace it is even worse.
If you are doing the install your self your saving money there . I always justified to my significant other that I might as well buy the best since the labor is free..
but hey thats me :lala:

Kandied91z

iTrader: (7)

yeah there really aren't cheap motors.......just cheap parts. the best way to get a cheap motor is through someone you trust that did it right. chances are your setting yourself up for trouble.

as far as that list i highly doubt the things reach 350 hp and if it is i'd be willing to bet it's at the crank and that they won't last long. however stranger things have happened.

jmd88iroc-z

What puzzles me about this seller is theres a 100% positive feedback from buyers of these engines. They seem to sell alot of them. I'm like everybody else though, those good deals can be not so good later. A fellow told me, alot of these engine builders use cheap parts and they won't last under pressure. I was just asking because when I look at these engines on ebay, these engines keep showing up.

robertg

iTrader: (2)

when it comes to the kind of expense that an engine entails, there is no such thing as "too many questions."

305Tiger

well, I just got a "new" 305 for my T/A back in January. I got a jasper engine and the total cost including install and labor was JUST over $2,700.00.

Personally, I thought it was a pretty decent deal, even though it's a 305....but i was'nt paying. the rents were b/c they know how much I love my car and will treat it(christmas present).
-G

305Tiger

...I'd also like to add that a general rule I follow is to either go with a company known for a good reputation(sometimes it's better even if you have to pay more!) or at least one that's local...that way you know WHO exactly to beat the &*%$ outta! hehe!
-G

robsgta

I totally agree...lmao
The other day I went to the dollar store and guess what I got exactly what I paid for...lol

Kandied91z

iTrader: (7)

that's a very good point...i've been burnt many times by places that weren't local. unless they are really well known name brands (even that doesn't always make it ok) you have to watch out.

robsgta

Hey jmd after reading your post again and thinking it through. I dont think that buying and engine from a person who posts on E bay is the best decision... I think everyone has bought some things off there a few times... you really dont know who you are getting it from and there is so much liability it seems that people lose when somthing go's wrong with your motor from an e bay purchase..there is just too much red tape and loop holes for the seller to mask him self with... I attempted to read all the fine print about product liability for you the other night and Im still dizzy.
The route that I personally took was going to a scrap yard and purchased a 350 4 bolt main from a 90 vortec motor'd truck for 300. (got a written agreement that if the block was cracked I could exchange it)and had nikkens racing in houston do all of my short block machining. they bal my new crank,got all my pistons to the same weight as well as my 6 inch rods then I did all of the rest of the assembly(my labor) on a motor stand at home. Wich to me seemed to justify spending the big bucks having a big timer do the machining..

Camaro_nut

I was also looking into buying a crate motor from Ebay.
But, I decided to spend the extra money and buy a GM
performance crate motor from Jeg's. I know I will pay
a lot more, but I also know that's capable of 350hp
and not going to blow up on me. Piece of mind when
buying something that GM made and put together, and
a legit dealer selling them.

I also know exactly what parts are being used in/on
the motor, and what is needed for it.

jmd88iroc-z

Thanks for all the replies, folk. You are all right in what you're saying. The only reason I considered the engine I was talking about was it seemed to be the set-up I was looking for (with the TPI set-up, hp, etc). There is a Chevy dealer 50 miles from here who deals with GM crate engines who offered me a ZZ4 350 for $3600. The problem is, I would spend alot more setting it up like I want it (I kinda like this TPI). I definitely like the idea of local shopping but, to be honest, I've dumped alot of money in this old car and, by the time I get my motor and drivetrain set like I want (along with everything else), I'll have $10,000 or more in it. (When you're married, it's kinda hard to justify,HA!HA!).

Camaro_nut

Maybe it's best to just buy a junk yard 350 block ( better
if it's an 86-up for fuel injection). Just make sure that they
guarantee no cracks or any serious damage to block.
Next, have it inspected and machined to what the block
may need, or to what you want it to be. Then, you can buy
all the goodies for it and make that 350hp. This way takes
more time and effort involved than to just buy a crate motor.
But if you know people who can help you, and do stuff for
the motor cheap, go for it. Otherwise, it can cost the same
for a fuel injected crate motor. So, bascially what robsgta
said eariler maybe a better and cheaper route to go.
It's just more labor and time involved. I would also recommend
the GM Vortec heads. Don't listen to anyone about aftermarket!
Best bang for buck is Vortec!

Why not look into the Ramjet 350? It comes with everything
you need to make it run. It's 350hp, and it's better than
TPI! NO restrictions, no emissions either. Down side, it's
about $5,000 shipped. But, if you buy the ZZ4 crate at
$3,600, add another $2,500 for aftermarket fuel injection.

P.S. I am not married, but I will be spending about $15,000 total
on my car. wow, that's a lot. Man if I was, I bet I would
be sleeping alone for a long time.

jmd88iroc-z

Well, what I wanted to do is pull the 305 out right off the bat 2yrs ago. The reason I didn't is because I can't stay out of it long enough. I have other cars but I always seem to jump in this one (HA!HA). I like the idea of ripping all the "crap" that goes along with computers, fuel injection, and AIR system, etc, then just put a built SB (327,350 or 400), you konw, make easy to access and work on. The reason I didn't was the emission laws here are constantly changing and I didn't want to build something I couldn't get inspected. I've since learned the laws won't affect my car (after I threw on all this legal "bull" bolt-on junk).

