In response to:
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=192700

Interesting!

There were about 4 guys working. The waiting room was nice, except they didn't have any chairs, they had parts in boxes along the walls. I walked into the shop and talked to the guys for a while. The shop is probably about as big as Sals at PSP. They had 2 huge garage doors and one lift. They showed me around a little. Dynojet, engine dyno, a ton of machining equipment.
The shop was relatively clean (no dirt) but kinda cluttered with engines and boxes from engines. It was near the end of the day 4:30pm so...

They assembled the engines in the main shop of the building. Like i said it was clean, but one of the big bay doors were 1/2 way open and it was kinda breezy out.

The interesting thing is that they only do engines Here in Lansing. The main shop is in Canada! Yup Canada. Across the blue water bridge in port huron and a little north is where VT engines and all the orders go!

While talking to the guys I asked about 5.4L. They showed me 2 that they were currently building. One was near completion, the other was just a machined block, ready for building. I talked about parts and such ... but they said to call and talk to Scott. Hes the sales guy, all they do here in Lansing is build the engine.

The guys I talked to were Ray, Mke, and "Pops". (look on website under "about)

I asked about the spark plug holes and they showed me the heads on the engine almost completed already had inserts put in for the plugs.

They had an engine room off to the side of the main shop with a few engines in it. a HUGE engine, (not sure what) but it had a 871 blower sitting on top of it was hooked up to some diagnostic equipment. The guy was running the engine when I walked in and then shut it down to talk to me. (LOUD!) I thought it was an engine dyno, but I haven't a clue. He said he had a few more engines to test before they go out.

There were about 3 more rooms off to the side (not offices) that had engines in various stages of build-up.


They said that right now is the busiest time of the year for them. So if I wanted them to do some work it'll be a while. They also said they are having a harder time getting parts, since it is the busiest time of the year.
They NO longer work on vehicles, they ONLY do engines. So I'd have to pull the engine and drop it of there. They did say they tuned some cars, but the dynojet looked like it wasn't used for a while. It had a bunch of empty boxes on it, which again, could have been due to it being the end of the day.

Overall I was impressed, the guys knew all about the Lightning engines, they asked if the S/C was ported and my mods... They said that pistons, rods, moderate cams and plug inserts would be a good solid base to start. Then whatever i throw at it, it'll hold up.

I never really considered building my engine this year (was waiting until next winter), but VT Engines ( www.vtengines.com ) has a sale going on right now, and these guys are Literally 9 minutes from me.

I was considering having SAL build it, but being that he's on Long island, NY and I'm in Michigan, that would add a considerable amount of $$$ and time to the project. I was impressed by Rob's step by step DAILY write-ups, and everything Sal found when he tore the engine apart. It seemed like he took the extra steps during the build-up to ensure a powerful and reliable result!

I'd like to get some more feedback from the guys that are runing VT engines and who are currently having one built up there.


But it's interesting that the main office is in Canada and they are built here in michigan. Probably a 3 - 4 Hour drive to the main office.
Being that I Graduate in 1.5 weeks, the first thing that popped into my head is if I have problems, whose jurisdiction and laws apply. But that's normal, I can't walk through a grocery store without looking at "open and obvious" dangers vs. ones that the store should take care of immediately.


If you guys have questions, I'll try to answer them. But I don't know much more than I wrote here.


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Considering it's 1/2 hour away from me... some future doors just might open.

Rich

 

great write up!

Peace,


Suavy

 

I ordered a billet long block from them last October and got it in November...awesome engine! I only have 2K on it I am impressed so far.

 

I sent them a detailed e-mail today asking for a quote on what I want out of a shortblock for my L and their response led me to believe that they know what they're talking about. They quoted me a decent price too. I'm further away than you and Rich are, but 2hours away isnt bad.
They'll be getting my money when the time comes.

Jason

 

Based upon past experiences with having aftermarket engines built... if you can find a reputable shop close by, use them. It's nothing against anyone else (and I had a non-local shop build me an SVO A4 block for my old Mustang and it worked out perfectly!), but local is preferred.

It can save a lot of headaches, time, and $$ later on.

I'm sure you realize this, but _no_ good engine shop can turn your project around really fast. If they say they can... run away. They're either rushing it, or they don't have enough continuous work to keep them busy in the first place... two signs of trouble. Tedious projects take time to do right. Kind of like automotive painting.

All that being said, if you're more comfortable with Sal or someone else here, then do it. Really its all about comfort level. To me, if the local shop is qualified, then my comfort level just went up a lot.

 

Continuous and systematic contacts with MI . . .
Purposeful availment of the benefits and protections of MI . . .
Injecting goods into the stream of commerce . . .
Branch office in MI . . .
A single, high-quality contact . . .
forseeability of being haled into MI courts . . .

 

that pretty much covers PJ.

 

While I'd naturally like to see my own engine in a customer's vehicle, I have to say that VT builds some great motors. If you can't make it back out to have me do it, VT is a great choice.

 

so how did my motor look? it was probably the almost finished one you saw. it is supposed to ship today or tomorrow.

 

shiny and had that new car smell.


SAL,
You're my first choice for next winter.
I was impressed with everything ROB posted about his engine. At times it was a little much, but it shows how well you communicate with your customers and let them know what's going on.

 

SAL,

did you get my email about the tune? i will need it next week sometime.

-glenn

 

I think I was one of the first "Lightning" guys that post on these forums to install a VT built Engine.

I am very happy with mine and would recomend it to anyone without hesitation.

I have built all of my own engines in my 20+ years of automotive "wrenching". So this was the first time that I relied on someone else.

Lets just say that it takes alot to impress me .........and I was very happy with the quality of machine work and quality of assembly of my VT engine !!!

Damn, I almost sound like a commercial