Indy 360 Crate Motor $4,995.00

Here is the background: I need to rebuild or replace the 360 LA motor in my '73 Dart. I have been looking into Crate engines, as well as local machine shops if I choose to rebuild. I have been weighing each option carefully to ensure I am spending my money, and time wisely. I contacted Indy Cylinder Head today to ask a few questions regarding the 360 crate motor they advertise for $4,995.00. I have to say the experience was disappointing.

I spoke directly to Russ Flagle. I advised Mr. Flagle I was interested in the 360 Crate Engine. He immediately directed me to page 12 of their flyer. I told him I had read the ad which prompted my call. He told me all the information was in the advertisement. I then asked him if the TTi headers I currently have will work on the MA-X heads. He answered, Yes. I then wanted to know if the 360 flywheel (external balance) for my 4 speed will also work. He answered, Yes. I then asked what the shipping to my home state would be. Off the top of his head, $800.00. A bit high for shipping an engine I thought. "But we prefer that you come out to Indiana to see it Dyno tested." That would be a cool thing to do if I can take off 2 days from work. I told him I would be back in touch.

The initial conversation wasn't bad, however I felt he maybe just a busy guy.

I called Indy back later in the day ask a few more questions about the Crate Motor. I again spoke with Russ Flagle. I told him I spoke to him earlier in the day and wanted to know if there was any warranty on the Crate Motor. Well, I was informed by Mr. Flagle, "Insurance Companies offer warranties and they don't do much for you. We have been doing this for 40 years and we don't offer a warranty. If something WE did goes wrong (basically, prove we did it wrong!) then we will take care of it." I advised Mr. Flagle I was asking these questions because I wanted to be sure this Motor will be compatible with parts I already own. Mr. Flagle then asked me if I have ever priced out a crate motor and did I realize what a great deal this engine is? I was then told by Mr. Flagle he had calls on the other line and he put me on hold for 15 minutes.

During that time, the receptionist for Indy spoke to me twice asking what I need to ask Mr. Flagle and made sure she advised me how busy he was with "other customers". When Mr. Flagle got back on the line He asked me what else I needed. I was quick to inform him that I was inquiring for the purpose of possibly giving his company approximately $5,000.00, not to mention 2 days off from my job, numerous hours to drive out to his facility, pay for gas, get a hotel room, just to see the motor Dyno Tested. I believe I have the right to ask a few questions first! Suddenly he is Mr. Nice Guy! I finished my questions and got off the phone.

So, I realized how much of a pompous *** this guy is. I was planning on making the purchase, however my mind has been changed by one of the owners. Sorry Indy Cylinder Heads/Russ Flagle, my hard earned cash will be spent elsewhere!!

If anyone here has had a similar experience please let me know.

Release the hounds!!!

Russ is a King Jerkoff. Ask around about the 15-20k + Hemi/Wedge doorstops a few people have and the "service" they received after the fact. Everything will be your fault even if it was impossible for you to even be able to cause the issue.

There are PLENTY of good engine builders that won't treat you like a king before they get your money and like a leper after they have it like that Jerkoff at Indy will... NEVER buy anything from Indy direct if you decide to buy a product from them.

Going someplace else is a great choice!

Don't feel like it was something you did.... The folks at Indy are known to be some of the most ignorant sons of hitches you can find. Nothing but short yes or no answers and if you prod them for more info they will make you feel like dumb *** trash..... I think that's why Indy dealers like Bob George Racing do so well. People would rather pay a bit more not to have to talk to Indy direct.

The Indy stuff must work though cause if you walk through the pits at a Mopar race I bet better than 80% of cars have Indys stuff on it.

We have heads and an intake from the SOB's

Yep buy your engine from someone else. Maybe check with Brian at immengines.com he is an Indy dealer or someone closer to your loaction that has a decent documented reputation for building engines.

Good thread, thanks for the heads up. I will not be spending any of my hard earned cash with them either.

I had no troubles with Indy but I am prolly the EXCEPTION and not the rule, I didn't buy an engine from them just my stroker kit, I had a local shop build the engine I had in my car originally, most here will agree to NOT buy a "crate" motor, what is wrong with your current engine?? you should see what you can do with that. BTW welcome to the site!!! the people on here are the best and will definatly point you in the right direction.

In a quasi- related matter, does anyone know what's going on at Ray Barton? Half the site is in a language I can't read, and the other half states coming soon.

You have several people here that has experienced ICH 1st hand.

Have lived in Indy all my life, do not like to have to deal with them. They like to make everyone feel like they are dumbasses.

Have helped them at their swap meet thru the Indy Mopar club.

