candlelit

iTrader: (21)

I've decided to go all N/A. I'm looking to make between 500-600rwhp. It needs to be a bullet, reliable. It will be for a daily driven m6 f-body. It may see the track once or twice a year. At this moment in time I'm leaning toward a 400+ cubed iron block. I don't want to spend over $4500 for a shortblock.

I've heard good things about these guys:
Kurt @ W2W
Erik @ HKE
Skoggin Dickey
Speed Inc.
Texas Speed
Ron @ Vengeance
Livernois Motorsports

Anyone of them will be fine, because I know they are all professional and specialize in building these machines. But I want to go with someone who can get me the most hp for lesser the amount of money than the other sponsors. Also, I have a crew that can assemble the heads, cam, and valvetrain. Would any of these guys be willing to SUGGEST what kind of heads or cam specs I should go with once they help me determine which shortblock to go with? I'm pretty sure I'll want a tight LSA cam... the meaner & nastier sounding, the more I like.

Beast96Z

iTrader: (21)

My vote will always go to HKE, but I am biased. All the other sponsors are great as well. I understand your thoughts on the price situation, but assuming the same parts, most will be in the same price range. It will come down to how much the sponsor charges for machining/assembaly. The question you should ask instead of price is how long? I promise, $200 worth the savings isn't worth 8 months of wait time.

Jantzer98SS

iTrader: (54)

I say do a search this has been asked again and again.

For value probably SDPC, TSP, HKE.

For your budget you can't afford new heads.

Cam around 244/248 111

WizeAss

iTrader: (5)

HKE..... for the win.

www.hkracingengines.com

candlelit

iTrader: (21)

I do understand the shortblock is going to cost $3500-$4000, and new heads are easily $1500-$2000. I'm planned on buying used heads, and possibly a used cam. But I'm do some reasearch to make sure they'll work good with the shortblock.

unit213

My vote would be for Livernois Motorsports. They know how to go fast, whether
it's LSx based, 5.0, 4.6, 5.4, SBF, BBC, etc.

http://www.livernoismotorsports.com/...nMillen693.wmv

ls1408cp

iTrader: (37)

LME call Bryan

JDP

iTrader: (21)

Dave Diluca at Canadian Performance built my shortblock, and im extremely happy with it and his prices are good for the work he does.

i never had a motor done by livernois but i have a buddy that works there and i know the kind of work they do and they dont accept anything less than perfect.

ive only bought my L19 headstuds from bryan at LME but i hear he does good work and has some of the best prices

93TAWicked1

iTrader: (28)

500rwhp maybe doable with that budget but I don't know... LME built my setup, HKE seems top notch and the Eric seemed like a really nice guy, honestly Bryan seemed like he had more time to deal with me and I've called him probably a 100 times and he has always been cool about it and takes care of things!!

TXCAMSS

iTrader: (60)

I also have to vote Erik@ HKE. Our iron block 408 will have over 500 passes on it by the end of this next month and still runs like a scalded ape.

http://www.hkracingengines.com/

Good luck!!

Vindication

Well my vote ofcourse is Kurt at W2W.

MPM IV

iTrader: (3)

I'd listen closely to Beast96Z's advice. Based on this forum I knew who I wanted to build my motor, but after several phone calls and multiple PM's over a couple of months I just Could Not get a quote. Once I started calling around I ended up going with Vengeance Racing.
As a side note, I also would have been happy to go with with Dave at Canadian Performance if I were getting the motor shipped to me. He was extremely helpful. Good luck.

trtturbo

iTrader: (25)

Erik @ HKE. Never had any issue and he has a wealth of LS1 engine info.

88ls1blazer

iTrader: (1)

Another vote for Livernois, Like JDP says, their motors are 100% perfection of machining and assembly, worth the little extra dough

silver01z06

i went with a hke 408. i see you are on a budget and even if you are planning on doing the work yourself its not going to be cheap. i am having someone do the install but my build is running around 12k and i dont have a fast 90/90 yet. granted you can buy budget heads and dont have buy a few things i did but its not going to be cheap.

davered00ss

iTrader: (4)

Sdpc.

candlelit

iTrader: (21)

thanks for everyone's input.

well, the heads on the car are CNC ported 241 heads. Would these be good to reuse with a new shortblock? Possibly could go with a forged 347 (to help keep cost down), a bigger cam, maybe even stroke to a 383, and reuse these heads (knowing HP levels wont be as much). Or should I rid the heads, go with different ones on a bigger engine?

SSZ

Give Dave a call at Canadian performance. He is one of the pioneers of the LS engine. Easy to deal with and has builts all sorts of engines whether LSX, SBC, SBD, SBF, big blocks and so on. Explain your goals and i am sure he can work with you.

Ryne @ CMS

iTrader: (10)

i build my own engines, but if i had to choose. it would be either Eric @ HKE or Kurt @ W2W

Chicago Crew UnderBoss

iTrader: (1)