Blueprint Engines Crate Motor?

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KnuckleDuster

KnuckleDuster

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I have a friend considering a crate motor from them. He called and emailed asking specifics about parts used and they couldn't seem to tell him much. I have googled reviews and see mixed results, but most are Chevy motors. Anyone have any experience , particularly Mopar,with them that I can pass on to him? Personally I wouldn't be willing to gamble that much cash on Blueprint.
He seems dead set on a crate motor,
I recommended Hensley or MRL. I just want to see him get his money's worth and get it done right the first time. All input much appreciated!
 
Don't have specific knowledge on them, but just as an FYI.
I ordered a 325 hp Vortec motor for a friend from ATK engines in Texas, but before I did it a lot of research was done.
I found that almost every retailer around here offering crate motors uses them.
Napa also recommended them. (but quoted 400 over a direct order from them)
It was 2,731 with free shipping to my door and zero tax.
Same as you are seeing, there were a lot of mixed reviews on their motors also but we got one and I put it in.
Has good oil pressure hot and cold both, runs great and no leaks or issues at all.
 
He is looking to drag race it. I would send him to a good machine shop and local builder, but I don"t know any.
If anyone knows a good machine shop or builder from Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio that would be good info also.
 
Run in the opposite direction. I found dozens upon dozens of issues. In the past, they always blamed the customer/installer and rejected the warranty. People listed so many problems with the motors they bought. Do a google search for a couple of hours to include here and you will change you mind. You have been warned.
 
Howard1784 said:
Run in the opposite direction. I found dozens upon dozens of issues. In the past, they always blamed the customer/installer and rejected the warranty. People listed so many problems with the motors they bought. Do a google search for a couple of hours to include here and you will change you mind. You have been warned.
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I told him the same thing, but thought somebody here might have Mopar specific experience, or could recommend a good alternative, especially in Central Texas.
 
i say stay away...

there were posts here and other guys over on moparts that had problems and poor customer service from blueprint. you may be able to do a search on both forums and find them..

get a hold of ken (physixx on this forum..) he has done quite a few motors for guys here... real good guy to deal with.
 
abodyjoe said:
i say stay away...

there were posts here and other guys over on moparts that had problems and poor customer service from blueprint. you may be able to do a search on both forums and find them..

get a hold of ken (physixx on this forum..) he has done quite a few motors for guys here... real good guy to deal with.
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chevy boys don`t have the love of mopar to trust. go w/ M R L .
 
Guys- thought I would jump on the forum and try to answer the specific questions asked and then also give you my opinion on some of the general service related comments.

We have two displacements in Chryslers 408 and 493.

We offer two 408’s an aluminum and iron headed and the way we are building them today is:

The iron headed 408 uses a factory heads, Scat Crank and an Edelbrock intake

The aluminum headed 408 uses Edelbrock heads, scat crank and a professional products intake

The 493 uses a 440 Source aluminum head, a BluePrint Crank and a Edelbrock intake.

There are two reasons we try to remain brand agnostic on parts. First, when possible we always try to cut out the middle man and go direct to the manufacturer. On the 493 I mentioned above, we have designed that crank, worked with the manufacturer to develop it to our specifications. We do this whenever our volume allows….this enables us to cut out the middle man and pass the savings on to the customers. In the case of this crank we do bring it in from China. We have manufacturers we work with in the US, Mexico, Brazil, India and China, most of these manufacturers are building the name brand stuff you are used to seeing.

Secondly, we sell through the major retailers such as Summit, Jegs, Pace Performance and Speedway Motors, in a lot of cases these guys will require 4-6 months before we can change a part, this allows them the time they need to design and print their catalogs. If we advertise that we use a Scat Crank and Scat has an issue with supply we can’t go buy an Eagle and fulfill our orders we have to decline them. Therefore, we choose not to advertise the brand as it gives us more flexibility in fulfilling orders and also gives us more negotiating power with our vendors.

As far as our service sucking, I will admit we haven’t always been great in this area, but I think if you go back and look over the last 5 years you will see things have changed dramatically. Pay attention to the dates on the posts that hammer us and pay attention to the guys who actually say they have an engine…..these are the ones I would heed their advice. We still aren’t perfect and we do screw up at times but overall do you think we would have the long term relationships we have with Jegs, Summit, Speedway and Pace Performance if we sucked at what we did?

Not trying to start a forum war with anyone….just wanted to address the issues and questions….if you have more ask away I will try and monitor the board or contact me at the numbers below.

Thank You,

Andrew Obermeier
Product Specialist
1.800.483.4263 ext. 1014
308.236.1014
 
Well that took balls. I always like it when someone admits they are not perfect and they are trying to rectify.
 
While I have not had any personal experiences with engines from them a buddy of mine bought a 408 from them two years ago. Two problems I saw firsthand were several oil leaks and a bunch of failed hydraulic lifters. Valve train clattered so badly he pulled engine and sent back to them. They made some changes and sent it back to him in Canada at his expense. The other problem with his 408 from them was I could eat it with my 340. I understand not everybody has the same budget, I suggest you custom build the very best short block you can afford then add better top end as you can afford it. Not trying to ruffle feathers just stating my opinion.
 
