Who builds reliable race/street engines?

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Steve Mcbean

Steve Mcbean

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The 318 in my Demon is a dog. I don't wanna bother with it. My mechanic likes Blue Print Engines, but some old posts from Chevy forums say not that great. I also read about their 408 stroker, but some of the components seem weak. For instance, the mains are two bolt, and the crank is cast, while the pistons are forged. Doesn't make sense mixing good with cheap.
Mopar 408CI Stroker Crate Engine | Small Block Chrysler Style | Dressed Longblock with Carburetor | Iron Heads | Flat Tappet Cam

Anyone have a link and experience with reliable crate engine builders?

Goals:
1. $7k max budget for complete engine
2. Minimum 300 hp to 390 hp
4. Unsure about proper torque
3. For race 3-5 times a year
4. Street cruise
 
A cast steel crank is plenty strong for the lower hp levels your looking at. A forged piston is not an expensive item. A forged crank would be overkill. A cast crank with forged pistons is very common.
 
At 300-390 hp, 2 bolt mains and cast cranks are not an issue. BP engines has a pretty good rep. Since when do we listen to chevy forums? :)
 
That kind of power should be well under 7k. I have no experience with blueprint so I’m not going to talk about them but you shouldn’t need a crate motor to make that kind of power.
 
doogievlg said:
That kind of power should be well under 7k. I have no experience with blueprint so I’m not going to talk about them but you shouldn’t need a crate motor to make that kind of power.
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I may have underrated the horsepower I was looking for. More like 350-420. Crate motors seem to cost less in the mong run, than building what I have. Even the ex-owner of my car recommended not opening that can of worms, since that 318 I have now, he dropped in stock from a 72 Demon with 60K miles. And that was 10 years ago. The ex owner and current mechanic recommend a crate motor for less issues in the long run, not to mention continued dump of money in a possible crap motor that doesnt sound so healthy.
 
Steve Mcbean said:
I may have underrated the horsepower I was looking for. More like 350-420. Crate motors seem to cost less in the mong run, than building what I have. Even the ex-owner of my car recommended not opening that can of worms, since that 318 I have now, he dropped in stock from a 72 Demon with 60K miles. And that was 10 years ago. The ex owner and current mechanic recommend a crate motor for less issues in the long run, not to mention continued dump of money in a possible crap motor that doesnt sound so healthy.
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Still not an issue for 2 bolt mains and a cast crank. Shouldn't even need to go stroker for those hp levels. Torque is where the stroker shines.
 
Steve Mcbean said:
The 318 in my Demon is a dog. I don't wanna bother with it. My mechanic likes Blue Print Engines, but some old posts from Chevy forums say not that great. I also read about their 408 stroker, but some of the components seem weak. For instance, the mains are two bolt, and the crank is cast, while the pistons are forged. Doesn't make sense mixing good with cheap.
Mopar 408CI Stroker Crate Engine | Small Block Chrysler Style | Dressed Longblock with Carburetor | Iron Heads | Flat Tappet Cam

Anyone have a link and experience with reliable crate engine builders?

Goals:
1. $7k max budget for complete engine
2. Minimum 300 hp to 390 hp
4. Unsure about proper torque
3. For race 3-5 times a year
4. Street cruise
Click to expand...
These folks may be able to help you out, worth a call.
Hughes Engines
 
Disgruntled Chevy drivers notwithstanding (seriously???), I've got almost 5,000 miles on my Blueprint 408 "Dressed" and have nothing but positive things to say about the Engine, the WARRANTY, the Company and our man Johnny Mac. First class in my opinion.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend BP to anyone looking for a crate motor. You can search my content for a more detailed write up. Do yourself a favour, talk to Johnny Mac.

 
Steve Mcbean said:
The 318 in my Demon is a dog. I don't wanna bother with it. My mechanic likes Blue Print Engines, but some old posts from Chevy forums say not that great. I also read about their 408 stroker, but some of the components seem weak. For instance, the mains are two bolt, and the crank is cast, while the pistons are forged. Doesn't make sense mixing good with cheap.
Mopar 408CI Stroker Crate Engine | Small Block Chrysler Style | Dressed Longblock with Carburetor | Iron Heads | Flat Tappet Cam

Anyone have a link and experience with reliable crate engine builders?

Goals:
1. $7k max budget for complete engine
2. Minimum 300 hp to 390 hp
4. Unsure about proper torque
3. For race 3-5 times a year
4. Street cruise
Click to expand...

Hey Steve,

I'm happy to have a phone call, or continue dialog on here. I'm a big mopar guy, happy to help, and the Projects Director of BluePrint Engines.

The points above are correct...even our 408 aluminum headed engine, on the cust of 500 Ft lbs, would not benefit from the added cost of a forged crank, or a 4 bolt main.

we have a 30 month warranty, and dyno test every engine. I greatly appreciate the guys above tagging me up. let me know what I can do to help.

i really value our site sponsorship, and supporting you guys.
 
Dusterdenovo said:
Disgruntled Chevy drivers notwithstanding (seriously???), I've got almost 5,000 miles on my Blueprint 408 "Dressed" and have nothing but positive things to say about the Engine, the WARRANTY, the Company and our man Johnny Mac. First class in my opinion.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend BP to anyone looking for a crate motor. You can search my content for a more detailed write up. Do yourself a favour, talk to Johnny Mac.