I've also thought of LT1s, LS1, or a 'vette set-up. I guess the most cost effective way is to either find a 350, that will take the set-up I already have, or find an old SB and have it built (like has already been said).

The latter choice will allow me to keep driving the car while waiting for the motor to be built.

Kandied91z

iTrader: (7)

just because you pick up a crate from gm doesn't mean it's bullet proof either...mine lasted less then 1,000 miles.

Zerstörer

But you get a warranty.

Camaro_nut

Then you must have either:
a) beat the crap out if it during the "break in" and
continued to do so.
b) had a "defect" in the motor that comes with
a warranty.

of course NO motor is bullet proof. So many things can
happen. I don't see how it can break at only 1,000 miles.
Jeez, everything you touch seems to break prematurely!

pasky

LOL, after reading the tourque arm, that does seem to be true, no offense Candy.

Camaro_nut

Yeah, I don't mean to be rude or anything like that
at you Kandied91Z, but HOW do you get all that stuff
to break? The motor especially! I would really like to
know, cause even a professional drag motor can get
better mileage.

jmd88iroc-z

You guys are following this fellow (Kandied) all over the boards and just wearing him out, ain't you?

It sounds like someone got mad when they're car didn't perform like he thought it should and, after a 1000 miles, he fired it up and put a rock on the gas pedal and walked off!

Mods, you can close this thread if you want to.

Camaro_nut

I voice my opinion, and I get crap for it. I help you
out with some advice that was on topic, and this is
what you say now? Sorry, but " just because you
buy a crate motor from GM doesn't make it bullet proof"
is a bunch of crap! You can say that about any motor.
Because NO motor is bullet proof! It is very easy to
blow a motor up. Close the thread if you wish. I am just
stating my opinions.

jmd88iroc-z

Man, I don't see anyone giving you crap over anything. I was surfing the boards and everywhere I saw this one fellow reply, some of you were right behind him nailing him for everything he said. As I mentioned above, I appreciate all the replies and advice you and others gave.
I've basically gotten the answers to my questions was the reason I suggested the mods slam the door.
My next questions I'll post on another forum and (Camaro_nut) I look forward to hearing you're opinions.

Kandied91z

iTrader: (7)

very limited warranty that honestly isn't worth much and does not hold up in court for anything beyond a very very short period of time

Camaro_nut i've always kind of sat back and just let you speak your mind but some of the things you say can be something else....the motor had fuel wash caused by improper programming from tpis. it was not gm's fault however that does not mean that gm's block was bullet proof which was the point. it can happen to any thing no matter how much money you spend. you want to know how things break...........me too! it just happens with poor products. tpis doesn't know what they are doing when it comes to high engine tunning and aparently someone partied to late at edlebrock when the shipment of torque arms were sent out.

your opinions contradict themselves........i said the same thing you just stated??? in other words any motor can have their faults so why in the hell are you arguing since your not making a different point but merely confusing others?




jmd88iroc-z it's pretty much the way it goes, i am fortunate enough to be able to do somethings to my car that others would love to do. i'm considerate enough to try and share some of my experience good and bad but it doesn't always go over well. the only thing i was trying to point out is that no matter how much money you spend things can go wrong. my new shortblock was half the price of the gm block and is just as good. i thought going with gm would give me that extra amount of security.....all it did was hurt my wallet that much more. you live and learn you know.

jmd88iroc-z

Well, how about sharing some of that fortune with us so we can ride fast too! (HA!HA!)

robertg

iTrader: (2)

it looks like this has quietly settled down.... please refrain from arguing here. this board is for reviews of aftermarket vendors, and/or their products.

if it starts up again, you'll have to start a new thread. please don't make me lock this....

thanks.

Kandied91z

iTrader: (7)

jmd88iroc-z come work in one of my many sweatshops or on a few corners and you'll be big pimpn in no time....that or call the office for a financial plan and i'll have you there in 5-10 years.

robertg

iTrader: (2)

that is too funny, man. as i said though... let's try and keep from agitating the argument anymore.

now, for my 2 cents... i would rather build the engine myself. to me, it seems like taking the easy way out. plus it has that satisfaction to be able to say, "hey. i built this myself."

keep it clean guys.

Kandied91z

iTrader: (7)

i agree if you can build it yourself it's the way to go...not only will you save a fortune but you'll have the knowledge to answer your own questions as well as the pride that comes along with all the hard work.



if you want to start i have a nice 03' 383 shorblock that you could put together. just needs machine work from cylinder wash. i'll sell it to you cheap.



the funny thing is that my block is worth no more then an old sbc truck block or stock l98 block out of the yard because of what happened which is why i would never buy another gm crate. just to many other options for alot less, however i realize that sometimes it can be convenient though too so you have to make the decision.

jmd88iroc-z

I guess I've pretty well decided the best way all around is to get an old 350 block from the junk yard and build it myself. I've always wanted to try it. If I need help, I've got several people I can go to.

I will start another thread in another forum to discuss my other questions concerning this subject.

Thanks, folk.

Kandied91z

iTrader: (7)

best decision you could have made.......you'll save alot more too.