Also wish to give my respect to the previous post from Blueprint engines, displays a degree of integrity.
 
I've heard they were terrible in the past but have been improving. They tend to focus more on chevy as many people do. I think for the price and warranty. They are ok for a cruiser/street car. But MRL does strokers for about the same price and more power from what I understand. Power wise I'm not impressed with blueprint. 408 with iron heads has 375HP/460TQ? My stock stroke 340 makes more horsepower than that. 408 with aluminum heads makes 445HP/500TQ? Not a lot of power given the size. In my opinion. I know MRL is making 500+ horse strokers. In fact Mike mentions on his main page he's making 547HP/562TQ with his strokers.

Just my two cents.
 
Lustle said:
Really: Custom Mopar engines, dyno service, short blocks, long blocks, turn key complete engines, edelbrock, Hughes engines, comp cams, 408 stroker engine, Mopar, Bigs Performance


Yup. Builder rated my setup at 380 horse with manifolds and 2-1/4 exhaust. Now I got 1-5/8 headers with full 3 inch exhaust and dynomax bullet mufflers. I'd say that's good for 20 horse.

375 horse out of 408 cubic inches? C'mon.
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Starting at $6k.....BP is cheaper
I'm sure you have some good coin in your build too.

BP isn't all that and a bag of chips. I'm just saying that if you want a decent engine on a budget, they're a good way to go.
I'm the only one in this thread that actually bought one and mine was great.

Jeff
 
MrJLR said:
Starting at $6k.....BP is cheaper
I'm sure you have some good coin in your build too.

BP isn't all that and a bag of chips. I'm just saying that if you want a decent engine on a budget, they're a good way to go.
I'm the only one in this thread that actually bought one and mine was great.

Jeff
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BP's dressed engine is $6,495, with fuel injection its $7,295. MRL's come ready to run fully dressed as I understand it as well. So we are talking anywhere from $500 dollars or less in difference. Depending on which MRL setup you get.

I got a steal on mine. Came with the car. Was restored 10-12 years ago over a couple years. Engine built by a top rated shop in Edmonton. Known for great engines and under rating their setups. I'm tempted to go actually dyno mine. But I've been tinkering with it and getting it just right before I bother to do that (exhaust, converter, FiTech, some ignition upgrades, etc). I'll be really surprised if I don't make 325-350 at the wheels and I'll be very happy with that. I've done some "test" passes and even letting off once I'm over 90mph it still hits high 13's. I got it for a very large box of lego haha.

Like I said for what they are BP's are ok for a cruiser/street car. They are engines for the guy on a budget. You know what you're getting. It has a warranty. Which I've heard they have been better in the last couple years about, before that there is a lot of "customer's fault" horror stories. Good for a guy just wanting a mild daily driver or weekend cruiser.
 
since someone mentioned MRL, let me toss out some numbers
i think my 408 was about 4500 from MRL
that included my own block, heads ,cam, intake and valve covers

Mike supplied the rotation assembly, the oil pan and the carburetor

consider how much more time/money can be budgeted into porting, tuning and building since that price tag didn't include the parts mentioned above

if you buy an engine from blue print, you buy the block, heads, valve covers, intake aswell

if you look at it that way, this is apples and oranges

oh, and my 408 makes 423 HP and 470 ft/lbs
 
cpearce said:
While I have not had any personal experiences with engines from them a buddy of mine bought a 408 from them two years ago. Two problems I saw firsthand were several oil leaks and a bunch of failed hydraulic lifters. Valve train clattered so badly he pulled engine and sent back to them. They made some changes and sent it back to him in Canada at his expense. The other problem with his 408 from them was I could eat it with my 340. I understand not everybody has the same budget, I suggest you custom build the very best short block you can afford then add better top end as you can afford it. Not trying to ruffle feathers just stating my opinion.
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Cpeace, I have sent you a PM to see if I can get more information on your friend that had this issue.

Lustle said:
I've heard they were terrible in the past but have been improving. They tend to focus more on chevy as many people do. I think for the price and warranty. They are ok for a cruiser/street car. But MRL does strokers for about the same price and more power from what I understand. Power wise I'm not impressed with blueprint. 408 with iron heads has 375HP/460TQ? My stock stroke 340 makes more horsepower than that. 408 with aluminum heads makes 445HP/500TQ? Not a lot of power given the size. In my opinion. I know MRL is making 500+ horse strokers. In fact Mike mentions on his main page he's making 547HP/562TQ with his strokers.

Just my two cents.
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Lustle, I respect that you prefer an MRL engine currently over an engine that I produce, MRL is a more Chrysler specific builder. Would I love it if you gave our company a chance an tired an engine from us, emphatically YES! But I respect your opinion on the topic.
 
BluePrint Engines said:
Lustle, I respect that you prefer an MRL engine currently over an engine that I produce, MRL is a more Chrysler specific builder. Would I love it if you gave our company a chance an tired an engine from us, emphatically YES! But I respect your opinion on the topic.
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did you just offer him a free trail engine?

:poke:
 
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