Just to say this in advance - I am NOT attempting to flame anyone, their products, or the quality thereof...I just need to get an answer here. Please take the question that I have at face value, and dont read anything into it....

I found this product a couple of weeks ago, and it intrigued me - http://www.teamjdm.com/shop/product_...products_id=60 . Now, I am considering the addition of a 75-shot and a Stage 2 Steig port to my stock block and (perhaps) new heads. It seems like most blown motor issues come from thrown plugs (which would be taken care of by new heads, reference http://www.rpmoutlet.com/lightvtech.htm , and http://www.rpmoutlet.com/lightheads.htm , both Stage 2), and broken rods (which would be taken care of by this rebuild kit). With these additions, it seems like my bases would be covered. The question is this - the install price that I have been given for JUST THE REBUILD KIT on my L is in the neighborhood of $2500. Keep in mind that I am in Germany and not around any reputable tuners (although I am in the company of a capable mechanic that has done work on other L's and Cobras). Am I getting ripped off by the install prices? Would it be better to bite the bullet and have a built motor shipped Air Freight to me (equalling the install prices above) and then STILL have to have it installed?

Thanks for your responses, guys...

 

i think 2500 bucks is very cheap ,,,,,you need to make sure you get the motor balanced ,,not just installed

you got some tuff choices,,,,it makes it even tougher when you are that far away

 

factor in the exchange rate and you're getting a good deal!

 

If you have confidence in the engine builder in Germany, have him build the engine for you. If you order an engine already built and there are problems, you could be in the middle of the engine builder and engine installer pointing fingers at each other with no easy recourse for you. The person in Germany who installed the built motor will probably not be so ready to pull the engine again for a problem that wasn't of his making.

Order the parts, make sure the engine builder in Germany inspects them closely and approves them, and then have him build your engine. If something goes wrong, the onus is on him.

David

 

Ya what they both said

Jordan it all comes down to what are YOU looking for out of this motor
Remember a Built motor DOES NOT add power (if anything it takes)

I did (or maybe I should say tried) exactly what your thinking
I rebuilt MY MOTOR with Pistons, Rods, Bearings, Rings, Wrist Pins, ARP, etc...
but did nothing to my heads. So now I had the same power I had before but a rock solid bottom end. So I tried to boost my way to 500 HP (and more) and ended up hitting a wall due to the stock heads, springs, and cams.
Then BAM a Valve broke and the rest is history.
Broken Valve = whole new motor and in the end over 25K in the 2 motors

If you just want a bullet proff bottom end your on the right path
If your thinking of adding the heads just be aware the Patriot Heads
come with Springs that people say are not the strongest out there and may become a problem if your running BIG Boost.

If you notice on your second RPM Link, even the aftermarket Crower Lightning Springs are only 74 or 80 lbs, you want 105's, or 120's

So lets total it all up

1795.00 Engine Kit
1289.95 Heads
549.95 Cams
--------
3634.90
300.00 for Tax
whatever for shipping
------------
4000.00 at this point (you still got to buy Head Gaskets, Oil Pump, Fluids, etc)
500.00 for gaskets, hoses, fluids, plugs, etc....(believe me, thats AT LEAST)
2500.00 labor
-----------
7000.00

For 7K you can buy a complete Built Long Block with the best of everything,
in the end it'll cost you the installation charge and some shipping over the 7K you originally planned on spending
BUT
as Lightninquick just mentioned, to do it without having the motor balanced is absolutely insane. And to tell you the truth to do it without having your stock block first boiled, honed, decked, and the heads fitted and or milled, would also be insane, so you truly need to add another 500.00 for machine shop work to the 7K you planned on spending.

As you know I tried the "rebuild the stock block route" and in the end it cost me a new motor and more than double what it cost had I done it right the first time around. Think it out, check your options, and make the right choices.

GOOD LUCK BRO

JDM MOTOR it's listed at 9K but call and ask, Jim runs a special $ sometimes

Cant find it on JLP's site, but I believe his is 6500.00 - 7000.00 ???

Sal / PSP can offer anything you need, but he Builds them to your specific needs and doesnt list Motors HIS SITE

Lightning Force Performance has a Built Short Block for $3495.00 on this months Special, Stage II Heads for 1350.00, and Stage II cams for 449.00
Add some gaskets, bolt the heads and cams on, and that is clearly the Best Price you'll find
281-385-5339

 

Remember, if you skimp or go cheap on a motor build, don't be disappointed. For example, people don't degree the cams in. Why wouldn't you, it will give you more power and make your engine run better.

 

Thanks, guys! LOTS of good advice for me there - I am glad that you all are willing to share your experience with others, including myself!!

Well, after reading all your responses, I am beginning to think that it may be better for me to wait till I return Stateside (I HATE having to wait that long, though...), and have the motor built and installed then. Seems like it would be a far more economical idea than having all this stuff shipped over here (charges for the heavier parts are plain silly), and I would appreciate having a little more oversight with this project than I am able to do right now. I am going to make notes of all this advice and of the links that you guys sent, and when the time is right I will make it happen - hopefully, there'll still be parts available, and a crowd of enthusiasts to go with 'em...

Thanks again!!!!!!

Steve