Don't know how they stay in business. There the customer is always wrong.

There are several people there that do know what they are doing, you just don't get to talk to them.

Several of the crate engine builders will give you a warranty. But in a race car, doubt anyone would.

I'm thinking their 5 grand crate is a nice street strip engine

Thanks for the added feedback. I am a big supporter of local business. I was just curious about the deal Indy had. I am an even bigger supporter of the local shops now.

412 Stroker- Wiped out a lobe on my cam, metal through out motor now. Took its toll on the Cam bearings, rod bearings and mains. At the point of no return, as well as no oil pressure!

Sooooo, rebuild is on the horizon. Not in any rush. I will take my time and do all the research I need before I spend my money.

Dont forget us, we are a Vendor and sponsor for this awesome forum.

Give us a call and we will see what we can do for you. I will be back in the shop Monday morning. Or you can shoot me an email.

mrlperf340@gmail.com

www.mrlperformance.com

Yep, find a good local engine builder with a good mopar reputation. When it comes to expensive purchases I like to be able to knock on there door when there is a problem. Here is a 360 that I had built locally with a 1 year unconditional warranty. Keep in mind that I supplied my own cam, lifters, intake, carb, valve covers and timing set, but this 360 will make more power than that Indy motor and end up cheaper with a warranty.

MRL PERFORMANCE.They are venders here, Very helpful and will answer ANY AND ALL questions that you will have. On top of that their stuff works.

Give MRL PERFORMANCE a call. From what I hear, they'll treat you right. And Welcome to FABO.

I wouln't buy water from them if my car was on fire, a good friend said to me. the best advice i ever recieved. Had an engine built by big als toy box gave a 1 yr warranty and shipped from connecticut for around 500 dollars a few years ago. No problems been running 9.50's for 8 years never had the engine apart. Good luck

That is so typical of the attitude of ICH . I have experienced it myself and will do business elsewhere.

racerx23 said:

I wouln't buy water from them if my car was on fire, a good friend said to me. the best advice i ever recieved. Had an engine built by big als toy box gave a 1 yr warranty and shipped from connecticut for around 500 dollars a few years ago. No problems been running 9.50's for 8 years never had the engine apart. Good luck

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Wow, that is pretty impressive!

Since you already have been exposed to stroker power, try this...

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?p=1969514387#post1969514387

I have had three friends buy big expensive motors from them, and another one buy all the parts and assemble two of them himself.

Not one cared for the experience, in fact one of them ended up taking the Dyno'd Hemi apart and fixing it with another machine shop. They found a lot of screw ups and more horse power.

I don't know how they stay in business? I spoke with them down at MATS in Vegas a couple of years ago and they blew me off in person?!? I mean WTH?!?

I flew half way across the country to attend a Mopar show in Vegas. What in that sentence doesn't say "I can afford this, take my money" ???

Find a good local builder and throw your money his way. That's what I'm gonna do.

i hope they disappear. lol

MOPAR people isn't the only ones with vendors like this.
A good friend of my son's, races in top dragster.
Even though they are chevy people, they're still ok. LOL
I was curious, asked them what an engine cost for his dad's dragster (typical big chev).
It was bought from Reherr & Morrison (chevy Kings?) for $22500.00.
It lasted 10 runs before it came apart.
For an additional 10K, it was repaired (by R&M) & lasted another 10 passes.
Spent another 5K to repair it at another engine builder.
So far, it has stayed together, but isn't as fast as it was when he first put it in.
I think its like anything else, people thru hard work develope a great reputation for engines & once the start there assembly lines, the only thing great about them is the decals on the engine.
This isn't only engine builders.

I work for a local shop and have rebuilt a few reherr morrison motors. They are a joke. Cam installed 6 degrees ret. to get P to V clearance. Thin wall wrist pins that deflect, causing the pistons to gall out and kill the rod bushings. Valve train components too heavy causing valve float. The list goes on........
We usually get about 75 to 100 more HP out of one of their motors when done and those motors last for 3 to 4 seasons instead of 50 or 60 runs. Seems like most of the guys buying motors from these guys just want to go around the pits braggin about how much money they spent.

"no warranty, but we'll fix it if something we did goes wrong" means precisely that- no warranty.
Thanks, but no thanks.

BrianT said:

I don't know how they stay in business? I spoke with them down at MATS in Vegas a couple of years ago and they blew me off in person?!? I mean WTH?!?

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Same happened to me this year.

I had questions about the RHS X heads and the Mod man intake. That alone adds up to a couple thousand dollars sale? I guess that is small potatoes to them.