Click to expand...


This is great feedback.
 
And to the other "negative reviews" comment. Hopefully they are really old, as I find most are. Keep in mind, you can find anything you want on the internet. Good, bad, indifferent. The company has completely changed who/what we are in the last decade. We're a true performance engine company producing 50 engines a day. Those old reviews are usually back in the earlier days, when any company goes through marketing and structuring changes. Anyone with problems is welcome to reach out to me any time. We take care of people. plenty of examples of that on this forum alone.
 
Johnny Mac said:
And to the other "negative reviews" comment. Hopefully they are really old, as I find most are. Keep in mind, you can find anything you want on the internet. Good, bad, indifferent. The company has completely changed who/what we are in the last decade. We're a true performance engine company producing 50 engines a day. Those old reviews are usually back in the earlier days, when any company goes through marketing and structuring changes. Anyone with problems is welcome to reach out to me any time. We take care of people. plenty of examples of that on this forum alone.
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Yes, they are old posts. I definitely take that into consideration. I may have pissed some guys off for going on a Chevy forum, but that's what google pulled up when when I searched reviews on you guys. Calling you here shortly.
 
If it were me I’d get the blueprint 408 with aluminum heads. It’ll blow the doors off your demon. I have one of the early 408 blueprint iron headed engines and I have 0 complaints. Dustin
 
most cranks are cast iron or forged steel. there are some cast steel. some engines are internally balanced and some are externally balanced. what is the blueprint 408? are u running a flexplate or a flywheel?
 
I just spoke to Johnny Mac at BP. Very helpful. Now, I gotta figure out how many aluminum cans my barefoot wife and daughter will have to collect at the landfill. :D
 
Steve Mcbean said:
I just spoke to Johnny Mac at BP. Very helpful. Now, I gotta figure out how many aluminum cans my barefoot wife and daughter will have to collect at the landfill. :D
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To put blueprints prices into perspective. I had a stock stroke 360 built a few years ago by a well known mopar shop. I already had aluminum heads and the pistons as well as intake and carburetor. The engine made 415 hp and 420 ft lbs. cost me 5-6k. If I did it again then I would go with a BP engine. Although I still believe your power goals don’t require a crate motor.
 
doogievlg said:
To put blueprints prices into perspective. I had a stock stroke 360 built a few years ago by a well known mopar shop. I already had aluminum heads and the pistons as well as intake and carburetor. The engine made 415 hp and 420 ft lbs. cost me 5-6k. If I did it again then I would go with a BP engine. Although I still believe your power goals don’t require a crate motor.
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"Although I still believe your power goals don’t require a crate motor."

Do you have suggestions?
 
Score a running 360 for $1000. Have the heads done, throw in flat top pistons, a good cam (that is where Fabo comes in), a air gap intake and a 650-750 cfm carburetor. With the right cam that can put you in your power range and be less expensive than a crate motor if you buy right.

Head over to the racers forum and look at some of the 12-13 second cars. Many of those engines are in the power range you are wanting.
 
I bought a BPE 408 short block because I already had the rest of the parts I wanted (I bought a car that came with a hopped-up 318, and was in the same shoes you are now).

The engine was nothing short of amazing. I work in manufacturing (much of it aerospace related so my standards are impossible) and have some experience with 'shop built' short blocks. When you really know what you're looking at, the good stuff stands out. My engine was impossibly clean, the core plugs looked like they were willed into position by a higher being (no hammer marks, perfectly square, no excess sealer). The block was used, but to my eyes it looked like a factory-fresh casting. Well deburred but nothing excessive, and it even came built on a roller LA block - which sucked because I'd already bought a HFT cam, haha. The cranks they use are definitely enough for plenty of power (just look at their dyno-tested long block and complete engine offerings) and the pistons make enough compression for most decent cams. I'd put more money into rods before I were to worry about the crank.

Most of the work I've seen from 'standard' shops makes my eyes bleed. Typically ugly work, hammer-marks where there shouldn't be any, missing plugs, etc. Unless you already have a shop nearby who's work you know you can trust, I'd go with BPE in a heartbeat. There are definitely some good builders out there and they're worth talking to, and you can get something tailored better to your desires.

Due to my own stupidity, I broke this same shortblock (busted #2 to pieces with a washer that got swallowed). I reached out to BPE for some info and some parts and was given all the same attention and expedience as a prospective customer. Their customer support is nothing short of amazing. Johnny's only care was getting me back on the road and helped hook me up with an amazing deal. I seriously can't say enough. I can't honestly imagine a world where working with BPE would be a bad choice.
 
Johnny Mac said:
Hey Steve,

I'm happy to have a phone call, or continue dialog on here. I'm a big mopar guy, happy to help, and the Projects Director of BluePrint Engines.

we have a 30 month warranty, and dyno test every engine. I greatly appreciate the guys above tagging me up. let me know what I can do to help.

i really value our site sponsorship, and supporting you guys.
Click to expand...

Johnny Mac said:
Anyone with problems is welcome to reach out to me any time. We take care of people. plenty of examples of that on this forum alone.
Click to expand...

This ^^^^ is what separates the good from the bad, no matter who you are. A live person with belief in their product, and service AFTER the sale. Many good services out there, but also a lot of scheisters.
 
rotating assembly - external Johnny - does that mean externally balanced? if so it should include a damper and a weighted flexplate or flywheel!
 
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